A Little World for Little People

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1046, 9 August 1930, Page 31

A Little World for Little People

friendship is a steady light shining in dark places

A SPRING FESTIVAL

“nUB-A-DL B-I)l L:, I polisli and scrub; I’m the boot-black today 1% for my neighbour. I shine and I shine. .. . What a business is mine, and nothing I get for my labour!” “That’s a funny song,” remarked the Little Thought. “Did you make it up ; ’ “Not; exactly,” answered the smallest Pixie Postman, who was sitting in the midst of turned-up shoes of all shapes and sizes. “I adapted it from an old nursery rhyme about a candle-stick maker and two other people, but they were in a tub, and I’m not.” “No,” laughed the Little Thought, “I would say that you are in a quandary. What is the meaning of all this?” ,“Why, haven’t you heard?” asked the smallest Pixie Postman, wide-eyed. “The Doorkeeper is holding a Spring Festival in tlic Place-of-You-Nevcr-Can-Tell in honour of Doctor Spring Sunshine, and Ave’re all going.” “Yes, I know about that. I’ve been helping with the decorations and tying green and yellow ribbons round the riddles’ necks, but that doesn’t explain why you are polishing all those shoes.” “Well,” sighed the smallest Pixie Postman, “I happened to be up first this morning, and in a weak moment I promised to clean the shoes of the Pixie Postman who lives in the next house, because he was kind enough to trim my hair the day before yesterday, and all the other Pixie Postmen began reminding me of the good turns they have done me at odd times. That’s the reason for all these shoes. I’ve been sitting here polishing for an hour and three-quarters, and I’ve worn the bristles off three brushes.” “And where are the owners of the shoes?” cpieried the Little Thought, compassionately. “Still in bed. I’ve promised to leave the shoes on their doorsteps. Look at this one, all covered with mud from the Outside World. Someone has been walking through puddles.” “Well, at least I can help deliver tlie shoes,” murmured the Little Thought, with twinkling eyes, “and I’m going to play a beautiful trick. I’m going to mix up all the pairs and start a game of ‘Hunt the Slipper.’ Yes, give me that big one and that little one. Those will do for the middle-sized Pixie Postman. And now mix up two more. You put them into the wrong order, and I’ll leave them on the doorsteps. . . . See we’re getting through them splendidly. In ten minutes’ time Tiptoe Street will be a whirlwind of confusion!” “That’s the last,” said the smallest Pixie Postman, a few moments later. “And now,

Little Thought, before the game starts, perhaps we had better make sure of being the first arrivals at the Spring Festival!”