Part 2
She lay quite still as though asleep. “Lie there for two and twenty hours,” Cho-Cho said, “and when you awaken your sight shall be so dimmed that never again shall you see clearly—never again shall you molest the Green Vegetables.”
Then they went forward into the cave to find the little Vegetable Man. He lay upon the ground, bound hand and foot, trembling with fear.
“Courage, little Man,” said Cho-Cho, “we are your friends and have come to take you home,” and cutting his bonds, they led him forth from the cave.
“Who are you, Friends?” said the little Man.
“I am Cho-Cho, the Friend of the Children, and this Dog is called Publicity,” said Cho-Cho. “We work together for the Health of the Children.”
Then mounting the Dog’s broad back, they started on their homeward journey.
That night from his Magic Window, Cho-Cho beheld a strange sight, for in the fields and gardens the little Vegetable Men were dancing in the Moonlight, and as they danced, they sang with joy, for the old Witch Ignorance lay helpless in the Forest and they were safe from harm.
[Illustration: [Dancing Vegetables]]
[Illustration: _O Cho-Cho, the lovely bird is hurt._]
The Lovely Bird
One summer day when the city streets were full of heat and dust, and all the world seemed tired, Cho-Cho’s thoughts turned longingly to the country and to the lovely Garden of the little Fairy Health.
Packing his bag and locking the door of his house, Cho-Cho started on a visit to the Fairy.
Within the Fairy’s Garden, screened from the road by trees and bushes, was a lovely dell, and in the center of the dell a Fountain, so beautiful that all who saw it paused to admire its sparkling waters and the beauty of its sculptured figure. This figure was of white marble, carved with rare skill into the form of a little child, and from its uplifted hand the waters of the fountain sprang.
Cho-Cho found the Fairy resting in the cool shade and sank into a seat beside her.
“Fairy,” said Cho-Cho, “I am grieved about my Children.”
“What is wrong, Cho-Cho?” said the little Fairy.
“There are two Imps,” said Cho-Cho, “going into all the houses where children live. One is called Dirt, and he leaves upon the Children’s hands and faces and in their hair and on their clothes ugly black marks. The other Imp is called Neglect, and he whispers to the Children not to clean their teeth, or brush their hair, or bathe their bodies. I saw these Imps from my Magic Window, Fairy, and I came to ask your help. What shall we do?”
“I have a strong friend,” said the Fairy, “a Lovely Bird, called Education, and he will go to the Teachers, and they will teach the Children how to be cleanly, and to love the cool pure water.”
As she spoke, they heard a noise of wings, and the Lovely Bird fluttered to the ground. Then the Fairy told him of their trouble.
“Courage,” said the Bird, “I will go to the Teachers, but my way will be full of peril, for these Imps are powerful and they will try to hold me back. Each day you must watch within this dell. If I am hurt, you will find beside the fountain a Blue-Gray Feather. Then, Cho-Cho, you must hasten to my aid.”
As he said this, the Lovely Bird rose into the air, and mounted higher and higher, until he was lost to their view. Day after day Cho-Cho and the Fairy sat beside the fountain watching for the Feather, and after many days had passed, they began to hope that Education had safely reached the Teachers.
Then one day, slowly circling downward from the sky, came a Blue-Gray Feather, and rested at their feet.
“Oh, Cho-Cho,” said the Fairy, “the Lovely Bird is hurt,” and laying her head upon the fountain’s edge, she sobbed with grief and disappointment.
“Courage,” said Cho-Cho, “I have a noble ally, a Wonderful Dog, who can travel like the wind. His name is Publicity, and he will help Education. His home is not far distant. Be brave. The Lovely Bird shall soon be free.”
Then Cho-Cho hastened to the home of the Dog. Arriving there, he rapped smartly on the door, which was opened by the Dog’s wife, who said he was just finishing his breakfast—that he would be out immediately.
In a few minutes the Dog appeared. Then Cho-Cho told him of the Lovely Bird.
“I shall be glad to help,” said the Wonderful Dog, “but how shall I find the way?”
Taking from his pocket the Blue-Gray Feather, Cho-Cho held it before the Dog’s nose. He sniffed it eagerly and then throwing up his head, laughed with glee. “Get up quickly, Cho-Cho,” he said, and Cho-Cho sprang upon his back.
