SCENE IX—_In the Woods

_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.

LADY MOON

TIME—_Evening_ PLACE—_Garden_ CHARACTERS—_Lady Moon_, _Child_

_Child._ Lady Moon, Lady Moon, Where are you roving?

_Lady Moon._ Over the sea.

_Child._ Lady Moon, Lady Moon, 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, Where are you roving?

_Lady Moon._ Over the sea.

_Child._ Lady Moon, Lady Moon, Whom are you loving?

_Lady Moon._ All that love me.

—LORD HOUGHTON.

PRECOCIOUS PIGGY

_Child._ Where are you going to, you little pig?

_First Pig._ I’m leaving mother, 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

_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.

_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.

_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.

_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!

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.

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!

_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.

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.

THE MAGPIE’S NEST

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

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.

_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

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?

_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.

_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?

_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.

_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?

_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.

_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?

_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.

_Bobolink_, _Cuckoo_, _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_