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LITTLE DRAMAS FOR PRIMARY GRADES

BY

ADA MARIA SKINNER

ST. AGATHA SCHOOL, NEW YORK CITY

AND

LILLIAN NIXON LAWRENCE

AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY

Copyright, 1913, BY

ADA M. SKINNER AND LILLIAN N. LAWRENCE.

Copyright, 1913, in Great Britain.

LITTLE DRAMAS FOR PRIMARY GRADES.

W. P. I

PREFATORY NOTE

The use of dramatic readers has passed beyond the experimental stage. Their value in arousing interest, in stirring the imagination, in quickening literary appreciation and power of interpretation, has been so clearly demonstrated as to make them permanent textbooks in the elementary schools, and more particularly in the primary grades. The present difficulty consists, therefore, not in uncertainty of the value of dramatic literature, but in the inadequacy of the supply. The need of suitable literary material in good dramatic form for the primary grades is still very great. This little book has been compiled as one step toward meeting this need at least in one particular school, but it is hoped that it may prove of service in many other schools. It is intended for use at the end of the first, and at the beginning of the second, year.

EMMA G. SEBRING.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For permission to use copyright material in this volume, acknowledgments and thanks are proffered to authors and publishers, as follows:

To Laura E. Richards, for the adaptation from her story, “The New Year”; to Dodd, Mead & Co. for “Mabel and the Green Lizard,” adapted from “The Adventures of Mabel,” by H. T. Peck; to G. P. Putnam’s Sons, of New York and London, for the selection by Judge Parry from “The Golden Staircase”; to Longmans, Green, & Co. for “The Odd Man and the Dog True”; and to John Lane Company for “Return of Spring,” by Dion Clayton Calthrop.

CONTENTS

BUNNY RABBIT AND THE LION

Characters—Lion, Rabbit, Mother Deer, Elephant, Camel, Jackal, other animals

Scene I—The Forest

Mother Deer. Brave Lion, give me back my little deer.

Lion. I will not. The deer is mine.

Mother Deer. O Lion, it is the only one I have. I beg of you, give it back to me.

Lion. A lion does not give back what he has taken. Be off, or I will eat you.

Scene II—Another Part of the Forest

Mother Deer. Can you not help me, animals? The lion has taken my little deer, the only one I had.

Elephant. I am sorry for you. But the lion is the king of the forest. He takes what he will and keeps what he likes. I cannot help you.

Mother Deer. [Goes on.] Can you not help me, Camel? You are always kind and gentle.

Camel. The lion did wrong to take your deer. He did a great wrong, but I cannot help you.

Mother Deer. [Goes on.] Surely, little jackal, you will help me.

Jackal. Sh! Sh! I’m afraid of the lion, myself. We’ve never been very good friends. I wish I could help you. Let me see. I have it! Go to Bunny Rabbit. He’s a little creature, but he’s wise and brave.

Mother Deer. You say he’s wise?

Jackal. He is.

Mother Deer. And brave?

Jackal. He is.

Mother Deer. Then I will go at once.

Scene III—In Front of Bunny Rabbit’s Burrow

Bunny Rabbit. Good morning, Mother Deer. What is the matter?

Mother Deer. Bunny Rabbit, that wicked lion stole my little deer and will not give it to me. I asked the forest animals to help me, but none was brave enough to do so.

Bunny Rabbit. Not even the elephant, or the camel, or the jackal?

Mother Deer. Not one. I asked them all. They all said they were sorry. But I believe they are all afraid of the lion.

Bunny Rabbit. Why did you come to me? I’m such a little creature.

Mother Deer. The jackal told me you are wise and brave, and he said that you would help me.

Bunny Rabbit. Tell them all to meet in front of my burrow. We will talk it over and see what can be done. [Mother Deer goes away, and Bunny Rabbit digs a long passage under the ground and then comes out behind a bush.]

Scene IV—In Front of the Burrow

[Bunny Rabbit and all the animals. Lion watching in the distance. Only Elephant and Camel see him.]

Bunny Rabbit. Elephant, do you think the lion should keep the little deer?

Elephant. The lion is king of the forest, and he should keep the little deer.

