SCENE II—_In the Woods

_Mabel._ Dear me! How dark it is getting. I must hurry home. [_Hears a little squeaking sound._] What’s that? [_Sees a little green lizard with a stone on its tail._] Oh, you poor little lizard! Let me lift that stone from your tail. [_Takes stone off._]

_Lizard._ Thank you. You are a very kind child.

_Mabel._ Oh! I didn’t know that lizards could talk!

_Lizard._ Some lizards can’t. But I am the king of all the lizards. I am going to do something for you because you lifted the stone from my tail.

_Mabel._ I was very glad to do it.

_Lizard._ I am going to do something for you that I wouldn’t do for any other little girl. It’s this: I’m going to teach you the animal call. Then you will understand everything the animals say to you, and they will know what you say to them.

_Mabel._ What fun!

_Lizard._ Just listen. [_Gives a low whistle._] Now you do it after me. [_Mabel tries._] Try again, Mabel. [_She tries again and again._] Good, that’s it! Now if you wish any animal to be your friend, just whistle that way to him. That’s the call of all the animals. Good-by. [_Lizard goes away._]

_Mabel._ Well, that’s the funniest thing I ever heard of. But, dear me, how dark it is getting. I must run home. [_Starts homeward. Hears howl._]

_Wolf._ [_Howls._] O-ooo-w.

_Mabel._ What’s that? Oh! it’s a wolf. I’m so frightened! What shall I do? I’ll give the call.

[_Whistles._]

_Wolf._ [_Answers._] O-ooo-w! O-ooo-w!

[_Wolf comes to Mabel._]

_Mabel._ Wolf, I want you to be my friend.

_Wolf._ To be sure, I will be.

_Mabel._ I’ve lost my way. Please show me the way home. I live at grandma’s.

_Wolf._ I know where you live. I’ve seen you playing there many times. Put your hand on my neck, and I’ll show you the way. [_Mabel does so._]