Dramatic readings for schools ...

Preface

^^ Oh ! give us once again the wishing-cap Of Fortunatus, and the invisible coat Of Jack the Giant-killer, Kobin Hood, And Sabra in the forest with St. George ! Tlie child, ivhose love is here, at least, doth reap One precious gain, that he forgets himself.^'

— Wordsworth.

Dramatic work in the schoolroom has no better justification than these wise words of the English poet. The child who forgets himself sets free his own personality, and opens his mind to influence and inspiration. Moreover, in throwing himself into a part, he drops his self-consciousness and enters into the experiences of others, always a valuable social and ethical lesson. This is the fundamental purpose of, and the chief reason for, the modern dramatic movement, which aims to carry the boy or girl beyond reading a story into living it, and beyond recitation into spontaneous action. To accomplish this purpose there is, indeed, nothing like the donning of " wishing-cap " or " invisible coat." They have a magic influence which carries us beyond ourselves.

Vi PREFACE

To manage dramatic work so that it will produce this effect is the teacher's problem, a problem which it is hoped this book w^ill help to solve. Children are naturally dramatic. They imitate, consciously or unconsciously, and welcome any chance to act out their own thoughts and feelings, or those of the characters about which they have been reading. With little children it is, indeed, "as if their whole vocation were endless imitation." For them, however, the work of dramatization must be suggested and carried out by book or teacher. As boys and girls grow older, the danger is that with prepared scenes and dialogues the parts will become as conventional as ordinary recitation. Dramatic work now should be done by them, not for them. When a child in the upper grades is given a dramatized story, with all the details of speech and action wrought out, he has been deprived of one of the chief pleasures as well as benefits of dramatic work. The creative instinct has developed, along with the imitative, and it is the claim for distinction of the method set forth in this book that, without going beyond the reach of the child's ready accomplishment, it allows full play for both. Here we have stories from the best literature so arranged that they are ready for dramatization, helps for boys and girls showing just how to go about it, notes for teachers giving hints as to

PREFACE Vii

their greatest possible helpfulness in each particular case, and a gradual progression of difficulty from the simplest dialogues and group conversations to a final dramatized story as a model. We have, also, a collection of classics for reading, selected for their vivid action and their perfection of plot and conversation.

To the teacher and children who are ready to lend themselves to the joy of living out the stories they read, this collection should prove a valuable source and practice book. The illustrations, which catch the characters of the stories at the point of greatest dramatic interest, add suggestion from the artistic standpoint as well as lend beauty to the book.

M. F. L.

Cambridge, 1914.

Part One Page

How All the Animals tried to make jNIan ... 3

Hans, the Shepherd Boy 7

The Story that had no End 10

The Brahman, the Tiger, and the Six Judges . . 14

A Visit to the Water Babies .24

The King of the Cats 28

Fables in Verse 31

How THE Indian got Fire 45

Prudent Hans 51

A Stone in the Road 66

Mr. Wind and Madam Kain 71

How A Girl Hid a Governor 79

PART TWO The Necklace of Truth . . . . . . . 109

The Miller of the Dee 114 ix

X CONTENTS

PAGE

A Boy's Friendship . . . » o . . . 132

The Emperor's Bird's-nest . . . . . . 146

The Beggar's Daughter of Bethnal Green . . 183

Harmosan 198

Part Three

King John and the Abbot . . c . . . 219 A play arranged for acting.

XoTEs to Teachers 229

Pi\.RT ONE

HOW ALL THE ANIMALS TRIED TO MAKE MANi

An Indian Story

All the animals sat around in a circle. There were Lion^ Bear^ Deer^ Sheep^ Owl^ Mole^ and all the rest; down to little Mouse^ who sat at the left of Lion. Coyote was there. He had called the council of the animals to tell them that it was time to make Man.

^^We must make Man/^ said Coyote. ^^How shall we do it ?''

^^That is very simple/^ roared Lion. ^^Give him a mighty voice to frighten all the animals^ and strong pawS; and big sharp teeth. Then he will be master of the world. Never fear !^' And Lion gave

1 See page 85 for Helps for Dramatization of the stories in Part One.

a deep rumbling laugh ^ which made the frightened little Mouse shrink away from him.

^^Not at all/^ growled Bear. ^^It is perfectly ridiculous to have such a great voice. Half the time it frightens the prey so that it has time to get away and hide. Let this Man whom we are to make move quietly and swiftly. And let him have great strength to hold what he captures.''

'^But think/' interrupted Deer^ ^^how foolish he would look without antlers to fight with. I agree with Bear that there is no sense in giving him a roaring voice. I should pay less attention to his throat and more to his ears and eyes. Have his ears as sensitive as a spider's web, and his eyes like coals of fire."

