Children's classics in dramatic form

BOOK ONE HOUGiiTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

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Cornell University Library PN 6120.A5S83

' Children's classics in dramatic form

The original of tliis bool< is in tine Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.

THE EETURN OF THE SPRING

CHILDREN'S CLASSICS IN DRAMATIC FORM

Book One By

AUGUSTA STEVENSON

FORMBRLT A TEACHER IK THE INDIANAFOLIB PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BOSTON NEW TOKK CHICAGO

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

K iU^j

FOREWOED

Tffls 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 speech 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 the folklore of many countries, from historical tradition, and from standard literature.

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 iv FOREWORD

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 wiU 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 wiU be evident in aU his oral reading, and even in his speech.

The use of the books permits the whole range of expression, from merely reading the

FOREWORD V

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 wUl 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 inclosed 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 vi FOREWORD

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 second grade. In some schools, however, it may proj&tably be used in the first grade.

A. S.

Contents

The Two Holes 1

The Little Fish 3

Stiggaled by Stop's The Angler and the Little FUh.

Book One The Two Holes

Time : one afternoon.

Place : the Old Lady's house.

The Old Lady.

Hsa Friend.

[The Old Lady and her Feiend are han ing a cup of tea.] *

Friend. I see two holes in that door.

Old Lady. Yes, yes, two holes.

Feiend. Why are there two holes ?

Old Lady. I have two cats.

Friend. Are the holes for your cats ?

Old Lady. Yes. The cats come and go through the holes.

Feiend. Why is one hole so large? Why is the other so small ?

* The explanations in bracket* may be read aloud by the teacher.

THE TWO HOLES

Old Lady. One cat is large. The other is a kitten.

Friend. Is not one hole enough ?

Old Lady. Oh no ! The large cat cannot get through the small hole.

Friend. No, but the small cat can get through the large hole.

Old Lady. Why, I had not thought of that! It is true! It is quite true ! Ha, ha, ha!

Friend. Ha, ha, ha!

Old Lady and Friend. Ha, ha, ha, ha !

THE LITTLE FISH

Time : early one morning.

Plaok : a river shore.

The Fisherman.

The Fish.

\The Fisherman throws Ms net into the river. Soon he draws it out and finds a fish in it.]

Fisherman. Well, well, only one little fish !

Fish. Please let me go, sir! I am so smaU!

Fisherman. Yes, you are small, but I can eat you.

Fish. I am too small to eat. Wait till I am larger, sir.

Fisherman. You would make a larger dinner then.

Fish. Oh, yes ! You could ask your friends to eat.

4 THE LITTLE FISH

Fisherman. That is true.

Fish. You could have your cousins, too.

Fisherman. That is true.

Fish. Your uncles would be glad to comCc

Fisherman. Very true.

Fish. And your aunts, perhaps.

Fisherman. Perhaps.

Fish. Your seven sisters all like fish.

Fisherman. Yes, I could ask them all.

Fish. So throw me back into the pond. When I am large, you may catch me again.

Fisherman. Yes, if I can. No, no, little fish! I have you, and I will keep you. A fish in my net is worth two in the pond.

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

Time : a warm afternoon.

Place : a meadow.

Tortoise.

Hare.

Birds.

[ The Haee walks in slowly, and sits under a tree. The Birds are singing ahove him.]

Hare. It is too warm ! Sing me to sleep, birds. Please sing me to sleep.

Birds. Tweet, tweet! Tweet, tweet, tweet! Tweet, tweet!

[The Tortoise creeps in.]

Hare. Where are you going, tortoise?

Tortoise. I am out for a walk, sir.

Hare. Why do you not go out for a run?

Birds. Ha, ha, ha !

Hare. How would you like to race with me?

6 THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

Tortoise. I will race with you, sir.

Birds. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Hare. We will race to that field over there. Come now. Are you ready?

Tortoise. I am. Please count for us, birdies.

Birds. One — two — three — Go !

[ The Hare runs. The Tortoise creeps. The Hare soon reaches a tree and stops. ^

Hare. It is so warm ! I will take a little nap here. I can easily get to the field first.

[ZTe sits, and is soon asleep. Soon the Tortoise creeps hy him. The Tortoise creeps on and on. The Birds follow quietly. The Tortoise reaches the field.]

