“Bidgybah”: Schoolboy; full of strange noises and a scornful contempt
for all things sisterly and feminine; but with such an unquenchable
thirst for stories as to be able to keep silence whilst one is being
told, and to forget for the nonce to pull his sister’s hair, pinch her
arm, or otherwise constitute himself a source of annoyance.
“Pollykim”: Schoolgirl; demure of manner, yet overflowing with the
ability to pointedly disregard all that a boy holds in esteem; but so
hungry for fairy tales as to forget her airs for the time being, to sit
still during the telling of the tale, and to refrain from giving other
offence.
“Pinkles”: Chubby male person, aged five, with fair flaxen curls, and a
complexion remarkable for the fact that pink carnations seem to be
forever chasing white piccotees up over his cheeks into the starry
depths of his grey-blue eyes. In addition, he possesses an immeasurable
love of stories about Fairies; and a red-gum faith of so sound a
quality, that the white ants of doubt and disbelief have hitherto
attacked it in vain!
Origins of the Names
“Bidgybah”: Title assumed by the present owner. Supposed to have at one
time belonged to an aboriginal Chief of extraordinary bravery and
skill. Real name, Keith.
“Pollykim”: Pet name; origin shrouded in mystery. Believed to have
arisen out of an attempt to pronounce a word too difficult for a
childish tongue to overcome. Real name, Madge.
“Pinkles”: Descriptive appellation; bestowed at a very early age
consequent upon a pink and white complexion of more than ordinary
beauty. Real name, Kevyn.
THE MAGIC WELL
In the centre of Australia there’s a large and lovely lake,
And its waters gleaming golden, from the sun their glory take;
In the middle of the waters there’s an Island, wondrous fair,
And the perfume of its fruit and flowers, like incense fills the air!
In the heart of this fair Island there’s a wonder-working well,
By the fairy-folk enchanted; for ’tis there the Fairies dwell!
Most people seem to think that the heart of Australia is nothing but a
sandy desert. Well, that’s not quite correct. As a matter of fact,
though not a great number know it, the very, very centre is inhabited
by Fairies. They live there on a beautiful island in the middle of a
great lake; and all they have, including their wonderful city, is all
due to the “Magic Well”!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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