1940-12-19 — Page 112

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ધન વર્ષ માં

THE CHINA MAIL SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, DECEMBER 19, 1940.

WHEN Mrs. Stork invited Mr.

Monk to a Christmas party,.. he was rather surprised; for Mrs. Stork was not in the habit of giv- ing parties of any kind. She would go anywhere and join in any fun provided by her friends, but no one had ever heard of Mrs. Stork going to the trouble, of throwing a party in her own house.

"Come early, and bring a friend with you," said Mrs. Stork.

"Thanks- will," agreed Mr. Monk, more and more astonished.

toothbrushes and "Bring your stay the night," added Mrs. Stork. "I shall be having a few friends in on Christmas Eve, Mr. Hippo is two nice young

·coming, and Spoonbills who sing and dance."

with dancing "Fancy me Spoonbill!" exclaimed Mr. Monk.

A

to do your

"Well, you'll have bit," said Mrs. Stork. "We're g ing to make 'whoopec', we're gu- ing to stir things up."

The "Don't forget to stir up

the Christmas mincemeat and pudding," said Mr. Monk, as an after thought.

"No, and don't you teach me how to throw a party!" said Mrs. Stork, who seemed rather louchy.

Mr. Monk saw he was treading on sacred ground, so be just waved Mrs. Stork she 3 Daw and told

could certainly expect him and his Christmas Eve. friend early on

Mr.

After leaving Mrs. Stork, Monk hurried to a friend's house to pass on Mrs. Stork's invitation.

The friend Mr. Monk intended to take with him to Mrs. Stork's Jumbo the elephant. party was He knew that Jumbo had been Jeft out of a good many parties on Mr. account of his size, and

Monk was determined that elephant friend should

have 31

Stirring Things Up

w

in a while. good time for once They both set off in good-time to Jumbo put Mrs Stork's house. some holly in his hat-band to give himself a festive appearance, and Mr. Monk carried a bunch of mist letoe to be pul to good use at the party.

Jumbo walked, very quickly, it was almost a trot, and Mr. Monk had some difficulty in keeping the fast!" he said. pace. "Not so "There's plenty of time."

"It's those new boots you are wearing," said Jumbo. "I don't know anyone who can walk pro- perly in new boots."

"Maybe you are right," retorted Mr. Monk, "but you don't expect me to go to a party in old boots, surely,"

"I don't wear boots

FRANK # whiangm

said Jumbo, so I don't know "Don't worry about me," said Jumbo, "any old spot will do for I've hit the hay many a airything about it.”

+

Mr. Monk thought his friend me

"All right. I think about that ought to be wearing a pair of time.."

"Come boots on this occasion, but he didn't like to say so. He got Jumbo to carry the week-end case for the later," said. Mrs.. Stork. rest of the journey, and this ar- Inside, both of you." rangement enabled them to move more rapidly.

At Inst. they arrived at: Mrs, Stork's little villa. She was stand- ing at her gate waiting for theni.

"My friend, Jumbo," said Mr. Monk, introducing the elephant. Jumbo remembered to raise his

hat with his trunk.

"I didn't expect you to bring such a big boy friend," she cried. "I'm sure I don't know where 1 shall put him at bedtime, for 1 haven't a bed big enough to hold myself," him."

JUMBO RAISED HIS HAT WITH HIS TRUNK.

FOR THOSE WHO KNOW GOOD WHISKY

MEDA

PERTE

Jumbo pushed his way into the house through an open French window, and managed to break the glass in doing it.

"Oh, dear! Oh, dear" cried Mrs. Stork, "Whatever shall I do?"

"Stuff an old apron through the bole, that will keep the draught suggested Mr. Monk, "I've often done it."

out,

"

"Yes, but what will the guests say?" inquired Mrs. Stork, looking very distressed.

said Mr. "Jigger the guests," Monk. "They are coming to make 'whoopee' and they will not notice a little thing like that."

While Mr. Monk and his hostess were talking two Spoonbills were seen coming through the gateway, followed by the third guest, Mr. Hippo.

Jumbo reached over the table with his trunk and picked up the cake, he, opened, his great mouth and popped the cake inside it;

A gasp of dismay care from everyone at the table, and Mr. Monk was obliged to say some- thing to break the ominous silence which followed this lapse.

