_Red Fox._ How now, brother Hans? Is it not well with you?
_Hans._ Alas! My sister is not satisfied with the palace.
_Red Fox._ What does she wish?
_Hans._ She wishes the great silvery moon for her
plaything.
_Fox._ [_Very slowly._]
The great silvery moon!
The great silvery moon!
The great silvery moon!
Go, little Hans. It shall _not_ be as she wishes.
You will find the cupboard empty, the toys gone, and your home again a
little cottage.
[Illustration]
LADY MOON
TIME—_Evening_
PLACE—_Garden_
CHARACTERS—_Lady Moon_, _Child_
_Child._ Lady Moon, Lady Moon,<br>Where are you roving?
_Lady Moon._ Over the sea.
_Child._ Lady Moon, Lady Moon,<br>Whom are you loving?
_Lady Moon._ All that love me.
_Child._ Are you not tired with rolling and never
Resting to sleep?
Why look so pale and so sad, as
Forever wishing to sleep?
_Lady Moon._ Ask me not this, little child, if you love me.
You are too bold.
I must obey my dear Father above me
And do as I’m told.
_Child._ Lady Moon, Lady Moon,<br>Where are you roving?
_Lady Moon._ Over the sea.
_Child._ Lady Moon, Lady Moon,<br>Whom are you loving?
_Lady Moon._ All that love me.
—LORD HOUGHTON.
PRECOCIOUS PIGGY
[Illustration]
_Child._ Where are you going to, you little pig?
_First Pig._ I’m leaving mother,<br>I’ve grown so big.
_Child._ So big, young pig!
So young, so big!
What! leaving your mother, you foolish young pig?
_Child._ Where are you going to, you little pig?
_Second Pig._ I’ve got a new spade, and I’m going to dig.
_Child._ To dig, little pig!
A little pig dig!
Well, I never saw a pig with a spade that could
dig.
_Child._ Where are you going to, you little pig?
_Third Pig._ Why, I am going to have a nice ride in a gig.
_Child._ In a gig, little pig!
What, a pig in a gig!
Well, I never saw a pig ride in a gig.
_Child._ Where are you going to, you little pig?
_Fourth Pig._ I’m going to the barber’s, to buy me a wig.
_Child._ A wig, little pig!
A pig in a wig!
Why, who ever before saw a pig in a wig?
_Child._ Where are you going to, you little pig?
_Fifth Pig._ Why, I’m going to the ball, to dance a fine jig!
_Child._ A jig, little pig!
A pig dance a jig!
Well, I never before saw a pig dance a jig!
_Child._ Where are you going to, you little pig?
_Sixth Pig._ I’m going to the fair, to run a fine rig.
_Child._ A rig, little pig!
A pig run a rig!
Well, I never before saw a pig run a rig.
—THOMAS HOOD.
STRANGE LANDS
[Illustration]
_Child._ Where do you come from, Mr. Jay?
_Mr. Jay._ From the land of play, from the land of play.
_Child._ And where can that be, Mr. Jay?
_Mr. Jay._ Far away—far away.
_Child._ Where do you come from, Mrs. Dove?
_Mrs. Dove._ From the land of love, from the land of love.
_Child._ And how do you get there, Mrs. Dove?
_Mrs. Dove._ Look above—look above.
_Child._ Where do you come from, Baby Miss?
_Baby Miss._ From the land of bliss, from the land of bliss.
_Child._ And what is the way there, Baby Miss?
_Baby Miss._ Mother’s kiss—mother’s kiss.
—LAURENCE ALMA-TADEMA.
HOW TO GET A BREAKFAST
_First Chick._ It is so hard to scratch;
I’m as hungry as can be,
I wish a little worm
Would come close up to me.
[Illustration]
_Second Chick._ It is so hard to scratch;
I’m as hungry as can be,
I wish a bowl of meal
Were standing here by me.
[Illustration]
_Third Chick._ It is so hard to scratch;
I’m as hungry as can be,
I wish a nice green leaf
Would drop right down to me.
[Illustration]
_Mother Hen._ See here, you lazy chicks,
Here’s the green garden patch,
If you’re hungry as can be,
You should come here and scratch!
[Illustration]
THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE
CHARACTERS
_Big Fir Tree_
_Little Fir Tree_
_Littlest Fir Tree_
_A Little Bird_
_Little Bird._ [_Going to Big Tree._] Oh, please, Big Fir Tree,
may I rest here in your branches? I have hurt my wing, and I cannot fly.
_Big Fir Tree._ No, I cannot have any little birds in my branches.
I must grow straight and tall, for I mean to be a Christmas tree some
day.
_Little Bird._ [_Goes to Little Tree._] Oh, please, dear tree, may
I not find shelter from the cold in your branches? My wing is broken,
and I cannot fly. I have come a long way over the ice and snow.
_Little Fir Tree._ No, I cannot give shelter to any birds in my
branches.
_Little Bird._ But I’m very tired, and I shall do your branches no
harm.
_Little Fir Tree._ It cannot be. I must hold my head up high and my
branches out straight, for I mean to be a Christmas tree.
_Little Bird._ I’m afraid I shall freeze out here in the snow.
[_Little Bird goes on._]
_Little Bird._ [_Softly._] Please, Littlest Fir Tree, may I rest
in your branches? I am so cold and hungry. I do not think I can go any
farther.
_Littlest Fir Tree._ Yes, yes, Little Bird. Creep up close to my trunk.
I will cover you as best I can with my little branches. Come close. I’m
glad to have you here.
_Little Bird._ Thank you, kind tree.
* * * * *
_Big Fir Tree._ I hear sleigh bells. The bells come nearer and
nearer. Some one is coming this way. Some one is coming through the
woods.
_Little Fir Tree._ Who is it, Big Fir Tree? I cannot see so far as you
can. Tell me what you see.
_Big Fir Tree._ I see a sleigh and reindeer. Some one all wrapped
in fur is in the sleigh.
_Little Fir Tree._ Oh, I feel that some one is coming for me. Now I am
going to be a Christmas tree. The bells sound nearer and nearer. I see
the sleigh.
_Santa Claus._ [_Alights from his sleigh and looks at Big Tree._]
A fine tree—tall and straight! But it is too tall for my Christmas tree.
I must look farther. [_Goes on to next tree._] Ah! Here’s another; but
there’s a little one I see just at the foot of the hill. I believe it is
the most beautiful tree in all the wood. [_Goes to Littlest Tree._]
Little tree, you hold your head up straight, and your branches spread
out in all directions. I must have you for my Christmas tree. [_Seeing
Little Bird._] Who is this that has found shelter in your branches? A
little bird. I will take it, too, and it shall be some little child’s
Christmas present.
—Adapted.
[Illustration]
CHRISTMAS EVE IN AN ATTIC
CHARACTERS
_First Mouse_
_Second Mouse_
_French Doll_
_Tin Soldier_
_Lion_
_Elephant_
_Tiger_
_Jack-in-the-box_
_Woolly Dog_
_Mrs. Santa Claus_
_First Mouse._ Christmas is here again. The air is full of the
smell of good things to eat!
_Second Mouse._ It’s a gay time for us. I know there’ll be plenty
of crumbs around now.
_First Mouse._ I wish Christmas came every night. But look at
those old toys in the corner. I wonder why they look so sad.
_French Doll._ Look sad, do we? No wonder. It’s Christmas Eve and
we don’t like to be here in the dark and cold. It isn’t fair!
[Illustration: CHRISTMAS EVE IN AN ATTIC]
_Tin Soldier._ We once hung on a Christmas tree.
_First Mouse._ It must have been a long time ago.
