is for Zodiac. That means the ring of stars and planets that circles the earth at night. This evening it is specially bright, for it is New Year's Eve. All the neighbors are full of song and Zest as they greet each other in the lane.

"Walk straight. Willoughby," says Miss Lark. "Kindly do not Zigzag." And she beats time Zealously to the sound of the Admiral's Zither.

"Oh. I'm off to the Zone of the Zephyrs."

Mr. Banks takes up the song with Zeal, and everyone joins in. Even the animals in the Zoo, especially the Zebras and Zebus, are shouting it merrily.

"Oh. I'm off to the Zone of the Zephyrs
In New Zealand and Zanzibar.
I have Zipped up my slippers.
I'm skipping with trippers
And Zulus in Zanzibar!"

"No Zulus to be left in the lane!" cries the Park Keeper wildly.

"What a Zany you are," says Mr. Banks. "The number of Zulus here is Zero."

At that moment the clock strikes twelve. Bells ring out from all the steeples, echoing up to the sky's Zenith to tell the lovely news.

"The New Year's born!" cries everyone. "Let us welcome it!"

Mary Poppins puts her arms round the children as they sing the Admiral's song.

"A happy New Year. Jane and Michael!" she says. "Now. say good night. Zip up your slippers, no more skipping with trippers. From A to Z the alphabet's read. Now we must all go to bed.