LITTLE TWO-EYES
PERSONS IN THE PLAY—Mother, Little One-Eye, Little Two-Eyes, Little Three-Eyes, Little Old Woman, Tree, Prince, Goat
Scene I.—Dining Room at Little Two-Eyes' Home
Mother. Come to dinner, little One-Eye and little Three-Eyes. Here is some good soup and white bread for you. Little Two-Eyes, you can have what your sisters do not want.
Little Three-Eyes. Here's a crust for you. That is enough for a girl with only two eyes.
Little One-Eye. What a shame to have a sister with two eyes! You look just like other people! Little Three-Eyes and I are very different.
Little Three-Eyes. Here little Two-Eyes, take this bowl. I don't want any more and you can have what is left.
Mother. Now, children, run away and play. Little Two-Eyes, take the goat and go out to the hillside. You must stay till it begins to get dark, and then you may come home. You must work, because you have two eyes like other people, but my little One-Eye and Three-Eyes may stay at home and play.
Scene II.—On the Hillside
Little Two-Eyes. Come, little goat, here is some green grass for you to eat. I wish that my sisters loved me and that my mother was not ashamed of me. Oh, why do I have two eyes just like all other people? I am so hungry, Oh, dear! Oh, dear! (Cries.)
Wood Fairy. My child, why do you cry?
Little Two-Eyes. Because I have only two eyes, and my mother and my sisters treat me badly. I don't have enough to eat and I am so hungry. My dress is old, and my sisters have nice dresses and pretty ribbons. But who are you?
Wood Fairy. I am the little Old Woman who lives on this hill. I have come to help you. Listen, little Two-Eyes! You need never be hungry again. Say to your little goat:
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, rise!
Then a table will rise before you with all the food you can eat. When you have finished eating, you must say:
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, away!
and it will disappear before your eyes. Good-by, dear little Two-Eyes. I must go now, but remember what I have told you.
Little Two-Eyes. Why, where has that queer looking little woman gone? I am so hungry I'll try now if what she said can be true.
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, rise!
Goat. Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!
Little Two-Eyes. Oh, look, little goat! what a pretty table! and how good the food looks. Now we shall have all we want to eat. Here is something for you, and here are oranges and meat and pudding for me! Dear little woman! How can I thank her? Now I can eat no more.
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, away!
Goat. Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!
Little Two-Eyes. There, it is gone. Aren't we happy, little goat? But see, it is time to go home. Come, little goat.
Scene III.—At Home
Mother. Here, little Two-Eyes, here are the crusts your sisters saved for you.
Two-Eyes. Thank you, mother, but I don't care for any crusts. I'm not hungry.
Mother. Not care for them? You are not hungry? You have always eaten them before now and asked for more! You didn't eat any supper last night, either. What does this mean? What did you have to eat to-day?
Two-Eyes. I cannot tell you, mother.
Mother. You cannot? Then, little One-Eye, you shall go to the hillside with little Two-Eyes and find out why she is no longer hungry.
Little One-Eye. I don't want to go! The walk is too long, and I shall get tired!
Mother. Just this once, my dear! You will not have to go again. But we must learn the secret.
Little Two-Eyes. Come, sister. Come, little goat.
Scene IV.—The Hillside
Little Two-Eyes. Now we are almost there. Are you tired, little One-Eye?
Little One-Eye. Oh! I am so tired, and my feet hurt so I can hardly walk.
Little Two-Eyes. I have to walk this far every day.
Little One-Eye. Yes, but you have two eyes like other people and you must expect to work. I cannot go any farther. I'll lie down here and rest.
Little Two-Eyes. I'll sing you a pretty song:
Are you awake, little One-Eye?
Are you asleep, little One-Eye?
Yes, you are asleep, little One-Eye, and now I can have my dinner.
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, rise!
Goat. Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!
Little Two-Eyes. Here is the little table again! Oh, how thankful I am for the good food. Dear little old woman, you are very good to send me such nice things to eat. Here is some for you, little goat. Now I have had enough.
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, away!
There, it is gone. Little One-Eye, wake up! It is time to go home.
Little One-Eye. Did I go to sleep?
Little Two-Eyes. Indeed, you did, and now we must hurry home. Come, little goat!
Scene V.—At Home
Mother. Well, little One-Eye, tell us what you have seen. Why doesn't little Two-Eyes eat the food we have for her?
