Pam and Jerry waved good-bye to the big ship as it sailed away, and then turned about to make a complete tour of their island home. It was indeed an island of wonders, full of strange and wonderful beasts and flowers and fruits. They tied knots in the giraffes’ necks, and taught the ostriches to prance around the island drawing the beautiful chariot which the good old wishing-ring had brought them.
One day when Jerry was up in the tower of the palace looking out over the ocean he heard Pam calling, “Jerry! Jerry! Come quickly and save me! Some savages have just landed on our island!”
Jerry was down in a jiffy, to find that their castle was being besieged by a band of cannibals from a nearby island. Thinking fast, he wished on his ring that he might be turned into an enormous elephant with three long trunks. Instantly, his wish was granted, and the savages ran for their canoes in terror as they saw this terrible animal charging at them, shooting streams of water in their faces from one trunk, followed by clouds of sand from the second trunk, and succeeded by mammoth rocks from the third. All this was great fun for our two little friends, and when Jerry changed back into himself, he and Pam laughed with glee to think of how easily they had routed the enemy.
They lived a life of perfect happiness on their island, until Pam began to show signs of homesickness for her father and mother, and then Jerry decided to take her back home. They discussed ways and means, and at last agreed that an airplane would be the best thing to wish for. Jerry had traveled over land and sea but until now he had never flown through the air. When his wish for the airplane had been granted and they were about to set forth on their journey to the kingdom of Pam’s father, there were tears in their eyes at the thought of leaving their fairyland.
It didn’t take them long to reach Pam’s home, and when they landed the people went crazy with joy at seeing their own little lost Princess again. There was a great celebration in honor of her safe return, and the King and Queen were so grateful to Jerry for bringing back their daughter that they made him a Prince. Then Jerry wished hard for his own father and mother, who instantly appeared and lived with him in his kingdom until he grew to be a man.
In time he married the Princess Pam, and they decided that they would be happiest back on their dear little island. So they sailed back in a big ship with scores of their friends, and there they reigned as King and Queen, living happily for the rest of their lives.
PATSY ANN
IN BIRDLAND
Patsy Ann in Birdland
Patsy Ann was a quiet child, who never romped with other children, but loved to roam around her own garden looking at the flowers and birds. Even as a tiny child, her nurse had noticed how readily she made friends with the little robins and bluebirds that lived in their beautiful gardens in the spring and summer. At the age of seven Patsy Ann had lost none of her fondness for birds. She spent hours going about with crumbs, calling to them in her sweet little voice, and smiling with happiness when they fluttered down to eat out of her hand. She never found it necessary to carry salt to sprinkle on their tails in order to catch them, but was so gentle and kind that the birds were always glad to fly to her.
One day, when Patsy Ann was out walking with her nurse, they passed by a dense forest. Her nurse explained that it was supposed to be enchanted, because of strange sounds that could be heard coming from its depths, and that no one ever walked through it. The bright eyes of little Patsy Ann grew big with wonder as she listened, and when Nursie stopped to chat with a friend she stood staring curiously in among the big trees. Then Nursie started off down the road, thinking Patsy Ann was walking by her side. After a while she turned to speak to the child and lo! she was nowhere to be found. The poor nurse was frightened, and started frantically to call, “Patsy Ann! Patsy Ann!”