A Brain-Wave

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 12

A Brain-Wave

“I’m afraid wo are lost,” cried Billy to his two little cousins, as he dropped like a squirrel from the tree. “What can we do now?” asked Nelly, matching her eyes with her bluebells. “There is nothing lor us to do but to walk about until we find the right path,” answered Billy. “But it is getting late," murmured Nelly, “and we don’t want to waste time going the wrong way. Oh, dear! we have the cakes I like so much for tea to-day.” “If I had a compass,” said Billy, “I should soon find the way. Our house is near the sea--that we know is north. But which is the north?” “S’pose we sit down and put on our thinking caps,” whispered Cissy, as she combed her hair with her fingers. “A good idea, Cissy!” cried Nelly, who was feeling just a little tired. “You have a bright little brain.” “And tired little feet,” added the boy, a little unkindly. The three children sat down on the smoothest stones they could find near the edge of the wood. For some time they were silent —as silent as the stones on which they sat. Nelly broke the silence by lazily asking, “What next? Have you noticed what pretty hair the stones have?” she cried, before Billy had time to answer. “Yes,” chimed in Cissy, “what a lot

of moss grows on this side!” Billy looked for a few moments and then, leaping to his feet, shouted “Hurray!”

“Have you gone mad, Billy," asked Nelly, “or have you had what Daddy calls a brain-wave?” “Perhaps some fairy has whispered to him," said Cissy. “I read about a fairy —.”

j She did not have time to tell the story, for Billy, trotting ahead, was giving his “Quick march!" orders. The two girls followed through the wood in silence until they came into an open field, where they were cheered by the sight of a farm-house they had sometimes visited. “Isn't he a clever boy?" cried Cissy. “Yes," agreed Nelly, and then, turning to Billy, asked: "But how did you find the way without a compass?” I “Cissy gave me the idea. You saw ■ which side the moss was growing?" “Yes, but what has that to do with j finding your way?" I “Well, you know—or, if you I don’t, it’s time you did—the moss likes the wet. If it had legs inJ stead of r-.ots it would never go ; sun-bathing. That is Why, instead ■ of facing north, it generally faces j south.” ! "I see,” cried Nelly, interrupting. I “You knew, when you saw which side I the moss was growing, that you had j only to turn the other way for the I north. You deserve an extra cake for tea, Billy."