''Ba-a ! ba !" bleated Sheep. ''What is the use of antlers ? They always catch in thickets. You would do better to roll up the antlers into little horns on either side of the forehead. That will give his head weight and make him able to butt harder."

''You animals have no brains/' interrupted Coyote. "You each want Man to be just like yourself. You might as well take one of your own children and call it Man. For my part, I know that I am not the best animal that can be made. Of course I wish him to have four legs like myself, and five toes. But Bear's toes spread out straight go that he can stand on two feet. That is a good

HOW ALL THE ANIMALS TRIED TO MAKE MAN 5

way. I want Man's toes to be spread out like Bear's/'

^^Yes, yes/' said Bear, ^^give him toes like mine."

^^Then, too, Man had better have no tail/' continued Coyote, ^^for tails are only good for fleas to ride on. He may have a voice like Lion's, but he need not roar all the time. As to giving him thick hair, that would be a burden. Look at Fish. He is naked, and is comfortable under the hottest sun. So I want Man's skin to be like the skin of Fish. As to claws, they should be like Eagle's, so that he can carry things. Deer's eyes and ears are good, and his throat, too. So I would make Man with ears and eyes and throat like Deer's. Then there is one more thing. No animal besides myself has wit enough to rule the world. So I must give Man some of my own wit, making him crafty and cunning and wise like me."

^^Well, well," said Beaver, ^Hhere has been a great deal of foolish talk here, but no one has spoken of one very important thing. How could Man live without a good broad tail ? How could he haul mud and sand to build his house without a tail to carry it on ? "

^^And I," said the Owl, ^Hhink you are perfectly senseless not to think of giving him wings. I cannot see what use anything on earth would be without wings."

''Pu-u-u!'' sniffed Mole. ''It is senseless to have wings. They bump you against the sky. And eyes are useless^ too. The sun only burns them. It would be better to give Man a soft fur, and let him cuddle down in the moist, cool earth.''

''Living in the earth is the worst nonsense of all/' called out Mouse in a funny, squeaky little voice. "He will have to creep into the sunshine to get warm. And he needs eyes to see what he is eating."

" Oo-reech-oo ! " shrieked Screech Owl.

Coyote spoke sharply, saying : " Stop your screeching. You may all go home. I will make Man myself."

Then the animals began to quarrel, and the council broke up.

Each animal cried, "I'll make Man myself," and they all rushed quarrelling and snapping to the clay bank. Each began to model a figure.

At sundown they stopped to sleep, all but Coyote. He went on working. When he saw that they were all asleep, he went among the models of the other animals and destroyed every single one. Then he returned to his own figure and worked steadily. Gradually the clay took shape. When the figure was finished. Coyote looked at it and saw that it was such a Man as he had pictured. Then Coyote said, "Let this figure live and be a Man."

HANS, THE SHEPHERD BOY 7

HANS, THE SHEPHERD BOY I. Hans and the Hunter

Hans was a little shepherd boy^ who went every day with his flock to a great wood. One day a hunter came by and spoke to him. The man was in the fields^ far from any road^ and had plainly lost his way.

^^Here^ boy/' he called. ^^How far is it to the nearest town?''

^^It is six miles, sir/' answered Hans. ^^But the road is only a wood path. You might not be able to find it."

^^Show me the way/' said the hunter, ^^and I will pay you well."

^^I cannot/' said Hans, shaking his head. ^^I cannot leave my sheep. They would stray away into the wood, and the wolves might get them."

^^But I will pay you well. If one or two sheep are eaten, I w^ill pay for them. I must find my way out of this wood, and at once."

^^No; sir, I cannot go. I will tell you the way as well as I can. But the sheep are my master's. If they are lost, I should be to blame."

^^I have it," said the hunter. ^^Can you not get me a guide ? Let me take care of your sheep, while you are gone for one."

''No, sir," said Hans. ''I cannot do that. The sheep do not know your voice."

Hans and the Hunter

HAXS, THE SHEPHERD BOY 9

He stopped as though he had started to say something more and changed his mind.

^^See here; lad^ do you not trust me?'' said the hunter.

^^ You tried to make me break my word to my master/' said HanS; reluctantly. ^^How can I be sure that you would stay and care for my sheep ?"

^^You are right/' said the hunter^ laughing. ^^I wish I could trust my servants as you can be trusted. But come, show me the path; and I will try to find my way alone."

II. The Hunter turns out to be the Prince

Just then several men came hastening out of the wood.

