THE RUNAWAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1028, 19 July 1930, Page 31

THE RUNAWAY

“Peeky,” said his mother, one day, “I want you to stay and mind the house while I go to town. Walt inside until I come home and don’t get up to mischief.”

“Yes, yes,” answered Peeky, hurriedly. “Don’t worry. I will be all right.” So his mother got ready and set off.

Peeky watched her until she was out of sight. “At last.” he sighed with reliel’. “Now I can go to the woods.” So. Cutting the door of the little house, the naughty elf scampered merrily out of the garden into Jingle Dell Wood. “Hullo, Peeky: where are you off to?” cried Frisky Squirrel. “Oh, I’m running away to the woods,” answered Peeky. triumphantly. “Come with me,” said Frisky slyly. “I'm going to the pond to fish.” Peeky w'illingly said. “Yes,” and off they set. Peeky, who had never been to the pond, was greatly excited and was chattering all the time. After a long time they reached the pond. “Oh, how beautiful!” exclaimed P*eky, as he saw a white duck asleep on the water. As he was praising the pond anu its beauties, he did not notice Frisky, who was standing behind him. steal slyly away, looking back every now and then to see if Peeky was watching. Soon after, Peeky looked round for his friend. “Oh. he has left me. How mean, and I don’t know the way home, either.” cried Peeky in dismay. Not knowing which way to go or what to do. he sat under a mushroom nearby. “I wonder what that noise is?” thought Peeky, as he peeped out from his resting place. “Oh. only a raven!” “What is that?” said the raven, as he saw Peeky's tall hat peeping from under the mushroom. “It’s me,” said Peeky. “How did you get here?” asked the raven. “Oh. I ran away,” explained Peeky. “Ha! Ha! Serves you right.” And with that the raven flew off. adding: “Just for punishment. I shall not take you home.” Poor Peeky! All he could do was to sit down and cry. “Hullo! What’s the matter?” asked a friendly voice. On looking up. Peeky saw a spider, who had just finished putting up his telephone. “Oh!” sobbed Peeky. “I have run away from home, and I can’t find my way back again.” “Never mind.” said the spider. “I will ring up your mother, and tell her you’re here.” The spider went into his parlour and soon came out smiling happily on the lost elf. Peeky was afraid his mother would be angry, but she was only too glad to know where he was. Very soon Peeky saw his mother coming quickly toward the pond. “Peeky! Peeky!” she cried. “What a fright you have given me!” “I am sorry, mother.” said Peeky, “but I did want to see the woods/’* That night a very tired, but happy, little Peeky went to bed. after resolving never to run away again. —Helen Doull, aged 10.