The great Dog bounded through the door and out into the road, and with a sharp bark was off like wind.
The Children scurried from the roadside, and people standing in their doorways gazed with wonder as the Dog rushed by. Through villages and towns he went, and everywhere the people ran out to see Publicity pass.
They left the houses far behind, and still the great Dog did not slacken his pace, until they came to desolate fields and a countryside where no trees grew.
On all sides stretched these lonely fields, with no signs of life, except where far away to the right rose the dark outline of a house. A rough path led toward it, and following this road the Dog went forward. As they drew nearer they could see the house was of stone, and had no windows on the lower floor. Up near the roof were narrow windows set deep in the wall. Only a great door in the front, made of iron, gave entrance to the house, and this was tightly locked.
Sitting on the ground, the Dog took from his neck a stout collar made of heavy leather and brass, and opening a pocket on the inside of this collar, he took out a Golden Key.
This key fitted the lock, and entering a large room they found the Imps asleep before a fire. As the great door creaked upon its rusty hinges the Imps awakened and sprang to their feet.
“What have you done with the Lovely Bird?” Cho-Cho demanded. “I have seen no bird,” said the Imp called Dirt. “You may search this house from dark cellar to dusty garret if you doubt my word.”
Cho-Cho turned to his friend the Dog. “Watch here,” he said, “and see to it that these Imps do not escape.” Then holding his Magic Magnet in his hand he looked about the room. The Magnet turned toward the door at the far corner, and Cho-Cho following the Magnet entered a dark and narrow passage, that seemed to lead on and on. He could not see, but Cho-Cho’s stout heart knew no fear for he possessed magic power, that protected him from all evil—so he called to his friend the Moon and asked for help. Mr. Moon had not yet risen, but he sent for his chief Clerk and gave an order, “Send down to my friend Cho-Cho one of our latest flashlights,” he said, “one of Golden Light, that will turn the darkest dungeon into the light of day.”
So in the shortest possible time Cho-Cho held in his hand a powerful flashlight that showed him every corner of the dark passage, but no matter how carefully he looked he could find no trace of the Lovely Bird.
Standing there thinking, he heard a faint sound that seemed to come from within the wall, and looking at his Magnet found that it pointed directly opposite.
With his ear at the wall, he heard the sound clearer—then suddenly his eye caught the glint of steel, and he saw a small bright spot about the size of a pea. Cho-Cho pressed the spot and the wall opened showing a tiny room. The Lovely Bird lay on the floor, too weak to fly—so Cho-Cho carried him forth and helped him on the Dog’s back.
The wicked Imps knew that their punishment was near and cowered in the corner.
Then Cho-Cho bound the two Imps with strong cords. Standing them back to back he tied their arms together and also their legs, so that they could go neither forward nor backward, and mounting the back of his friend the Wonderful Dog, he started homeward.
They could hear the cries of the Imps far down the roadway, for each one blamed the other with ugly words for what had happened.
When Education felt stronger he flew forward with his Message to the Teachers.
And everywhere the Teachers received him with the deepest interest, and now all over this great country Children are being taught the beauty of cleanliness and the love of fresh air and pure water.
As the Children learn these wholesome health habits, they in turn teach others, and in every home tooth brushes and soap and pure water are to be found, and busy mothers go about their work with cheerful faces, for their Children are healthy and clean and happy.
[Illustration: _The company was all assembled_]
The Fairy’s Party
Neighbors passing the house of the little Fairy Health, one lovely summer day, noticed a most unusual stir and bustle. Large and small packages were continually arriving and the neat little housemaid was kept quite busy opening and closing the door to receive them.
The Fairy, flitting here and there among the flower beds, was accosted by one curious neighbor and asked what it all meant.
With her hands full of flowers the Fairy paused to answer him:
“I am giving a party this afternoon,” she said, “to friends from a distance, and we are all very busy.”
Cho-Cho, arriving about this time, was told to leave his bag in the house and hurry back to help gather roses.
The curious neighbor departed, and Cho-Cho and the Fairy worked for an hour, gathering flowers and vines, to make the beautiful house more beautiful.
At last it was all finished, and the Fairy hurried upstairs to don her party gown before the guests should arrive.
