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CHILDREN'S CLASSICS IN DRAMATIC FORM
BOOK TWO
BY AUGUSTA STEVENSON
Formerly a Teacher in the Indianapolis Public Schools
1908
[Illustration]
FOREWORD
This series of books aims to serve three distinct purposes: first, to
arouse a greater interest in oral reading; second, to develop an
expressive voice--sadly lacking in the case of most Americans; and
third, to give freedom and grace in the bodily attitudes and movements
which are involved in reading and speaking. The stories given are for
the most part adaptations of favorite tales from folklore,--Andersen,
Grimm, Æsop, and the Arabian Nights having been freely drawn upon.
Children are dramatic by nature. They _are_ for the time the kings, the
fairies, and the heroes that they picture in their imaginations. They
_are_ these characters with such abandon and with such intense pleasure
that the on-looker must believe that nature intended that they should
give play to this dramatic instinct, not so much formally, with all the
trappings of the man-made stage, but spontaneously and naturally, as
they talk and read. If this expressive instinct can be utilized in the
teaching of reading, we shall be able both to add greatly to the child's
enjoyment and to improve the quality of his oral reading. In these days
when so many books are hastily read in school, there is a tendency to
sacrifice expression to the mechanics and interpretation of reading.
Those acquainted with school work know too well the resulting
monotonous, indistinct speech and the self-conscious, listless attitude
which characterize so much of the reading of pupils in grades above the
third. It is believed that these readers will aid in overcoming these
serious faults in reading, which all teachers and parents deplore. The
dramatic appeal of the stories will cause the child to lose himself in
the character he is impersonating and read with a naturalness and
expressiveness unknown to him before, and this improvement will be
evident in all his oral reading, and even in his speech.
The use of the books permits the whole range of expression, from merely
reading the stories effectively, to "acting them out" with as little, or
as much, stage-setting or costuming as a parent or teacher may desire.
The stories are especially designed to be read as a part of the regular
reading work. Many different plans for using the books will suggest
themselves to the teacher. After a preliminary reading of a story during
the study period, the teacher may assign different parts to various
children, she herself reading the stage directions and the other brief
descriptions unclosed in brackets. The italicized explanations in
parentheses are not intended to be read aloud; they will aid in giving
the child the cue as to the way the part should be rendered. After the
story has been read in this way, if thought advisable it can be played
informally and simply, with no attempt at costuming or theatric effects.
It will often add to the interest of the play to have some of the
children represent certain of the inanimate objects of the scene, as the
forest, the town gate, a door, etc. Occasionally, for the "open day," or
as a special exercise, a favorite play may be given by the children with
the simplest kind of costuming and stage-setting. These can well be made
in the school as a part of the manual training and sewing work. In
giving the play, it will generally be better not to have pupils memorize
the exact words of the book, but to depend upon the impromptu rendering
of their parts. This method will contribute more largely to the training
in English.
The best results will usually be obtained by using this book in the
third grade. In some schools, however, it may profitably be used in the
second grade.
A.S.
CONTENTS
THE CLEVER KID
_Suggested by Æsop's The Wolf and the Goat._
THE WOLF AND THE HORSE
_Suggested by Æsop's The Wolf and the Horse._
THE WISE CROW
_Suggested by Æsop's The Crow and the Pitcher._
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
_Suggested by Æsop's The Wolf and the Lamb._
THE SELFISH WOMAN
_Suggested by the folk-story, The Red-Headed
Woodpecker._
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
_From the folk-story, The Blind Men._
THE STAG AND THE FAWN
_Suggested by Æsop's The Stag at the Pool._
THE SHEPHERD-BOY WHO CALLED WOLF
_Suggested by Æsop's The Shepherd-Boy
and the Wolf._
THE WISH-BIRD
_Suggested by a German folk-story._
LAZY KATE
_Suggested by the German folk-story, Lazy Lizette._
THE PROUD RING-FINGER
_Suggested by the German folk-story, The Proud
Ringfinger._
THE TWO MILLERS
_Suggested by the German folk-story, The Two Millers._
THE VAIN JACKDAW
_Suggested by Æsop's The Vain Jackdaw._
THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL
_Suggested by the Oriental legend. The
Jackal and the Camel._
THE ENDLESS TALE
_Suggested by the folk-story, The Endless Tale._
THE HOLE IN THE DIKE
_Suggested by the legend, The Hole in the Dike._
THE POT OF GOLD
_Suggested by Æsop's The Farmer and his Sons._
THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
_Suggested by Grimm's The Hare and the
Hedgehog._
FISHING ON DRY LAND
_Suggested by Grimm's The Peasant's Clever
Daughter._
THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM
_Suggested by the folk-story, The Wise Men of
Gotham._
THE TWO QUESTIONS
_Suggested by the folk-story, The Two Questions._
POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH
POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
ILLUSTRATIONS
THE ENDLESS TALE
THE CLEVER KID
"AS I LIVE, YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH!"
THE WISE CROW
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
"WILL YOU GIVE ME A CAKE?"
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
THE STAG AND THE FAWN
THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO CALLED WOLF
"I AM TIRED OF MY RABBITS"
"GOOD-MORNING, TEACHER. HERE IS LAZY KATE"
THE PROUD RING-FINGER
THE TWO MILLERS
THE VAIN JACKDAW
THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL
"THERE IS WATER ON THE SAND HERE"
THE POT OF GOLD
THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
FISHING ON DRY LAND
"QUICK, NOW--BEFORE THE KING COMES"
THE TWO QUESTIONS
"I WILL NOT SHOOT AT DEER"
POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
"NOT ONE OF THEM FIT TO EAT!"
THE CLEVER KID
TIME: _this morning._
PLACE: _a pasture._
* * * * *
GRAY WOLF.
WHITE WOLF.
KID.
* * * * *
[_The_ GRAY WOLF _and the_ WHITE WOLF _are standing at the foot of a
hill; at the top of the hill is a_ KID.][Footnote: The explanations in
brackets may be read aloud by the teacher.]
GRAY WOLF. Look, brother, there is a kid!
WHITE WOLF. Where? Where?
GRAY WOLF. On that hill to the south.
WHITE WOLF. I do not see her.
GRAY WOLF. She is on the very top.
WHITE WOLF. Ah, now I see her!
GRAY WOLF. I wish we could get at her.
[Illustration:]
WHITE WOLF. She would make a fine dinner.
GRAY WOLF. She would, my brother.
WHITE WOLF. She is so young!
GRAY WOLF. She is so tender!
WHITE WOLF. Well, we cannot get her. The hill is too steep.
GRAY WOLF. We must make her come to us.
WHITE WOLF. Yes, yes! That will be fine!
GRAY WOLF. O little Kid! Dear little Kid!
WHITE WOLF. O little Kid! Sweet little Kid!
KID. What is it, sirs?
GRAY WOLF. The grass down here is sweeter!
WHITE WOLF. And greener!
GRAY WOLF. And fresher!
WHITE WOLF. And younger!
GRAY WOLF. Come down and eat your dinner here!
KID. Do you speak of my dinner, sirs?
WOLVES. O yes, yes, yes!
KID. You _speak_ of my dinner, but you _think_ of your own. I will stay
where I am, sirs.
THE WOLF AND THE HORSE
TIME: _last summer._
PLACE: _a field of oats._
* * * * *
WOLF.
HORSE.
MASTER.
MAID.
BOY.
NEIGHBORS.
* * * * *
[_The_ WOLF _enters from the forest._]
WOLF. Ah, if I could only eat oats! What a dinner I should have! I would
tell no one! No one would know, and the whole field would be mine.
(_Enter the_ HORSE _from the forest._)
Ah, good friend, such news as I can tell you!
HORSE. I will not promise to believe you.
WOLF. Well, then, believe your own eyes. There lies a field of ripe
oats!
HORSE. As I live, you speak the truth!
WOLF. I have not tasted one! I have kept them all for you.
[Illustration: "AS I LIVE, YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH!"]
HORSE (_calling_) Master! Master!
[Note: The words in parentheses are not intended to be read aloud;
they will give the child the cue as to how the part should be rendered
and thus stimulate better expression.]