Little One-Eye. I don't know, mother. The way was so long and I was so tired; I fell asleep; and when I woke up it was time to come home.
Mother. It was a hard walk for you, my dear; but we must find out who is giving little Two-Eyes something to eat. To-morrow you must go, little Three-Eyes.
Little Three-Eyes. I'll find out, mother. If anyone dares to give food to little Two-Eyes, I'll tell you all about it.
Mother. Yes, my dear, I know you won't go to sleep. I can trust you to find out everything.
Scene VI.—On the Hillside
Little Two-Eyes. Come, sister, we must go on, for it is a long way to the top of the hill.
Little Three-Eyes. I'm not going any farther, I'm too tired! I'll rest a little here.
Little Two-Eyes. All right, little Three-Eyes. I'll sing you a song.
Are you awake, little Three-Eyes?
Are you asleep, little Two-Eyes?
Yes, you are asleep, and now I'll have my dinner.
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, rise!
Goat. Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!
Little Two-Eyes. Here is our dinner again, little goat. See this fresh lettuce and cabbage and good bread and butter. Here is some honey, too, and cake. Isn't this a good dinner?
Little goat, bleat!
Little table, away!
Goat. Bla-a, bla-a, bla-a!
Little Two-Eyes. Now it is gone. Three-Eyes, wake up! It is time home.
Little Three-Eyes. How long I have slept! What will my mother say? But I think I have a surprise for you, little Two-Eyes!
Scene VII.—At Home
Mother. Well, little Three-Eyes, did you go to sleep, too?
Little Three-Eyes.—Yes, mother, but only with two eyes. Little Two-Eyes sang to me,
"Are you awake, little Three-Eyes?
Are you asleep, little Two-Eyes?"
and so two of my eyes went to sleep, but one stayed awake and watched.
Mother. What did you see? Tell me quickly, dear little Three-Eyes.
Little Three-Eyes. First she said,
"Little goat, bleat!
Little table, rise!"
and the goat said, "Bla-a, bla-a, bla-a!" Then a table came up out of the ground. Oh! it was such a pretty little table with a white cloth over it and all kinds of good things on it. No wonder little Two-Eyes doesn't eat any of our common food. It isn't good enough for her! She has food fit for a queen,—nuts and cake, and candy, too!
Mother. So that is why little Two-Eyes doesn't eat the crusts we save for her! Well, I'll see if she is going to have better food, than we have. Bring me the long sharp knife.
[Goes out and soon returns.]
There, now the goat is dead. Little Two-Eyes, perhaps you'll eat the food we give you now!
Little Two-Eyes. Oh, my poor little goat! What shall I do without it!
Mother. Go to bed, and to-morrow morning you shall go to the hillside alone. And you must stay there all day, too.
Scene VIII.—On the Hillside
Little Two-Eyes. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! my poor goat is dead! Now I shall be hungry and lonely too! Where shall I go, and what can I do?
Little Wood Fairy. Little Two-Eyes, why are you weeping?
Little Two-Eyes. Because my mother has killed my poor goat, and she has sent me here to stay all alone, and I am so hungry and thirsty again.
Little Wood Fairy. Little Two-Eyes, let me tell you what to do. Ask your sisters to give you the heart of your goat. Bury it in the ground before the house door. Watch, and to-morrow a wonderful tree will come up out of the ground.
Little Two-Eyes. Thank you, dear little woman! I'll go home and do as you have told me.
Scene IX.—At Home
Little Two-Eyes. Little One-Eye and little Three-Eyes, please let me have the heart of my goat!
One-Eye. Certainly, if that is all you want.
Three-Eyes. Here it is, but I don't see what you want it for!
Little Two-Eyes (goes to door). Now I'll plant it as the little woman told me. I wonder what kind of a tree will appear to-morrow? Poor little goat, I'm so sorry you have gone! Now I must go into the house and try to sleep.
Scene X.—In the Garden
Little One-Eye. Mamma, mamma, look here! Come quickly! Isn't this a wonderful tree!
Mother. Why, how strange! This tree was not here yesterday. I wonder how it came! I never saw such a beautiful tree before!
Little One-Eye. Do you see the golden apples on it? O mamma! may we have some? Please, mother!
Mother. Yes, dear little One-Eye. You are the oldest, climb up into the tree and pick some golden apples for us.
One-Eye. That will be fun. Here I go!
Mother. Why don't you get the apples, little One-Eye?
Little One-Eye. They all get away from me. When I try to pick one it springs back!
