Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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22 The Blue Swan On the quiet rippling stream, As the night was changing to dawn, As the sky was slowly changing, I saw a swan. He came gliding on the water, I.ike a cloud against the sky, And preened his shining feathers, As he drifted by. Now the dawn was blue as crystal, It was calm as calm could be, And the swan looked down and wondered, Can this be me? JANIS MCKEAGQ-Grade V The Magic Flute Far, far away in India there lived a little Indian boy named Neka. Neka was nine years old, and his father was a Snake-Charmer. Ever since Neka was five he had longed to have a flute like his father's. But his family was poor and they lived by his father's Snake- Charming money. One day when Neka had finished his chores, he sat down to think how he could earn enough cheros for dollarsl to buy a flute. That afternoon he went to the store to look at the Hutes that were on sale there. As he was passing Gepano's Instrument Store, he saw a flute that was priced at twenty-five cheros. Neka took out his money and counted it. There were five cheros. Neka ran home, but as he was passing over the bridge he heard a scream. He turned around and saw the merchant's daughter Delino splashing about in the deep water. Quickly Neka took off his sweater and dived into the deep water. He caught Delino and took her to the shore. Very soon Delino's father heard about his daughter and came hurrying down and saw Neka and De- lino coming up the road. Neka explained all that had happened. Then the merchant took fifteen cheros and a serana fwhich is worth five dollarsj and gave it to Neka. Neka thanked him and ran to the store and bought the flute. When Neka got home he showed the flute to his mother. He blew into it, and it played the most beautiful tune. Soon crowds of people gathered around to hear Neka play the flute. When the Town Mayor heard the music, he went to see who was playing it. When he saw Neka, his eyes opened wide. He said, My boy, will you play that tune as a lullaby for me every night? Certainly, sir, replied Neka. Neka's family were still very poor, but Neka and his flute always made them happy. BEVERLY KNIGHT-Grade V The Three Princes And The Pig There was once a king who had three sons. The eldest son's name was Charles, who was always boasting. The second son's name was Andrew, who was just like his older brother. The youngest son was Philip who was very kind and generous. One day the eldest son went out to seek his fortune. After a while he saw a pig caught in a fence. The pig asked the prince if he would set him free. The prince was well dressed and so he told the pig that he would not, and he went on his way. The next day the second son went out to seek his fortune. He too saw the pig caught in the fence. The pig asked him if he would set him free. The prince was well dressed so he said that he would not, and he went on his way. The next day the youngest son wanted to seek his fortune, but the king would not let him because his two other brothers did not come back with any fortune. Finally the king let him seek his fortune. After a while the prince saw the pig caught in the fence and he had pity on him. The prince was well dressed but he helped the pig. The pig was very happy. The prince started to walk away and then he heard a voice say, Stopl When he turned around there in the middle of the road stood a beautiful girl instead of a pig. In time they were married and they lived happily ever after. ALISON GREATREX-Grade IV The Queen's Plate The gun is fired and off they go, The chestnut in the lead. While other horses right behind, Follow with all speed. They round the turn and down the track, They're racing very fast The jockeys crouching on their backs- The posts are flashing past. And then you hear the cries arise, The Queen is here today! The chestnut wins the special prize, And the crowd cries, Hooray! MARTHA PENNOCK-Grade IV

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21 Princess Yvonne This story takes place in the late sixteen hundreds. In France, the King had asked young farm women to go to New France to be brides to the bachelor settlers. At this time a tomboy princess was growing up. She didn't like being a princess so Yvonne thought it would be nice to be a farm woman. She decided she would learn to cook, sew and do other things like that from the servant who cleaned her room. One day while taking a walk through the city she saw a sign saying, Wanted! Strong farm women. Report to Captain Hebert. She walked on a little further thinking about the sign. Then a daring plan came into her head. A month later when the ship for New