When she came down the stairs a half hour later, Cho-Cho, waiting in the hallway, held his breath in admiration, for the little Fairy was so lovely that words can scarce describe her. Her gown fell in graceful lines about her slender figure—neck and arms were bare, and her flower-like face crowned with its shining hair was radiant with joy. Forget-me-nots were twined among her curls, and she carried a bunch of them in her shapely hands. No jewels adorned the Fairy, but in every way she expressed simplicity and grace.
Cho-Cho, coming forward, dropped lightly on one knee, and taking the Fairy’s hand, raised it to his lips.
“You are wonderful,” he said.
“You like my gown, Cho-Cho?” she questioned, and smiled upon him, for these two were old and tried friends.
A noise from without told of the advent of a guest, and Health went forward to greet the visitor.
It proved to be the Persian Cat, looking quite handsome in a soft-gray hat, which he gracefully doffed to the Fairy, and he carried a gold-headed cane.
One could well imagine him a great favorite with the ladies, for he was indeed a finished dandy.
“You rival your flowers in beauty, Fairy,” he said, as he took her hand.
At the noise of the garden gate closing, they looked up to behold the Wonderful Dog and his wife coming toward them.
The Wonderful Dog had on a smart new collar, and came forward with dignity to present his wife to the Fairy, for they had never met.
Mrs. Dog was a fluffy little thing, who seemed really to care more about her new dress and the latest style than any other subject.
The next arrival was the little Boy from the Farm. He came timidly toward the group, looking rather frightened, but when he spied his old friend, Cho-Cho, all his fears vanished and he smiled with pleasure.
They were busily chatting in the Rose Arbor, when the little Vegetable Men came softly in and stood beside the Fairy.
She welcomed them with kindness, for these were modest little people and felt rather strange among the handsome company.
With a whirr of wings and a flash of color, the Lovely Bird and his brother Rumor were among them and congratulated the Fairy on the perfect weather she was having for her Fête.
The company were all assembled now except the Red Brown Squirrel, and the Fairy asked if anyone had seen him on the high-road as they came hither. But no one had heard of him, although the Persian Cat had come from that direction.
An hour slipped by. The Fairy was growing anxious and Cho-Cho repeatedly looked at his watch.
At last he said:
“With your permission, Fairy, I will go look for the Red Brown Squirrel. He was my friend and I greatly fear some evil has befallen him.”
“I, too, will go,” said the Cat, “there are many dangers upon the high-road, and a comrade may be needed.”
“I am with you,” said the Dog. “Lead on, Cho-Cho.”
“Friends,” said the Persian Cat, “I believe I can find the Red Brown Squirrel. Between his home and the Fairy’s garden there lives an evil imp, called Jealousy. I passed him today as I journeyed hither and he scowled upon me with a look of rage. He was afraid to attack me, but the Squirrel is small and not a match for this cruel imp, and has doubtless fallen a victim to his malice.”
“Hasten, hasten,” said Cho-Cho, and passing through the gate he started briskly toward the Squirrel’s home.
The Cat and the Dog followed and all three were soon lost to the view of the anxious company in the Fairy’s garden.
The friends covered the ground rapidly and were nearing the home of the Red Brown Squirrel, when Cho-Cho’s sharp eyes spied a half-eaten nut lying in the roadway.
There were no trees near, and they knew that it must have been dropped by their friend.
Looking eagerly upon the ground, they discovered the tiny footprints of the Squirrel and the larger ones of the flat-footed imp, leading into a field of tall grass.
Here the Cat went forward, for his sharp eyes could distinguish the footprints with great ease. Following these signs they crossed the field and came out upon an unused road that sloped downward, until they found themselves beside a deep river which seemed impossible to pass.
“Get upon my back,” said the Wonderful Dog, “the River is my comrade, it will not harm you.”
With ease and confidence he swam forward, and carried them to safety on the further bank.
Cho-Cho and the Persian Cat stepped from the Dog’s back and turned to thank him, when from behind a large rock, the ugly imp darted out and sprang toward Cho-Cho, trying to push him into the river. But the Cat, catching the imp by the neck, held him firmly, and he was powerless to do aught but scream.
Binding him fast they went behind the great rock and found the Red Brown Squirrel in chains.
The Cat set him free and the friendly Squirrel stood up before them brave and unhurt.
Then they hurried back to the Fairy and were received with relief and pleasure.
