Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. július-december (26. évfolyam, 26-53. szám)
1943-10-28 / 44. szám
Page 8 October 28, 1943 Verhovayak Lapja hildren’s Page Conducted by AMELIA NYERS ELIZABETH Capriciously blew the autumn wind — for there was an air of mischief about it when it entered the Lady’s orchard. And there was an aura of delightful playfulness about Zephyr when he danced with the leaves of the fruit trees. Together they sang a sweet lullaby of the breeze. The branches were heavily-laden with luscious fruit, ripened by sun and rain, and ready to be stored for winter use. With her magic wand Autumn Fairy had touched each piece of fruit, and made it sweet Rainbow Fairy painted the plums a deep purple; gave the peaches a rich, golden glow; covered the apples with a thick, red color; and tinted the pears a bright yellow. The grapes, in huge clusters of clear amethyst color, clung tightly to their stems and peeped forth from under their green foliage. In the vegetable garden were great green peppers, bright red, shining tomatoes, golden corn, and squash that squatted lazily on the sweet-smelling earth. A profusion of rich, autumn color was everywhere. The dewy, mellow scent of the garden rose into the air and was as fragrant as exquis te perfume. The Lady was kept busy putting away the fruit her husband picked off the trees, and the vegetables which he took out of the garden. But she enjoyed her work immensely, for it meant they would have many good things to eat when the snow was on the ground. Elizabeth would also enjoy the fruit, for she would be allowed to have some later on. One day the man went into the forest to pick a sack of black walnuts. The squirrels scampered out of sight when they saw him, not knowing that he would not harm them. He tramped through the woods, his steps a soft, crunchy sound, for the earth was covered with fallen leaves. Tree Spirit had obeyed the Autumn Fairy and was gradually disrobing the forest ladies. When his sack was full of nuts the man left the woods. The chattering squirrels came out of hiding and went on With their work, storing nuts for the cold months. The man made his way back to the pretty white cottage. He removed the hard green shell from the walnuts, and stored them in the basement. They would be delicious baked in cakes when the holiday season came. The Lady took the pretty gold and silver fish out of the pond and put them in a large bowl of fresh water. She carried the fish-bowl into the house and. placed it on a table. Elizabeth spent many happy hours watching the fish through the glass aquarium, for they were like slivers of brilliancy in the crystal water They swam round and round in their small world and never grew tired. The days grew short and chilly. Autumn Fairy came into the garden, her violet gown trailing on the dry grass. “It is time to close your eyes and go to sleep, pretty flowers,” she said gently to the blooms. They were only too happy to obey her, for the days were chilly. When Dew- Drop Fairy left tiny pearl beads ón their petals, they shivered with cold. When Rain Fairy shook the heavy, grey clouds, the rain was no longer a gentle, warm shower, as in the summertime; but it came down upon them with a coldness that chilled them through. Their scent was gone, their petals drooped, and they were growing drowsy. And they were lonely, for the Wood Nymphs had not returned. Their eyes closed in sleep and they went into the land of dreams. Only the asters and chrysanthemums were allowed to stay awake a while longer. Earth Spirit was occupied preparing the earth for the winter months. Air Spirit was busy helping the Rain- Maker store the rain-clouds for the spring. It was almost time for the snowclouds to arrive. One night Jack Frost came and powdered the i whh white frost — ■ tiny crystals of ice formed of water and vapor in the atmosphere. In the morning the hoar frost deposited on the surface of the Lady’s windows were beautiful, delicate traceries resembling winter stars. When the sun rose in the heavens, the Sun-Beam Fairy came and peeped through the windows and the frost-patterns vanished The Lady took Elizabeth close to the window for her to see the wonderful transformation that was taking place in their garden. She could see the whole earth was a profusion of vivid color-fantastic shades of flaming reds, sparkling yellows and bright browns. Zephyr came near, and the child was enchanted with his music. Elizabeth could hear the fairies walk through the forest. Their steps