France was almost ready, one more lady came. Her name was Madeleine Pierre who was really the princess with a false name. While'sailing, many women became sick with scurvy, though Made- leine did not. Once in New France she went to a convent which had been prepared for them, but she and several other women soon had their husbands. Madeleine was to be married to Jean LeBlanc. He already had a farm and a log house built. Madeleine loved it all. After several years she was looking after ten children. The boys and girls had to do their share of the work but were happy. Madeleine and Jean took turns teaching the children for there was no school near by. As each one of the children got married or went to Work she asked them to come home on her fiftieth birthday. After that the years seemed to go quickly but the day for the children's return to come slowly. Madeleine and .lean looked forward to it most eagerly. The day camel One after another the children arrived. By dinner time all the children again were seated around the table. Each one was asking and answering questions. After a delicious meal they went and sat around the fire aml talked. It was there that Madeleine told, that she was one of the royal family and her true name was Yvonne Louis. After that she lived many long happy years. When her death came she was taken to France to be buried with her royal kin. CATHERINE CAMPBELL-GrI'Il.flG VI Granny's Frying Pan Now it happened one day, In the month of May, Granny's frying pan ran away, Out of the cupboard and onto the floor, Down a few steps and through the door: It ran and ran as fast as it could, Through a meadow and then a wood- Nobody caught him, nobody could, At least he thought that nobody would. At last he spotted a lonely old man, Who had ham and eggs but he hadn't a pan, But the pan decided he wasn't in need, So he went on and on till he came to a steed. The steed hadn't a shoe and needed some care, For the poor old steed couldnft go anywhere. The pan soon tried to cross a stream, But he started to drown and then to scream. Nobody would help him, nobody would, Nobody would even try to, even if they could, So the Selfish Pan Drowned. CLAIRE RoULs'rox-Grade V KINDERGARTEN AT WORK a 1- 4 , AMEX MEE T , l

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23 ,Q V, MV ' ,,,. GRADES TWO AND THREE Circus Train I see the circus train, Riding through the plain. I like the pretty cages, With lions in great rages. The circus train has seals, Who balance little wheels. It has a kangaroo who jumps, And a camel with two humps. The train has animals large and small, And also animals short and tall. The train has many colours bright, Taking the animals through the night. ELIZABETH HAWORTH-GFHCIS III The Happy Swans Once there was a baby swan who liked to swim. But he liked best of all to fly. One day he flew over a big field by a little pond. Just then he saw something moving in the grass. It was a big lady swan. She was a beautiful blue colour. Then the baby swan looked down at himself and he thought that he was a baby. But he saw that he was no longer a baby. He flew down to see what was the matter. The lady swan was running away from an old lady. She had a gun and wanted to kill her but she flew too fast for her. Just then the Blue Swan saw a nice place to go to sleep. In the night the lady swan felt something bumpy under her. She got up and looked under her. She found some eggs. They counted the eggs. Now they had a family and lived happily forever. SUSAN DANIELS-Grade II What I'd Do If I had a horn I'd blow, blow, blow, If I had a drum I'd beat, beat, beat. If I had some cymbals I'd clash, clash, clash. If I had a triangle I'd tap, tap, tap. If I had a piano I would play, play, play, If I hadlmy way. FRANCES EGERTON-GPILCIB II The Parade of The Fairies Once there was a queen fairy who was going to have a parade. In the parade she was going to have beautiful floats. On the last float she was going to sit on a throne and wave to all. She had one trouble. She could not find a fairy to lead the parade. One day she called on the smallest fairy in the kingdom. She was so beautiful and good the queen decided she would ask this fairy to lead the parade. The day of the parade came. Some of the fairies were on floats and some marched in the streets with beautiful clothes on. Some fairies were dressed like flowers and some like birds and other things. It was a beautiful parade. After the parade was over the queen gave a party for the fairies with lovely things to eat and drink. IVhen the party was over the queen wished at the wishing well. She wished the little fairy would some day become queen because she was so kind and good. Doxtu Rooizns-Grade III