Mother. Come down, little One-Eye. Now little Three-Eyes, you can see better with your three eyes, than your sister with her one eye. You may climb up and get some apples for us.
Little Three-Eyes. I'll pick a lot of them and throw them down for you to catch. Why, how funny they act! I almost get one and it always springs away!
Mother. Come down and let me try. I never heard of fruit that would not be picked. Now children, I'll get some of the lovely apples for you. There! Why, what is the matter? I can't reach a single apple.
Little Two-Eyes. Let me try; perhaps I can pick some.
Mother. You, with your two eyes! How can you expect to get them if we can't?
Little Two-Eyes. Please let me try, mother.
Mother. Well, I suppose you can try, but I know you can't get them.
Two-Eyes. Here they are. Catch them, mother; catch them, little One-Eye! Oh, mother! I see a young man on horseback coming along the road. He looks like a prince.
Mother. Hurry down, little Two-Eyes! He must not see you,—a girl with two eyes! I'm ashamed of you. Hide under this barrel!
[The prince rides up.]
Prince. Good morning, ladies, what a lovely tree you have here! She who gives me a branch shall have whatever she wishes.
Little One-Eye. The tree is ours, Great Prince; but when we try to get its fruit, it slips away from us.
Prince. It is strange, if the tree belongs to you, that you cannot get the fruit! But where do these apples come from?
Little Three-Eyes. We have another sister, but she has only two eyes and we are ashamed of her; so we hid her under this barrel, and she has rolled the apples out to you.
Prince. Little Two-Eyes, come out. Can you get me a branch from this wonderful tree?
Little Two-Eyes. Yes, Prince; here is a branch with many golden apples on it.
Prince. And what is your wish, little Two-Eyes?
Little Two-Eyes. O Prince! My mother and my sisters are ashamed of me and do not treat me well. They do not give me enough to eat and they do not like to have me near them. Please take me away where I can be happy and free!
Prince. Come with me, little Two-Eyes; you shall go to my father's palace and be a little princess. There you will be happy and free and never be hungry or lonely again.
THE DAYS OF THE WEEK
THE WEEK—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Monday. Well, I am glad to be here at last. Certainly my work is very important. As the first working day of the week, I begin all business; and I have always heard that if a thing is well begun, it is half done. People call me Moon-day—isn't that a pretty name, the day of the moon? How beautiful the moon is, riding in her silver chariot across the dark blue sky! I am proud of my name. The moon is constantly changing and I like change. I like brightness and cleanliness too, and good housewives wash their clothes on Monday. How white and clean they look hanging on the line! The sun and wind play hide and seek and help to cleanse the clothes. School begins on Monday and the little children run and laugh on their way to school. Every one seems happy that another week has begun.
Tuesday. I am named for Tui, the god of war. In the countries of the north I am greatly honored by all the people. Soldiers when going to war call on Tui for help, and they like to begin a battle on Tuesday. Monday likes to begin work, but I like to make some progress. The children always know their lessons better on Tuesday, and are happier than on Monday. The white clothes are sprinkled and rolled, and now the maids iron the pretty baby dresses and the house linen. They sing and laugh over their work. The world is all running smoothly on Tuesday, and I think I like my work the best.
Wednesday. I should be the best of days, for I am named for Woden, or Odin, the king of the gods. The hardest work of the week is finished when I come, and there is time for a rest. Perhaps mother will bake a special cake for dinner. To-day the children take their music lessons, and the boys go for a lesson in swimming or gymnastic exercise. This is the day young people choose for their wedding day, and you don't know how glad I am to be a part of their happiness. I believe I have more sunshine than the other days, for Woden likes to have clear skies and health-giving breezes. I would not change with any of my sister days.
Thursday. I bring the thunder and the lightning, and I cleave the dark clouds with my rapid flashes. I glory in a storm, for Thor, the god of thunder, has chosen me for his day, and I bear his name. A life of ease and quiet has no charms for me. I like the din and crash of war, the noise and hurry of business. The fury of the heavens, the crash of falling trees, the roaring of waters,—what can give greater pleasure? Business thrives on Thursday. Men rush to and fro, buying and selling, building great houses, digging in the mines, and sailing the seas. Life and action are my delight. Hurrah for Thor's day!
