Print
Word
PDFTHE TRAVELLERS AND THE HATCHET
“WE HAVE LOST OUR DONKEY”
WHAT THE GOODMAN DOES IS ALWAYS RIGHT
THE CAT AND THE MOUSE
“’T IS SINKING! WHAT SHALL I DO?”
THE UGLY DUCKLING
“A THOUSAND PIECES AT LEAST”
THE TWO COUNTRYMEN
“HELP! HELP!”
THE PRINCE SEES THE THREE GREAT-AUNTS
THE TRAVELLERS AND THE HATCHET
TIME: last week.
PLACE: a high road.
* * * * *
FIRST TRAVELLER.
SECOND TRAVELLER.
THE CARPENTER.
* * * * *
[The TWO TRAVELLERS journey along the road. A hatchet lies in the dust at one side.][Footnote: The explanations in brackets may be read by the teacher.]
FIRST TRAVELLER (seeing the hatchet, taking it up).[Footnote: The words in parentheses are not intended to be read aloud; they will give the child the cue as to how the part should be rendered.] Ah, see what I have found!
SECOND TRAVELLER. Do not say I, but rather, what we have found.
FIRST TRAVELLER. Nonsense! Did I not see the hatchet first? And did I not take it up?
SECOND TRAVELLER. Well, then, claim the hatchet, since that is plainly your wish.
[Enter the CARPENTER.]
CARPENTER (to First Traveller). Aha, thief! Now I have caught you!
[He seizes the First Traveller.]
FIRST TRAVELLER. No thief am I, sir!
[Illustration: THE TRAVELLERS AND THE HATCHET]
CARPENTER. But my own hatchet is in your hand, sir. Come along to the judge, sir!
FIRST TRAVELLER (to Second Traveller). Alas, we are undone!
SECOND TRAVELLER. Do not say we. You are undone, not I. You would not allow me to share the prize; you cannot expect me to share the danger. I bid you good day, sir.
THE OLD MAN AND HIS GRANDSON
TIME: now.
PLACE: a certain MAN’S house.
* * * * *
THE MAN.
HIS WIFE.
THEIR SON—LITTLE HANS.
THE GRANDFATHER.
* * * * *
[The MAN, his WIFE, little HANS, and the GRANDFATHER sit at the table eating the noon meal.]
MAN. Be careful, father! You are spilling the soup on your coat.
GRANDFATHER (trying to steady his trembling hand). Yes, yes, I’ll be careful.
[Short pause.]
WIFE (sharply). Grandfather! You have spilled the soup on my clean tablecloth!
