at home in the garden!
Dollie. Oh, see the big bed!
Goldilocks. I'm so tired I believe I'll climb in and go to sleep. But I don't like it. This big bed is too hard.
Dollie. And this middle-sized one is too soft.
Goldilocks. But this little one is just right. Go—to—sleep—Dollie—
Scene II.—The Bear Family in the Wood
Father Bear. Well, little son, aren't you about ready to go home?
Sonny Bear. Oh, no, father! Let me play just a little longer. Here are such good places to hide in the shady wood.
Mother Bear. No, dear little sonny, we must go home now. It is getting late. It's time for you to have your supper and go to bed.
Sonny Bear. All right, mother dear. I believe I am hungry, and your porridge is always so good.
Mother Bear. Most children like porridge. Perhaps you can have a nice red apple, too.
Sonny Bear. Oh, goody! Little sonny bears always like apples, don't they, papa?
Father Bear. Yes, my dear. Mother, let me take your knitting basket. What are you making now?
Mother Bear. A warm cap for sonny. Isn't it pretty?
Father Bear. Very pretty, and he should be very glad he has such a good mother.
Sonny Bear. She is a good mother, and you are a very good father, too.
Father Bear. Well, here we are at home again. But the door is open. I'm certain I closed it when we went away. Who has been here?
Mother Bear. Let us take off our wraps and have our tea.
Father Bear. Why, somebody has been tasting my porridge.
Mother Bear. What? Let me see! Some one has left a spoon in my porridge, too.
Sonny Bear. Oh, mamma! Look at my bowl! Some one has eaten my porridge all up.
Mother Bear. Never mind, sonny boy, you may have some of mine. But I wonder who has been here. Let us go into the parlor and see if anyone is there.
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 cock 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.
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 shivering 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!
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.