Under the “Totem-Pole’ ’

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1013, 2 July 1930, Page 14

Under the “Totem-Pole’ ’

Letters to Redfeather are ansAvered as follow: Flying Cloud: Your fireside letter makes delightful reading. Flying Cloud. Did you bow to that Avraith of a neAv moon'.’ Perhaps your friend the black rabbit has gone adventuring into new countries, but I hope that some day you will find him peering through the grass again. A Wigwam wish for Flying Cloud. Little Stalker: Thank you for your poems, Little Stalker. You will find your name in the highly commended list. 1 wonder if I shall see a story from you this time? Great Lone Eagle: Your Devonport notes are included in the Scouts’ column, Great Lone Eagle. My best wishes to all the members of your troop. Maid of the Pines: Your letter and story have reached me. Maid of the Pines, and I have made inquiries about the | very well handled. I hope you will soon recover from your cold. Harvest Moon: Congratulations to Harvest Moon. “Rain” is one of your best poems. I hope you are keeping all jour published work. Golden Butterfly: Thank, you for your Guide notes. Golden Butterfly. I have not heard lately from Swift Thought, the scribe for First Whangarei. Is she on holiday ? Red Star: A red-letter day for Red Star. Everyone will like your fine poem. Soon your piper will be making music in the Wigwam page. Lone Drifter: Your competition poem came safely to hand. Lone Drifter, and you will find your name in the highly commended list. Drifting Feather: An entry from this faithful one. I wonder if you are now at work on a story? I hope so. THE THREE EMIRS I A WEST AFRICAN FABLE Once there were three walled cities, j One city was the city of the Borrow- ! ing Emir. His work was borrowing from people—and not returning. Tho second city was the city of the Lending Emir. He loaned money on terms, and in that day on which the terms of the debt ran out, men were forced to pay him. Tho third city was the city of the Emir Who Heard News. Nothing was ever done in that country but what lie would hear of it. He heard all things and listened always for news. He was of a truth interested in all that happened, that chief. Noav once the Borrowing Chief Avent to the Lending Chief and asked him for a loan of money—ten thousand cowries he asked for, ten thousand, and in tAvo months’ time he promised to repay the loan. And the Emir Who Heard News came up and heard all that passed between tho other two. Then this Lending Emir brought money and gave it to the Borrowing Emir and they went home. When two months were passed tho Chief Who Loaned went to the Borrowing Emir and said: “The time has run out. Where is my money?” And the Emir Who Heard News heard of it. The Borrowing Chief then said. “Oh, the terms have run out, have they?” And ho added, “Didn’t you know my name when you lent it to me?” And the first replied, “Yes, I did.” And the Borrowing Chief said, “I don’t repay debts until the life to come! ” Then asked tho Lending Chief,

“Don’t yoa repay me until the life I hereafter?” And the other answered, “That is ! so.” Then said the Lending Chief, “Let us go, then, to the life hereafter.” Noav behind the city was a black pool of water. The Borrowing Chief said, “Let us go,” and'the other followed him, and tho Chief "Who Heard News followed them also. They went to the edge of the water and the Emir Who Borrowed fell into the big pool and cried, “Come and receive your money here!” And the Lending Chief followed him and dived into the water and they both disappeared. Then the Emir Who Heard News, and who was there also, said: “Good gracious, who is going to give me news noAV? llow am I going to know what is going on down there?” So he fell into the water also, and dived deep down. And all three of them were drowned, completely! HEAT AND COLD The class had had a lesson on heat and cold. “Now, children,” said the teacher, “remember that heat expands things and cold contracts them. Can any boy or girl give me an example?” “Yes, miss,” said one bright boy. “In summer the days are long and in winter they are short.” WALKING IN CIRCLES People lost in unknown country tend to wander round in wide circles, this being due to the fact that we are all right or left-handed, and incline to right or left as the case may be.