WOLF. Your master knows the oats are there. You do not need to tell him.
HORSE. Maid! Maid!
WOLF. The maid knows the oats are there. You do not need to call her.
HORSE. Boy! Boy!
WOLF. Stop your calling! You will have them all at me with clubs.
HORSE. Neighbors! Neighbors!
[_Enter the_ MASTER, MAID, BOY, _and_ NEIGHBORS _with clubs. They
surround the Wolf._]
MASTER. Aha! I have caught you at last!
WOLF (_to horse_). This is the thanks I get for showing you--
HORSE. Something you did not want yourself. I owe you nothing, sir.
THE WISE CROW
TIME: _last summer._
PLACE: _a meadow._
* * * * *
THE CROW.
THE SPARROW.
* * * * *
[_The_ CROW _and the_ SPARROW _meet at a spring._]
SPARROW. Ah me, the spring is dry!
CROW. All the springs are dry!
SPARROW. There may be water in the brook.
CROW. No, the brook is dry.
SPARROW. What shall we do?
CROW. There may be water in this pitcher. I will see. Aha! Here is
water! Come and drink.
SPARROW. I cannot reach it. It is too low.
CROW. Stretch your neck!
SPARROW. I stretch and stretch--I cannot reach it.
CROW. Why, neither can I! Stretch as I will, I cannot reach it.
SPARROW. What shall we do?
CROW. We will break the pitcher. Come, now!
SPARROW. I strike and strike.
CROW. I strike and strike.
SPARROW. We cannot break it.
CROW. No, we cannot break it.
SPARROW. What shall we do?
CROW. Let us try to overturn it. Come, now!
SPARROW. I push and push.
CROW. I push and push.
SPARROW. We cannot overturn it.
CROW. No, we cannot overturn it.
SPARROW. We must have water! What shall we do?
CROW. Ah, I know the way to get the water!
(_He drops pebbles in the pitcher._)
SPARROW. Why do you drop pebbles in the pitcher?
(_He drops in more pebbles; the water rises._)
Please tell me why you do that.
[Illustration]
CROW. Now come and drink, Miss Sparrow!
SPARROW. Why, I can reach the water How queer! How very queer!
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
TIME: _last spring._
PLACE: _a pasture._
* * * * *
THE LAMB.
THE WOLF.
* * * * *
[_The_ LAMB _is drinking from the brook. The_ WOLF _enters._]
WOLF. Aha! There is my dinner. Now I'll make it seem that I ought to eat
her. Lamb, Lamb, how dare you? How dare you?
LAMB. What do you mean, sir?
WOLF. How dare you muddle the water?
LAMB. The water is clear where you stand, sir.
WOLF. The water is muddled where I stand, miss.
LAMB. How can that be, sir?
WOLF. I say the water here is muddled.
LAMB. But, sir, the water runs from you to me.
WOLF. Oh, well, we will say no more about the water. Now just one year
ago you called me names.
[Illustration]
LAMB. How could that be, sir?
WOLF. I say you called me names, miss.
LAMB. But, sir, one year ago I was not born.
WOLF. Well, then, it was your father. It is all the same to me. I mean
to eat you anyway.
THE SELFISH WOMAN
TIME: _yesterday._
PLACE: _the village._
* * * * *
WOMAN.
BEGGAR.
* * * * *
[_The_ SELFISH WOMAN _is taking cakes from her oven. There is a knock at
the door._]
WOMAN. Enter!
[_The_ BEGGAR _enters. She wears a long cloak._]
BEGGAR. I am hungry, good woman. Will you give me a cake?
WOMAN. The cakes are too large to give away. I will make a cake for you.
[_She makes a very small cake and puts it in the oven._]
BEGGAR. I thank you, good woman.
[_The woman takes the cake from the oven._]
WOMAN. This cake is too large to give away. I will make another cake for
you.
[_She makes a very, very small cake and puts it in the oven._]
BEGGAR. I thank you, good woman.
[_The woman takes the cake from the oven._]
WOMAN. This cake is too large to give away. I will give you a slice of
bread.
[_She cuts a slice from a loaf of bread._]
BEGGAR. I thank you--
WOMAN. A slice is too much to give away. Here is a crust for you.
[_The beggar shakes her head._]
BEGGAR. May you never taste cake again! May the very cake in your mouth
seem to be crust! If you will not give, you shall not have!
WOMAN. Go, go!
[_The beggar throws off her cloak; a_ FAIRY _is seen._]
WOMAN. A Fairy! You are a Fairy?
FAIRY. I am the Fairy of Good Deeds. You would not give--you shall not
have!
[_The Fairy goes._]
WOMAN. As if cake could ever taste like bread! 'Tis
impossible--impossible!
(_She eats a cake._)
What is this? I seem to be eating crust, dry crust. I'll try another
cake.
[Illustration: "WILL YOU GIVE ME A CAKE?"]
(_She eats another cake._)
Why, this too changes to crust! Ah me! The Fairy's words were true. I
would not give, I cannot have. Ah me! Ah me!
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
TIME: _a year ago._
PLACE: _India._
* * * * *
THE DRIVER.
THE SIX BLIND MEN.
* * * * *
[_The_ SIX BLIND MEN _stand by the roadside, begging. The_ DRIVER _comes
with his elephant._]
BLIND MEN. A penny, sir! A penny!
DRIVER (_throwing pennies_). There, and there, and there! Now out of the
way with you! I must take my elephant by.
FIRST BLIND MAN. I have never seen an elephant, sir.
OTHER BLIND MEN. Nor I! Nor I!
DRIVER. Do you know what he is like?
BLIND MEN. No, sir! No, sir!
DRIVER. Would you like to touch him?
BLIND MEN. Yes! Yes!
DRIVER. Come, then, and stand by him.
FIRST BLIND MAN (_placing hand on elephant's side_). Well, well! Now I
know all about him! He is exactly like a wall!
SECOND BLIND MAN (_feeling the tusk_). He is not like a wall! He is
round and smooth and sharp. He is like a spear.
THIRD BLIND MAN (_feeling the trunk_). Both of you are wrong. He is like
a snake.
FOURTH BLIND MAN (_feeling a leg_). Oh, how blind you are! He is round
and tall like a tree!
FIFTH BLIND MAN (_feeling an ear_). Why, he is exactly like a great fan!
SIXTH BLIND MAN (_feeling the tail_). This elephant is not like a wall,
or a spear, or a snake, or a tree, or a fan. He is exactly like a rope.
DRIVER. Ha, ha, ha!
[_He goes, driving elephant and laughing._]
FIRST BLIND MAN. Ha, ha, ha! Hear how he laughs at you!
SECOND BLIND MAN. He laughs at you and the others.
THIRD BLIND MAN. He does not laugh at me!
FOURTH BLIND MAN. I say he laughs at you and the others.
[Illustration: THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT]
FIFTH BLIND MAN. You cannot say he laughs at me!
SIXTH BLIND MAN. He laughs at all of you! He knows I spoke the truth.
[_He goes._]
OTHER BLIND MEN. Hear him! Hear him!
[_They go their different ways, shaking their fingers angrily at each
other._]
THE STAG AND THE FAWN
SCENE I
TIME: _last autumn._
PLACE: _the forest._
* * * * *
THE STAG.
THE FAWN.
* * * * *
[_The_ STAG _and_ FAWN _enter the forest._]
FAWN. Here is a pool!
STAG. We will stop and drink.
FAWN. I see your horns in the water, father.
STAG. Ah, yes!
FAWN. They look like a strong tree down there.
STAG. They are strong! And are they not beautiful, child?
FAWN. They make you very grand, dear father!
STAG. No king with his crown looks grander!
FAWN. I see your feet in the water, father.
STAG. Do not speak of my feet, child!
FAWN. Why not? They are small and slender.
[Illustration]
STAG. But they look so weak. I do not like my feet at all. I wish they
were different.
(_A Hunter's horn is heard._)
Come, child, come!
SCENE II
TIME: _an hour later._
PLACE: _another part of the forest._
* * * * *
THE STAG.
THE FAWN.
THE HUNTER.
