Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-06
q ZEN IRIS.
EDITH COOKE

once there Was q lovely Queen who
rcigncd over the Fiowery Kingdom.
Her subjects were tho most Beau
,iful and swectcs, flowers that grew
Queen Iris loved her howcrs dearly
and spent many happy hours with
them. Early one morning there was
great excitement amongst the lowers.
Behold" the Queen was coming
What could have brought her here so
early.
They had not long to wait. She told
them that q great King had declared
war on their lovely country. aud
want each nowcr TO help and 10 do
their very best 10 defend the Fi,-.
Then looking At JaC0ucminot she
said. you are so strong and brave,
dear Jack. You Shall lie our general
and lead MS 10 battle and with Il
crimson face he bowed and said.
Dear Queen. we will meet the enemy
and put them 10 flight. and viii win
/ for our flag" There was :, mighty
shou; and the Mociiing Bird sitting
near began TO sing and the flowers
/ joined him and this is the song
Then conquer we must
When our cause II is Just
! And this is our motto.
/ In God is our trust
( And the -SpanGled Banner in
/ triumph shall wave"
/ 1t was a mighty chorus which filed
/ the air with song.
Then sweet little Mignonctte came
forward ana said. please. dear Queen.
/ let me 60 10 the front with Jack. and
! he a Red Cross nurse" Then lit
tie blue flower, trembling. said. dear
Queen Forget Me Not" can give
my blucst petals 10 help n3,kc the
/ Flag" But. dearest child. YOU are
( so tiny. What could you do?" +
I can not do much. But | can he bravo
and die for the Flag" The little
I flower trcmblcd because she was 80
/ little but She was not afraid. Then
/ the Queen said. Dear little Forget
! Me Not. il is not tho mighticst deeds
| But the little acts Of Kindness which
! amy child may do" Then The Queen
/ kissed her which was a rare gift
{ she only gave 10 those she loved
/ Silver Moon Rose and Scarlet Ceranum
| said they would help make the Flag
| Silver Moon said. II will furnish all
the white petals YOU need" And with
| the help OF a summer zephyr. he laid
| his beautiful petals at the feet OF his
| Queen and revealed the golden heart
! he had so long hidden. The Queen
gave him her sweetest smile and said.
i ! dHi Iipuu VI YOU uthE ftdll al
! gold" The noble flower bowed his
! head in token of his love Then said
Gcranum blushinE scarlet as she
came. II will give my brightest bios
SONS to help make the Flag. "iIur-
rah!' 'ilurrah!'' shouted all the
! flowers in chorus, three cheers for
the Red White and Blue. Dearest
/ Queen how we TO arrange Our
colors on the Flag" After thinking a
moment. she said. you had better go
to our Flag maker, Betsy Ross But
listen" Who comes here" The little
Star JeSsamine." Please. dear Queen
! Iris we are SO anxious to help make
| the Flag. We will not take up much
room hut Will group ourselves in one
| little corner What a beautiful idea.
darling little stars. YOU shall have
your way" lust then beautiful
golden butterfly flew down into the
garden and they all crowded on its
| back, and away il flew 10 BETSY Ross.
who made tho most beautiful Flag
| the world has ever seen. Which VIC
all love and honor to-day
| VIRGINIA BURWELL.