Dramatic Reader for Lower Grades Part 3

_Father Bear_. Who's been moving my chair?

_Mother Bear._ Some one has been sitting in my chair!

_Sonny Bear._ Look, mother! Some one has been rocking in my chair and broken it all to pieces! O dear! my nice little chair!

_Father Bear._ Never mind, Sonny Bear; don't cry. I'll buy you another chair at Mr. Wolf's store to-morrow.

_Mother Bear._ And now it is time for us to go to bed. Our little son is tired and sleepy.

_Father Bear._ I'll carry him up stairs. Come, sonny, there you are up on my shoulder.

Ride a c.o.c.k horse to Banbury Cross To see an old woman ride on a white horse.

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes!

Well, who's been in my bed, I'd like to know?

_Mother Bear._ Why, look at my bed. Some one has been lying on my bed!

_Sonny Bear._ Come quick, Mother! Father, come! Some one is in my bed.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Goldilocks_ (_waking and frightened_). Oh, see the three Bears. Come, Dollie, let us jump out of the window. [_Runs away._]

_Mother Bear._ The little girl has gone, dear. Now you must go to sleep.

THE BIRD WITH THE BROKEN WING

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--THE BIRD, THE OAK TREE, THE MAPLE, THE WILLOW, THE SPRUCE, THE PINE, THE JUNIPER, THE FOREST FAIRY, JACK FROST

SCENE I.--_In the Woods_

_The Oak._ See that flock of birds coming! The winter is near and they are flying south.

_The Maple._ I hope they will not light on my branches; I like to keep my leaves in order.

_The Willow._ So many birds will break my tender twigs. I am sure I do not want them either. Here they come!

[_The birds fly over the trees._]

_Little Bird._ Oh, I can fly no farther! My wing is broken and I cannot hold it up. I am so tired and cold and hungry! I must rest to-night in this forest. I am sure some big strong tree will give me a resting place. I will ask this tall Oak, he looks so strong and his leaves are so thick and warm! May I rest in your branches to-night, great Oak Tree?

I am a poor little bird with a broken wing and I am cold and tired and hungry.

_The Oak._ I am sorry; but my branches are all engaged by the squirrels, who are getting their acorns in for the winter. I have no room for strange birds.

_Little Bird._ Oh! I am so lonely, so tired! Surely the handsome Maple Tree will take me in. She has no acorns and so the squirrels will not be in her branches. Kind, lovely Maple Tree, may I rest to-night in your branches? I am a poor little bird with a broken wing. I will not harm your pretty leaves.

_The Maple._ My leaves tremble to think of taking in strange birds! My house is in perfect order and I cannot think of disturbing it. Please go away!

_Little Bird._ Oh, what shall I do? The Oak and the Maple are so unkind and I am s.h.i.+vering with cold and weak with hunger. Surely _some_ tree must be kind. Dear Willow, you are kind, are you not? Will you take me upon your graceful branches just for to-night?

_The Willow._ Really, Mr. Bird with the broken wing, I think you should have gone on with the other birds. I cannot take you in. I do not know your name or anything about you. Besides, I am very sleepy, and so, good night!

_Little Bird._ Oh, my dear bird friends, how I wish some of you were here! I shall perish with the cold if I must stay on the ground. Where can I go? The Oak, the Maple, and the Willow have all turned me away and the night is coming on.

_The Spruce._ Dear little bird with the broken wing, come to me! Can you hop up into my branches if I hold them down to you? See, here I am! I am not so handsome as the Maple tree, but my leaves grow thick and I'll try to keep you warm through the night. Come!

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Little Bird._ Dear Spruce tree, how kind you are! I did not see you at first. Yes, here I am, on your lowest branch. How cosy and warm I feel.

Oh, you are so good, and I was so tired and cold. Here I'll rest. I wish I could ever thank you enough for your goodness.

_The Spruce._ Do not speak of that, dear little bird; I am ashamed of the proud, selfish trees that would not shelter you. Should we not all be kind and helpful to one another?

_The Pine._ Well said, sister Spruce. And I will do my best to help you.

I am not so strong as the Oak tree, little bird, but I will stand between you and the cold north wind. Rest warm and safe in the branches of the kind Spruce tree.

_Little Bird._ I thank you, tall Pine tree, for your kindness. You are a good brother of the Spruce and I shall rest well while you are both taking care of me.

_The Juniper._ I cannot keep the strong north wind from you, little bird with the broken wing, but if you are hungry, you may eat of my berries.

Perhaps then you will rest better.

_Little Bird._ Thank you, dear Juniper tree. Why are you all so kind to me? Your berries are good, and now I am cold and hungry no longer. I'll go to sleep. Good night, dear trees!

_Trees._ Good night, little bird, and may you have sweet dreams!

[Ill.u.s.tration]

SCENE II.--_Midnight in the Forest_

_Jack Frost._ Here I am in the great forest. How I dislike to touch all these beautiful leaves; yet I must obey the orders of King Winter. Here comes the Forest Fairy. Do you know why I have come, dear Fairy of the Forest?

_Forest Fairy._ Yes, Mr. Frost. I know that you must touch all the leaves, turning them into brilliant hues of gold and crimson and brown.

I dislike to have them go, and yet you and I must obey the commands of King Winter. But,--

_Jack Frost._ But what, dear Fairy? You speak as if you had some wish to make--what is it?

_Forest Fairy._ I must tell you. Such a dear little bird came to the forest this evening. He had a broken wing, and he was cold and very tired. He asked shelter from the great Oak, the proud Maple, and the graceful Willow,--and all refused. I was so ashamed of my trees!

_Jack Frost._ What! did all the trees refuse to help a poor, tired little bird?

_Forest Fairy._ Listen! just as I was intending to speak to the trees, I heard the Spruce tell him to come to her branches and she would give him shelter. Then the Pine tree offered to keep the north wind from him, and the Juniper gave him her berries to eat. Could you, dear Jack Frost--