* * * * *
[_The_ STAG _is caught in a thicket by his horns. The_ FAWN _looks at
him pityingly._]
FAWN. A man is near! I hear him running!
STAG. I cannot free myself!
FAWN. Ah, if you only had no horns!
STAG. Or if they were only not so strong and not so grand!
FAWN. Your feet could save you then, dear father.
STAG. Go, child, and let your feet save you.
FAWN. I cannot bear to leave you, father!
STAG. Go save yourself! Go, go!
[_The faun goes. The_ HUNTER _enters._]
HUNTER. Aha! I have you now!
THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO CALLED WOLF
SCENE I
TIME: _middle of the afternoon._
PLACE: _a hillside near the village._
* * * * *
SHEPHERD BOY.
MASTER.
PASTOR.
MERCHANT.
BAKER.
BUTCHER.
* * * * *
[_The_ SHEPHERD BOY _watches a flock of sheep._]
BOY. I am tired of watching sheep! I will play a joke on some one! I
will play a joke on every one!
(_He calls in a loud voice._)
Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
[_Enter the_ VILLAGERS _with clubs._]
MASTER. Where is the Wolf?
BOY. Ha, ha, ha! There is no wolf!
PASTOR. I do not like to leave my church!
[Illustration]
MERCHANT. I do not like to leave my store!
BAKER. I do not like to leave my dough!
BUTCHER. I do not like to leave my ox!
BOY. Ha, ha, ha! There is no wolf! Ha, ha, ha!
MASTER. You must not play that joke again! Do you hear? You must never
play that joke again!
SCENE II
TIME: _a week later._
PLACE: _same as in Scene I._
* * * * *
BOY.
VILLAGERS.
* * * * *
[_The_ BOY _watches his sheep._]
BOY. I will play that joke again. I like to see them come running.
(_He calls in a loud voice._)
Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
[_The_ VILLAGERS _come with clubs._]
MASTER. Where is the wolf?
BOY. Ha, ha, ha! There is no wolf!
PASTOR. I do not like to leave my church!
MERCHANT. I do not like to leave my store!
BAKER. I do not like to leave my dough!
BUTCHER. I do not like to leave my ox!
BOY. Ha, ha, ha! There is no wolf! Ha, ha, ha!
MASTER. Boy, boy, you must not joke about a wolf! Do you hear? You must
never joke about a wolf!
SCENE III
TIME: _a week later._
PLACE: _same as Scene II._
* * * * *
BOY.
* * * * *
[_The_ BOY _watches the sheep. A wolf comes and begins to kill the
sheep._]
BOY. Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
(_No one comes or answers._)
Master! Pastor! Merchant! Baker! Butcher! Come! Come! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
Wolf!
(_No one comes or answers._)
What shall I do? They think I am playing a joke again. What shall I do?
I cannot save my sheep! I must run to save myself!
THE WISH-BIRD
TIME: _a few years ago._
PLACE: _the palace gardens._
* * * * *
BIRD.
PRINCE.
NURSE.
* * * * *
[_The_ PRINCE _and his_ NURSE _walk in the palace gardens. The_
WISH-BIRD _is flying among the trees._]
PRINCE. I am tired of the gardens, Nurse.
NURSE. Look at your pretty flowers, dear Prince.
PRINCE. I am tired of the flowers.
NURSE. Look at your pretty doves, dear Prince.
PRINCE. I am tired of my doves.
NURSE. Then look at your white, white rabbits, Prince.
PRINCE. I am tired of my rabbits.
NURSE. Dear me! Dear me!
PRINCE. What shall I look at, Nurse?
[Illustration: 'I AM TIRED OF MY RABBITS']
NURSE. I do not know, dear Prince.
PRINCE. You must tell me what to look at.
NURSE. Dear me! Dear me!
PRINCE. I will send you to the king.
NURSE. Do not send me to the king, dear Prince!
PRINCE. Then tell me what to look at.
BIRD. Look at me, Prince! Look at me!
PRINCE. Where are you?
BIRD. I am in the cedar tree.
NURSE. It is the Wish-Bird, Prince!
BIRD. Make a wish, Prince. I will give you what you ask for. But do not
ask too much!
PRINCE. I wish these flowers were feathers!
BIRD. Flowers, flowers, to feathers change!
PRINCE. Look, Nurse, look! The flowers have changed to feathers! Let me
wish again, Wish-Bird!
BIRD. Make a wish. I will give you what you ask for. But do not ask too
much!
PRINCE. I wish my rabbits with wings could fly!
BIRD. Rabbits, rabbits, fly with wings!
PRINCE. Ha, ha! My rabbits now have wings! Let me wish again, Wish-Bird!
BIRD. Make a wish. I will give you what you ask for. But do not ask too
much!
PRINCE. I wish to have the moon, I do!
BIRD. Do not ask too much, Prince!
PRINCE. I wish to have the moon, I say! Do you hear, Wish-Bird? I wish
to have the moon!
BIRD. You ask too much! Feathers, feathers, fly away!
NURSE. Prince, Prince, your feather flowers are flying away!
BIRD. Rabbits, rabbits, fly away!
NURSE. Prince, Prince, your pretty rabbits are flying away!
PRINCE. I want my pretty flowers, I do! I want my pretty rabbits, too!
BIRD. You asked too much, Prince! You asked too much!
PRINCE. What will the king say?
NURSE. Dear me! Dear me! The king loved the flowers and white, white
rabbits.
PRINCE. What shall I do, Wish-Bird?
BIRD. Go plant flower seeds and care for them until they grow to
flowers. Go feed your doves and care for them. Go work and work and
work and never ask too much. Then some day I will come to you and you
may wish again.
[_The Wish-Bird flies away._]
LAZY KATE
SCENE I
TIME: _early in the morning._
PLACE: _Kate's bedroom._
* * * * *
KATE.
MOTHER.
BED.
* * * * *
[KATE _is in bed. Her_ MOTHER _comes._]
MOTHER. Kate, Kate, get up!
KATE. By and by, mother.
MOTHER. It is time to go to school. Get up!
KATE. By and by, mother, by and by.
MOTHER. You will be late to school, I fear.
[_The Mother goes._]
BED. Dear me! Dear me! Kate will not get up. Well, she shall not be late
to school. I will see to that.
[_The Bed walks from the room into the street. Kate is frightened._]
KATE. Bed, Bed, where are you going?
BED. To school, you lazy child.
SCENE II
TIME: _five minutes later._
PLACE: _the schoolroom._
* * * * *
KATE.
TEACHER.
BED.
BOYS AND GIRLS.
* * * * *
[_The_ BED _enters the schoolroom. Kate tries to hide under the
covers._]
BED. Good-morning, teacher. Here is lazy Kate.
TEACHER. Ha, ha, ha!
BED. Good-morning, boys. Here is lazy Kate.
BOYS. Ha, ha, ha!
BED. Good-morning, girls. Here is lazy Kate.
GIRLS. Ha, ha, ha!
KATE. Take me home, Bed! Please take me home!
BED. Will you get up early?
KATE. O yes, yes, yes!
BED. Every morning?
KATE. Every morning, Bed! Every morning!
[Illustration: "GOOD-MORNING, TEACHER. HERE IS LAZY KATE"]
BED. Then I will take you home. Good-by, teacher!
TEACHER. Ha, ha, ha!
BED. Good-by, children!
CHILDREN. Ha, ha, ha!
[_The Bed goes with Kate, who still tries to hide under the covers._]
SCENE III
TIME: _two minutes later._
PLACE: _Kate's bedroom._
* * * * *
KATE.
MOTHER.
* * * * *
[KATE _is asleep. Her_ MOTHER _comes._]
MOTHER. Kate, Kate! You are asleep again! Get up and go to school!
KATE. I have been to school.
MOTHER. What is this?
KATE. I have been to school. The Bed took me.
MOTHER. You have been dreaming, child.
KATE. No, no! The Bed took me to school. The children laughed at me.
MOTHER. It was a dream, my dear.
KATE. Well, I promised the Bed to get up early. I know that was not a
dream.
[_She jumps out of bed._]
MOTHER. Oh, that is fine!