And now, the Fairy with the Wonderful Dog leads the way to the dining-room. The Persian Cat gracefully offers his arm to little Mrs. Dog. Cho-Cho and the Boy come hand in hand, followed by the Lovely Bird and Mr. Beet. The Red Brown Squirrel is telling the story of his adventure to Mr. Onion, and Rumor and Mr. Carrot bring up the rear.
The dining-room is a mass of roses and smilax, and in the center, a table full of all the delicious things that children like.
Mrs. Dog remarks that the decorations are lovely, and the Persian Cat replies that the ladies are more beautiful than the flowers.
The little Fairy flits here and there among her guests, seeing, with charming courtesy, that all their wants are well supplied, and when at last they can eat no more, Cho-Cho rises, and with a glass of sparkling lemonade proposes a toast:
“To our charming hostess, the Fairy Health.”
With a right good will the company drink the toast, then led by the Persian Cat they leave the house and with laughter and jest pass by lovely garden paths out to the fountain—and so the fun goes on, ending at last with a dance in the dell, and joy and happiness in every heart.
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The Macmillan Company has arranged to publish a series of health books for the CHILD HEALTH ORGANIZATION of America
[Illustration: _Health in Education_ _Education in Health_]
THE CHILD HEALTH ORGANIZATION has undertaken a nation-wide campaign to raise the health standard of the school child.
The following books are now ready:
_Rosy Cheeks and Strong Heart_ _Rhymes of Cho-Cho’s Grandma_ _Cho-Cho and the Health Fairy_ _Child Health Alphabet_
Price list furnished upon application
Order from any of the following addresses of
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
New York 64 Fifth Avenue
Chicago 25th St. & Prairie Ave.
San Francisco 609 Mission Street
Boston Huntington Chambers
Dallas 330 S. Harwood Street
Literature published separately by the CHILD HEALTH ORGANIZATION of America
_Weight Card—Tags—Posters_ _Health in Play—My Health Book_ _Standards of Nutrition and Growth_ _The Demonstration and Its Application_ _The Nutrition Class_ _Alphabet Cards. A to Z_ _Health Plays for School Children_ _Four Plays Dramatizing “Cho-Cho and Health Fairy” Stories_ _Happy’s Calendar_ _Milk, the Master Carpenter_ _Cho-Cho’s Health Game_
Price list furnished upon application Order from the CHILD HEALTH ORGANIZATION of America Penn Terminal Building, 370 Seventh Avenue, New York City
THE U. S. BUREAU OF EDUCATION has arranged for the sale of the following Reprints:
_Class Room Weight Record_ _Right Height and Weight for Boys_ _Right Height and Weight for Girls_ _Wanted! Teachers to Enlist for Health Service_ _Diet for the School Child_ _Summer Health and Play School_ _Teaching Health_ _Child Health Program for Parent-Teacher Associations and Women’s Clubs_ _Further Steps in Teaching Health_ _The Lunch Hour at School_ _Suggestions for a Program for Health Teaching in the Elementary Schools_ _Your Opportunity in the Schools_ _Health Training for Teachers_
Orders for these should be sent to: The Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. (_Remittance must accompany all orders._)
CHILD HEALTH ORGANIZATION of America
Board of Trustees
Dr. L. EMMETT HOLT, _President_ Dr. THOMAS D. WOOD, _Vice-President_ Dr. FREDERICK PETERSON, _Secretary_ JAMES G. BERRIEN, _Treasurer_ Mrs. JOHN COLLIER CLINTON H. CRANE Dr. SAMUEL MCC. HAMILL Dr. ROYAL S. HAYNES Dr. VICTOR G. HEISER OWEN R. LOVEJOY Mrs. FREDERICK PETERSON Dr. BERNARD SACHS Mrs. FRANK A. VANDERLIP Dr. PHILIP VAN INGEN ALLAN WARDWELL Miss FLORENCE WARDWELL Dr. HERBERT B. WILCOX Dr. C.-E. A. WINSLOW
STAFF
SALLY LUCAS JEAN, _Director_
Associate Directors: MARIE L. ROSE ANNE L. WHITNEY ANNE RAYMOND, _Field Representative_ Assistants: GRACE T. HALLOCK MARGARET C. CAREY ALICE F. LOOMIS Advisory Directors: J. MACE ANDRESS LUCY OPPEN MABEL BRAGG
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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained. ● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.