Friday. After the bustle and work of the week I come to clean and settle all disturbances. Now dirt and dust must disappear under the broom and brush. How the windows shine and how spotless is the hearth! Children rake up the leaves and burn them; all rubbish must be cleared away. Order and neatness I love; and so does Freya, for whom I am named. She is the goddess of beauty, and there is no beauty where neatness and order are absent. Some say that I am an unlucky day, but that is a mistake. See what wonderful things have happened on my day, what great men have been born on Friday! I am the last school day of the week, and to-day the children may forget lessons and play outdoors a little longer. To-day the family gather for a story at the twilight hour, and all is rest and happiness.
Saturday. I am the jolly day of the week. "School is out!" the children cry, and all day long they sing and call to each other in their games. To-day I smell the cakes and pies cooking in the range, for Saturday is baking day. How the little children love to watch mother stirring the cake and frosting, and how they beg to clean the sweet stuff out of the bowl. Father comes home earlier to-day, and all go for a walk in the woods or park. All men need a holiday, for "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." The boys play ball and run and shout in their joy. The girls have little parties, and cook gives them some fresh cakes. I am named for Saetere, god of the harvest, and he is always merry. So I wish all people to be happy on Saturday, the play day of the week.
Sunday. You have all spoken well, my sisters, and each one has some claim to be the best day of the week. How fine it is that every day holds some special joy in work or play! But you all know the highest joy is mine. I am named for the golden sun that gives light to the world. On Sunday men think of the inner light that makes them love the good and the true and persuades them to do right. To-day the family is united, and in the morning with fresh garments and happy faces they seek the knowledge of a higher life. Around the dinner table they talk happily together of their work and play, and they plan how they may do better work during the next week. Love and peace are in all hearts. A desire to help the weak and poor and sad is in every soul. I am happy and blest to be Sunday.
HÄNSEL AND GRETEL
PERSONS IN THE PLAY—Hänsel, Gretel, Mother, Father, The Gingerbread Witch, Sandman, Children
Scene I.—In the Cottage
Hänsel. I wish mother would come home! I'm cold and hungry. I'm tired of bread. I want some milk and sugar.
Gretel. Hush, Hänsel; don't be cross!
Hänsel. If we only had something good to eat: eggs, and butter and meat. Oh, dear!
Gretel. Dear Hänsel, if you will stop crying, I'll tell you a secret.
Hänsel. Oh, what is it? Something nice?
Gretel. Yes, indeed. Look in this jug! It is full of milk. Mother will make us a pudding for supper.
Hänsel. Goody, goody! How thick the cream is! Let me taste it.
Gretel. Aren't you ashamed, you naughty boy! Take your finger out of the cream. We must go back to work. When mother comes she will be cross if you have not finished the broom.
Hänsel. I'll not work any more. I want to dance.
Gretel. So do I. I like to dance better than to work. Come, let us dance and sing.
Brother, come and dance with me,
Both my hands I offer thee;
Right foot first,
Left foot then,
Round about and back again.
Hänsel. I can't dance. Show me what I ought to do.
Gretel. Look at me. Do this.
With your foot you tap, tap, tap!
With your hands you clap, clap, clap!
Right foot first,
Left foot then,
Round about and back again.
Hänsel (dancing).
With your hands you clap, clap, clap!
With your foot you tap, tap, tap!
Right foot first,
Left foot then,
Round about and back again.
Gretel. That is fine, brotherkin! Soon you will dance as well as I. Come, try again.
With your head you nick, nick, nick!
With your fingers click, click, click!
Right foot first,
Left foot then,
Round about and back again.
Hänsel.
O Gretel dear, O sister dear,
Come dance and sing with me.
Gretel.
O Hänsel dear, O brother dear,
Come dance and sing with me.
Tra, la, la, tra, la, la,
La, la, la, la, tra, la, la.
[Knocks down the milk.]
Mother (enters). What is all this noise?
Gretel. 'Twas Hänsel. He wanted—
Hänsel. 'Twas Gretel. She said I—
Mother. Hush, you noisy children! What work have you done? Gretel, your stocking is not done yet; and where are your brooms, you lazy Hans? You have knocked over the milk too! What shall we have for supper? Lazy folks can't stay in my house. Take the basket and go to the woods for strawberries. And don't dare to come back without them! Off with you! and be quick too!
[The children go out. Mother sits weeping.]
Oh! I am so tired and hungry. Nothing in the house to eat. What shall I do for the poor hungry children—Oh, dear, what can I do!
[Goes to sleep, crying.]
Father (enters, singing).
