Dramatic Reader for Lower Grades - Florence Holbrook

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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!

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      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—

      Jack Frost. Yes, yes, I know what you would ask. Such kindness as this should meet with some reward. The leaves of the proud Oak, the Maple, and the Willow shall fall to the ground when the cold of winter comes; but the Spruce, the Pine, the Juniper, and all their family shall keep their leaves and they shall be green all through the year. They shall be called the Evergreen Trees.

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      PERSONS IN THE PLAY—Cornelia, Nydia the Maid, Julia, Elder Son, Younger Son

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      Nydia. Madam, the lady Julia waits to salute you.

      Cornelia. Bid her enter, I pray. It is not fitting to have her wait.

      Nydia. She is at the door, gracious madam.

      Cornelia. Welcome, thrice welcome, fair Julia.

      [Nydia carries Julia's casket.]

      Julia. Thanks, dear Cornelia, for your kind greeting. May you and all your household have peace and joy.

      Cornelia. And may those blessings be yours also, dear Julia. But tell me, what treasures have you in that charming casket?

      Julia. A few poor jewels, fair friend. Bring me the casket, Nydia. These are some presents my parents and husband have given me.

      Cornelia. I am so glad you have brought them to show me. You are very kind, for you know I greatly admire beautiful jewels.

      Julia. See, here is a pearl necklace.

      Cornelia. How lovely! Let me clasp it about your neck. It is very becoming. And what other gems have you?

      Julia. Here is a girdle my mother gave me for a wedding present. Isn't it pretty?

      Cornelia. Pretty! my dear, it is exquisite! Your mother showed much good taste when she chose this for you.

      Julia. And here are some rings from the far East. See these emeralds and rubies; how they flash in the sunlight!

      Cornelia. How well they look on your white hands! But I see something else.

      Julia. Yes, this is my handsomest jewel, a diamond bracelet. This I like best of all.

      Cornelia. They are all lovely, my dear friend, and I am glad you have such beautiful things.

      Julia. But, dear Cornelia, where are your jewels? All Rome knows how rich your famous father, Scipio, was, and surely he gave you many handsome ornaments. Please show them to me.

      Cornelia. Oh, no, dear friend. But hark! I think I hear my sons. Nydia, tell them I wish to see them.

      Nydia. Here are the children, madam.

      The Boys (running in). Dear mother! darling mother!

      Cornelia. Tell me, my Caius, what did the pedagogue teach you to-day?

      Caius. O mother! It was wonderful! He told us how Horatius kept the bridge in the brave days of old. Wasn't that a great and noble deed, mother mine?

      Cornelia. Yes, my darling. And you, my Tiberius, have you been pleased with your lessons?

      Cornelia and her Jewels Cornelia and her Jewels

      Tiberius. Mother, how you must honor our grandfather, the noble Scipio! Our teacher told the boys of his great campaigns in Africa and how the Senate called him Africanus after the war was over.

      Cornelia. Yes, my son, such work and such lives are lessons worthy of study. They teach the young how they too may live and die for their beloved country.

      Caius. I shall try to be a brave man some day, too, dear mother.

      Tiberius. And I, mother, shall try to be worthy of our noble family.

      Cornelia. My dear, noble boys! Julia, these are my jewels.

      Julia. How you shame my vanity, noble Cornelia! What are all the precious stones in the world compared with these noble boys! Daughter of the famous Scipio, the world will remember you through the great deeds of your sons, and all mankind will honor you as Cornelia, Mother of The Gracchi.

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      PERSONS IN THE PLAY—Cinderella, Mother, Father, Katherine, Elizabeth, Fairy Godmother, Prince, Herald

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      Mother. I am so glad we are all invited to the ball at the Prince's palace. You know, my dear, that it will be a great pleasure for our girls.

      Father. Yes; and I suppose you will all have to buy new ball dresses.

      Katherine.

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