KATE. I must not be late to school. I promised the Bed.
THE PROUD RING-FINGER
TIME: _this morning._
PLACE: _Mary's bedroom._
* * * * *
MARY.
MOTHER.
FATHER.
BROTHER.
SISTER.
POINTING-FINGER.
MIDDLE-FINGER.
RING-FINGER.
LITTLE-FINGER.
THUMB.
* * * * *
[MARY _lies in bed asleep. Her_ FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHER, _and_ SISTER
_enter softly. They carry birthday presents for Mary._]
MOTHER. Sh! We must not wake her!
FATHER. I will put the gold pen on the table.
BROTHER. I will lay the apple by the pen.
SISTER. I will place the rose by the apple.
FATHER. How pretty they look!
MOTHER. What shall I do with the ring?
FATHER. Why not put it on her finger?
MOTHER. I will do that. I will put it on her ring-finger. There! See how
pretty it looks!
SISTER. How pretty it makes her finger look!
MOTHER. Now come. We must not wake her. Sh! Sh!
[_They go._]
RING-FINGER. I have a gold ring. I am pretty. I am better than the other
fingers. I will not work with them.
THUMB. Do you hear that, fingers?
[Illustration:]
POINTING-FINGER. You are too proud, Ring-finger.
RING-FINGER. Have I not a ring?
MIDDLE-FINGER. That makes you no better, miss.
RING-FINGER. I will not work with any of you.
LITTLE-FINGER. Then I will not work with you.
POINTING-FINGER. Nor I!
THUMB. Nor I!
MIDDLE-FINGER. Nor I!
[_The Ring-finger sees the rose._]
RING-FINGER. I wish to hold the rose.
MIDDLE-FINGER. I will not help you.
RING-FINGER. I cannot get it alone.
MIDDLE-FINGER. I will not help you. Let the ring help you.
RING-FINGER. Dear me! Dear me! I cannot get the rose!
[_The Ring-finger sees the apple._]
RING-FINGER. I wish to hold the apple.
POINTING-FINGER. I will not help you.
RING-FINGER. I cannot get it alone.
POINTING-FINGER. I will not help you. Let the ring help you.
RING-FINGER. Dear me! Dear me! I cannot get the apple.
[_The Ring-finger sees the gold pen._]
RING-FINGER. I wish to write.
THUMB. I will not help you.
RING-FINGER. I cannot write alone.
THUMB. I will not help you. Let the ring help you.
RING-FINGER. The ring does not help me. I cannot work alone. I am no
better than you, my brothers. I will work Win you.
MIDDLE-FINGER. Ah, now I will help you to get the rose.
POINTING-FINGER. And I will help you to get the apple.
THUMB. And I will help you to write.
THE TWO MILLERS
SCENE I
TIME: _morning._
PLACE: _Peter's mill._
* * * * *
PETER, THE STUPID MILLER.
PETER'S WIFE.
THE FOX.
* * * * *
[_The_ FOX _enters. He knocks at the mill door._ PETER _opens the door
and comes out. He is covered with meal._]
FOX. Good-morning, Peter.
PETER. What do you want, sir?
FOX. I am hungry. I want to eat Jacob's chickens.
PETER. Ah, that is fine! I do not like Jacob. Do you know that?
FOX. Oh, yes, I know! Now will you help me to get his chickens?
PETER. What can I do?
FOX. Put meal on me, till I am white. Then the chickens will think I am
a miller.
PETER. Ah, that is fine! I will get meal. Wait here.
[_Peter enters the mill._]
FOX. Ha, ha, ha, ha!
[PETER _comes with a pan of meal._]
[Illustration]
PETER. Now I will make you white. You shall look just like a miller.
(_He covers the Fox with meal._)
Ha, ha! Jacob's chickens will think you
are Jacob. Now go! Go and eat Jacob's chickens.
(_The Fox goes._)
Ah, this is fine! I do not like Jacob. I do not like Jacob's chickens. I
am glad the fox will eat them. Ha, ha, ha!
[_Peter enters the mill. Soon his_ WIFE _comes running._]
WIFE. Peter! Peter! Come out! Come out! Peter!
[PETER _comes running from the mill._]
PETER. What is it? What is it?
WIFE. The fox has killed your chickens!
PETER. Oh, no! He has killed Jacob's chickens, dear wife. Ha, ha, ha!
WIFE. No, no! He has killed your chickens! They lie there on the grass.
Look and you will see them.
[_Peter runs to the fence and looks over._]
PETER. What is this? What is this? Ah, my pretty chickens! My pretty
chickens!
[_He weeps bitterly._]
SCENE II
TIME: _the next day._
PLACE: _Jacob's mill._
* * * * *
JACOB, THE WISE MILLER.
THE FOX.
* * * * *
[_The_ FOX _enters. He knocks at the mill door._ JACOB _opens the door
and comes out. He is covered with meal._]
FOX. Good-morning, Jacob.
JACOB. What do you want, sir?
FOX. I am hungry. I want to eat Peter's chickens.
JACOB. Why do you come to me?
FOX. You do not like Peter.
JACOB. Oh, you know that, do you?
FOX. Oh, yes, I know! Now will you help me to get his chickens?
JACOB. What can I do?
Fox. Put meal on me, till I am white. Then the chickens will think I am
a miller.
JACOB. Ah, that is fine! Wait here.
[_He enters the mill._]
FOX. He has gone for meal! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
[JACOB _comes out with a club._]
JACOB. Now go! Go, sir!
FOX. Why, what is this? I said I would eat Peter's chickens.
JACOB. Yes, but you mean to eat mine. Now go! Go, or I will beat you!
[_The Fox runs quickly away._]
THE VAIN JACKDAW
TIME: _last summer._
PLACE: _a public park._
* * * * *
VAIN JACKDAW.
OLD JACKDAW.
YOUNG JACKDAW.
OTHER JACKDAWS.
PEACOCKS.
* * * * *
[_The_ JACKDAWS _are seen in the park._]
OLD JACKDAW. Come, jackdaws! We must have our breakfast. Come!
[_The Vain Jackdaw stops to look at something on the ground._]
(_To Vain Jackdaw._)
Come, no one should stop to look at anything! Come!
YOUNG JACKDAW. Just look at him. He takes up feathers!
VAIN JACKDAW (_to himself_). How fine I would look in these peacock
feathers!
ANOTHER JACKDAW. See how he sticks the feathers in among his own!
YOUNG JACKDAW. See how he struts about in them!
OLD JACKDAW. My son, take off those feathers!
VAIN JACKDAW. It pleases me to wear them.
OLD JACKDAW. Take them off, I say!
VAIN JACKDAW. I will not take them off!
OLD JACKDAW. Then you cannot stay with us.
VAIN JACKDAW. I do not wish to stay with jackdaws. I will not walk with
jackdaws. I will not talk with jackdaws. I think myself too fine for
jackdaws.
OLD JACKDAW. Then, jackdaws, we will think no more about him. Come, now,
to find our breakfast! Come!
[_They go. The_ PEACOCKS _enter._]
VAIN JACKDAW. Good-morning, brothers.
PEACOCKS. Ha, ha, ha!
VAIN JACKDAW. Why do you laugh so, brothers?
PEACOCKS. Ha, ha, ha!
VAIN JACKDAW. You must not laugh, dear brothers. I am a peacock like
yourselves.
FIRST PEACOCK. You silly jackdaw!
VAIN JACKDAW. I am no jackdaw. Do I not have feathers like your own?
SECOND PEACOCK. Ha, ha! I dropped them on the ground this morning.
THIBAUD PEACOCK. Let's take them from him!
[Illustration]
VAIN JACKDAW. No, no! I beg you--
FIRST PEACOCK. Come, let's pull them out!
[_They pull the peacock feathers from the jackdaw._]
THIRD PEACOCK. You cannot stay with us!
SECOND PEACOCK. Go back to the jackdaws!
FIRST PEACOCK. Away with you! Away!
[_The jackdaw runs. The peacocks go, laughing. The other_ JACKDAWS
_enter, followed by the_ VAIN JACKDAW.]
VAIN JACKDAW. Ah, here you are! I have been looking for you.