Tortoise. I am at the field 1 I am at the field!

Birds. Tweet, tweet ! Tweet, tweet, tweet !

[The Hare wakes and jumps up.]

Tortoise. I have won the race, friend hare! Hare. Well — well — well!

Birds. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

HOW A PRINCE WAS SAVED

TniB : long ago ; one morning. Place : Arabia.

The Prince. Second Soldier.

His Friend. Third Soldier.

First Soldier. Fourth Soldier.

Other Soldiers.

[The Prince and Ms Friend enter, running.]

Prince. Do our enemies follow still? Look, man, look !

Friend. They are very near, Prince ! We must hide at once !

Prince. Yes, we must hide.

Friend. Here is a cave. Come, Master, quick !

[Thei/ start to enter the cave.]

Prince. Stop!

Friend. We dare not stop ! Our enemies are too near us ! Come I

8 HOW A PRINCE WAS SAVED

Prince. Stop, I say! Do you see that Bpider web ?

Friend. Yes — I will brush it away.

Prince. No, iio! Do not touch it! The spider worked hard to make that web. Come, we will creep under it.

[They creep under the web into the cave. Soon the Soldiers enter, running. \

First Soldier. They came this way !

Second Soldier. Where can they be ?

Third Soldier, They may have found a place to hide.

All Soldiers. Yes ! Yes !

Fourth Soldier. There is a cave ! They must be in there !

All Soldiers. Yes ! Yes !

[ They run to the cave and are about to enter.]

First Soldier. Stop ! It is of no use to enter that cave !

Second Soldier. No use? What do you mean?

First Soldier. Do you see that spider web? Could it be there if any one had entered ?

HOW A PRINCE WAS SAVED

Third Soldier. Why — no !

All Soldiers. No ! No !

First Soldier. They have gone on. Come ! We must follow.

All Soldiers. We must follow ! We must follow !

Time : yesterday.

Place : a kitchen.

White Cat.

Black Cat.

Monkey.

[ The two Cats find a piece of cheese at exactly the same time. The Monkey sees them from his seat in the window.]

White Cat. Aha ! See what I have found !

Black Cat. You ! I found that cheese, sir !

White Cat. I saw it first !

Black Cat. Oh, no ! I saw it first !

White Cat. I spoke first !

Black Cat. Well, some one had to speak first.

White Cat. The cheese is mine, sir !

Black Cat. It is mine, sir ! It is mine !

Monkey. The cheese belongs to both of you. Tou both saw it at the same time.

A PIECE OF CHEESE U

White Cat. Then what shall we do ? Black Cat. There is only one piece. Monkey. Make two pieces of it. Here, I wiU break it for you.

[He breaks the cheese into two parts and gives eoAih Cat apiece.]

Black Cat. Tour piece is larger than mine !

White Cat. No, it is just the same, sir !

Black Cat. It is larger, I say!

White Cat. How can you talk so ?

Black Cat. Because it is so.

Monkey. Give me the pieces. I will see.

[ The Cats give the cheese to the Monkey, who takes a piece in each hand.]

Monkey. This piece is a little larger. I will make it the same as the other.

[He eats from that piece.]

White Cat. That makes my piece smaller now.

Monkey. Yes, it is a little smaller. I will make the other piece smaller too.

[He eats from the other piece.]

Black Cat. That makes his piece larger now.

Monkey. Yes, it is a little larger. I will make it the same as the other.

[He eats from that piece.]

White Cat. You are eating too much of my piece, sir !

Monkey. Then I will eat from the other.

[He eats from the other piece.]

Black Cat. Tou are eating too much of my piece now !

Monkey. I must make them come out even, friends. I must make them come out even.

[He keeps on eating, first from one piece and then from the other. \

Monkey. Too large — too small — too large — too smaU — too smaU —

Both Cats. Stop, sir ! Stop ! Stop ! Stop !

Monkey, What is it, sirs? What is it?

Both Cats. Where is our cheese ?

Monkey. I found I had to eat it all.

Both Cats. AU !

Monkey. To make the pieces come out even, friends. Just to make them come out even.

Time:

two summers ago.

Place Thr E a cornfield.

