AT WATER-LILY LAKE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1082, 20 September 1930, Page 29

AT WATER-LILY LAKE

It had been such a happy day for Joan. She was just eight years old. and she lia<J received a number of lovely presents, but what she loved best of all was a dainty little fairy doll which she called Starlight. Now, Joan was lying in bed, sleepfl] watching the moonbeams creeping through the window, when suddenly she found herself in front of a great marble castle. Before the steps stood a crimson rose carriage, drawn by two glossy starlings, while the coachman was a very dignified elf, with a tinkling bluebell cap jauntily set upon his head. But what surprised Joan most of all was that her little Starlight, now a fairy princess, was coming down the steps! She was dressed in a frock of sparkling dew. and wore a crown of tiny, twinkling stars on her head. The fairy stepped into the waiting carriage, and away it flew through the air until it came to Water-lily Lake. All around the lake, suspended from the overhanging boughs of weeping willows, were hundreds of tiny lanterns, each like a bright new moon. All over the water, gay little fairies and sprightly elves were gliding about from ono lily leaf to another, in rose-petal boats. It was in honour of the Princess Starlight that this party was taking place, and there was great excitement at her arrival. Then the festivities began in real earnest. The famous “Cricket and Beetle” Orchestra had been invited to attend, and they were seated on one of the lily leaves, playing their latest tunes. On a nearby leaf some elves and their dainty partners were dancing to the music. On every leaf something different was in progress; on one, all kinds of games were being played, while on another competitions were being held. The delicious supper. which was handed round by the Bullrush Sprites, was served on the largest pink waterlily. Of course it consisted of everything that fairies love best—moonbeam jelly, rainbow trifle, spring dew. and oh! lots and lots of other delicious things. When the supper was over, the fairies prepared to depart, .for the first pink touches of dawn were showing in the sky, and, of course, the fairy folk must not be seen by any mortals. The water was again covered with the tiny boats, as the fairies glided to the shore. The beautiful rose-carriage was waiting for Starlight as she stepped from her tiny boat, and very soon it stopped once more in front of the castle. As the great door closed behind the princess, Joan felt as though she was being drawn swiftly through the air, and then she found that she was in bed, and her mother was just saying, “Why, Starlight looks liappy this morning!” Joan said nothing, but she knew why lier little fairy was so happy. —Ruth Day, aged 13.

BERTIE BEETLE “I don’t believe in being ‘uppish,’ ” said Mrs. Beetle. “We ought never to have left our home in the garden.” "Nonsense!” fussed Mr. Beetle. “This is an. aristocratic household, and there’s ! no knowing who Bertie may meet.” Now that they had taken up their home in the scullery of an earl’s house. Bertie began to be venturesome, and even dared to creep into the diningroom, despite his mother’s warnings. There he met a very charming lady beetle, and determined there and then to marry her. He boasted of his ancestors, and foolishly pretended that his home was in the ball-room. The little lady beetle was delighted at having met such a distinguished young man. and promised to accompany Bertie to his “home” that night. How fast their hearts beat as they crawled up the stairs to the ball-room! As they reached the landing, some ladies came out of a room, and —oh, what a shrieking when they saw the beetles! Bertie and his lady were beaten by brooms and chased from corner to corner until they were nearly dead. it was three o’clock in the morning before they dared begin their limping journey down the stairs. “I thought your home was in the ball-room!” scoffed the lady beetle. “Why aren’t we going there?” • I—l think we’d better sleep in the scullery tonight for safety!” stammered Bertie.' “Pouf!” said the lady, and left him. “I told you so!" said Bertie’s mother, the next day. “We’ll move into the garden.” And they did! But at any rate Bertie had learnt a lesson, and. he wasn’t likely to be boastful again in a h u r r y! LAKES Lakes are fat And rivers are thin. Lakes are slow And never begin. Rivers run by In such a hurry. But lakes just smile And never worry. COURTESY Angry Passenger (at tram shelter): “How long will the next car be?” Inspector (courteously): “About the same length as this one. sir.”