FIRST PRIZE STORY THE HORN OF UNSELFISHNESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 992, 7 June 1930, Page 33

FIRST PRIZE STORY THE HORN OF UNSELFISHNESS

Teddy was a \ T ery naughty boy and Nurse nad told him to "run away and play,” and so, just to be mischie\*ous, he determined to really and truly run away. "It will be fun to have an adventure,” he said. “Perhaps I’ll meet some fairies,” and he ran quickly out the gate and down the road into the forest, and began to follow the winding course of a stream because jie thought it might lead to Fairyland. It seemed to him that he had walked a very long way along the banks of the creek, and his legs were beginning *o grow tired when he stopped suddenly in surprise for there, sitting under a little tree and counting the beads on her moccasins, was a little girl dressed in Indian costume. “Little girl,” called Teddy, “could you tell me where the fairies live?” The little girl looked up in surprise at rhe sound of his voice, and cried, “Where did you come from?” “I runned away,” said Teddy. “Who are you?” “I am Marianna,” replied the child “But why did you come here? Don’t you know this castle is the home of the Storm Giants, who eat little childTeddy looked round and saw a large castle half hidden by tall trees, and which he had not noticed before. “My name is Teddy,” he said, “and I runned away, 'cos I was naughty. I didn’t know any giants lived here. I thought perhaps this was Fairyland and that you were a fairy.” Marianna laughed, then her face clouded over again and she said, “No, I’m not a fairy; I’m the giant’s servant. They kidnapped me when I was little."

“Oh, can’t you ever go bock to your father and mother?” asked Teddy.

“Only if a little boy blows the Horn of Unselfishness, which hangs on the door of the giant’s castle.” “Where are the giants? I’ll blow the horn for you,” cried Teddy. “Come and sit here, and I will tell you about them,” said Marianna and, when Teddy had sat down beside her, she said, “There are two giants, Thunder and his wife Lightning, who are away at present helping the Rain Clouds to make a storm.” Teddy broke in eagerly, “Can’t I blow the horn now while they’re away?” Marianna smiled rather sadly at him, Teddy thought, and she said, “You are a brave boy, Teddy, but I wonder if vou will be able to blow the horn? Come now and try, quickly. I would so like to be free,” she sighed as she led the way to the castle.

A huge golden horn hung on the do dr, and underneath it was written.

“The Horn of Unselfishness Can be Blown Only by Good Unselfish Children.”

“Can you blow it?” asked Marianna Teddy gazed at it doubtfully. Suddenly a rosy mist gathered, and through it lie saw a vision of his mother sitting weeping before the fire. “My little Teddy,” he heard her cry. “Where is he? Oh, Teddy!”

Then the picture faded. Teddy burst into tears. “No, I can’t,” lie sobbed. “Tt says, ‘good unselfish children,’ and I’ve b-b-been horrid to in running away. I’m s-s-sorry, Marianna, I can’t ”

Just then the sky grew inky black'. Thunder roared, and Lightning flashed, and ran poured down. “Run. Teddy, run! Here are the Giants!” screamed Marianna. Teddy felt himself hurtling through the air and found himself outside the gate of his own garden, while the storm raged round him. He ran indoors to his mother’s arms, and sobbed out bis story. “Darling, I thought you were lost, and Daddy went to look for you. My own naughty little boy,” said his mother. “Some day,” said Teddy, later on, “when I’ve learnt to be good and unselfish, I Yvill find my way back to Marianna, and I*ll blow the Horn of Unselfishness.” Mother laughed and hugged him. “I’ll go with you, too, I think, Teddy, dear.” she said. —Creina Mosse, aged 14.

RIDDLES

Why is it difficult to keep quiet in cold weather?—Because it makes the teeth chatter. .

When do we find the wind most biting?—When we are in the teeth of the gale. What holds the moon in its place?— The beams.

Why is a crow the bravest bird in the whole world?—Because it never shows the white feather.

kitten must have been chasing an Imaginary mouse, Edwyna. Did it manage to catch the string? The Little Thought sends you his sunniest smile in return for vour special message. Barbara Fox. Te Awamutu: Barbara has been busy this week. Thank you for vour two competition entries. Robina Harding, Kingsland: Your story arrived with Naera’s, Robina. Please will you let me know when your birthday falls. Dorothea Morrell. Morningside: It arrived safely, Dorothea. The Happy Town people send vou their warmest greetings Irene Wilkins, Mount Albert: Another busy pen. 1 enjoyed your story very much. Irene.

Creina Mosse, Parnell: Congratulations, Creina. T hope you will send me a photograph of yourself taken with your new Hawk-eye camera.

Rona Whitman, Auckland: Your story came safely to hand. Rona. There will be another competition soon with a camera as the first prize.

Margaret O’Kane. Auckland: Have you lost voui membership card, Margaret? I notice you sent full particulars about yourself again. You found the hidden Sunbeam, and 1 was glad to see those >*iddles. Hastings Hewitt, Parnell: YVelcome, Hastings. You will always be bappv now that you have come to Happy Town. I hope vou will often find your name in the Hollow Tree. Fay Stenning, Panmure: “This little girl is closely related to the fairies,” remarked the Little Thought. “I can tell by her name." Joyce Corbett, Auckland: Your rose makes a dainty picture, Joyce. Was the outline hard to do? Mamy Johnston. Devonport: Another new face. 1 hope you will soon tell me all about yourself, Mamy. Marie Carroll. Te Aroha: l am glad yon know Dorothy, Marie. Yes, I thought Gilberta must be your sister. And you would likr the Little Thought to visit you? Look in the flower nearest your window tomorrow morning when the first ray of the sun strikes across your garden. Patsy Sheridan and Dorothy Bree will find your love thoughts with friend YY'oodpecker. Doris Bovett, Te Aroha: Happy Town is like a rose garden this week. Doris. You managed your entry very well. Olga Meyer, Hikurangi: I am sure Doctor Spring Sunshine would love to have a letter from you. Olga. As you are in the north, Hikurangi may be his first port of call. Yes. that was a happy little poem by Norma Bennett. What an interesting visitor you had at your Guide meeting. Olga Keven and Jean Danes will be glad you have remembered them this week. Iris Elkington, Papakura: My love and thanks, Iris. Your needlework rose has been entered in the competition.