AJRMBR.

King Blackbird.

John

Queen Blackbird.

Ned

► His Sons.

Other Blackbirds

Tom

Canary.

[ The Farmee and his Sons enter the field. The hoys carry a large net.]

Farmer. Well, those blackbirds have been eating my seeds again.

John. I am afraid we shall have no corn this fall.

Ned. The birds eat the seeds as soon as father plants them.

Farmer. Well, this net will catch the little robbers. Spread it out, boys. I will sow seeds upon it.

[ The boys spread the net. The Farmer sows seeds upon it.]

Tom. Aha ! They will not know the seeds are on a net !

Farmer. Come, we will hide behind that waU.

Ned. Tes, yes! Then they will not se© ua!

{They hide. Soon many Blackbirds and one. Canary come flying over the field.]

Queen Blackbird. The farmer has sown seeds again ! Ha, ha !

All Birds. Ha, ha, ha, ha !

King Blackbird. Well, we will pick them up again.

All Birds. Ha, ha, ha, ha !

Canary. Oh, this is so funny !

King Blackbird. Come, blackbirds ! Come and pick up the good farmer's seeds.

Canary. I will go to watch you. It is all so funny ! So very, very funny !

[ They enter the field and are soon tangled in the net. The Farmer and his Sons ribsh out and gather it up.]

Farmer. Aha ! Now I have caught you I

Boys. Aha! Aha!

Farmer. This is the end of you, blackbirds. I shall punish all of you.

Canary. Please free me, sir ! I am not a blackbird.

Farmer. No, but you are with them.

Canary. I did not eat one seed, sir!

Farmer. How do I know that? I find you with these robbers. I will punish you with these other birds. Come with the net, boys! Come!

Canabt. I was only watching them, sir. I thought it all so funny.

Farmer. It will liot be so funny now.

Boys. Aha ! You are caught, canary !

Canary. Oh dear! Oh dear! It is not so funny now ! It is not so funny, farmer I

Time : not so very long ago. Place : a meadow.

The Deer.

The Rabbit. The Donkey.

The Beab. The Lamb.

[The Deer lies on a meadow in the midst of thick grass. The Rabbit enters.]

Rabbit. The crow told me you were sick.

Deer. For two days I 've been sick here.

Rabbit. Now I am sorry to hear that.

Deer, Won't you sit, dear friend ?

Rabbit. Why yes, I '11 sit and talk with you.

[She sits and eats the grass as far as she can reach.]

Deer. The birds came to see me yesterday. They thought this grass was very fine.

Rabbit. It is very, very tender. And now, good-bye ! I '11 come again.

[She goes. Enter the Bear.] Bear. The crow told me you were sick, my friend.

Deer. For two days I Ve been sick, dear.

Bear. Why then, I '11 sit and talk with yon.

[He sits and eats the grass as far as he can reach.]

Deer. The birds and the rabbit liked this grass.

Bear. It is very, very tender. And now, good-bye ! I '11 come again.

[ffe goes. Enter the Donkey.]

Donkey. The crow told me you were sick, my friend.

Deer. Oh, very sick ! For two days I have been here.

Donkey. Why then, I '11 sit and talk with you.

\He sits and eats the grass as far as he can reach.]

Deer. The birds, the rabbit, and the bear all thought this grass was very fine.

Donkey. It is very, very tender. And now, good-bye ! 1 11 come again.

[He goes. Enter the Lamb.]

Lamb. The crow told me you were «ick, dear friend.

Deer. Oh, very sick ! For two days very sick, dear.

Lamb. Why then, I '11 sit and talk with you.

\She sits and nibbles the grass as far as she can reach.]

Deer. The birds, the rabbit, the donkey, and the bear all said this grass was very fine.

Lamb. It is very, very tender. And now, good-bye ! I '11 come again.

[She goes.]

Deee. And now it is time for me to eat. Why, what is this ! There is not a blade of grass left ! As far as I can reach, there is not a single blade ! What shall I do I What shall I do I

Time : one summer day.

Place : the woods.

John.

His Mother.

The Old Man.

[John has been picking berries. His bucket is full, and he is starting home. An Old Man comes with a bucket.^

Old Man. Have you found any berries, my boy?

John. My bucket is full. See !

