straw!

ADELAIDE BENTINCK.
(Aged 11.)

_Froyle House, Alton, Hants._

A CURIOUS FRIENDSHIP.

DEAR MR. EDITOR,--Last year, when we were staying at Amiens, I was very
much struck by a great friendship between a duck and a heron, both of
which were in the hotel garden. The heron looked very ill and weak, and
used to remain in the same spot for a long time, standing first on one
leg and then the other, the duck lying a little distance off. When the
heron wished to walk about it gave a feeble croak, and the duck would
immediately join it, and the two commenced walking round the garden.
When the heron was tired, it gave another croak, and the two companions
stopped their walk. The only time that the duck left the heron entirely
was for its meals, as the two birds were fed at different times. The
heron had a great aversion to rain, and at the least drop would shiver,
and shake its feathers. So, when it began to rain, the duck hurried its
companion on until they reached the little shed where they slept.
Sometimes the heron would begin walking without giving its croak for the
duck to accompany it. This annoyed the duck dreadfully, and it used to
waddle after the heron, quacking very angrily. If the heron appeared
more unwell than usual, the duck redoubled its attention. It was most
curious and interesting to watch them.

MURIEL NASH.
(Aged 14-1/4.)

_Tudor House, Belvedere Road, Upper Norwood, S. E._

NOTE.--Each Story, Anecdote, &c., when sent to the Editor, must be
certified by a Parent, Teacher, or other responsible person, as being
both _True and Original_.

OUR LITTLE FOLKS' OWN CORNER.

ANSWER TO "PICTURE STORY WANTING WORDS" (Vol. XIX., _p. 320_).

SECOND PRIZE ANSWER.

Little Freddie Mayton's father lived in America, but Freddie did not
live with him, for he was very delicate, and his father's home was among
the rice plantations, and it was not at all healthy; so Freddie went
away and lived with his mother, about seven miles from his father.

Not being very strong he was allowed to run about as he liked, and he
got fond of the negro servants who worked about his home, but one
especially, whom he called "Uncle Sam."

Uncle Sam was a powerful-looking old man, but he was now getting past
work, and he could not get his liberty, so he was obliged to work on.

He was as fond of Freddie as Freddie was of him, and he was always ready
to do anything for the little boy, from carrying him on his back (f