^^My lord; my lord/' cried one. ^^We thought you lost."

^' Ah, we have found you. Sir Prince/' said another. ^^We had feared for you."

So Hans knew that the man with whom he had been talking was his Prince. He was frightened and fell on his knees before him.

^^ Indeed; sir, I meant no harm/' he said. ^^I knew not that you were our Prince."

^^Hans/' said the Prince, smiling and putting his hand on the boy's shoulder, ^^any prince w^ould be glad of so trustworthy a subject. Before many days I shall ask your master to let you come and serve me as loyally as you have served him."

THE STORY THAT HAD NO END

I. The King's Wish

Once upon a time there was a King who was veryfond of stories. He would sit by the hour Hstening to storieS; and yet he was never satisfied. The more he heard; the more he wanted to hear. So he grieved that every story had an end.

^^If some one would only tell me a story that had no end; how happy I should be/' he said one night. '^Here! I am a King, and should have what I want. Let a story-teller be found who knows a story that has no end.''

^^But; your Majesty/' said his Prime Minister^ ^^there never could be a story without an end."

^^ There must be a story without an end; for I wish it;" said the King. ^^Let word be given out that if a man will tell me such a story; I will make him my heir; and give him my daughter the Princess, and half the kingdom besides. I am tired of these tales that are always coming to an end. If any one tries and failS; he shall be thrown into prison."

II. What the Story Was

So word was sent out that all story-tellers should try to find a story without an end to tell to the King. Many came to take their turn ; and some of the stories they told were very; very long. They lasted hours,

THE STORY THAT HAD NO END 11

and weekS; and even a month. But they all came to an end. So all the story-tellers were led away to prison, and the King was quite discouraged.

At last a man came who said, ^^I can tell a story that will last forever, if the King will be pleased to give me a trial.''

^^No, no, do not try/' the Prime Minister warned him.

^^I shall have to take you to my prison very soon/' said the jailer, ^^and there are so many there now. What a pity it is !"

^^No," said the man. ^^I am not afraid."

So they told the King that a man was without, who wished to tell him his story.

^^What does he look like ?" asked the King,

^^He is only a farmer, but he looks like a bright fellow," said the Prime Minister.

^^Well, his story can but end, like all the rest/' said the King. ^^ Bring him in."

So the man was brought in, and as soon as he came in the door, he began with his story.

^^Your Majesty," he said, ^Hhere was once a farmer who had some land. At first he had only a small piece, near his house. Then he worked on that until he had money to buy more, and at last he bought a second field and a third, until finally he owned the whole countryside. And when it came spring each year, he went out and plowed his land."

^^Yes/' said the King. ^^And what happened then? This story sounds as if it would end soon/'

^^No, your Majesty/^ said the man. ^^I told. you that he plowed his land. But next he went out to sow his seed. And he walked along the furrows, and he sowed one seed, and another seed, and another. Then he dropped another seed, and another, and another, and still another seed, and another, and another, and yet another seed, and a seed, and

THE STORY THAT HAD NO END 13

another seed^ and another seed, and still another, and another, and — ^^

^'Here, here/' cried the King, ^^what did he do next?''

^^He dropped another seed, and another, and another, and — "

^^Come, now, we have had enough seeds sown. What next?"

^^If it please your Majesty," said the story-teller, ^4t is a true story that I am telling, and I cannot change it. What he did next was to drop another seed, and another, and another, and — "

^^But did he never get through sowing seed?" inquired the King, impatiently.

^^I do not know, your Majesty," replied the man. ^^You see I told you he owned the whole countryside, and we have only one tiny corner covered with seed now, and by the time we get through he may have bought more land. So I doubt, your Majesty, if the farmer's story ever comes to an end, but if we keep on, we may find it, for he dropped another seed, and another and — "

^^Man, that is enough !" cried the King. ^^Take my daughter, take the half of my kingdom, take anything — only let me hear no more of these seeds which dropped, another, and another — "

'^Very well. Sir King," replied the story-teller, ^^only you wanted a story that had no end, and mine may have one. I do not know, but I will find out if you listen to me and^ we do it long enough/^ ^^Man/^ cried the King, ^^I have learned to be thankful for one thing, as I never was before — that all stories have an end.''

THE BRAHMAN, THE TIGER, AND THE SIX JUDGES

I. At the Cage

Once upon a time a Brahman, who was walking along the road, came upon an iron cage in which a great Tiger had been shut up by the people of the village who had caught him.

As the Brahman passed by, the Tiger called out and said to him, ^^ Brother Brahman, Brother Brahman, have pity on me, and let me out of this cage for one minute only to drink a little water, for I am dying of thirst.'^

The Brahman answered, ^^No, I will not ; for if I let you out of the cage, you will eat me.''