OLD JACKDAW. Why do you look for us?
VAIN JACKDAW. I am a jackdaw. I want to be with jackdaws.
OLD JACKDAW. We will have nothing more to do with you! Away!
VAIN JACKDAW. But, brothers, my dear, dear brothers, please let me stay
with you!
OLD JACKDAW. You would not walk with jackdaws! Away!
YOUNG JACKDAW. You would not talk with jackdaws! Away!
ANOTHER JACKDAW. You thought yourself too fine for jackdaws! Away!
ALL JACKDAWS. Away! Away!
[_They drive the Vain Jackdaw from the park._]
THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL
SCENE I
TIME: _one morning._
PLACE: _the east bank of the river._
* * * * *
THE JACKAL.
THE CAMEL.
* * * * *
[_The_ JACKAL _stands on the river bank. He looks longingly toward the
west shore._]
JACKAL. Ah, if I could only get at those crabs over there! It makes me
hungry just to see them! Now if I could only swim! Or if I could walk on
water! Or if I had a little canoe!
[_Enter the_ CAMEL. _The Jackal whispers to himself._]
Aha! Now I know the way to get across.
(_To the Camel._)
Such news as I have for you, dear friend!
CAMEL. Must I guess?
JACKAL. No, I'll tell you this time. Listen: I know a spot where the
sugar-cane grows thick.
CAMEL. Tell me! I cannot wait! Tell me!
JACKAL. I cannot. I'll have to show you. It is on the other side of the
river.
CAMEL. Why, then, I'll swim across and take you on my back.
JACKAL. Just the very thing!
CAMEL. Come, then! It makes me hungry just to hear of sugar-cane.
[_He kneels for the Jackal to get upon his back._]
SCENE II
TIME: _a little later._
PLACE: _the sugar-cane field._
* * * * *
THE JACKAL.
THE CAMEL.
FARMER.
BOYS.
* * * * *
[_The_ CAMEL _eats the sugar-cane. The_ JACKAL _comes running into the
field._]
CAMEL. What! Have you finished your crabs?
JACKAL. I cannot eat another one! Are you not ready to go?
CAMEL. Ready! Why, I have just begun.
JACKAL. I'll wait for you outside the field, then.
[_The Camel nods and disappears among the cane._]
Now I do not wish to wait for him. I am in a hurry to get home, I am. So
I'll sing a little song I know. The farmer then will come and drive the
camel out.
[_He goes. Soon he is heard singing in the distance. Enter the_ FARMER
_and_ the BOYS _with clubs._]
FARMER. I see no jackal here!
A BOY. I am sure I heard him singing!
ANOTHER BOY. I heard him, too!
FARMER. We must look for him and drive him out.
[_The_ CAMEL _enters, eating cane._]
FIRST BOY. Look, look! A camel!
SECOND BOY. Look, father! A camel!
FARMER (_to Camel_). So it was you who was singing, was it? Drive him
out, boys! Quick! Beat him with your clubs!
[_They rush upon the Camel and beat him as he runs from the field._]
SCENE III
TIME: _a little later._
PLACE: _the west bank of the river._
* * * * *
THE JACKAL.
THE CAMEL.
* * * * *
[_The_ CAMEL _lies on the bank half dead from his beating. Enter the_
JACKAL.]
JACKAL. Are you ready to go now, friend?
CAMEL. Don't say "friend" to me!
JACKAL. Why do you speak so strangely?
CAMEL. Why did you sing so strangely?
[Illustration]
JACKAL. Oh, I don't know why! I always sing after dinner.
CAMEL. Ah! Well, let us go.
[_He kneels. The Jackal gets on his back. The Camel rises and enters the
river. He swims to the middle of the river and stops._]
JACKAL. Why do you stop?
CAMEL. I have such a strange, strange feeling.
JACKAL. Well, swim on. You need not stop!
CAMEL. I feel as if I must roll over.
JACKAL. Roll over! If you do, I shall be drowned!
CAMEL. Exactly. But still I have that feeling.
JACKAL. Now that is nonsense! Why should you roll over?
CAMEL. Oh, I don't know why! I always roll over after dinner.
[_He rolls over._]
THE ENDLESS TALE
TIME: _a long time ago._
PLACE: _the King's palace._
* * * * *
KING.
PRINCESS.
FIRST STORY-TELLER.
SECOND STORY-TELLER.
LORDS AND LADIES.
GUARDS.
* * * * *
[_The_ KING _sits on a cushion in the great hall. The_ PRINCESS _sits on
a cushion by him. In front of them sits the_ FIRST STORY-TELLER. _The_
LORDS _and_ LADIES _sit near by._]
STORY-TELLER. "Then the prince married the princess and they were happy
forever and ever."
[_There is a pause._]
KING. Go on!
(_The Story-Teller hangs his head._)
Go on, I say!
STORY-TELLER. That is all, your Majesty.
KING. All!
STORY-TELLER. The prince married the princess. There is nothing more to
tell.
KING. I cannot bear so short a story!
PRINCESS. Why, father; for three months we have listened to it!
KING. 'Tis short, I say! I bid you make it longer, sir!
STORY-TELLER. I cannot, Sire. The prince married the princess. There is
nothing--
KING. Throw him out of the palace, guards! Cut off his head!
[_Guards seize the Story-Teller._]
PRINCESS. Father!
LORDS. Your Majesty!
LADIES. Sire!
PRINCESS. Spare his life!
STORY-TELLER. Let me keep my head, Sire!
KING. Why should you keep it? You do not use it.
STORY-TELLER. For three months I have used it, Sire!
KING. Your story is too short, I say! Away with him, guards! Away!
(_Guards take out the First Story-Teller._)
Bid another Story-Teller come!
(_A guard admits the_ SECOND STORY-TELLER, _who bows before the King and
Princess._)
Sir, hear me. You must tell a story that will last forever.
SECOND STORY-TELLER. I hear, O King!
KING. If you can do this, you shall marry my daughter and be king after
me.
SECOND STORY-TELLER. I hear, O King!
KING. If you fail, you shall lose your head. Begin! And remember, the
story must go on forever. Now again I say, begin!
SECOND STORY-TELLER. "Once upon a time a certain king seized upon all
the corn in his country. He had it stored in a strong granary. Then came
a swarm of locusts over the land. Soon they found a crack in the south
side of the granary. Now the crack was just large enough for one locust
to pass through at a time. So one locust went in and carried away a
grain of corn. Then another locust went in and carried away a grain of
corn. Then another locust went in and carried away a grain of corn.
Then--"
KING (_interrupting)._ Yes, yes! Now go on with the story.
SECOND STORY-TELLER. The story shall go on, O King! "Then another locust
went in and carried away another grain of corn. Then another locust--"
KING (_interrupting). I_ tell you to go on with the story!
SECOND STORY-TELLER. I obey, great King. "Then another locust went in
and carried away another grain of corn. Then another--"
KING. The story! The story, I tell you!
SECOND STORY-TELLER. This is the story, O King! "Then another locust
went in and carried away another grain of corn. Then--"
KING. I cannot stand it! How long will it take the locusts to carry away
all the grain?
SECOND STORY-TELLER. One thousand years, O King! "Then another locust
went in and--"
KING. Stop! Stop! Take my daughter! Be king after me! Be king now!
Anything to stop the locusts!
THE HOLE IN THE DIKE
SCENE I
TIME: _late afternoon in autumn._
PLACE: _Holland._
* * * * *
PETER.
JACOB.
GRETCHEN.
FRIEDA.
* * * * *
[_The_ CHILDREN _enter. They carry buckets full of nuts._]
GRETCHEN. How cold it is!
FRIEDA. Let us run. Then we shall not be cold.
PETER. How can we run? We shall spill our nuts.
FRIEDA. We are so far from home!
JACOB. We went so far to find the nuts.
GRETCHEN. It will soon be dark.
FRIEDA. We must walk as fast as we can.
GRETCHEN. Why do you stop, Peter?
PETER. There is water on the sand here.
JACOB. Come, Peter, come!
PETER. Where has this water come from?
[Illustration: 'THERE IS WATER ON THE SAND HERE']
FRIEDA. Come, come, Peter!