_Tin Soldier._ It was, indeed! But the children do not care to
play with us now that we are so old.
_French Doll._ Old, sir? How can you say that? Just look at me! If
my hair were combed and I had a new dress on, I’d still be a very nice
doll! Old, indeed!
_Second Mouse._ Yes, I’m quite sure you would be very pretty.
_Tin Soldier._ And I’d be as good as any other tin soldier, if I
had a new leg, a little paint, and a fresh gun.
_First Mouse._ Oh, I believe that, sir.
_Lion._ [_Proudly._] Only my mane’s gone. [_To Elephant._]
But I see you have lost your trunk!
_Elephant._ Yes, some one broke it off. Now if I had a new
trunk, I’d be all right. But look at the tiger! He has cracked his
paint, and his stripes are all gone. It would be hard to make him look
new again.
_Tiger._ Do you mean me? Oh, a few stripes of new paint, and
I’d be as fine a tiger as you ever saw. Listen! Woolly Dog is trying to
speak.
_Woolly Dog._ [_In a whisper._] My voice is almost gone. Some one
punched me too hard once and broke the spring. If I had a new spring,
I’d bark louder than ever. We’d never even hear your squeak then, little
mice.
_Jack-in-the-box._ I never could get back after my lid came off. A
hinge and a few screws, and I’d be as good as new. It’s a shame to leave
me like this.
_Mice._ Hush! Some one is coming up the stairs.
[_Mrs. Santa Claus enters._]
_French Doll._ Who are you?
_Mrs. Santa Claus._ I am Mrs. Santa Claus. Every Christmas Eve I find
all the old toys I can. I change them into new ones. Then I send them to
the little children who have no other Christmas toys. I knew I’d find
some old toys in this attic! Come here, all of you. Let me see what each
one needs. Please, only one at a time! [_Toys come about Mrs. Santa
Claus._] Now, French Doll, I’ll begin with you. There! I’ve washed your
face and combed your hair. You’re as good as new.
_First Mouse._ She does look fine!
_Mrs. Santa Claus._ Now, Tin Soldier, what can I do for you?
_Tin Soldier._ Give me a new red coat, and mend my leg. Oh, yes,
and I’d like a new gun, too.
_Mrs. Santa Claus._ Here you are, sir. Now, Jack, down in your box
while I mend the lid. There, now you can bob up as well as ever.
_Lion._ If you please, I want a new mane. A little boy
pulled mine off. I haven’t had one for a long time.
_Woolly Dog._ Please don’t forget me. I can’t bark till I get a
new spring.
_Mrs. Santa Claus._ Come, Elephant and Tiger. I’ll do you next. There,
I’ve seen you all. You are now as good as toys can be.
_French Doll._ Are we to stay in this old attic?
_Tin Soldier._ Can’t we be put on a Christmas tree again?
_Mrs. Santa Claus._ No. Listen to me. You are all to go out into the
world to-night. Each one of you must make one little child happy. Go the
way you wish, but be sure to find the child that needs you most. I must
hurry to another old attic over the way. Good night, toys.
[_Toys go away._]
_First Mouse._ Will each toy try to make some child glad on
Christmas morning?
_Second Mouse._ I hope so. How happy they all looked as they went
out!
THE NEW YEAR
_New Year._ Here I am!
_Old Year._ Oh, there you are, are you? Come in and let us have
a look at you, and shut the door, please, after you.
_New Year._ Frosty night! Fine and clear. I’ve had a pleasant
journey.
_Old Year._ Humph! I don’t expect to find _mine_ pleasant. A
long cold drive, I call it. But to be sure, I thought it pleasant when I
was your age, youngster! Is the sleigh waiting?
_New Year._ Yes, but there is no hurry. Wait a bit and tell me
how matters are in these parts.
_Old Year._ [_Shaking his head._] So, so! They might be better
and yet they might be worse, too. They were worse before I came, much
worse. I have done a great deal. Now I expect you, my boy, to do just as
I did. Be a good year all the way through.
_New Year._ I shall do my best, you may be sure. And now tell
me a little what there is to do.
_Old Year._ In the first place, you have the weather to attend
to. You see the seasons have a way of running into each other and
getting mixed, if you don’t keep a sharp lookout on them. The months,
too, are a troublesome set. Then you must be careful how you turn on wet
and dry weather. And one thing I want you to do very carefully—watch the
leaves that are turned.
_New Year._ I thought Autumn attended to that sort of thing!
_Old Year._ Oh, I don’t mean leaves of trees. You know that at
the beginning of a year half the people in the world say, “I am going to
turn over a new leaf!” They mean that they are going to be better than
they have ever been before. But leaves do not stay turned over. I know a
great many little boys who said they were going to turn over new leaves.
They were not going to tear their clothes, nor lose their jackknives,
nor bring mud into the house on their boots. And the little girls were
going to keep their rooms tidy and their buttons sewed on. But I haven’t
seen much change in most of them.
_New Year._ I’ll attend to that. Anything else?
_Old Year._ Above all, take care of the children. Give them all
the good weather you can. And now the horses are ready to go. My time is
nearly up, so I start on my long drive. You will find everything in
pretty good shape. Well, well, my boy, good-by, good luck to you.
—Adapted.
[Illustration]
A FRIENDSHIP DECLINED
CHARACTERS—_Mary_ _and_ _a Kitten_
(_Mary wears a gray fur bonnet_)
_Mary._ Pussy, aren’t you cold?
_Pussy._ Me-ow!
_Mary._ Pussy, aren’t you cold?
Don’t look so sad.
Come here to me,
At home, I’ve kittens two—
And I should like—indeed I should
To make a friend of you.
_Pussy._ Me-ow!
_Mary._ To make a friend of you.
_Pussy._ I thank you, Miss, for your kind words,
And know they’re gently said;
But truth to speak,
I do not like
That thing upon your head.
For much it looks to me as though
Your very furry hat,
So soft and fine, might once have been
A very furry cat. Me-ow!
A very furry cat.
THE SELFISH MAN
CHARACTERS—_Man_, _Camel_, _Wise Man_, _Tiger_
_Camel._ Pray, sir, where are you going?
_Man._ I am going to the Wise Man to seek my fortune.
_Camel._ Seek mine, too. I have had these sacks of gold on
my back for a long time. I cannot lie down. Seek mine, too.
_Man._ I will.
_Tiger._ Pray, sir, where are you going?
_Man._ I am going to the Wise Man to seek my fortune.
_Tiger._ Seek mine, too. For a long time I have had this
thorn in my foot. I cannot rest. Seek mine, too.
_Man._ I will. [_Man comes to Wise Man._]
_Wise Man._ I pray you, sir, why are you here?
_Man._ I seek my fortune. I am a very poor man.
_Wise Man._ Then, I fear you have been living only for
yourself. Think of making others rich and you will become rich.
_Man._ In the jungle I met a camel. He carried two sacks
of gold on his back. They were so heavy that he could not lie down. He
asked me to seek his fortune, too.
_Wise Man._ Take the sacks off his back. Then he will be free,
and you will have the gold. Why did you not do it before?
_Man._ I was thinking only of myself. After that I met a
tiger. For many days he has had a thorn in his foot. He cannot rest. He
asked me to seek his fortune, too.
_Wise Man._ Take the thorn out of his foot, and both of you
will gain by it. Why did you not think of this before?
_Man._ I was thinking only of myself. [_Man goes homeward.
He meets the tiger._]
_Tiger._ Have you found my fortune?
_Man._ The Wise Man told me to take the thorn out of your
foot.
