Little Dramas for Primary Grades

by Ada M. Skinner; Lillian Nixon Lawrence

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.