Bunny Rabbit. Camel, what do you say?

Camel. Dear me. What can I say? It is all wrong. But I’m sure he

should keep what he stole.

Bunny Rabbit. How you tremble, little jackal! What do you say?

Jackal. [Seeing the lion.] Oh! Do I tremble? No, yes, no, yes, yes. I think he should keep the deer.

Bunny Rabbit. [In a loud voice.] The lion should not keep the deer! The lion is a wicked thief! [Lion springs at him. Bunny Rabbit darts down into the burrow.]

Lion. [Looking into the burrow.] Gone down there, has he? Well, I’ll fix him. I’ll stay right here until he comes out. I’ll stay, and stay, and stay, until I starve him out.

Scene V—Another Part of the Forest

Bunny Rabbit. Run, Mother Deer, and get your little one.

Mother Deer. Won’t that wicked lion come again?

Bunny Rabbit. No, no! He’s going to stay in front of my burrow until I come out. Ha! ha! He’ll starve to death himself if he waits for that! Ha! ha! [Mother Deer runs to the little deer, and both escape into the forest.]

THE ODD MAN AND THE DOG TRUE

Characters—Odd Man, True, Big Black Dog

Odd Man. [To the dog.] Who are you, and why do you come into my cave?

True. I am a poor dog, sir, who has lost his way. Will you be so kind as to tell me how I may get out?

Odd Man. No, I will not. But I will tell you what you may do if you like. You may stay here in my cave and work for me.

True. I will do that if you will not let me out. But what work do you wish me to do?

Odd Man. Well, well, you see I have here a great bag full of gold. I have to sit on it all the time.

True. Why must you sit on it?

Odd Man. I will tell you. Near my cave lives an ogre. This ogre wants to kill me so that he can get my gold.

True. Dear me!

Odd Man. If I go to sleep or move away he will try to get at me. I am just worn out for want of rest.

True. Dear me! How can I help you?

Odd Man. Well, if you would stay by me and watch for the ogre, I might take a short nap.

True. I will do that! And you, sir, go to sleep. [Odd Man goes to sleep. Big Black Dog enters.]

Big Black Dog. Good day, little dog. How do you do?

True. I am very well, I thank you; but who are you?

Big Black Dog. My name is Nip, and I have come to show you the way out of this cave. Let us run now!

True. No; I said I would take care of this cave for the Odd Man, and I will do it.

Big Black Dog. But the Odd Man is asleep. He will not see you. Come, now, come along with me!

True. No, I will not go.

Big Black Dog. Then give me a bone, will you?

True. I cannot, for they are not mine; the Odd Man may give you one, by and by. [Big Black Dog goes to get a bone.]

True. Bow-wow-wow!

Odd Man. [Opening his eyes.] What was that? You woke me out of my nap.

True. Oh, sir, it was a big black dog. It came into the cave and was stealing a bone.

Odd Man. Oh! That was the ogre in the dress of a black dog. Here, you may have a bone. You were a good dog to bark and wake me up. What more can I do to show you how glad I am?

True. Oh, sir, may I go out of the cave now? I want to see a nice, nice cat that is waiting outside.

Odd Man. Very well, good dog. The ogre will not come back again, and I can take a good nap. Here is a door in the side of the cave. I will open it, and you can go.—Good-by.

THE OWL AND GRASSHOPPER GREEN

Scene—In the Meadow

Grasshopper Green. Creak, creak, creak, c-r-e-a-k!

Owl. Won’t you keep quiet? I can’t sleep with your “creak, creak.”

Grasshopper Green. No, I will not keep quiet. Creak, creak, creak!

Owl. Then go away from here. Go into the grass field over there, if you must sing.

Grasshopper Green. I shall do nothing of the sort. I have as much right to sing as you have to sleep. Creak, creak! Besides, you have never done anything for me. Creak, creak, creak, c-r-e-a-k!

Owl. [To himself.] Such a saucy grasshopper green!

Grasshopper Green. Creak, c-r-e-a-k!

Owl. [Later.] Well, Grasshopper Green, you have a wonderful voice!

Grasshopper Green. I have indeed. Creak, creak, creak, c-r-e-a-k!