[_Pulls thorn out and starts to go on._]
_Tiger._ Thank you. Here, take my treasure. I did not think
of giving it to you before. [_Man goes on._]
_Camel._ Have you found my fortune?
_Man._ The Wise Man told me to take the sacks off your
back.
[_Man takes off sacks._]
_Camel._ Thank you. But stop! These sacks are full of gold.
Take them, and both of us will be happy. Why did we not think of this
before?
_Man._ We were thinking only of ourselves.
[Illustration]
THE MAGPIE’S NEST
[Illustration]
CHARACTERS
_Magpie_
_Thrush_
_Blackbird_
_Wise Owl_
_Starling_
_Sparrow_
_Turtledove_
_Thrush._ Oh, Mrs. Magpie, I wish you would teach us how you
build your nest. Every one says your nest is made better than any other.
_Magpie._ Is that true? Indeed! Come nearer then, and I will
show you how I do it. [_Birds draw near._] You see I take some mud and
make a round cake with it.
_Thrush._ Oh, that’s how it’s done! I can make one now.
[_Flies away._]
_Magpie._ Oh! the thrush went too soon. It is not yet done.
Now I lay some twigs in the mud this way and that way, this way and that
way.
_Blackbird._ I see! I see! [_Flies away._]
_Magpie._ What! Has the blackbird gone, too? Next another
layer of mud—twigs and mud, twigs and mud.
_Wise Owl._ Oh, that’s very easy! [_Flies off._]
_Magpie._ Does the wise owl think that’s all? Now more twigs
round the outside. Up and down; in and out; round and round.
_Sparrow._ The very thing. [_Flies off._]
_Magpie._ Oh! but the nest is not lined yet. I make it soft
and warm inside with feathers.
_Starling._ That suits me. [_Flies off._]
_Magpie._ Has the starling gone, too? It will take just one
minute more.
_Turtledove._ Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o.
_Magpie._ One is enough.
_Turtledove._ Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o.
_Magpie._ One is enough, I tell you. Oh! are they all gone
but you, silly turtledove? And I have just finished my nest. None of
them will make a nest like mine.
ADVENTURES OF THE FIRST SPRING
[Illustration]
CHARACTERS
_Mr. Sparrow_
_Mrs. Sparrow_
_Crocus_
_Mary_
_Pussy Willow_
_Fern_
_Violet_
_Children_
_Mr. Sparrow._ There! I’m glad enough to see the last of that
snow. Chirp, chirp! Did you notice, my dear Mrs. Sparrow, how quickly it
melted at the last?
_Mrs. Sparrow._ Yes, it seemed in a great hurry to go. It did the
same thing last year when the warm days came.
_Mr. Sparrow._ Yes, yes, it always does—and don’t you know why?
How could the little worms and green things come up out of the ground if
the snow stayed all summer long? And then what should we do for good
things to eat?
_Mrs. Sparrow._ Oh, yes, of course!
_Mr. Sparrow._ I see a worm now. You stay right here and I’ll get
him for you. [_He flies down and carries away the worm._]
_Violet._ That’s good. Worms are such dreadful creatures;
always wriggling about one’s feet. I wonder what they are good for. Dear
me, there’s Miss Crocus. Good morning! Did you have a good sleep?
_Crocus._ Yes, indeed. But I can’t unroll my petals far
enough, I just want to stretch and stretch.
_Violet._ But it’s good to be back in the sunshine again.
[_Two children enter the woods._]
_First child._ Oh, just see what I’ve found, a violet—a real
one—and it’s a white one, too. Won’t Mary be glad.
_Second Child._ Oh, oh, can’t you find another?
_First Child._ No, there is just this one. I am going to take it
up by the roots. Then it won’t wither.
[_Child digs up violet and puts it in her basket with the other
flowers._]
_Pussy Willow._ [_In basket._] Dear me! What does this mean? Why,
Violet, you’ve got some dirt in my eye and on my nice new fur.
_Fern._ [_In basket._] It Serves you right for being so
proud. You think yourself better and prettier than others. Something
always happens to any one who does that.
_Pussy Willow._ I wasn’t speaking to you.
_Violet._ Oh, please don’t quarrel. I am sure I am sorry if I
have hurt any one. It was not my fault. I didn’t want to come here a
bit. How I wish I could get out.
_Fern._ Humph! Little good it will do to get out. I think
these are the very people that Mr. Oak Tree was telling me about. They
come every year looking for ferns and flowers. He says some of my
ancestors for many generations have gone the same way. They always
choose the finest, at any rate.
[_At Home._]
_First Child._ Oh, Mary, I found the sweetest little violet for
you—a white one. I dug it up with all its roots, so it will not wither.
_Mary._ How lovely! You are very kind to bring me such
beautiful flowers.
[Illustration]
_Second Child._ It’s the first one that came up.
_Mary._ How I’d love to hunt for the violets! But it’s hard
for any one who is lame to go to the woods. I don’t suppose I shall ever
go there myself.
_First Child._ Yes, you shall. Some day we’ll all go together.
_Mary._ Poor little flower! I wonder if it was sorry to
leave its place in the woods to stay with me in this room. Please give
it some water to drink. Then it will go on living.
_Violet._ How thankful I am that I came. Just a few days
later and I might have withered there in the meadow. I would have been
of no use to any one. Now I can make this little girl happy. I am so
glad I grew. The best of all is to make some one happy.
—Adapted.
THE BIRD’S NEST
[Illustration]
CHARACTERS—_Yellow-breast_, _Bobolink_, _Cuckoo_, _Crow_, _Cow_, _Dog_,
_Sheep_, _Hen_, _Little Boy_
_Yellow-breast._ To-whit, to-whit, to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid
And the nice nest I made?
[Illustration]
_Cow._ Not I. Moo-oo! Moo-oo!
Such a thing I’d never do!
I gave you a wisp of hay
But didn’t take your nest away.
Not I! Moo-oo! Moo-oo!
Such a thing I’d never do.
[Illustration]
_Yellow-breast._ To-whit, to-whit, to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid
And the nice nest I made?
_Bobolink._ Bob-o-link! Bob-o-link!
Now what do you think?
Who stole a nest away
From the plum tree to-day?
[Illustration]
_Dog._ Not I! Bow-wow! Bow-wow!
I wouldn’t be so mean, I vow!
I gave hairs the nest to make,
But the nest I did not take!
Not I! Bow-wow! Bow-wow!
I wouldn’t be so mean, I vow.
[Illustration]
_Yellow-breast._ To-whit, to-whit, to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid
And the nice nest I made?
_Bobolink._ Bob-o-link! Bob-o-link!
Now what do you think?
Who stole a nest away
From the plum tree, to-day?
_Cuckoo._ Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo!
Let me speak a word, too!
Who stole that pretty nest
From little Yellow-breast?
[Illustration]
_Sheep._ Not I! Oh, no! Oh, no!
I wouldn’t treat a poor bird so.
I gave wool the nest to line;
But the nest was none of mine!
Oh, no! Oh, no! I wouldn’t treat a poor bird so.
[Illustration]
_Yellow-breast._ To-whit, to-whit, to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid
And the nice nest I made?
_Bobolink._ Bob-o-link! Bob-o-link!
Now what do you think?
Who stole a nest away
From the plum tree, to-day?
_Cuckoo._ Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo!
Let me speak a word, too.
Who stole that pretty nest
From little Yellow-breast?
_Crow._ Caw, caw! Hear the crow!
I should like to know
What thief took away
A bird’s nest, to-day?
[Illustration]
_Hen._ Cluck! Cluck! Hear me then!
Don’t ask me again!
Why, I haven’t a chick
Would do such a trick!
We all gave her a feather
And she wove them together.