PETER. There was no rain yesterday. There was no rain to-day.
GRETCHEN. Come, Peter!
PETER. What if the water comes through the dike!
JACOB. Oh, that could not be! How could water get through that thick
wall?
PETER. There might be a hole in it. I will see.
GRETCHEN. Peter, Peter! Your mother waits for you.
PETER. I must find where the water comes from.
GRETCHEN. Well, I will not wait.
JACOB. Nor I!
FRIEDA. Nor I! It is too cold.
[_They go. Peter runs to the dike and looks at it carefully._]
PETER. Ah, I thought so! Here is a little hole! The water comes through
it from the sea. Soon the hole will be larger. I must find stones and
fill it.
(_He looks about for stones._)
Dear me! Dear me! I cannot find a single stone! What shall I do? The
hole will grow larger and larger. The sea will come in and cover all the
land. What shall I do? I cannot go and tell the people. That would take
too long. What shall I do? What shall I do?
(_He thinks for a moment._)
I know! I know how to stop it!
(_He thrusts his arm through the hole. He shivers._)
How cold it is!
SCENE II
TIME: _the next morning._
PLACE: _the street near Peter's home._
* * * * *
PETER.
PETER'S MOTHER.
PRINCE.
SOLDIERS.
PEOPLE.
* * * * *
[_The_ MOTHER _stands in the door of her home looking up and down the
street._]
MOTHER. He does not come! Well, I will go to Jacob's after him. I must
teach him that he cannot stay away all night. I will punish him for what
he has done.
[_Enter the_ PRINCE, SOLDIERS, _and_ PEOPLE. _Four soldiers carry_ PETER
_on their shoulders._]
A SOLDIER. Hurrah for Peter!
A MAN. Hurrah for Peter!
SOLDIERS. Hurrah! Hurrah!
PEOPLE. Hurrah! Hurrah!
MOTHER. What is this? Why do you carry Peter?
PRINCE. Peter has saved us!
MOTHER. What do you mean?
PRINCE. He put his arm in a hole in the dike. All night long he stood
there! All night long he kept out the sea! We found him there this
morning. Poor little boy, he was so cold!
MOTHER. Ah, my Peter! My dear Peter!
PRINCE. He is a brave boy. The king wants to see him and to thank him.
Come, soldiers, to the king with Peter! Come, to the king! To the king!
[_They go with Peter on their shoulders._]
SOLDIERS. Hurrah for Peter!
PEOPLE. Hurrah for Peter!
THE POT OF GOLD
SCENE I
TIME: _one spring day._
PLACE: _the farmer's vineyard._
* * * * *
THE FARMER.
HIS THREE SONS.
* * * * *
[_The_ THREE SONS _dig lazily among the vines._]
FIRST SON. Oh, I am tired of digging! Come, brothers, let us sit and
talk!
[_He throws down his spade and sits._]
[Illustration]
SECOND SON. Father said we should dig at every vine. But I must say I am
tired of it.
[_He throws down his spade and sits._]
THIRD SON. I was tired when we began.
[_He throws down his spade and sits. The_ FARMER _enters. His sons do
not see him._]
FIRST SON. Now I should like to go to war and ride a great white horse.
SECOND SON. I should like to be a prince. I would do nothing all day
long but wear my golden crown.
THIRD SON. I want to find a purse of gold. I would never work again, I
tell you!
[_The farmer shakes his head sadly._]
FARMER. My sons, these vines have not been dug about. Come, do this work
as I have told you.
(_The sons take up their spades, but unwillingly._)
Now listen: a pot of gold is hidden in this vineyard. It is buried deep
beneath these vines.
SONS. A pot of gold!
FARMER. It is all I have to leave you. I think it best to-tell you now,
for I cannot live much longer.
FIRST SON. Why do you hide the gold, my father?
FARMER. That you may dig for it.
SECOND SON. Why do you hide it in the ground?
FARMER. That you may dig for it.
THIRD SON. Why don't you tell us where it is?
FARMER. That you may dig for it.
[_He goes._]
SONS. A pot of gold!
FIRST SON. Now I shall go to war and ride a great white horse!
SECOND SON. Now I shall marry a princess and wear her golden crown!
THIRD SON. Now I shall find my purse of gold, and never work again!
SCENE II
TIME: _one month later._
PLACE: _the vineyard._
* * * * *
THE THREE SONS.
* * * * *
[_The ground is completely dug up. The_ FIRST SON _is seen digging. He
throws down his spade showing disappointment._]
FIRST SON. I cannot find it!
(_Enter_ SECOND SON _with his spade._)
Did you find it?
SECOND SON. No, and I have dug up every inch of our western vineyard.
[_Enter_ THIRD SON _with his spade._]
FIRST AND SECOND SONS. Did you find it?
THIRD SON. No, and I have dug up every inch of the eastern vineyard.
FIRST SON. Well, you see what I have done here.
SECOND SON. Not a vine that has not been dug about!
THIRD SON. I cannot understand it!
FIRST SON. The day our father died he spoke again of the pot of gold.
SECOND SON. And told us again to dig for it.
THIRD SON. I cannot understand it.
[_They go, shaking their heads sadly._]
SCENE III
TIME: _six months later._
PLACE: _the vineyard._
* * * * *
THE THREE SONS.
THE FRUIT MERCHANT.
* * * * *
[_The_ MERCHANT _enters the vineyard with the_ THREE SONS.]
MERCHANT. You say your grapes are ripe?
FIRST SON. They are ripe and ready to sell, sir.
SECOND SON. Come, now, and look at them.
[_They cross to the vines._]
MERCHANT. Why, I have never seen such grapes as these!
THIRD SON. We have never had such grapes before, sir.
MERCHANT. How fine and large they are!
FIRST SON. And sweet, too! Just taste one, sir!
MERCHANT (_eating a grape_). Are they all like these?
SECOND SON. Every vine bears just such grapes.
MERCHANT. I must have your grapes. I will give a pot of gold for them.
SONS. A pot of gold!
MERCHANT. Come, will you sell?
SONS. Aye, sir!
MERCHANT. Then to-morrow I will bring the pot of gold and take away the
grapes.
[_He goes._]
SONS. A pot of gold!
FIRST SON. I wonder if that was father's pot of gold.
SECOND SON. I almost think it was.
THIRD SON. I wonder now, I wonder--
FIRST SON. No war horse for me! I will stay and dig again for gold!
SECOND SON. No prince's crown for me! I will stay and dig here too!
THIRD SON. I have found my purse of gold! I will stay and find another!
THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
TIME: _one fine morning._
PLACE: _the farmer's cabbage field._
* * * * *
THE HARE.
THE HEDGEHOG.
THE HEDGEHOG'S WIFE.
* * * * *
[_The_ HEDGEHOG _and his_ WIFE _are walking in the field._]
HEDGEHOG. These cabbages are growing well.
WIFE. They are very fine indeed.
HEDGEHOG. We can feed on them all summer.
WIFE. Yes, if the hares will let us.
HEDGEHOG. Oh, there is enough for all of us, hares, hedgehogs, and
farmer.
WIFE. Yes, if the hares will think that, too.
HEDGEHOG. Well, we will let them alone as we have always done.
WIFE. But they will not let us alone. Yesterday they called at me while
I was eating here.
HEDGEHOG. What did they say to you?
WIFE. Oh, such things as "Short-legs," and "Duck-legs."
HEDGEHOG. Here comes one of them now!
WIFE. He is one who called at me. I'll hide till he goes by.
[_She hides among the cabbages. The_ HARE _enters._]
HEDGEHOG. Good-morning, sir.
HARE. Why do you speak to me?
HEDGEHOG. I always speak to neighbors, sir.
HARE. Speak to your own kind, then. I think myself too good for
hedgehogs.
HEDGEHOG. Now that is strange.
HARE. There is nothing strange about it. Look at your silly little legs!
HEDGEHOG. They are quite as good as yours, sir.
HARE. As good as mine! Hear him! You can only walk with those legs, sir.
HEDGEHOG. I'll run a race with you this day.
HARE. Hear him! Hear him! Ha, ha!