Owl. Now that I am awake, I love to hear you sing.

Grasshopper Green. C-r-e-a-k!

Owl. Let me give you some of the sweet honey I have here in my tree. Honey is good for the voice.

[The grasshopper goes to the owl.]

Owl. Snap!

SOMEWHERE TOWN

First Child. Which is the way to Somewhere Town?

Second Child. Oh, up in the morning early.
Over the tiles and the chimney pots,
That is the way quite clearly.

First Child. And which is the door to Somewhere Town?

Second Child. Oh, up in the morning early.
The round red sun is the door to go through;
That is the way quite clearly.

—Kate Greenaway.

THE TIMID HARE

Characters

Timid Hare

Camel

Sheep

Deer

Brother Hare

Elephant

Lion

Timid Hare. Oh dear! Oh dear! If the sky were to fall, what would happen to me? Oh, what would happen to me! What is that noise? Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh, I am sure the sky is falling! It is! It is! It is! [Timid Hare runs.]

Brother Hare. Why are you running away, little hare?

Timid Hare. Oh, I have no time to talk. The sky is falling!

Brother Hare. [Frightened.] Oh dear! Oh dear! The sky is falling!

Deer. Why, what is the matter, little hare?

Timid Hare. Oh, I have no time to talk. The sky is falling.

Deer. [Frightened.] What shall I do?

Sheep. Where are you going, little hare? Why do you run so fast?

Timid Hare. Oh, the sky is falling!

Sheep. [Frightened.] Dear me, dear me!

Camel. Stop a minute, little hare! What’s the matter?

Timid Hare. Oh, I have no time to talk. The sky is falling.

Camel. [Frightened.] No, no, it can’t be.

Elephant. Why do you run so fast, little hare? What has happened?

Timid Hare. I have no time to talk. The sky is falling.

Elephant. Can that be true?

Lion. What is this you say?

Timid Hare. I have no time to talk. The sky is falling.

Lion. How do you know this?

Timid Hare. I saw it.

Lion. Where did you see it?

Timid Hare. There, by that tree.

Lion. Oh, what nonsense! There are no signs that the sky is falling. Come with me and I’ll show you.

Timid Hare. No, no, I must hurry along. I am afraid to go back.

Lion. Yes, you shall come with me to that tree. I will take you there myself. [Lion and hare go to the tree.]

Lion. There, do you see? The sky is not falling. A little acorn fell upon a leaf. It made the noise that frightened you. Let us go back now, and tell the other animals.

MABEL AND THE GREEN LIZARD

Characters—Grandma, Mabel, Lizard, Wolf

Scene I—Mabel’s Home

Mabel. Grandma, may I go to the woods to pick some berries for supper?

Grandma. Yes, but be sure to come home before dark. There are animals in the woods, Mabel. They prowl around after dark.

Mabel. Oh, I’m not afraid. I’ll come home before night.

Scene II—In the Woods

Mabel. Dear me! How dark it is getting. I must hurry home. [Hears a little squeaking sound.] What’s that? [Sees a little green lizard with a stone on its tail.] Oh, you poor little lizard! Let me lift that stone from your tail. [Takes stone off.]

Lizard. Thank you. You are a very kind child.

Mabel. Oh! I didn’t know that lizards could talk!

Lizard. Some lizards can’t. But I am the king of all the lizards. I am going to do something for you because you lifted the stone from my tail.

Mabel. I was very glad to do it.

Lizard. I am going to do something for you that I wouldn’t do for any other little girl. It’s this: I’m going to teach you the animal call. Then you will understand everything the animals say to you, and they will know what you say to them.

Mabel. What fun!

Lizard. Just listen. [Gives a low whistle.] Now you do it after me. [Mabel tries.] Try again, Mabel. [She tries again and again.] Good, that’s it! Now if you wish any animal to be your friend, just whistle that way to him. That’s the call of all the animals. Good-by. [Lizard goes away.]

Mabel. Well, that’s the funniest thing I ever heard of. But, dear me, how dark it is getting. I must run home. [Starts homeward. Hears howl.]

Wolf. [Howls.] O-ooo-w.