I’d scorn to intrude
On her and her brood.
Cluck, cluck! hear me then,
Don’t ask me again.
[Illustration]
_Bobolink_,<br>_Cuckoo_,<br>_Crow._ Chirr-a-whirr! Chirr-a-whirr!
All the birds make a stir,
Let us find out his name
And all cry “For shame!”
_Little Boy._ I stole that pretty nest
From poor little Yellow-breast.
And I feel so full of shame
I do not like to tell my name!
—Adapted from LYDIA MARIA CHILD.
THE BOASTFUL BAMBOO TREE
CHARACTERS
_Boastful Bamboo_
_Little Tree_
_Boy_
_Girl_
_Woodcutter_
SCENE I—_In the Forest_
_Boastful Bamboo._ Little bamboo tree, you bow and bend to every wind
that blows. A bamboo tree should never show fear. Look at me! I stand
straight and strong and bow to no one.
_Little Tree._ I know you are strong. You are much stronger than I
am. I am only fit to trim the houses for the New Year’s feast. But you
will be used in making some great house or maybe in making a palace.
_Boastful Bamboo._ Only that! I shall be chosen for the mast of a big
ship. Every one will look at me and say, “See what a beautiful mast that
ship has!” As for you, timid little tree, you will never be brave enough
even to deck the New Year’s feast.
_Little Tree._ Who knows? If I grow straight and strong. I may be
chosen to do some good in the world!
SCENE II—_In the Forest (later)_
_Boy._ [_Looking at the Boastful Bamboo._] What a big,
strong, bamboo tree!
_Girl._ But this dear little one beside it is prettier than
any of the others.
_Boy._ Yes; let us bind her with our garland of flowers.
[Illustration]
_Girl._ We’ll call her the Lady Silver Mist.
_Woodcutter._ [_Looking at the big bamboo tree._] Here is a tall,
straight tree. It will do for a mast. I will cut it first.
_Boastful Bamboo._ [_To Little Tree._] Good-by,—I am sorry for you. I
shall see the world now and do great things. Good-by, Little Tree!
_Little Tree._ Good-by! Good fortune go with you! [_Big tree
falls._]
_Boy._ I’m glad he didn’t take our little tree.
_Girl._ [_To Woodcutter._] Please don’t cut down our little
tree. In all the forest we love it best.
_Woodcutter._ Ah, I see the little tree has friends.
_Girl._ Yes, we call her the Lady Silver Mist, and she is
our playmate.
_Woodcutter._ But I’ve been sent to cut down all the trees in the
forest. You must dig it up and carry it away, if you wish to keep it.
_Boy._ I’ll dig it up. We’ll take it home and plant it in
our garden by the sea. [_Children carry off the tree._]
SCENE III—_In the Garden (after storm)_
_Little Tree._ All night the waves of the sea tossed the white
foam and dashed the ships about. All around me lie pieces of wood washed
up by the sea. What is this at my feet? A piece of a great bamboo tree!
Can it be my friend of the forest?
_Boastful Bamboo._ Alas! I am your poor friend.
_Little Tree._ I wish I could help you.
_Boastful Bamboo._ No one can help me. I wish that I had lived in a
garden as you have. Then I might have been useful for many years.
Farewell, Little Tree.
RETURN OF SPRING
TIME—_Morning—Breakfast_
PLACE—_A Garden on Mt. Olympus_
CHARACTERS—_Spring_, _Columbine_, _Pantaloon_, _Clown_
_Columbine._ Spring, Spring! Oh, you naughty boy. Why are you
here?
_Spring._ They didn’t want me, and neither do you.
_Columbine._ Oh, you poor dear boy. Come along at once to the
fire and have some breakfast.
_Spring._ I didn’t come in before, because I thought you
wouldn’t want me. [_All sit down to breakfast._]
_Clown._ Sausages? I’m tired of sausages; such ages since we
had anything else.
_Pantaloon._ Ho! ho! ho! [_Waves his wand._] We’ll have rabbit
pie, then. [_Dish of sausages turns to rabbit pie._]
_Clown._ Do you know how they get the rabbits into the pie?
_Spring._ [_Shakes his head._] No.
_Clown._ Would you like to know?
_Spring._ Please, sir.
_Clown._ Well, first of all, you make a nice rich brown
crust, and you put it over a large dish. Then you cut a round hole from
the pie crust. Fill the dish with lettuce and put it out on the lawn.
_Spring._ On the lawn?
_Clown._ Yes. Then the rabbits come. They pop down the hole
in the crust to eat the lettuce. When the pie is full of rabbits, you
run from behind a tree, cover the hole in the crust, and then with the
dish in your arms, you dash into the kitchen,—pie in the oven, oven hot,
fire bright—and, here we are!
[Illustration]
_Columbine._ Don’t you believe him.
_Pantaloon._ [_To Spring._] Why did you come back?
_Spring._ The farmers said I made the buds come out too soon.
I only stroked the trees and the little sticky buds peeped out to kiss
my hand. The gardeners were angry because, where I stepped, the flowers
came out too soon, they said, and then—
_Columbine._ Never mind, dear. We are all glad to see you.
_Pantaloon._ And then?
_Spring._ Then East Wind came and Snow and Jack Frost, and
they nipped my flowers, and hurt my trees, and made my lambs shiver
behind the hedges. The goblins who sing in the fire hobs sang and sang
till the people turned their backs on me and crouched up to the fire
again and began to tell ghost stories.
_Columbine._ But you must go back now, and fight Jack Frost and
scare Winter away. You have had your breakfast, dear, and now like all
the world, you must do your work. Yes, dear, you must keep on working
till summer wakes up.
_Spring._ Good-by.
WHO HOLDS UP THE SKY?
[Illustration]
TIME—_Spring_
PLACE—_A Wood_
CHARACTERS—_Daisy_, _Rose_, _Fir Tree_, _Elm_, _Bird_, _Mountain_
_Daisy._ Oh dear, Miss Rose, do tell me please,
Is it you holds up the sky?
_Rose._ Dear Daisy, no, no, indeed,
I cannot reach so high.
And _very_ far above me
Is the blue and lovely sky.
But if you wish to know.
To find out I will try.
Perhaps that tall fir tree
Is holding up the sky.
[_To the fir tree._]
You lift your head so high,
Do you hold up the sky?
_Fir Tree._ [_Shaking his head._]
Oh no, indeed, sweet Rose
It surely is not I!
It may be this lofty elm,
Who stands to me so nigh.
_Elm._ No, no, it is not I.
But a mountain very tall
In the distance I can spy,
And on his shoulders rests,
I think, the wondrous sky.
[_Calling to the mountain._]
You lift your head so high,
Do you hold up the sky?
_Mountain._ And who is it who would
For these secrets pry?
I’ve stood here many an age,
But I never touched the sky.
_Rose._ Sweet Daisy, dearest friend,
I fear before we die
We never shall find out
Who is holding up the sky.
[_A bird alights on the fir tree._]
_Daisy and Rose._ [_Together._]
O Bird, you fly up so high,
Will you not please tell us
Who is holding up the sky?
_Bird._ ’Tis He who made the daisy
And He who made the rose;
’Tis He who made the fir tree,
The elm, and all that grows.
’Tis He who made the mountain
And made the bird to fly—
The good and Heavenly Father,
Who holdeth up the sky.
—Adapted.
[Illustration]
THE FOX’S PLAN
CHARACTERS—_Tiger_, _Hunter_, _Fox_
_Tiger._ [_To fox in a net._] So you are here. Caught!
_Fox._ Only to help you, Tiger.
_Tiger._ To help me? How is that?
