(First Prize Story) GO-SLOW TOWN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 980, 24 May 1930, Page 31

(First Prize Story) GO-SLOW TOWN

“Junior” called Airs. Squirrel, “Come and get this basket and go to the butcher’s while I do the washing. And don’t dawdle.” Junior gave a big sigh, turned over the page of his storybook and shuffled out to the kitchen, lie took up the basket, and sauntered down the path. The Squirrels lived in a sweet little house, high up in an oak tree Junior lived there with his Daddy, Mummy, and Big Sister, and he always dawdled, no matter what he did. As he strolled down the road he came upon a crowd of his chums playing hide and seek. Of course he joined them, and soon forgot his message. “This looks a good place to hide,’ he thought, and scampered up a path into a large wood. Had he only known, it was the Land where Naughty Clvldren are Punished. Tie soon found a hiding place and settled down to wait. All of a sudden someone tweaked his tail. Turning, Junior saw an elf standing there. The elf dragged him up and pushed him to a clearing in the ferns, where there was what looked like a gigantic spring with a padded seat on top. The elf pushed Junior on to the seat, still without having said a word, and pulled a lever. The spring sank low and then rose high, shooting Junior up. Ho shut his eyes, and his basket tightly. Soon he stopped, and, opening his eyes, Junior found himself in a street, where no one was hurrying. They all seemed to have nothing to do but talk, and in some cases nothing at all. Then from a house on the corner, there burst out a large dog, rushing straight at Junior, who took one look, and then tied hastily down the street, calling for help as he went The people, however, merely strolled forward, and Junior soon outdistanced them all —; even the dog. As he sat down on a seat to recover he wriggled his wobbly nose. Soon, however, he felt a drop of rain, and he hated rain. A lady sitting next to him, offered him the shelter of her umbrella, but by the time it was open the shower' was over, and Junior felt thoroughly wet and miserable. He strolled on and found himself on the edge of a precipice. “I wonder what’c? happen if I fell?” ho thought, and just then someone pushed him! Junior went hurtling down, his basket in one hand, his tail in the other, to land with a nasty bump outside the butcher’s shop. He picked himself up, and went in sadly for the meat. He ran all the way home. When he got there, his Mummy had the washing out, and was sweeping the doorstep. “You’d better start chopping that wood,” she said. You should have seen how quickly he did it. Junior never dawdles now. —Olive Cranston, aged 13.

Kelvin Cox, Hamilton East: Thank you, Master Kelvin. Your story has arrived. Stuart Taylor, Mount Eden: “From your little friend Stuart,” said the Pixie Postman with the smile like chocolate cream. “And isn’t he a neat writer, too?” J. Willis, Ruakaka: Thank you, Miss or Master J. Please will you let me know your full name and also your age. Gloria Rawlinson, Parnell; There was great excitement in Tiptoe Street when your poem arrived, Gloria, and I am not sin-prised to hear that you saw three of the Pixie Postmen in your garden. The smallest one thinks "Mustard Seed” is a very original name, and he would rather be called that than “Cayenne Pepper.” I smiled over your letter, and I love your poem. Jean Farquhar, Mount Eden: The violet was as fresh as when you picked it, Jean, and I have pressed it in a book. Yes, I am sure I shall love Mary. Some Happy Town sunshine for you both.

Una Amoretti, Auckland: This little girl is now a Sunbeam, and I hope I shall have plenty of letters. Your birthday will .soon be happening, won’t it, Una? David McDonnell, Otaua: More roast ducks for dinner? I should not be surprised to hear that you are having blackbird pie. Once I had a piece of pie made from “four-and-twenty blackbirds.” David, but pone of them began to sing. The Woodpecker sends his love to those j fantails. Dulcie Henderson, Rotorua: “Pixie: Postman’s knock.” What fun! All the Pixie Postmen were deeply interested in j that poem, Dulcie. Desmond Clarke, Mount Roskill: Another keen Happy Town reader. What numbers of faithful followers I have, Desmond. I was glad to hear all about my neAV Sunbeam. Harold Day, Manurewa: A dark-halrcri > brown-eyed boy who owns a cat named : Whiskers. I feel that I know you quiic i well already, Harold. A warm welcome into our happy family, and much love to our new Sunbeam. Roy Clark, Mount Roskill: Down Tiptoe Street comes Master Roy. Greetings to this December boy. There is a poem for you, Roy. Now you write one forme. ' ; Alsace Brown, Waiheke: Your garden must be a pretty sight, Alsace. What numbers of flowers you have blooming. Yes, I hope you will be able to send a story. Nicholas Tothill, Birkenhead: This wee ' man lias come safely down Tiptoe Street, i The Little Thought sends you a sunny smile, Nicholas. Jeane Edwards, Waiuku: What a busy time you have been having, Jeane. 1 hope you will soon be settled in your new home. Thank you for two competition entries. Rodney Rowlands. Milford: My best love and thanks, Rodney. It came safely to Happy Town. Thomas Henderson, Raurimu: You will be happy when you have your new paint box, Tom. You managed your picture very well. Sydney Gibb, Te Papapa: Good work. Sydney. Your squirrel picture makes a charming study. Elaine Goodey. Te Kuiti: This faiih- : fill Sunbeam has been listening for the j Competition Bell. The Little Thought ! j sends you a special smile this week, i Elaine. Zelda Johnston, Kaitaia: “From Zelda.” I said the middle-sized Pixie Postman, pausing under the Happiness Tree to de- 1 j liver a painting and a story. Henry Moore, Takapuna: The Woodpecker is quite familiar* with your name, Henry, because you usually answer the i Competition Bell. Hazel Harrison. Whakarewa: The I j Little Thought is wondering if you have ’ j eyes to match that pretty name of yours. Hazel. Your painting reached me safely, ■ ami I am giad you are now a Sunbeam. I Nancy Lush. Waiheke: Greetings to i this Island girl. I wonder if you go swimming in the summer. Nancy? Vour story and painting are very good. Grendon Le Grice, Whakarewa: Welcome, Grendon. You will find much to interest you now that you belong to Happy Town. Thank you for your entry. T wonder if you can write stories, too? Jack Wright, Pukekohe: Two poems from Jack. My best love and thanks to j this young man. Ronald Stone, Herne Bay: They are both very good, Ronald. Ilow is sister j Winifred? Please give her my love. Elsie Orams, New Lynn: Most girls like school stories, Elsie, and I am not surprised that you do, too. i shall watch j the mail for your competition story*. \ Basketball is a splendid game. Royce Purcell, Whangarei: That is a charming portrait of you and your dog, i Royce. Plow intelligent your pet looks. 1 Yes, at first I thought you were a boy I and that you would be called Roy for • short. My love to the kitten that goes ] to sleep in your doll's pram. Gerald Ward, Helensville: Here is Gerald in Happy Town, and I hope I shall soon hear all about my new Sunbeam. Oiga Meyer, Hikurangi: Yes. I am sure , you would have liked that exhibition of i Sunbeams' paintings, Olga. They made j ! a bright splash of colour. You found the i hidden Sunbeam, and the Little Thought [ I sends his love to that kewpie on a stick, j