Mabel. What’s that? Oh! it’s a wolf. I’m so frightened! What shall I do? I’ll give the call.

[Whistles.]

Wolf. [Answers.] O-ooo-w! O-ooo-w!

[Wolf comes to Mabel.]

Mabel. Wolf, I want you to be my friend.

Wolf. To be sure, I will be.

Mabel. I’ve lost my way. Please show me the way home. I live at grandma’s.

Wolf. I know where you live. I’ve seen you playing there many times. Put your hand on my neck, and I’ll show you the way. [Mabel does so.]

Scene III—Edge of the Wood

Wolf. There is your home; and your grandma is waiting for you.

Mabel. Thank you very much. I knew you were a good wolf. You wouldn’t hurt a little girl, would you?

Wolf. I wouldn’t hurt you.

Mabel. Good night, Wolf.

Wolf. Good night.

Scene IV—Mabel’s Home

Grandma. Mabel! Mabel! Mabel!

Mabel. Yes, Grandma.

Grandma. Where have you been so long?

Mabel. I’ve been in the woods. Oh, Grandma. I left my basket of strawberries there.

Grandma. Never mind. We can go to-morrow and get them. I was so frightened! Your uncle told me only yesterday he saw a wolf in the woods. Just think if you had met him to-day! He would have eaten you up, every bit of you.

Mabel. Oh, Grandma! I’m sure all wolves don’t eat little girls.

THE MAIDEN AND THE BIRD

Maiden. Little bird, little bird, come to me,
I have a green cage ready for thee,
Beauty-bright flowers I’ll bring anew
And fresh ripe cherries all wet with dew.

Bird. Thanks, little maiden, for all thy care,
But I love dearly the clear cool air
And my snug little nest in the old oak tree.

Maiden. Little bird, little bird, stay with me!

Bird. Nay, little damsel,—away I’ll fly
To greener fields and warmer sky;
When spring returns with pattering rain,
You’ll hear my merry song again.

Maiden. Little bird, little bird, who’ll guide thee,
Over the hills and over the sea?
Foolish one, come in the house to stay,
For I’m very sure you’ll lose your way.

Bird. Ah, no, little maiden, God guides me,
Over the hills and over the sea.
I will be free as the rushing air,
And sing of sunshine everywhere.

—Lydia Maria Child.

THE LITTLE FISH

Fisherman. Aha! I have you at last, little fish.

Little Fish. O Mr. Fisherman, please put me back into the water.

Fisherman. Put you back? No, I will not!

Little Fish. I beg you, put me back. I am so little.

Fisherman. It has taken me a long time to catch you. Put you back, indeed! I think not.

Little Fish. But I am so little. Put me back and wait until I have grown to be a large fish. Then I will make you a very good meal.

Fisherman. [Thoughtfully.] True, my little fish, true. But where shall I find you when you have grown larger?

—African Fable.

BELLING THE CAT

Characters—Old Mouse, Three Young Mice

Old Mouse. Oh dear, dear, dear! That old cat ate Squeak Nibble to-day. What can we do?

Second Mouse. Well, we must do something! She’ll eat us all, one by one!

Third Mouse. How can we keep her from catching all the rest of us?

Fourth Mouse. Yes, how can we? If we could only know when she is coming. Her paws are so soft that we cannot hear her.

Second Mouse. I have it! One of us will watch her all the time. When the cat is coming he must squeak as loud as he can.

Old Mouse. Watch her, indeed! She’d soon catch that little mouse.

Fourth Mouse. No, that will never do.

Third Mouse. Let’s stay in our holes. Then she’ll starve to death.

All the Mice. Ha-ha-ha! A fine plan.

Old Mouse. A fine plan, indeed! Do you think the cat eats nothing but mice? And how should we get anything to eat if we stayed in our holes?

Fourth Mouse. My friends, listen to me. Let us hang a bell round her neck. That will tell us when she is coming. Then we can run and hide.

Second Mouse. Good, good!

Third Mouse. The very thing!

Fourth Mouse. Nothing could be better.

Old Mouse. [Thoughtfully.] But who will hang the bell on the cat’s neck?

[Silence.]