_Fox._ Why, the other day you said you could not get
enough men to eat. So I got into this net. When the men come to take me
you may get the men.
_Tiger._ A fine plan! Can I believe you?
_Fox._ Believe me. Hide in the bushes close by. I’ll show
you the men when they come.
_Tiger._ Can I believe you?
_Fox._ Believe me, Tiger. Here comes one now. Quick!
Behind the bushes! [_Tiger hides._]
_Hunter._ [_To fox._] So here you are. Caught!
_Fox._ Only to help you, Hunter.
_Hunter._ To help me? How is that?
_Fox._ Why, the other day you said you could not get the
tiger who has been killing and eating your cattle. So I got into this
net to-day that you may have him.
_Hunter._ A fine plan. Can I believe you? But how will I get
him?
_Fox._ Believe me, Hunter. [_Quietly._] He came here to
eat me up, but he saw you coming. He is now behind the bushes. Let me
out of this net, and I will take you right to him.
_Hunter._ Can I believe you?
_Fox._ Believe me, Hunter. Only let me out, and you’ll
see. [_Hunter lets fox out._] Come! [_Calling out loud._] Now, Sir
Tiger, here is the hunter; and, Mr. Hunter, there is your tiger. I have
kept my word to both; you must settle the matter between yourselves.
[_Fox runs off._]
_Hunter._ Alas! Alas!
TOM AND THE LOBSTER
PLACE—_Among the rocks_
CHARACTERS—_Tom_, _Lobster_
_Tom._ [_To lobster caught in a lobster pot._] What, have
you been naughty, and have they put you in the lockup?
_Lobster._ I can’t get out.
_Tom._ Why did you get in?
_Lobster._ I came in for that ugly piece of fish.
_Tom._ Where did you get in?
_Lobster._ Through that round hole at the top.
_Tom._ Then why don’t you get out through it?
_Lobster._ Because I can’t. I have jumped upwards, downwards,
backwards, and sideways, at least four thousand times, and I can’t get
out. I always get up underneath then and can’t find the hole.
_Tom._ Stop a bit. Turn your tail up to me, and I’ll pull
you through hindforemost, and then you won’t stick in the spikes. [_Tom
pulls lobster._] Hello, here is a pretty business. Now take your great
claws and break the point off those spikes, and then we shall both get
out easily.
_Lobster._ Dear me, I never thought of that!
[Illustration]
WHY THE JELLYFISH HAS NO SHELL
CHARACTERS—_Fishes_, _Turtle_, _three Monkeys_, _Jellyfish_, _Queen Osa_
SCENE I—_Under the Sea_
_First Fish._ What is the matter, little fish?
_Little Fish._ Have you not heard? Our sea queen is very ill.
_First Fish._ Osa, our queen, very ill, did you say?
_Little Fish._ Yes, yes, we have done everything; but she grows
worse.
_Second Fish._ We fear she must die.
_First Fish._ This cannot be. Come, tell me what you have done.
_Little Fish._ Oh, we fed her seaweed and laid her upon a bank of
sponges. Every little fish helped. But she is no better.
_First Fish._ Our queen Osa! This is sad indeed. Is there no wise
creature in the sea who can help us?
_Third Fish._ There must be. Let us think hard.
_Little Fish._ I know. Let’s ask the turtle. He’s wise. He goes
out of the sea upon the land. Surely he must learn many things there.
Perhaps he is just the one to tell us what to do to save our queen.
_Second Fish._ Go at once and bring him back with you. [_Little
Fish goes out._]
_First Fish._ He won’t be gone long. No one swims faster than our
little fish.
_Third Fish._ Here he comes back already, and the turtle is with
him.
_All the Fish._ Good, good. [_Turtle and Little Fish enter._]
_First Fish._ O Turtle, have you heard that our sea queen is
about to die?
_Turtle._ I know that she is very ill.
_Second Fish._ Can you not help us to save her? You are wise,
Turtle. It’s because you don’t stay down in the sea, but go upon the
land, that you learn about so many things. What will cure our queen?
_Turtle._ [_Slowly._] Yes, I do learn a great many things on
the land. Let me think—I am thinking—yes—I believe—yes—I know, I’m sure
I know just what will save her life. I have it—a monkey’s heart—the very
thing! I heard about it one day as I was resting upon the shore. A
monkey’s heart can cure anything!
_All the Fish._ Wonderful!
_Little Fish._ Will you go and get one? O Turtle, you know we
would go if we could leave our homes as you can. You will go, won’t you?
_Turtle._ I will go—at once.
SCENE II—_On the Seashore_
_Turtle._ Dear me—not a monkey to be seen anywhere! Well,
I’ve waited and waited. It’s very hot here on the sand. I’m sleepy. I’ll
just take a nap. [_Sleeps. Monkeys (three) come._]
[Illustration]
_First Monkey._ [_Seeing turtle._] What’s this?
_Second Monkey._ I don’t know. I never saw anything like that
before. Now, I see, it’s a big stone.
_First Monkey._ So it is.
_Third Monkey._ I don’t believe it.
_Second Monkey._ Well, you just put your paw on it and see. There,
it’s as hard as it can be.
_Third Monkey._ _I_ know. It’s a great shell. [_Touches the
turtle._] A big hard one, hard all over. [_Turtle wakes and catches
monkey._] Oh, oh, oh! Let me go.
_Turtle._ No, I will not let you go. Be quiet and do what I
tell you, and I will not hurt you. Your brothers have run away. You must
come down under the sea with me.
[_They go out together._]
SCENE III—_Under the Sea_
_Monkey._ Why do they keep me here? No one to talk to, no one
to play with, no trees to climb. Only one friend, the jellyfish with his
hard shell. I’d like him better if he hadn’t one. It makes me think of
that bad turtle that brought me down here on his hard back. Here comes
the old jellyfish now.
_Jellyfish._ Hello, Monkey, you look sad.
_Monkey._ So would you if you wanted trees instead of
seaweed, and land instead of water, and warm sunshine, and other little
monkeys to play with.
_Jellyfish._ Poor Monkey! I am sorry for you. But of course you
must stay here until they come to get you.
_Monkey._ Until who comes to get me?
_Jellyfish._ The fish, of course. Don’t you know?
_Monkey._ Indeed, I don’t, Jellyfish. What do you mean?
_Jellyfish._ They want your heart for the queen. In a few days
they’ll come and kill you and give her your heart to eat.
_Monkey._ Oh, dear me! Give my heart to the queen to eat?
Why, Jellyfish, do you know what you are talking about? What wrong have
I done that I should be killed?
_Jellyfish._ Oh, you’ve done no wrong. But our dear queen is
very ill, and your heart is the only thing that will cure her. We cannot
get your heart unless we kill you; so try and be brave about it.
[_Jellyfish swims off._]
_Monkey._ [_To himself._] I shall not give my heart to the
queen. I must get away from here somehow. But how? I do not know the
way. Only the turtle could take me back, and he won’t. What can I do?
Here comes the turtle now.
_Turtle._ You look sad, Monkey. What is the matter?
_Monkey._ Dear me, Turtle, I was just thinking of something I
have left at home that I need very much.
_Turtle._ Indeed! What is it, dear Monkey?
_Monkey._ It’s my heart, Turtle. Just before I left home I
hung it out on a bush to dry. If the rain comes, it will be spoiled.
_Turtle._ What is this you tell me?
_Monkey._ It’s about my heart. Some one must carry me back to
the land so that I can get it.
