For the Children.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2097, 25 January 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

For the Children.

TIMOTHY MAGPIE’S FRIENDS

(By Jbi rgarot Batchelor.) “It is no use,” said Timothy Magpie to his wife one evening, when the young rooks had been very cheeky to him. “There is no fair play about it, all those rooks against just you and me. It will end by our having to find a new building site and making another nest.” For things l were so bid that the magpies could not go away together unless when they canto back they foil ml the opening of their liotiso blocked up, or some such mischief done bv the -rooks. 'This evening if was Timothy s turn to stay at home, so he hopped up and perched at tlio very top of the tir tree, which ho called his “look-out,” mid Mrs Magpie flew off to the woods.

As Timothy rot- on his -tree-top a large parly of rooks came Bailing by. “Caw, caw, ■ they said; “who ato ■the farmer’s lien’s eggs?” Just then in a secluded corner TV motliv saw .in old rook known as Grand fa l her Rook very busy enjoying a piece of meat he had secured from some scraps thrown out for the farmer’s liens. He noticed Timothy looking down from h.s perch with envious eyes. “Caw, caw.” ho cucd. “Wouldnt you like to nave it? But- it is too good for magpies,” and with a pleasant smile he was going on with his supper, but it rami to an untimely end, f-or Timothy pounced on him. ■So sudden was file act that the rook was quite taken by surprise, and his tempting morsel would havo been seized by Ihe magpie, only at that, moment the .other rooks saw what was going on. Noon they all -collected, ’and, with a swoop, camo down. The magpie hardly know which way to turn. Tlio rooks wore only too pleased to have a real cause to attack their enemy. “You would!, would you, steal other birds’ food? Thief!” they screamed out. Timothy flew this way and that, almost blinded hv the:v peeks, and deafened by the noise. At- last be was able to escape. Across the home meadow he went; the air was black with rooks as they flow alter him He did not get far, and finally mid to take refuge- in a thorn tree. But he kept, up ,a- good heart, and made up his mind to fight to tlio last. Meanwhile behind the fir trees the sun was setting red, a good promise for a fine day on the morrow, and most of the birds were settling in .or tlio night, while Mr Thomas Cat, who had been asleep all the -afternoon, came out for an evening stroll. In an old tree covered with .ivy, quite near the thorn tree, whore Timothy had taken refuge, Mr and Mrs Toby Owl were just awaking . For quite u minute Mrs Owl bad been trying to rouse Toby, but ho went on snoring; -ait last she took ! an by tho wing and gave him a good shaking. “What is tho matter?” lie asked, sleepily. “Rooks. Toby; do wake up, dear.-" “Rooks!” ho said. “They aro black; they -build on tho tops of trees.” Ho was still far from awake, and was trying to repeat an answer to a question in his old lesson book, wh’cli was: “What color is the rook? Where doss-it build? ~ ; “It was a nice old book,” Toby went on. “It was called Professor Se-nt hints Owl’s Book of Common Bi! :!s.”

“But the*rooks,” said Mrs Toby, “don’t you bear what a noise they arc making?” , “I suppose they are holding Parliament,” said lie. “I know I -learnt all about them in tlio professor’s book.” At that minute- Air Thomas Cat strolled by and wished them “Good evening.” “What a fuss tho rooks are making,” said Toby. “Yes, they have got Air Timothy Magpie up there,” pointing to the thorn tree. “They will peck him to death if something is not done. Can’t you help him? Ho is a very old 1 rie,ml of mine; lie was so good to me when a, kitten, and gave mo heaps of pretty playthings when -lie was spring-cleaning his nest one dav.” “What can I do? I wish I could think of something. The rooks have led Timothy tho fifo of a dog lor age's.” Then a splendid idea came into Toby’s miml. It was to do with Professor Septimus’ book. Ho suddenly remembered that the next question after the one about the rook was: “How can you frighten a rook?” The answer was: “To frighten a. rook you havo only to say the words ‘rook shooting.’ ” Now it only took a- moment for Toby to think of all this. “I know how 1 can manage it,” be said. “If iSeptlnnis’ book is correct all will be wet!.” He flew ,to the thorn tree, and Mrs Owl came with him in case she .liould be of use. Timothy saw them coming with delight. “Though what they can do 1 don’t know,” he said to himself. He was almost done for by ,tho rooks; the owls were only just in time. “Ilook-sliooting!” screamed Toby-. “Rook-shootingl” echoed Mrs Owl. This had a wondorfi/1 effect on the rooks. There was a sudden panic amongst (them and they forgot all about Timothy. “Caw, caw, w-hat shall- we do?” they called 1 out as they Hew away in every direction. “Now is your time,” said Toby to the magpie. Timothy hopped out of the thorn tree, and with the help of Mr and Mrs Owl managed to reach the old tree, oil which the ivy grew so thick that it made a capital hiding-place. The rooks -wore still flying wildly round, -and Timothy and tlieir own little quarrels were quite set -aside in face of the common peril. “I told you it would come off soon,” said Grandfather Rook. I have been expecting it for days. We must- leave the- rookery as early -as possible to-morrow.” Air Thomas Oat was very pleased when ho saw how successful- Toby’s plan had been, and lie welcomed Timothy back with -delight. “Won’t you come up?” said Toby to him-

Pussy accepted, and quickly climbed the tree and sat on the branch next to Mrs Owl. Mr Magpie sat on the other side.. jCoby had flown off to see of Mrs Magpie had" come 1,1-!:.

“Here they come,” called out Timothy, as Toby and his wife flew up. “Oh, Tim dear, to think I might never have seen you -alive again,” said Airs Magpie. “I could not think what- had happened to you.” In after days,'when the birds in the glen would ask Timothy why he and tho cat and the owl were 'such friends, ho tells.'them the tale of tho terrible -fight with ,tho rooks and of bis rescue, and 1 ho always winds up by saying: “Friend's in need are friends indeed.”