Old Man. You have been lucky. Look into my bucket.

John. Why, it is empty !

Old Man. I have not seen a berry to-day !

John. I will show you where to find some. Come with me.

Old Man. I can walk no farther. I am rery tired.

John. You shall have my berries, sir. Old Man. Do you not sell your berries ? John. Yes, but I can find more. Here, sir, take them.

Old Man. I thank you, my boy. You are very kind. Now I will take your bucket. You may have mine.

{They excJiange huckets.\

John. But your bucket is new, sir.

Old Man. That does not matter. Now I must rest for a little while.

[He sits under a tree and seems to sleep. John Jmnts for berries. Soon his Mother comes.]

Mother. John, John, why are you so long ? Where are your berries ?

John. I gave them away — to that old man there.

Mother. I am sorry you did that. I wanted to sell your berries to-day. I wanted the money to buy your school books.

John. The poor old man could not find a berry, mother.

Mother. Then I am glad you gave him yours.

John. He gave me his bucket. Look — it is new !

Mother. John ! John ! The bucket is gold!

John. Gold ! I will wake him and give it back!

Mother. Yes, wake him and give it back !

[ The Old Man stands. His long cloak falls, and a beautiful fairy is seen.]

Mother and John. A fairy ! A fairy !

Fairy. The golden bucket is yours, my boy. It will bring you books and clothes and food. It will always give you what you need, for it is a fairy bucket. And now, good-bye ! Good-bye !

[The Fairy goes.]

Mother. Oh, my boy, my boy, see what your kind heart has done for you ! A golden bucket ! A golden fairy bucket !

THE SPAKROWS IN THE HAT

Time : one spring morning.

Place : near the schoolhouse.

Hans.

Mary.

Ann.

William,

Fred.

Helen.

Carl.

Sarah.

[The Childeen are going to school. Thei^ see Hans coming and wait] Carl. There conies Hans !

Mary. See how slowly he is walking ! Fred. Hans, Hans ! You will be late I Ann. Run, Hans, run ! [^ANS joins them.] Hans. I am not going to school. Carl. Where are you going ?

Hans. To the woods.

Mary. To catch sparrows ?

Hans. Yes.

William. The teacher told you not to.

THE SPARROWS IN THE HAT 27

Hans. I know, but I like to catch them.

Helen. You came late yesterday.

Sarah. Were you catching sparrows?

Hans. Yes — I caught five! I will catch six to-day.

Fred. The teacher will not like it !

Hans. She will not know. I will not let her see the sparrows. Good-bye I

[He runs into the woods. ^

Time : a half hour later.

Place : the schoolhouse.

The King. The Chiij>rbn.

The Teacher. Hans.

[ The King sfa7ids talking with the Teacher at 'the schoolhouse door. The Children stand behind the Teacher. Hans comes out of the woods. He carries six sparrows.]

Hans. Dear me ! Dear me ! I must pass the teacher. She will see my sparrows. I will put them into my hat.

28 THE SPARROWS IN THE HAT

(^He puts the six sparrows into his hat and puts his hat on his head.) *

Aha ! Now she cannot see them !

\He passes the school]

Teacher. Take off your hat, Hans. Here is the King.

Hans. The King !

Teacher. Yes. Take off your hat. (Hans begins to cry.)

Hans, Hans, take off your hat to the King! (^Hans cries louder.)

Well, I will take it off for you.

[ The Teacher takes off Hans' s hat. The six sparrows fly out.]

King. Ha, ha, ha!

Chh^dren. ^Ha, ha, ha!

[Hans hangs his head in shame.]

King. You must go to school, Hans. You must not run away to catch sparrows. Come now and give me your hand.

* Words in parentheses, explaining the action of the speaker, need not be read aloud ; they will suggest to the child how the part should be rendered, and thus stimulate better expres*

' YOU MUST GO TO SCHOOL, HANS

Time : one sunny day.

Place : a turnip field.

First Pig. Third Pig.

Second Pig. Wolf,

\The three jyretty Pigs enter the field.]

First Pig. This is a very pretty place.

Second Pig. I should like to live here.

Third Pig. I should like to live here, too.

First Pig. I shall build my house here.

Second Pig. And so shall I.