_Turtle._ Well, well, is there no other way? Then I must take
you back to get your heart. That is the best plan, and we must start at
once. Come. [_They go out together._]
[Illustration]
SCENE IV—_Home of the Sea Queen_
[_Turtle comes in looking very sad._]
_Queen Osa._ My dear Turtle, where have you been so long, and
oh, what has happened to you?
_Turtle._ Dear Queen, I am very sad, and very cold, and very
ill. My poor body is without its covering, for see, I have lost my
shell.
_Queen Osa._ Poor Turtle! Come tell me all about it.
_Turtle._ The monkey told me he had left his heart at home
and he asked me to take him back so he could get it. I believed him. You
know I wanted the heart for you.
_Queen Osa._ You are very kind, Turtle.
_Turtle._ I took him on my back. When we got to the land he
sprang off my back and up the nearest tree. He told his brothers what
had happened to him. Then they all rushed at me. They tore off my shell
and threw my body back into the sea without it.
_Queen Osa._ Poor Turtle! Never mind. I’ll give you another
shell, for you did your best. Some one must have been telling the monkey
tales. Jellyfish, you were his friend. Do you know anything about this?
_Jellyfish._ I told the monkey that we were going to kill him so
that we could get his heart for you. I told him to try and be brave
about it.
_Queen Osa._ You are to blame, then, Jellyfish, for all this
trouble. To punish you for meddling, I will take away your shell. And
you must go without it forever.
—ORIENTAL FABLE.
I WOULD LIKE YOU FOR A COMRADE
_Little Girl._ I would like you for a comrade, for I love you,
that I do,
I never met a little calf as amiable as you;
I would teach you how to dance and sing and how to
talk and laugh,
If I were not a little girl and you were not a
calf.
_Little Calf._ I would like you for a comrade; you should share my
barley meal
And butt me with your little horns just hard enough
to feel;
We would lie beneath the chestnut trees and watch
the leaves uncurl,
If I were not a clumsy calf and you a little girl.
—JUDGE PARRY.
[Illustration]
SOUTHWEST WIND’S VISIT TO GLUCK
CHARACTERS
_Gluck_
_Hans_
_Schwartz_
_Little Old Gentleman_
_Gluck._ What a pity my brothers never ask anybody to
dinner. I’m sure when they’ve got such a nice piece of mutton as this it
would do their hearts good to have somebody to eat it with them. [_Knock
sounds at the door._] It must be the wind. Nobody else would dare to
knock double knocks at our door. [_Gluck goes to the window._]
_Little Old Gentleman._ Hello! That’s not the way to answer the door. I am
wet. Let me in.
_Gluck._ I beg your pardon, sir. I am very sorry, but I
really can’t.
_Little Old Gentleman._ Can’t what?
_Gluck._ I can’t let you in. I can’t, indeed. My brother
will beat me, sir, if I thought of such a thing. What do you want, sir?
_Little Old Gentleman._ Want? I want fire and shelter. There’s your great
fire there blazing, cracking, and dancing on the walls with nobody to
feel it. I only want to warm myself.
_Gluck._ He does look very wet. I’ll just let him in for a
little while.
[_Opens the door._]
_Little Old Gentleman._ That’s a good boy. Never mind your brothers. I’ll
talk to them.
[Illustration]
_Gluck._ Pray, sir, don’t do any such thing. I can’t let you
stay till they come.
_Little Old Gentleman._ Dear me. I’m very sorry to hear that. How long may
I stay?
_Gluck._ Only till the mutton’s done, sir, and it’s very
brown. [_Little Old Gentleman seats himself before the fire._] You’ll
soon dry there, sir. Mayn’t I take your cloak?
_Little Old Gentleman._ No, thank you.
_Gluck._ Your cap, sir?
_Little Old Gentleman._ I am all right, thank you.
_Gluck._ But, sir! I’m very sorry, but really, sir, you’re
putting the fire out.
_Little Old Gentleman._ It’ll take longer to do the mutton then. That
mutton looks very nice. Can’t you give me a little bit?
_Gluck._ Impossible, sir.
_Little Old Gentleman._ I’m very hungry. I’ve had nothing to eat yesterday
nor to-day. They surely couldn’t miss a bit from the knuckle.
_Gluck._ They promised me one slice to-day, sir. I can give
you that.
_Little Old Gentleman._ That’s a good boy.
_Gluck._ [_To himself._] I don’t care if I do get beaten for
it. [_Loud rap at the door. Schwartz and Hans enter._]
_Schwartz._ What did you keep us waiting in the rain for?
_Hans._ Ay, what for, indeed!
_Schwartz._ Bless my soul, who’s that?
_Gluck._ I don’t know, indeed, brother.
_Schwartz._ How did he get in?
_Gluck._ My dear brother, he was so very wet.
_Schwartz._ Who are you, sir?
_Hans._ What’s your business?
_Little Old Gentleman._ I am a poor old man, sir, and I saw your fire
through the window and begged shelter for a little while.
_Schwartz._ Have the goodness to walk out again, then.
_Little Old Gentleman._ It’s a cold day to turn an old man out, sir. Look
at my gray hairs.
_Hans._ Ay, there are enough of them to keep you warm.
Walk!
_Little old Gentleman._ I’m very, very hungry, sir. Couldn’t you spare me a
bit of bread before I go?
_Schwartz._ Bread, indeed! Do you suppose we’ve nothing to do
with our bread but to give it to such fellows as you?
_Hans._ Out with you.
_Little Old Gentleman._ A little bit?
_Schwartz._ Be off!
_Little Old Gentleman._ Pray, gentlemen.
_Hans._ Off!
_Little Old Gentleman._ Gentlemen, I wish you a very good morning. At
twelve o’clock to-night I’ll call again. But you will not be surprised
if that visit is the last I ever make you.
_Schwartz._ If I ever catch you here again—[_To Gluck._] A very
pretty business, indeed, Mr. Gluck. Dish the mutton, sir. If ever I
catch you at such a trick again—bless me, why the mutton’s been cut.
_Gluck._ You promised me one slice, brother, you know.
_Schwartz._ Oh, you were cutting it hot, I suppose, and going
to catch all the gravy. It will be long before I promise you such a
thing again. Leave the room, sir, and have the kindness to wait in the
coal cellar till I call you.
_Midnight_
_Schwartz._ [_Starting up._] What’s that?
_Little Old Gentleman._ Only I, Southwest Wind.
_Hans._ The room is full of water, and the roof is off.
_Little Old Gentleman._ Sorry, gentlemen. I am afraid your beds are
dampish. Perhaps you had better go to your brother’s room. I’ve left the
ceiling on there. You’ll find my card on the kitchen table. Remember,
this is the last visit from Southwest Wind.
[Illustration]
THE CHILD AND THE SPARROW
_Child._ Sparrow in the cherry tree,
Won’t you drop one down for me?
_Sparrow._ Presently, presently.
_Child._ Sparrow, sparrow, Greedy-pate!
There’s a fine one! Drop it straight!
_Sparrow._ Little boys should learn to wait!
_Child._ Sparrow, without more ado,
Come, be kind and drop me two.
_Sparrow._ They’re not ripe enough for you.
_Child._ Saucy sparrow, cease your fun!
What, you’re off—and give me none!
_Sparrow._ All are gone, all are gone.
—THOMAS WESTWOOD.
THE RABBIT’S MESSAGE
[Illustration]
CHARACTERS—_Three Children_, _Spring_, _Rabbit_ _and_ _creatures of the
woods_
PART I—_The Children_
_First Child._ Oh, how bare the woods look. Not a flower or bud
anywhere!
_Second Child._ Spring is late.
_Third Child._ Ow-o-o. Let’s run home.
_Second Child._ Spring has forgotten us. I shan’t come here again.