Hillo, hilloo, hillo, hilloo,
Little mother, where are you?
Mother (looking up). Who is singing and making so much noise?
Father. I called you, for I am hungry and want my supper.
Mother. Your supper! with nothing in the house to eat and nothing to drink.
Father. Let us see. Open your eyes and look in my basket. Cheer up, mother!
Mother. What do I see? Ham and butter and flour and sausage! Where did you get all these good things, father?
Father. Hurrah, won't we have a merry time, won't we have a happy time? I sold so many brooms at the fair that I could buy you all these good things and some tea besides.
Mother. Tea! how good it smells and how glad I am! Now I will cook the supper.
Father. But where are the children? Hänsel! Gretel! Where are they?
Mother. Oh, the bad children! They did no work and they were singing and dancing and spilled the milk, so I sent them to the woods to pick some strawberries for supper.
Father. Laughing and dancing! Why should you be angry? Where have they gone?
Father. To the mountain! the home of the witch!
Mother. What do you mean? The witch?
Father. Yes, the old witch of the mountain turns all children to gingerbread and then she eats them.
Mother. Eats them! Oh, my children, my pretty little children! Come, we must find them! Hänsel, Gretel, where are you?
[Runs out.]
Father. I will go with you, mother. Don't cry! we will surely find them.
[Goes out.]
Scene II.—In the Forest
Hänsel, Gretel
Gretel. See, my wreath is nearly done.
Hänsel. And the basket is filled with strawberries. Won't mother be pleased? We will have them for supper.
Gretel. Let me put the wreath on you!
Hänsel. No, no! boys don't wear wreaths. Put it on your own head. You shall be queen of the woods.
Gretel. Then I must have a nosegay, too.
Hänsel. Now you have a scepter and a crown. You shall have some strawberries, too. Don't they taste good?
Gretel. Let me feed you.
Hänsel. And I'll feed you. Don't be greedy!
Gretel. Oh, Hänsel, the berries are all gone. What naughty children we are! We must pick some more now for mother.
Hänsel. I don't care, I was so hungry. But it is too late to pick strawberries now. Let us go home.
Gretel. Let us hurry; it is dark and I'm afraid.
Hänsel. Pooh, I'm not afraid. But I can't see the way. Gretel, we're lost!
Hänsel. What?
Gretel. That shining there in the dark!
Hänsel. Pshaw, don't be afraid! That is a birch tree in its silver dress.
Gretel. There, see! a lantern is coming this way.
Hänsel. That is a will-of-the-wisp with its little candle.
Gretel. I'm frightened, I'm frightened! I wish I were home!
Hänsel. Gretelkin, stick close to me! I'll take care of you.
Gretel. See! what is that little man in gray?
Hänsel. I see him, too. I wonder who he is!
Sandman (comes).
With my little bag of sand
By every child's bedside I stand.
Then little tired eyelids close,
And little limbs have sweet repose.
Then from the starry sphere above
The angels come with peace and love.
Then slumber, children, slumber,
For happy dreams are sent you
Through the hours you sleep.
[Goes away.]
Hänsel. I'm sleepy. Let us go to sleep.
Gretel. Let us say our prayers first.
Both.
When at night I go to sleep
Fourteen angels watch do keep:
Two my head are guarding,
Two my feet are guiding,
Two are on my right hand,
Two are on my left hand,
Two who warmly cover,
Two who o'er me hover,
Two to whom 'tis given
To guide my steps to Heaven.
Gretel. Good night, dear brother.
Hänsel. Good night, dear sister. Don't be afraid. I'll take care of you.
[They sleep.]
Scene III.—In the Wood—Morning
Hänsel. Wake up, dear little sister! The birds are singing and it is time to get up!
Gretel. I'm awake, dear brother. Come, let us hurry home.
Hänsel. Here is a path! Oh, Gretel, look at the pretty house!
Gretel. A cottage all made of chocolate creams!
Hänsel. The house seems to smile!
Gretel. It looks good enough to eat.
Hänsel. Let's nibble it!
[A voice within the house.]
Nibble, nibble, manikin!
Who's nibbling at my housekin?
Hänsel. Oh, did you hear?
Gretel. It's the wind!
Hänsel. Never mind, let us eat the cake. I'm hungry. Take a bite! Isn't it good?
Gretel. Yes, and look at the candy! What a funny fence this is! It looks like little boys and girls made of gingerbread with sugar trimmings. I wonder who lives in this house?