HEDGEHOG. You may run in that furrow. I will run in this. We will see
who gets to the field fence first.
HARE. Are you crazy?
HEDGEHOG. Come, come, let's begin the race!
HARE. Ha, ha! Well, I'll run with you. You ought to know just how silly
your little duck-legs are.
HEDGEHOG. Let us go to this end of the furrow to begin.
HAKE. I will run to the brook and back while you are getting there.
HEDGEHOG. As you please.
(_The Hare runs off._)
Wife, wife, did you hear?
WIFE. I heard. Are you crazy?
HEDGEHOG. Go to the other end of this furrow, wife.
WIFE. And why should I do that?
HEDGEHOG. The hare will run in the other furrow. When he comes to your
end, put up your head and say, "I am already here."
WIFE. Ha, ha! He will think that I am you.
HEDGEHOG. Exactly.
WIFE. Ha, ha, ha! I go, Mr. Hedgehog! I go! You may be short on legs, my
dear, but you are long on brains.
[_She runs to other end of furrow. Mr. Hedgehog goes to his end._]
[_The_ HARE _enters._]
HARE. Well, are you ready?
HEDGEHOG. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[_The Hare runs swiftly. The Hedgehog sits. The Hare reaches the other
end of his furrow. The Wife puts up her head._]
[Illustration]
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. What is this?
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. We will try again! Are you ready?
WIFE. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[_The Hare runs swiftly. The Wife sits. The Hare reaches the other end
of his furrow. Mr. Hedgehog puts up his head._]
HEDGEHOG. I am already here.
HARE. I cannot understand this.
HEDGEHOG. I am already here.
HARE. We will try again! Are you ready?
HEDGEHOG. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[_The Hare runs swiftly. Mr. Hedgehog sits. The Hare reaches the other
end of his furrow. Mrs. Hedgehog puts up her head._]
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. I cannot believe it!
WIFE. I am already here.
HARE. We will try again! Do you hear? We will try again.
WIFE. I am ready.
HARE. One, two, three, go!
[_The Hare runs swiftly. The Wife sits. The Hare reaches the other end
of his furrow. Mr. Hedgehog puts up his head._]
HEDGEHOG. I am already here.
HARE. This is very, very strange!
HEDGEHOG. Shall we run again?
HARE. No, no! The race is yours, Neighbor Hedgehog. And will you please
to call some day? I should be glad to see you.
HEDGEHOG. I shall be glad to come.
[_The Hare goes off wondering._]
WIFE (_running to meet Mr. Hedgehog_). You may be short on legs, my
dear, but you are very, very long on brains.
FISHING ON DRY LAND
TIME: _long ago._
PLACE: _before the King's palace._
* * * * *
KING.
PRINCE.
QUEEN.
LADIES.
FARMER NIX.
FARMER KNAVE.
MANY OTHER FARMERS.
* * * * *
[FARMER NIX, FARMER KNAVE, _and the other_ FARMERS _have come with their
wagons, for it is market day. Some of the wagons are drawn by horses and
some by oxen._]
NIX. Have you seen my colt, sir?
A FARMER. I saw a colt run by not long ago.
SECOND FARMER. There is a colt with Farmer Knave's oxen.
NIX. I do not see him.
THIRD FARMER. He is lying down between them.
NIX. Ah, I see him now.
(_He goes to Farmer Knave._)
I have come for my colt, Farmer Knave.
KNAVE. Your colt?
NIX. Yes. There he is between your oxen.
KNAVE. He is my colt, sir.
NIX. How can he be your colt when he is mine?
KNAVE. I ask the same question, sir.
NIX. What do you mean?
KNAVE. How can the colt be yours when he is mine?
NIX. I'll have you before the judge, sir!
KNAVE. The judge shall speak to you, sir!
[_The_ PRINCE _comes from the castle._]
PRINCE. What is all this noise, sirs? What is all this noise, I say? The
king sent me to ask.
NIX. Farmer Knave does claim my colt, Prince.
PRINCE. How is this, Farmer Knave?
KNAVE. I claim the colt because the colt is mine, Prince.
PRINCE. Now how is this, Farmer Nix?
NIX. The colt is mine, Prince.
KNAVE. The colt is mine I say!
NIX. I say the colt is mine!
PRINCE. Hush, Farmer Nix! Hush, Farmer Knave! I'll tell the king what
both of you do claim. He will decide to whom the colt belongs.
[_The Prince goes._]
KNAVE. See how the colt lies between my oxen! Is not that proof that he
is mine?
NIX. But who can tell what a colt will do?
[_The_ PRINCE _comes._]
PRINCE. Farmers, the king has decided. He says the colt belongs where it
is now lying.
KNAVE. And he lies between my oxen.
PRINCE. That is proof enough, The colt belongs to you, Farmer Knave.
NIX. But, Prince--
PRINCE. Not another word! Go, now, with your wagons and horses and oxen!
The queen comes out to walk. Go, all of you!
[_The Prince enters the castle. The farmers go, Nix last. The_ QUEEN
_and her_ LADIES _come from the castle._]
QUEEN. Go bring Farmer Nix to me.
[_A Lady runs to Nix._]
LADY. The queen wants to see you, sir.
[_Nix goes to the Queen and bows._]
QUEEN. I heard all from the castle window. I know the colt is yours.
NIX. I thank you, my Queen, I thank you!
QUEEN. Now you must show the king that colts cannot belong to oxen,
never have belonged to oxen, and never will belong to oxen.
NIX. I will go to him at once! I will tell him--
QUEEN. Not so fast! I said you must show the king. He would not let you
tell him. No one ever dares to tell things to a king.
NIX. How can I show him?
QUEEN. You must think out the way. I cannot help you more.
NIX. I thank you, my Queen, I thank you.
QUEEN. The king comes out to walk soon.
NIX. I will return to show him.
[_Nix bows to the Queen and goes. The_ KING _and_ PRINCE _come from the
castle._]
QUEEN. 'Tis a pleasant day to walk, dear King.
KING. Oh, 'tis very, very pleasant.
[_Enter_ Nix _with a fishing-net. He throws out the net and draws it
in._]
QUEEN. Why, look you what that foolish man is doing!
KING. He throws out his net and draws it in! He acts just as if he were
fishing.
QUEEN. Let's ask what he is doing.
KING. Come here, you foolish fellow! Come here, I say!
(NIX _comes to the King, but goes on with his fishing._)
Now what are you doing, sir?
[Illustration]
NIX. I am fishing, fishing, fishing.
KING. How can you fish where is no water?
NIX. Fish can be found on land if colts belong to oxen.
KING. What is that, sir?
NIX. If colts belong to oxen, then fish should swim in dust.
KING. Well, well, that may be true! What do you think, dear Queen?
QUEEN. I think with you--it may be true.
NIX (_fishing_). If colts belong to oxen, then I will always fish in
dust.
KING. Well, well, I think you may be right, sir!
(_Pause. The King thinks deeply._)
Yes, I am now sure that you are right, sir. Go get your colt from Farmer
Knave. Go with him, Prince, and see to it. Now come, dear Queen, we'll
walk about together, for 'tis a very pleasant day, 'tis very, very
pleasant.
THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM
SCENE I
TIME: _one morning._
PLACE: _the highroad to Gotham._
* * * * *
HODGE.
PODGE.
NODGE.
SCRODGE.
KING.
SOLDIERS.
* * * * *
[_Enter_ HODGE, PODGE, NODGE, _and_ SCRODGE; _each carries an ax and
each chuckles to himself._]
HODGE. Well, the last tree is down!
PODGE. Down and across the road!
NODGE. Not a horse can get through them!
SCRODGE. How angry it will make the king! Ha, ha!
HODGE. He sent us word he would visit Gotham! Ha, ha!
PODGE. Ha, ha!
NODGE. Ha, ha!
SCRODGE. He would hang us if he knew we cut the trees!
HODGE. And let them fall across the road.
PODGE. He will not know. Not a Gotham man would tell him!
NODGE. Nor a Gotham woman!
SCRODGE. Nor a Gotham child!
HODGE. They have not forgotten what his last visit brought upon them.