^'Oh, father of mercy,'' answered the Tiger, '^in truth that I will not. I will never be so ungrateful. Only let me out that I may drink some water and return."

Then the Brahman took pity on him and opened the cage door. But no sooner had he done so than

THE BRAHMAN, TIGER, AND SIX JUDGES 15

the Tiger^ jumping out; said, ^^Now I will eat you first and drink the water afterwards/^

But the Brahman said; ^^ No, do not kill me hastily. Let us first ask the opinion of six^ and if all of them say it is fair and just that you should put me to death; then I am willing to die/'

^^Very well/' answered the Tiger, '4t shall be as you say. We will first ask the opinion of six/'

II. The Banyan Tree

So the Brahman and the Tiger walked on till they came to the Banyan Tree ; and the Brahman said to it; ^^ Banyan Tree; Banyan Tree; hear and give judgment."

^^On what must I give judgment?" asked the Banyan Tree.

^^This Tiger;" said the BrahmaU; ^^ begged me to let him out of his cage to drink a little water; and he promised not to hurt me if I did so ; but now that I have let him out; he wishes to eat me. Is it just that he should do sO; or not ?"

The Banyan Tree answered: ^^Men often come to take shelter in the cool shade under my boughs from the scorching rays of the sun ; but when they have rested; they cut and break my pretty branches and scatter my leaves. Let the Tiger eat the maU; for men are an ungrateful race."

At these words the Tiger would have instantly killed the Brahman ; but the Brahman said, ^^ Tiger, Tiger, you must not kill me yet, for you promised that we should first hear the judgment of six/'

III. The Camel

^^Very well,'' said the Tiger, and they went on their way. After a little while they met a Camel.

^^ Friend Camel, Friend Camel,'^ cried the Brahman, ^^hear and give judgment."

^^On what shall I give judgment?" asked the Camel.

The Brahman told again how the Tiger had begged him to open the cage door, and promised not to eat him if he did so ; and how he had afterwards determined to break his word, and asked if that were just or not.

The Camel replied: ^^When I was young and strong, and could do much work, my master took care of me and gave me good food. But now that I am old and have lost all my strength in his service, he overloads me and starves me and beats me without mercy. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men are an unjust and cruel race."

The Tiger would then have killed the Brahman, but the latter said, ^^Stop, Tiger, for we must first hear the judgment of six."

THE BRAHMAN, TIGER, AND SIX JUDGES 17

IV. The Bullock

So they both went again on their way. At a Uttle distance they found a Bullock lying by the roadside. The Brahman said to him: ^^ Brother Bullock^ Brother Bullock^ hear and give judgment.^'

^^On what must I give judgment ?'' asked the Bullock.

The Brahman answered: ^^I found this Tiger in a cage; and he prayed me to open the door and let him out to drink a little water^ and promised not to kill me if I did so. But when I had let him out^ he resolved to put me to death. Is it fair he should do so, or not ?''

The Bullock said : ^^ When I was able to work, my master fed me well and tended me carefully, but now that I am old, he has forgotten all I did for him, and left me by the roadside to die. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men have no pity.''

Three out of six had given judgment against the Brahman, but still he did not lose hope, though it was hard to persuade the Tiger to wait for the other three.

V. The Eagle

They next met an Eagle, to whom the Brahman cried, ^^0 Eagle, great Eagle, hear and give judgment. "

^^On what must I give judgment?'' asked the Eagle.

The Brahman stated the case^ but the Eagle answered : ^^ Whenever men see me^ they try to shoot me; they climb the rocks and steal away my little ones. Let the Tiger eat the man, for men are the persecutors of the earth.''

Then the Tiger began to roar, and said, ^'The judgment of all is against you, Brahman."

But the Brahman answered, ^^Stay yet a little longer, for two others must first be asked."

VI. The Alligator

After this they saw an Alligator, and the Brahman related the matter to him, hoping for a more favorable answer.

But the Alligator said : ^^ Whenever I put my nose out of the water, men torment me and try to kill me. Let the Tiger eat the man, for as long as men live we shall have no rest."

VII. The Jackal, and Back to the Cage

The Brahman gave himself up as lost ; but again he prayed the Tiger to have patience and let him ask the opinion of a sixth judge. Now the sixth was a Jackal. The Brahman told his story, and said to him, ^^ Uncle Jackal, Uncle Jackal, say what is your judgment."