[The Gingerbread Woman comes out of the house and speaks.]
You've come to visit me, that is sweet,
You charming children, so good to eat!
Hänsel. Who are you, ugly one? Let me go!
Gretel. Take your arms away from me!
The Gingerbread Witch. Come into my house, little children! You may have sugarplums and peaches and cherries and candies and everything nice that little folks like!
Hänsel. No, I won't! I don't want to go into your house. I want to go home!
Gretel. I don't like you, Mrs. Gingerbread! You aren't nice like my mother. I want to go home to my own mother!
The Gingerbread Witch. Come, dear little Gretel. You must go in with me. We'll leave Hänsel in this little house outside. He must get fatter, so we will give him many good things to eat. Get in, Hänsel. I must lock you in!
Hänsel. What are you going to do with me?
The Gingerbread Witch. I'll fatten you up nicely and then you will see! Now I'll go inside for some sugarplums. You wait here, Gretel, until I come back. Hocus, pocus, malus locus! now you can't move!
[Goes in.]
Hänsel. Listen, Gretel! Watch the old witch and see everything she does to me. Hush, she's coming back!
The Gingerbread Witch. Now, Hans, eat this raisin. It will make you fat! Now, Gretel, you have stood still long enough.
Hocus, pocus, elder bush!
Rigid body loosen, hush!
Then, Gretel, you must come with me, but Hans cannot move until he gets nice and fat like you. Run in, little daughter, and get some more nuts and raisins for him. I like plump little bodies like yours!
[Gretel goes in.]
Hänsel. Please let me out, Mrs. Gingerbread.
The Gingerbread Witch. When you are fatter. Now I must look to my fire. It is burning well, and the oven will soon be hot enough to bake my dinner. When I change my gingerbread I'll pop little Gretel in and shut the door.
[Gretel comes in very quietly and goes to Hans.]
Gretel.
Hocus, pocus, elder bush!
Rigid body loosen, hush!
The Gingerbread Witch. What are you saying?
Gretel. Oh, nothing,—only,—
The Gingerbread Witch. Only what?
Gretel. Only, much good may it do to Hans!
The Gingerbread Witch. Poor Hans is too thin, but I hope the raisins and nuts will be good for him. But, you, my plump little Gretel, are just fat enough—come, peep in the oven and see if the gingerbread is ready!
Hänsel (softly).
Sister dear, have a care;
She means to hurt you, so beware!
Gretel (shyly). I don't understand what I am to do!
The Gingerbread Witch. Do? Why, open the oven door!
Hänsel. Sister dear, now take care!
Gretel. I'm such a goose, I don't understand.
The Gingerbread Witch. Do as I say, it's only play! This is the way.
[Opens the door and looks in oven. Hans and Gretel run and push her in.]
Children sing. One little push, bang goes the door, clang! Now, let us be happy, dancing so merrily. Hurrah! Hurrah!
Hänsel. Why, see the children, Gretel. The fence is moving! The gingerbread children are real children, but their eyes are shut!
The Children. We are saved! We are saved!
Gretel. Who are you? Why do you keep your eyes shut? You're sleeping and yet you are talking!
The Children. O touch us, we pray, that we may awake!
Hänsel. The witch has changed them into gingerbread children. I know what to do. Let us say what the witch said to you, and what you said to me!
Hänsel and Gretel.
Hocus, pocus, elder bush!
Rigid body loosen, hush!
The Children. (Opening their eyes and running toward Hänsel and Gretel.) We thank you, we thank you both!
Gretel. Oh, I am so glad!
The Children. The spell is broken and we are free. The witch can do us no more harm. Come, let us shout for glee!
Hänsel.
Come, children all, and form a ring,
Join hands together, while we sing.
Gretel. Oh, Hänsel dear, I wish father and mother were here!
Hänsel. Look, Gretel! There they are!
[Father and Mother enter.]
Father. Why, mother, the children are here! Come, my dear Hänsel and Gretel! How glad I am we have found you safe and well!
Hänsel. Oh, father, we must tell you all about the Gingerbread Witch!
Mother. My dear children, were you frightened?
Gretel. Yes, mother, I was. But, mother, Hänsel comforted me, and we said our prayers and went to sleep.
Mother. The good angels watched over you and brought you back! Come, let us go to the village and take all these dear children to their mothers. Won't they be surprised and happy to see their dear children again?
Father. Come, children!
