Eight [fingers, two thumbs and two arms,] keep moving. Eight, &c.
Eight [fingers, two thumbs, two arms and one foot,] keep moving. Eight, &c.
Eight [fingers, two thumbs, two arms, and two feet,] keep moving. Eight, &c.
Eight [fingers, two thumbs, two arms, two feet, and your head,] keep moving. Eight, &c.
The words in brackets must be sung on one note, as in chants; and each line must be repeated three times, as arranged under the above notes. The person selected to commence this game must arrange all the players in a circle, either seated or standing as he directs. Each must follow the motions of the leader, and join him in singing. When the leader is ready to commence the game he must clap his hands. He then begins to move his fore-finger and thumb, and sings the words as arranged at the beginning of these directions. All the motions he makes must correspond with the words he sings, and each player must imitate his motions, and continue them through the game. All the fingers, thumbs, arms, feet and heads in the room will soon be in motion. The effect of this game is quite laughable. The persons joining in this play can recite the words without singing, if they prefer.
“YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A GOOSE.”
This play consists in telling a story for the amusement of little children, and at the same time drawing figures on a slate or paper in illustration of it. For instance, “An old man and his wife lived in a little cabin. I will draw it with my pencil, so that you may know it. There it is, (here make a picture of the cabin.) This cabin had a window, which I will make thus, (here put in the window.) Near the window was a projecting door, like this, (here put in the door.) On the side opposite the door was a road, bordered on one side by a hedge, (draw the road and hedge.) This road terminated in a large pond, (mark out the pond,) and herbs grew round it, (mark them.) One night some robbers came to the further end of the pond, (make some marks for robbers.) The old woman heard them and told her husband to get up and see what was the matter. The old people walked down to the side of the pond, (make marks for the old people on the side of the pond.) Each of them held out a hand to caution the other to keep silence, (mark the hands.) But they did not hear anything, for the robbers had taken fright and had run away. After standing out in the cold for a long time, the old man said to his wife, ‘Go along back to the house, you are nothing but a goose.’ At this point you hold up your paper and it will be seen that you have made a picture of a goose. The subjoined cut illustrates the progress of the picture.”
While telling the story you must be careful that the lookers-on see the growing picture sideways, or upside down; otherwise they may suspect your design before the picture is complete. Other simple stories can be illustrated in like manner.