PODGE. Everything he saw and liked, he took.
NODGE. And would not pay for it!
SCRODGE. His servants and his soldiers ate the town up.
HODGE. And would not pay for it!
PODGE (_looking off_). He is coming now! He is on the hill!
SCRODGE. He has his soldiers with him!
NODGE. He must not see us! Come!
[_They run off. Enter the_ KING _and_ SOLDIERS.]
KING. To think that I--a king--should have to walk!
FIRST SOLDIER. Shall I bring the horses up, your Majesty?
KING. Of what use? Look how the road from here is filled with trees!
SECOND SOLDIER. Just as it was back there!
KING. I know! It was done to keep me out of Gotham! I know!
(_To Third Soldier._)
Here, you!
THIRD SOLDIER (_saluting_). Yes, your Majesty.
KING. Get to Gotham, if you have to crawl.
THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.
KING. Tell these men of Gotham I shall come again.
THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.
KING. And when I do--and when I do--[_He stops._]
THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty?
KING. And when I do, I'll have their noses!
THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.
KING. I'll have the Gotham nose of every Gotham man cut off his Gotham
face!
THIRD SOLDIER. Yes, your Majesty.
KING. Go, now, and tell them that!
THIRD SOLDIER (_saluting)._ Yes, your Majesty.
[_He goes._]
KING. We will now return the way we came. (_He shakes his finger toward
Gotham_,)
I'll have your noses, that I will!
[_He goes with his soldiers._]
SCENE II
TIME: _one month later._
PLACE: _a field near Gotham._
* * * * *
HODGE.
PODGE.
NODGE.
SCRODGE.
KING.
SOLDIERS.
OLD MEN OF GOTHAM.
YOUNG MEN OF GOTHAM.
PETER AND OTHER GOTHAM BOYS.
POLLIE AND OTHER GOTHAM GIRLS.
* * * * *
[_The_ OLD MEN, _the_ YOUNG MEN, _and the_ CHILDREN _are in the field._]
AN OLD MAN. Well, the king's men have taken all the trees away.
A YOUNG MAN. A good month's work it made them, too!
ANOTHER OLD MAN. And now the king will come again!
PETER. And we shall lose our noses!
POLLIE. I do not wish to lose my nose!
[_Enter_ SCRODGE, _running._]
SCRODGE. The king is coming!
[_Enter_ HODGE, _running._]
[Illustration: "QUICK, NOW--BEFORE THE KING COMES"]
HODGE. The king is coming!
[_Enter_ PODGE _and_ NODGE, _running._]
PODGE _and_ NODGE. The king is coming!
PETER. And we shall lose our noses!
POLLIE. Oh dear! Oh dear! I'll lose my nose!
CHILDREN. Oh dear! We'll lose our noses!
HODGE. Now get you back to Gotham, children! You will not lose your
noses.
PODGE. Quick, now--before the king comes!
[_The children go, holding their noses._]
NODGE. Now, Gotham men, do you all know what to do?
OLD MEN. Aye! Aye!
YOUNG MEN. Aye! Aye!
[_All the men begin to work._]
PODGE. I think this will save our noses.
[_Enter the_ KING _and the_ SOLDIERS.]
KING. Is there a tree left on the road?
FIRST SOLDIER. We took them all away, Sire.
KING (to _a soldier._) Then go and get our horses. We will ride into
this Gotham town. (_The soldier salutes and goes._)
Where do you roll these stones, old men?
AN OLD MAN. Uphill to help the sun rise.
KING. What! To help the sun rise?
OLD MAN. Yes, your Majesty.
KING. Don't you know that the sun will rise without help?
OLD MAN. Will it? Well, well! Who would have thought of that!
KING. You foolish fellows! Well, go on and roll your stones. Now tell me
why you grunt, young men?
A YOUNG MAN. Oh, we do the grunting while our fathers do the work.
KING. Ha, ha! Well, go on and grunt. Now what are you men doing?
HODGE. There is a cuckoo here, your Majesty.
KING. What if there is a cuckoo there?
PODGE. We are building a wall around it, Sire?
KING. Why build a wall around it?
NODGE. To keep it from flying away.
KING. Ha, ha! Don't you know that the bird can fly over the wall?
HODGE. Well, well! Who would have thought of that!
NODGE. How very wise you are, Sire!
KING. You foolish fellows! Well, go on and build your wall.
(_Enter_ SCRODGE, _carrying a door on his back._)
Where are you going with that door?
SCRODGE. I am going on a journey, Sire.
KING. Why do you carry a door?
SCRODGE. I left my money at home, Sire.
KING. Why didn't you leave the door at home?
SCRODGE. I was afraid of thieves.
KING. Afraid of thieves! And you have taken down your door!
SCRODGE. If I have the door with me, they can't break it open to get in.
KING. You foolish fellow! Why didn't you leave your door at home and
carry your money?
SCRODGE. Well, well! Who would have thought of that! How very wise you
are, Sire!
KING. Ha, ha, ha! Well, go on and carry your door.
(_To Soldiers._)
These Gotham men are foolish. Does it not seem so to you?
SOLDIERS. Aye, Sire!
KING. I'll let them keep their noses. They knew no better than to cut
down the trees. Come, we will go away and leave them.
[_King and Soldiers go._]
GOTHAM MEN. Ha, ha, ha!
THE TWO QUESTIONS
SCENE I
TIME: _when John was King of England._
PLACE: _King John's palace._
* * * * *
KING JOHN.
ABBOT.
KNIGHT.
JESTER.
LORDS AND LADIES.
* * * * *
[KING JOHN _sits on his throne. A_ KNIGHT _stands before him. Back of
him are the_ LORDS, _the_ LADIES, _and the_ JESTER.]
KING. Now, what is this you say?
KNIGHT. I saw it all, your Majesty.
KING. You say one hundred men sit down to dine with him?
KNIGHT. Yes, your Majesty, every day.
KING. And fifty knights in velvet coats do wait on him?
KNIGHT. They bring him food on golden plates.
JESTER. Your Majesty does not eat on golden plates!
KING. I cannot afford it.
JESTER. Ha, ha! The king's Abbot lives better than the king!
KING. Be silent, Jester! Sir Knight, go bring this Abbot to me.
[_The Knight bows and goes._]
JESTER. The Abbot is the real king! Now who is John, ladies? Who is
John, lords? Truly, who are you, John?
[_All laugh. Enter the_ KNIGHT _and_ ABBOT.]
KING. Abbot, I hear strange things about you.
ABBOT. Your Majesty! How can that be?
KING. 'Tis said that every day you have one hundred men to dine with
you.
ABBOT. Oh, your Majesty, they are only friends.
KING. No matter who they are!
JESTER. 'Tis not their names! 'Tis what they eat!
LORDS. Ha, ha!
LADIES. Ha, ha!
KING. 'Tis said that fifty knights in velvet coats do wait on you!
ABBOT. Well, your Majesty, I--
KING (_interrupting)._ Do I have fifty knights to wait on me?
ABBOT. Well, your Majesty, I--
[_He stops in confusion._]
JESTER. Are eggs brought to us on golden plates? Not so! Not an egg!
KING. You spend more money, sir, than I do! How do you dare to do so?
ABBOT. 'Tis my own money, Sire--
KING. 'Tis not your money! Everything in this land belongs to me! You
shall go to prison, sir!
ABBOT (_falling on his knees_). Oh, say not so, dear King! Oh, say not
so!
KING. Well, I will let you off if you will answer me two questions.
ABBOT. Ask as many as you like, dear King.
KING. First, you must tell me how long I shall live.
[_The Abbot is silent._]
JESTER. Go on, John! Ask as many as you like!
KING. Then, Abbot, you must tell me what I think.
ABBOT. Your questions, Sire, are deep and hard.
KING. Answer them, or go to prison.
ABBOT. I pray you for some time to think!
KING. I will give you just two weeks. If you cannot answer then, I'll
have your head cut off. And then I'll take your lands and palaces.
JESTER. And your knights and golden plates!
ABBOT (_in a trembling voice_). In two weeks I will return, Sire.
KING. Two weeks and not a day longer! Go!