PART II—_Lady Spring_
_Spring._ At last! Be off, Jack Frost and North Wind. You
have kept me waiting too long. Now to work. I must waken the flowers.
[_Waves her wand._]
_Flowers._ [_Awaken._] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have looked
for you long.
_Spring._ Break into buds, trees.
_Trees._ [_Awaken._] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have looked
for you long.
_Spring._ Waken, animals.
_Animals._ [_Awaken._] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have waited
for you long.
_Spring._ But where are the children? Perhaps they do not
know we are here. I must find some way to send them a message. Robin,
will you take it?
_Robin._ I am too busy building a nest for my little ones.
Send the fox.
_Spring._ Fox, will you take it?
_Fox._ I dare not go. The people will think I have come to
steal their chickens. Send Black Bear.
_Spring._ Black Bear, will you take the message to the
children?
_Black Bear._ Don’t send me. I am so big I would frighten them.
All children love the rabbit. Send him.
_Spring._ Rabbit, will you go?
_Rabbit._ Yes, yes. I’ll go. But, dear me! The dogs! They
might catch me.
_Spring._ Go when they are asleep.
_Rabbit._ Good. I will go to-night. But what message shall I
take?
_Spring._ I’ll weave a basket of twigs and leaves and green
grass, and line it with soft moss. Each one of us will put a message
into it.
PART III—_The Journey_
_Spring._ Here is the basket, Rabbit.
_Robin._ Here is an egg.
_Thrush._ Here is another.
_Squirrel._ Here are some acorns that have just sprouted.
_Spring._ My prettiest flowers go to the children. There!
Stop at every house where there is a child.
_Rabbit._ I shall not forget. I’m off. [_To himself._] I’ll
just make a nest of grass for each child, and leave it on the doorstep.
An egg and a spring flower in each—and the children will know!
PART IV—_The Message_
_First Child._ What a pretty nest! I found it on my
doorstep—flowers and twigs and an egg.
_Second Child._ I found one, too—with everything in it from the
woods.
_Third child._ Oh! Spring must be here.
_First child._ See, here are the tracks of the rabbit’s feet! He
came to tell us.
_Second Child._ Then spring _is_ here. Let’s run to the woods—now!
_Children._ [_Running._] Spring is here! Bunny has brought us
the message.
[Illustration]
LAUGHING SANJA
CHARACTERS
_Sanja_
_First Jizu_
_Second Jizu_
_Third Jizu_
_Ogre_
NOTE: _Jizu is a roadside image or statue._
SCENE I—_Along the Road_
_Sanja._ Dear, dear, there goes one of my finest dumplings
rolling down the hill. That will never do. I cannot lose that one. I
must run and catch it. [_Runs after it. As she goes she meets Lord
Jizu._] Good morning, my Lord Jizu! Have you seen a rice dumpling fall
this way?
_Lord Jizu._ Good morning! Yes, I saw a dumpling. It went past
here. It went down the hill skipping as if it had legs.
_Sanja._ Oh, thank you. Then I must skip after it.
_Lord Jizu._ No, no. Do not go on. An ogre lives down there. He
may do you harm.
_Sanja._ But I must have my dumpling. [_Laughing._]
Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! [_Goes on._]
[_To Second Lord Jizu._] My good Lord Jizu, have
you seen a dumpling pass this way?
_Second Lord Jizu._ As if it had wings! It flew past me.
_Sanja._ Then I must hurry to catch it.
_Second Lord Jizu._ You must not think of that. There is a wicked ogre
below. He does not like old women. He will be cruel to you, and he might
eat you up.
_Sanja._ But I must have my dumpling. He’ll not eat an old
woman like me. [_Laughing._] Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! [_Goes on._]
[_To herself._] If I ever catch that dumpling, I’ll
eat every bit of it myself. Tee-hee-hee! [_To Third Lord Jizu._] My good
Lord Jizu, have you seen my dumpling pass this way?
_Third Lord Jizu._ Yes, it passed but a moment ago. Do not think of
searching for it. The ogre who lives beyond is cruel, and he’ll surely
eat you.
_Sanja._ He’ll not eat an old woman like me. Tee-hee-hee!
[_They hear a terrible noise. Ogre comes._]
_Third Lord Jizu._ Here comes the ogre. Get behind me. Be quick!
_Ogre._ [_Deep voice._] Good morning, Lord Jizu! I smell
meat.
_Third Lord Jizu._ Good morning, Ogre. Is it not dumpling that you
smell? I saw one pass along this road a little while ago.
_Ogre._ No, indeed. It is not dumpling. What I smell is
meat.
_Third Lord Jizu._ I do not smell it. Are you sure it is not rice
dumpling? It seems to me that I smell a little of it about you.
_Ogre._ That is not strange. I saw the dumpling rolling my
way. I caught it and ate it. It was good. I wish I had the one who made
it. What I smell now is meat, meat, meat; juicy, young, tender. [_Sanja
bursts out laughing._]
_Sanja._ Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee!
_Ogre._ [_Seeing Sanja._] Who are you?
_Sanja._ I am the one who made the dumpling. Tee-hee-hee!
Why did you eat it?
_Ogre._ Because it was good.
_Sanja._ You couldn’t eat me for that reason. Tee-hee-hee!
_Ogre._ No, I shall not eat you. You shall come home with
me and be my cook. As long as you cook your dumplings for me I will not
harm you. [_Sanja goes with the ogre._]
SCENE II—_Ogre’s Kitchen_
_Ogre._ You are a good cook; but you use more rice than you
need. You should put but one grain into the pot.
_Sanja._ One grain? Tee-hee-hee. How could any one live on
one grain of rice?
_Ogre._ I will show you. Put one grain of rice into the
pot. Then take this paddle in your hand. If you want rice for ten
persons, stir ten times, in this way. [_Stirs paddle about in the
water._] See the grain of rice burst into ten pieces. If you want rice
for one hundred persons, stir one hundred times. The grain of rice will
burst into one hundred pieces.
_Sanja._ Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee!
_Ogre._ This is a magic paddle.
_Sanja._ Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee!
_Ogre._ [_To himself._] How strange that she laughs at
everything.
SCENE III—_The River Bank_
_Sanja._ I won’t stay here another day. The ogre is off
hunting. Tee-hee-hee. He’ll never know how I got out of the castle and
over the river. Tee-hee-hee. Tee-hee-hee. [_Hears call._] Who calls? The
ogre. Oh, he sees me! I am afraid to go back.
_Ogre._ [_From other side of the river._] What are you
doing there, you Laughing Dumpling? Go back to my kitchen, I say. Go
back!
_Sanja._ Tee-hee-hee!
_Ogre._ How strange that she laughs at everything. She
shall not laugh at me. [_Starts to go across river._]
[Illustration]
_Sanja._ What shall I do to get away. The magic paddle! The
magic paddle! I have it tucked in my belt. I’ll stir the water in the
river with it. There! Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! See the water flows and
flows, higher and higher. The ogre must swim for his life. Tee-hee-hee!
Tee-hee-hee!
THE TIGER AND THE BRAHMAN
CHARACTERS
_Tiger_
_Jackal_
_Brahman_
_Tree_
_Road_
_Buffalo_
_Tiger._ Let me out of the cage, Brahman!
_Brahman._ No, I will not. If I let you out of the cage, you
will eat me.
_Tiger._ O Brahman, indeed I will not. I could not be so
unkind as that. Only let me out to get a drink of water. Then I will
come back. [_Brahman opens the cage._]
[Illustration]
_Tiger._ [_Jumping out._] Now, I will eat you first and then
I’ll drink the water.