Second Mouse. I will not.

Third Mouse. Not this little mouse.

Old Mouse. But some one must do it. Who will?

All. Sure enough, who?

THE FOX AND THE CROW

Characters—Fox and Crow

Crow. Ah! Some one has left a bit of cheese for me. I’ll fly up into that tree and eat it.

Fox. [To himself.] That cheese is for me, as sure as I am a fox.

[Goes to the tree.]

Good day, Mistress Crow.
How well you are looking.
What bright eyes you have.
I am sure your voice must be sweet.
Just let me hear you sing one song.

[Crow lifts her head.]

Crow. Caw—caw—caw.

Fox. [Snaps up cheese.] That bit of cheese was all I wanted.

HANS AND GRETCHEN

Characters—Hans, Gretchen, Red Fox

Scene I—In the Woods

Red Fox. Help me out! Help me out, little Hans. I am caught in this trap. Help me out, and it shall be well with you.

Hans. To be sure. I’ll let you out. There!

Red Fox. You are very kind. If you have a wish, tell me what it is and it shall be granted.

Hans. Oh, as to that, I wish my pail here were full of berries. My sister and I are very hungry.

Red Fox. Your wish is granted. Look into your pail! [Hans runs home.]

Scene II—At Home

Hans. See, Gretchen dear, what fine berries I have brought.

Gretchen. Oh, what big ones! Where did you get them in so short a time?

Hans. It was the fox, Gretchen. He was caught in a trap. I let him out. He said I might have whatever I wished for, and I wished for berries. Aren’t you glad?

Gretchen. Foolish boy! Why didn’t you ask for something better? If he could fill your pail with berries just for the asking, he could do far greater things.

Hans. But don’t you like the berries, Gretchen?

Gretchen. When we eat them there will be nothing left. Go back and tell the fox that you wish to have the cupboard always full of food.

Hans. Be satisfied, dear sister. We are quite happy as we are.

Gretchen. No, I will not be satisfied. You must do as I tell you.

Scene III—In the Woods

Red Fox. How now, little Hans? Is it not well with you?

Hans. Alas! My sister is not satisfied. She asked me to come to you again.

Red Fox. What does she wish?

Hans. She wishes that our cupboard may be always full.

Red Fox. Go home, little Hans. It shall be as she wishes.

Scene IV—At Home (the Next Day)

Hans. Why are you unhappy again, Gretchen? Come, let us play.

Gretchen. Why should I be happy? We have no toys, only sticks and stones for playthings. Go to the fox and tell him I wish for some beautiful toys to play with.

Hans. Be satisfied, little Gretchen. We are quite happy as we are.

Gretchen. No, I will not be satisfied.

Scene V—In the Woods

Red Fox. How now, little Hans? Is it not well with you?

Hans. Alas! My sister is not satisfied. She asked me to come to you again.

Red Fox. What does she wish?

Hans. She wishes she had some beautiful toys to play with.

Red Fox. Go home, little Hans. It shall be as she wishes.

Scene VI—At Home (Another Day)

Hans. Why are you not happy, little Gretchen? Come, let us play.

Gretchen. Why should I be happy? I am tired of these old toys. I want a beautiful palace to live in. Go to the fox and tell him so.

Hans. Be satisfied, little sister. We are quite happy as we are.

Gretchen. No, I will not be satisfied. You must do as I tell you.

Scene VII—In the Woods

Red Fox. How now, little Hans? Is it not well with you?

Hans. Alas! My sister is not satisfied. She asked me to come to you again.

Red Fox. What does she wish now?

Hans. She wishes to live in a beautiful palace.

Red Fox. Go home, little Hans. It shall be as she wishes.

Scene VIII—At Home

Hans. Why are you unhappy again, little sister?

Gretchen. Why should I be happy? I am tired of this palace. There is only one thing that would make me happy. Go to the Red Fox. Tell him I must have the great silver ball that hangs over us in the sky.

Hans. Be satisfied, dear sister. We are quite happy as we are.

Gretchen. No, no. I will not be satisfied. You must do as I tell you.

Scene IX—In the Woods

Red Fox. How now, brother Hans? Is it not well with you?