"I must apologise for my friend Jumbo," said Mr. Monk: "He is not used to Christmas parties, and is inclined to forget his manners." The elephant gave, a grunt of contempt. He was too tough to excuse himself. After that the sup- .was relieved when some of her per fell rather flat, and Mrs. Stork guests said it was time they were getting ready to go home.

She remembered that Mr. Monk and Jumbo would be staying the night, and during the time her guests were saying goodbye and wishing her a Merry Christmas, she was racking her brain trying to think of somewhere for the clephant to sleep.

gone, After the others had Jumbo settled. the question for himself. He picked up a big rug from the entrance hall and made his way through the open window to the garden.

"Where are you going?" shout- ed his hostess in alarm.

"I'm going to sleep on this rug under the roof of the wood shed,' Mr. Monk gave Mrs. Stork a said Jumbo. "I shall be all right poke under the wing.

"Now straighten your face, your guesta have arrived, and they will not want to see you looking dole- ful, I know," he said.

A tear was trickling down Mrs. Stork's beak, but she hastily flick- ed it away and went to meet her guests.

The two Spoonbills seemed to he full of beans, and Mr. Hippo waved a portable wireless set he was bringing to the party.

"We shall be'all right for danc- ing," bawled Mr. Hippo gaily.

her

After everybody had entered the Mry. Stork

All sighed. house Mr. Hippo enlisted the ser- vices of Jumbo to help him to move the furniture.

there, whether it snows, or not.” guests seemed to be doing just

liked, and she what they powerless to raise any objections:

was

"Toddle off to bed," advised Mr. Monk, giving her a push with his foot. "I'll look after Jumbo."

"I'm so glad," said Mrs. Stork, "Yes, I will go to bed now, for I am tired."

"Don't open your bedroom win- dow," said Mr. Monk.

"Why not?" inquired his hostess wearily.

"Jumbo snores," said Mr. Monk, "enough said."

Mrs. Stork had hoped to sleep a little. later than usual on Christ- mas morning, but soon after sun- rise she heard an awful banging for sound in the garden. In great "We want plenty of room dancing," he said, "all we can haste she opened the window and

looked out. get."

There was Jumbo with the hall No one seemed to consult Mrs. Stork, who simply looked on while rug hanging over his trunk and her furniture was being push- Mr. Monk was standing near. Mr. The Monk soon became busy on the ed about the room. french her smashing of

win- rug. He picked up a carpet beater left

poor and started to bang the dust `out had

the dow dear with a dazed kind of feeling of it. which rendered her incapable of

the taking any part in

•

What on earth are you trying pre- lo du?" bleated Mrs. Stork..

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He picked up a carpet beater and started to bang the dust. out of it.

the for parations

event. Mrs, "Just shaking the old rug be- Sterk was beginning to be sorry fore taking it inside the house,

suid Mr. Monk, looking rather for herself already.

hurt. "Is breakfast ready?!"

Mr. Monk noticed how pre-

Mrs. Stork had stood a deal occupied she was, and he tried to reassure her. "Take it easy, we'll from these two guests, but there stir things up for you in a bit," he is a limit even to a Stork's pati said. "Leave it to Jumbo and to ence. "You are not staying here me."!

Jumbo tried to dance with one of the Spoonbills, but she com- plained that he was trying to choke her with his trunk.

Mr. Monk did better with the other bird, for they kept it up as long as there was any dance music on the radio. Then supper

for breakfast, Mr. Monk," she said, "I'm stopping in bed for so you may several hours yet, consider your visit at an end."

"Do you mean that we have to

Mr. Monk buzz of?" exclaimed looking very astounded.

"I mean just that," said Mra was Stark, closing her bedroom win- served, and Mr. Monk had to con- dow with a convincing bang:: Tess he had never faced a "more" generous spread on

table,

The behaviours, of his elephant. friend was his only regret. There was only one Christinas cake on the table, a splendid cake it was, with almond icing an inch thick and decorated with crystallised fruits,

Mr. Monk turned to his friend. Jumbo: "What do you think about that?" he said. "Can you beat it?

"Forget it," said Jumbo. "Let' get a move on, I've to join a carol singing party this morning, it wir be more fun than benting carpets:

End);

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