Third Pig. And I shall, too.

First Pig. Do you see that straw ? I shall build my house of that.

Third Pig. Father said straw would not do for a house. It will not keep the wolf out.

First Pig. I have never seen the wolf.

Third Pig. He will come some day, brother.

First Pig. Oh well, the straw is here, and I am here. I shall begin my house at once! [He begins to build a house of straw. ^

Second Pig. That brush would make a very nice house.

Third Pig. Father said brush would not do for a house. It will not keep the wolf out.

Second Pig. I have never seen the wolf.

Third Pig. He will come some day, brother.

Second Pig. Oh well, the brush is here, and I am here. I shall begin my house at once!

[He begins to build a house of brush.]

Third Pig. Well, I shall mind what father said. I shall build my house of brick. [He begins to build a house of brick.]

First Pig. My house is built ! Second Pig. And so is mine ! Third Pig. And so is mine, my brothers !

[The Wolf comes info the field.]

Wolf. Good morning, pigs !

Pigs. The wolf! The wolf!

[Each Pig runs into his house and locks the door. The Wolf goes to the house of straw.]

Wolf. Little pig, little pig, let me in ! First Pig. No, no, bad wolf ! Go away 1 Wolf. Then I '11 puff and I '11 puff tiU I blow your house down !

( The Wolf jpuffs and puffs and blows the house down. Then he seizes the First Pig.)

Aha ! Aha ! I have caught you !

(7%e Wolf goes to the house of brush. Be drags the First Pig with him.) Little pig, little pig, let me in !

Second Pig. No, no, bad wolf ! Go away !

Wolf. Then I '11 puff and I '11 puff till I blow your house down !

(7%e Wolf pvffs and puffs arid blows the house down. He seizes the Second Pig.)

Aha ! Aha ! I have caught you !

( The Wolf goes on to the house of brick, dragging the two Pigs with him.)

Little pig, little pig, let me in !

Third Pig. No, no, bad wolf ! Go away !

Wolf. Then I '11 puff and I '11 puff till I blow your house down !

( The Wolf puffs and puffs. Then he puffs again. Then he puffs some more.)

Well, well ! Why can't I blow this house down?

{He puffs and puff s and puffs and pvffs.)

This house I cannot puff down. Oh weU, these two pigs will make a meal !

First Pig. Oh dear I I wish I had built my house of brick.

Second Pig. Oh, so do I, dear brother !

Mother Cat.

White Kjtten. Black Kitten.

Time : last spring.

Place : a garden.

[The two Kittens lie with their Mother in the sunshine.^

Cat. See the nest in the tree, my kittens !

White Kitten., What is in it, mother ?

Cat. Eggs, my dear.

Black Kitten. Are eggs good ?

Cat. Eggs are good. I will get one for each of you.

\She climbs the tree, looks into the nest, and then comes down.]

Black Kitten. What did you see, dear mother ?

Cat. I saw two blue eggs, my kitten. White Kitten. Are not blue eggs good ? Cat. Blue eggs are good, but little birds are better. We will wait.

Time : three days later.

Place : the same.

[The two Kittens lie with their Mother in the sunshine.]

Cat. Have you watched the nest to-day, my kittens ?

Kittens. Oh yes, dear mother !

Cat. Did little birds look from it ?

Kittens. No, dear mother.

Cat. Then we will eat the eggs. We will not wait.

[She climbs the tree, looks into the nest, and then comes down.]

White Kitten. What did you see, dear mother ?

Cat. I saw five blue eggs, my kitten.

Black Kitten. Are not five blue eggs good?

Cat. Five blue eggs are good, but five little birds are better. We will wait.

SCENE III Time : three weeks later

Place : the same.

[ The two Kittens lie with their Mother in the sunshine.]

Cat. Have you watched the nest to-day, my kittens ?

Kittens. Oh yes, dear mother !

Cat. Did little birds look from it ?

Kittens. Yes, yes, mother !

Cat. We will eat them now. They will be good.

[She climbs the tree, looks into the nest, and then comes down.]

Black Kitten. What did you see, dear mother?

Cat. I saw five little birds, my kitten.

White Kitten. Are not little birds good ?

Cat. Little birds are good, but large birds are better. We will wait.