_Brahman._ Alas! How foolish I was to let you out. Only do not
kill me hastily. Let me ask the first three things I meet to tell me
whether it is just and fair that you should put me to death. If all of
them say it is just and fair for you to kill me I shall be willing to
die.
_Tiger._ It shall be as you say. You may ask the opinion of
three.
[_Brahman goes off._]
_Brahman._ O Tree, hear my story and tell me who is right. The
tiger begged me to let him out of his cage, to drink a little water. He
promised not to hurt me if I did so. But now that I have let him out he
wishes to kill and eat me. Is this right?
_Tree._ I give shade to all who pass by, but when they are
rested they cut my branches and break off my leaves. Why do you
complain?
_Brahman._ Alas! Alas! [_Goes on._] O Buffalo, hear my story
and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage
to drink a little water. But now that I have let him out he wishes to
kill and eat me. Is this right, O Buffalo?
_Buffalo._ Look at me! See how hard I work. When I was young I
had the best of food. But now that I am old I am kept here in the field.
I have only the coarsest food to eat. Why do you complain?
_Brahman._ Alas! Alas! [_Goes to Road._] O Road, hear my story
and tell me who is right. The tiger begged me to let him out of his cage
to drink a little water. But now that I have let him out he wishes to
kill and eat me. Is this right, O Road?
_Road._ Poor Brahman! How can you hope for anything else?
Think of me. Here I am useful to every one. Yet all, rich and poor,
great and small, trample on me as they go past. Why do you complain?
_Brahman._ Alas! Alas! Alas! There is no help for me. [_Turns
homeward._]
_Jackal._ What’s the matter, Mr. Brahman? You look very sad.
_Brahman._ I am sad. As I was walking along the road I came to
the tiger in his cage. He begged me to let him out to drink a little
water. He said he would not harm me if I did so.
_Jackal._ Did you let him out?
_Brahman._ I did. As soon as he was out he tried to eat me. I
asked him to wait till I could get the opinion of the first three things
I came to whether it was right for him to kill me. I asked the tree, the
buffalo, and the road. Alas!
_Jackal._ What did they say?
_Brahman._ They all said it was right.
_Jackal._ Who said it was right?
_Brahman._ Why, the tree, and the road, and the buffalo.
_Jackal._ Oh, it’s very confusing. Let me see! Perhaps
matters are not so bad as you think. But it’s very confusing. You say
the tiger said the tree and the road and the buffalo were right?
_Brahman._ No, no, no. The road and the tree and the buffalo
said the tiger should kill and eat me!
_Jackal._ It all goes in one ear and out the other. It’s very
confusing. Take me to the place where it happened. Then I shall be able
to understand.
[_Brahman and Jackal go to Tiger._]
_Tiger._ You have been away a long time. I want my dinner.
_Brahman._ Just wait until I make the jackal understand how it
all happened. He is so slow in his wits! I must explain things to him.
_Jackal._ Show me where you stood.
_Brahman._ Here, by the cage.
_Jackal._ Right there?
_Brahman._ Right here.
_Jackal._ Where was the tiger then?
_Tiger._ I was in the cage!
_Jackal._ Yes, yes. Let me see, how did it all begin?
_Brahman._ Tiger was in the cage and I came walking by—
_Jackal._ Yes, yes, I see. You were in the cage and the tiger
came walking by—
_Tiger._ [_Angrily._] Not at all! _I_ was in the cage.
_Jackal._ Yes, my lord. Dear, dear, it’s very confusing. It
has all got mixed up in my mind. Let me see, the tiger was in the
Brahman and the cage came walking by! No, no, that was not it, either!
Well, don’t wait for me. I shall never understand.
_Tiger._ Yes, you _shall_ understand. Look here, I am the
tiger.
_Jackal._ Yes, my lord.
_Tiger._ And that is the Brahman.
_Jackal._ Yes, my lord.
_Tiger._ And that is the cage.
_Jackal._ Yes, my lord.
_Tiger._ And _I_ was in the cage. Do you understand?
_Jackal._ Yes, my lord. But please, my lord, how did you get
in?
_Tiger._ How did I get in? Why, the usual way, of course!
_Jackal._ Oh dear me! My head is beginning to whirl again.
Please don’t get angry, my lord, but what
_is_ the usual way?
_Tiger._ This way. Now do you understand? [_Tiger jumps into
cage._]
_Jackal._ Yes, I understand now. And I think we had better
leave you just where you are. [_Locks cage door._]
THE LION AND THE STORY-TELLER
CHARACTERS—_Lion_, _Fox_, _Elephant_, _Tiger_, _and_ _Other Animals_
_Elephant._ Dear me—we must find one.
_Tiger._ One what?
_Elephant._ A story-teller for the lion. He wants one who will
tell him stories one after another without stopping. It’s a task indeed.
_Camel._ Yes, yes, and he will put us to death if we fail to
find some one who can do so.
_Tiger._ He’s king, and they say the king kills when he
will. I do not know what we shall do.
_Fox._ Let me think. I have it—Tell the king you have
found the story-teller that he wished for.
_At Court_
_Lion._ So, Mr Fox, you are to tell me stories without
ceasing.
_Fox._ Yes, O King Lion.
_Lion._ Very well—begin.
_Fox._ There was once a fisherman who went to sea. He had
a large net. He spread it out far and wide. One day a great many fish
got into the net. Just as the fisherman was about to draw it up, the
cords broke, and a small hole was made in the side of the net. Now, this
hole was just large enough for one fish to slip through at a time. So,
one fish got out—[_Fox stops._]
[Illustration]
_Lion._ Yes?
_Fox._ Then two fishes got out. [_Fox stops._]
_Lion._ What then?
_Fox._ Then three escaped. [_Fox stops._]
_Lion._ [_Impatiently._] Yes, yes! but the story? I tell
you, go on with the story. What then?
_Fox._ Then four fishes got out.
_Lion._ Come, come, sir, you are not telling me anything
new.
_Fox._ O King! Each lot of fishes was different from the
rest.—Then the hole grew a little larger and—
_Lion._ But, wherein is the wonder?
_Fox._ Why, your majesty, what can be more wonderful than
for fish to escape in lots, each lot greater than the other by one?
_Lion._ [_Impatiently._] How long will it take all those
fishes to get out?
_Fox._ O King Lion, it was a large net—there were
thousands and thousands of fishes in it.—Then the hole grew a little
larger and—
_Lion._ Stop, stop! I can not stand this. Leave my court at
once—anything to stop those fishes.
[_Fox goes out._]
_Fox._ [_To animals._] Fear not, I have saved you all. The
tyrant won’t try that plan again.
[Illustration]
OVER THE HILL
_Child._ Traveler, what lies over the hill?
Traveler, tell to me.
I am only a child from the window sill,
Over I can not see.
_Traveler._ Child, there’s a valley over there,
Pretty and wooded and shy,
And a little brook that says, “Take care,
Or I’ll drown you by and by.”
_Child._ And what comes next?
_Traveler._ A little town
And a towering hill again;
More hills and valleys up and down
And a river now and then.
_Child._ And what comes next?
_Traveler._ A lonely moor
Without a beaten way;
And gray clouds sailing slow before
A wind that will not stay.
_Child._ And then?
_Traveler._ Dark rocks and yellow sand,
And a moaning sea beside.
_Child._ And then?
_Traveler._ More sea, more sea, more land,
And rivers deep and wide.
_Child._ And then?
_Traveler._ Oh, rock and mountain and vale,
Rivers and fields and men,
And over and over repeat the tale,
And round to your home again.
—GEORGE MACDONALD.
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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
1. Silently corrected typographical errors.
2. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.
3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.