were a series of crisp sounds, for the earth was no longer soft and mossy as in the summer; — it was now covered with dry leaves, brittle and brown. Elizabeth longed to be with them in the garden She could hear the songbirds sing, before departing for a warmer region. The child smiled when she heard .the fairies still trying to agree on what color her hair should be. “Song-birds," Autumn Fairy said, “it is time for you to leave. Take care during the months you are away, and come back as soon as possible, when the Spring Fairy calls you.” There was a soit flapping sound of wings and they disappeared into the blue. The fairies and spirits left the garden when the sun went to rest. The Moon-Beam Fairy come to enchant the earth with her dreams. The Sand-Man came and led Elizabeth into Sleep- Land. Moon-Beam Fairy showed her the path the Moon-Goddess walked every night when she went to meet Endymion in the Land of Dreams. Whiie Elizabeth was on the way, she was surprised to see the flowers that bordered the path. Why, they were the flowers that had gone to sleep in the Lady’s garden! It was wonderful to see them all in Sleep-Land, so fragrant and in full bloom. Then Elizabeth beheld the Queen of Night come through the midnight sky. Her crown was the crescent moon, her robe the starstudded, purple night. The wind played with her long, flowing hair. The stars in her eyes shone bright and a smile was on her lips. Elizabeth knew she was on her way to meet Endymion, the beautiful youth eternally sleeping; and, she, too, longed to see the young man. “I will take you to see Endymion!” Eros said to her, coming forward. Elizabeth smiled gratefully; and, he took her by the hand Together they entered the enchanted garden of dreams. Trees grew in profusion and threw their shade upon the path that led to a deep blue pool, wherein was mirrored the jewelled sky. The wind breathed an exquisite perfume that lingered long. The loveliness of the flowers enhanced the beauty of the garden Song-birds sang to the Moon on the Sky-Path. Their melody spun a moment in the air, then vanished into a memory. Eros ltd Elizabeth to the pool, wrere Narcissus stood watching his reflection in the blue water. He beckoned to them across the pool, his eyes bright with complete enchantment. Elizabeth longed to come closer to him, but Eros hastened on; and she followed him on the starstrewn path in the Land of Dreams. They came upon the Wood Nymphs dancing in a ring, to the wonderfully sweet music of Pan’s Pipes. Elizabeth’s eyes grew big with wonder at sight of the Sprites. She had missed them and their presence in the garden filled her with joy. Then Eros led the way to where Endymion lay fast asleep. “Endymion!” he called, softly. “Who calls me?” asked the youth, opening his eyes. “Come out of the dream within a dream for a while,” the god of love said. “Eros!” Endymion said. He arose and welcomed them. Then he took them through the garden, and showed them all the beauties that were concealed in the Land of Dreams. “High on the hill is a little lake that reflects all the world’s dreams — all its joy and happiness!” Endymion told them. “I will take you there and you will see beauty that can never age, for it is eternal.” “Not now, Endymion, for Elizabeth can not tarry longer. The stars will soon fade in the sky and she must return to earth,” Eros said. Liana came forward and took the child by the hand. Elizabeth turned to see the Moon-Goddess come into the garden and take her place beside Endymion. Eros stood nearby, his eyes glowing with love. Elizabeth wakened out of Sleep-Land. The sun was in the sky and cast its light upon the earth, now freshened from a long night of rest. “Elizabeth!” the Lady exclaimed, seeing the child awake. “Your e^es are so bright and shining! — as though you had been in a far-away place! Did you have a beautiful dream?” The child smiled up at her looked wisely, as if to say: “I’ve been in a very beautiful land, were dreams are real!” A Biography of a House There’s a house by a river in a town not far from here And the memories of it are very dear; Fcr that’s where children romped and played And mud pies with their hands they made. That’s where grass grows green and tall; And in trees the robins call; Happy hearts kept young and gay — That is how it will always stay. Though the children have grown and wandered afar; The door of that house §till stands ajar; — To welcome travelers tired and cold; And tell the story of its occupants now grown old. IDA LEBER. age 12 Peoria, 111.