THE BRAHMAN, TIGER, AND SIX JUDGES 19

The Jackal answered : ^^It is impossible for me to decide who is in the right and who is in the wrong unless I see the exact position in which you were when the dispute began. Show me the place/'

So the Brahman and the Tiger returned to the place where they first met; and the Jackal went with them. When they got there, the Jackal said, ^^Now, Brahman, show me exactly where you stood.''

^^Here/' said the Brahman, standing by the iron cage.

^^ Exactly there, was it ?" asked the Jackal.

^^ Exactly here," replied the Brahman.

^^ Where was the Tiger, then?" asked the Jackal.

^^In the cage," answered the Tiger.

^^How do you mean?" asked the Jackal; ^^how were you within the cage ? Which way were you looking?"

^^Why, I stood so," said the Tiger, jumping into the cage, ^^and my head was on this side."

^^Very good," said the Jackal. ^^But I cannot judge without understanding the whole matter exactly. Was the cage door open or shut?"

^^Shut and bolted," said the Brahman.

^^Shut and bolt it," said the Jackal.

When the Brahman had done this, the Jackal said: ^^ Oh, you wicked and ungrateful Tiger. When the good Brahman opened your cage door, was the only return you would make, to eat him ? Stay there, then, for the rest of your days, for no one will ever let you out again. Proceed on your journey, friend Brahman. I believe your road lies that way and mine this.''

So saying, the Jackal ran off in one direction, before the Brahman had time to speak his words of gratitude, and the Brahman went rejoicing on his way in the other.

But the Tiger, when he was left alone, said, ^^And I forgot to get my drink of water when I was out.''

I. The Boy Rides

A MAN and his son were once going with their donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side, a countryman passed them, and said :

^^You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride upon?'^

^^That is true,'' said the man.

^^I had not thought of that,'' said the boy.

^^ You shall be the one to ride," said the man, and put the boy on the donkey.

They went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said :

^^See that lazy youngster. He lets his father walk while he rides."

^^What is the world coming to?" said another. ^^ There is no reverence for age any longer."

^^That is so," said the man, who overheard the words, to the boy. ^^ I had not thought of that. It is certainly very disrespectful of you to ride, while your father goes along on foot."

^^Very well," said the boy. ^^I will get off, and you shall ride."

II. The Man Rides

So the boy got off and the man mounted the donkey and they went on their way. But they had not gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other :

^^ Shame on that lazy man to let his poor little son trudge along while he rides.''

^'Yes/' said the other. ^^Men are so lazy, but you would think he would take some thought for his own boy.''

^^That is so/' said the man, who overheard their words. ^^I had not thought of that. It is a shame for an able-bodied man like me to ride, while a little fellow like you walks."

^^But what shall we do?" asked the boy.

^'I don't know," said the man. '^Yes, I do. I tell you. We will both ride. Get up here behind me."

III. Both Ride

So the boy got up behind his father, and they went on their way. By this time they had come to the town, however, and the passers-by began to stare and point at them. The man stood it as long as he could. Then he stopped and asked what they were laughing at.

The men said: ^^What a question! Aren't you thoroughly ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor old donkey of yours ? You, a big, heavy fellow, and that great boy of yours !"

IV. The Donkey Rides

The man and the boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and thought ^ till at last they cut down a long pole^ tied the donkey's feet to it, raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders, and in this strange fashion proceeded.

They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to the market bridge, when the donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the donkey fell over the bridge, and, his forefeet being tied together, he was drowned.

^.^That will teach you/^ said an old man who had followed them: ^^ Please all, and you will please none.''

A VISIT TO THE WATER BABIES I. Tom, a Water Baby

Tom had been changed from a chimney sweep into a water baby. He had a beautiful time, but carried over some of his naughty ways with him. He frightened the crabs and put stones in the anemones' mouths, and meddled with all the creatures.

^^You mustn't do that," the other water babies warned him, w^hen they saw him doing these things.

^^ Take care," they said again. '' Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did is coming."

II. When Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did Came

But Tom never heeded them, till one Friday morning early Mrs. Be-done-by-as-you-did came. A very tremendous lady she was ; and when the children saw her, they all stood in a row, very upright indeed, and smoothed down their bathing dresses and put their hands behind them. And she had on a black bonnet, and a black shawl, and a pair of

A VISIT TO THE WATER BABIES large green spectacles ; and under her arm she carried a birch rod. Indeed she was so ugly that Tom was tempted to make faces at her^ but did not, for he did not admire the look of the birch rod.

And she looked at the children one by one, and seemed very much pleased with them, though she never asked one question about how they were behaving. She began giving them all sorts of nice sea things to eat, — sea cakes, sea apples, sea oranges, and to the very best of all she gave sea ices.