GERTIE GRUNTER'S RIDDLE

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 26, 13 January 1928, Page 15

GERTIE GRUNTER'S RIDDLE

(By

Olwen

Bower

The Varmyard was interested--more, the Iarmyard was excited. Gertie Grunter, the prize pig, had found a large and juicy carrot, and, to everyone’s surprise, she had very generously offered it as a prize to anybody who could gness a riddle. "Such a strange thing for Gertie Grunter to do!" said Hepzibah Hen, in a puzzled voice. ‘Such a beautiful carrot, too! Anybody would be proud to own it." "Quite unlike Gertie Grunter," commented Dulcima Dnek. ‘I can’t understand it at all. It isn’t as if there was anything wrong with the carrot!" "No," said Kathleen Cow, sleepily. "T saw it myself in Gertie Grunter’s mouth as she leant over the gate ol Sty House, waiting for people to com? and gness the answer." "What is the riddle??? asked ChiraDelle Chicken. "When does the sun flower?’ " murmured Kathicen Cow, mournfully. "T didn’t know it did; but that’s the riddle, so I suppose it’s all right." "IT know the answer," said Cuthbert Cockerel, in a pomrpons voice. You others had beiter come and see me win the carrot! They all went across to Sty Tlouse. On the way they met Alphenso Ass aud Doreas Donkey, both looking very depressed, "Ws no good trying to win that carrot," said Doreas, sadly. "We've tricd every answer we. can think of, and they’re all wrong!’ said Alphonso Ass. "Near, dear-what a shame!’ said Hepsizbah "But, never mind, I’m sure Cuthbert will let you have a hite out of the carrot. He says he kuows the answer." Gertie Grunter greeted them very’ civilly, and counted over the two acorns which each person had to pay as entrance fce for guessing the riddle. "When does the sun flower?" asked Gertie Grunter. "Twelve o’clock, middav,’ — said Cuthbert Cockerel, and held out his. claw for the carrot. , "Not at all’? suid Gertie, with a chuckle, ‘That's shining, not floweringr?’4 "Surely that’s not wrong!" cried Mepzibah, quite distressed. Then she turned her back on Gertie Grunter, and thonelit hard for a few minutes Chirabelle Chicken gnessed, and Gwendolen Goose suessed, and so did Duleima Duek, and even Taraxicum JTurkev---but they all guessed wroue. "T know!" cried Wepizhah, turning round at last. ‘Sure, I know. The auswer is ‘When it does’ !" But it wasn’t, aud Gertie Grnnter langhed still louder, and asked if thew’d all agree to give it up. "There isn’t an answer.’’ she said at last, "How could there he, hecause the sun doesn’t flower?" = And as soon as she had done laughing she settled down ang ate the carrot herself, and followed it un with the acorns that the Tarmyard folk had paid, 7! 7 "Such a piggish thing to do!" said Hepzibah., as she hurried back to the Cart Todee with Chirabelle Chicken, "But I’m snre it wasn’t at all a nice carrot really, Only suitable for a pig!" The Radio Times.