Dramatic Reader for Lower Grades Part 11

_Children._ Of course you don't. You don't like sticks.

Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son, Stole a pig and away he run!

The pig was eat, And Tom was beat, And Tom ran roaring down the street!

_Mistress Mary._ Now, children, let us sit in a circle and play games and sing songs. Little Bo-Peep, you may sing your little song first.

_Little Bo-Peep._

Little Bo-Peep, she lost her sheep, And doesn't know where to find them;

_Children._

Leave them alone and they will come home Bringing their tails behind them.

_Mistress Mary._ Now Jack and Jill--

_Jack and Jill._ Shall we go up the hill to get a pail of water?

_Children._

Jack and Jill went up the hill To get a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.

_Boys._

Up Jack got and home did trot As fast as he could caper; He went to bed to mend his head, With vinegar and brown paper.

_Girls._

Jill came in and she did grin, To see his paper plaster; Her mother, vexed, did spank her next For laughing at Jack's disaster.

_Mistress Mary._ Now, I'll sing a song and then help Mother Goose with the supper. [_Sings._]

Sing a song a sixpence, Pocket full of rye; Four-and-twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened The birds began to sing, Wasn't that a dainty dish To set before the king?

_Mother Goose._ Now I must have some children to help me.

_Jack Goose._ I'll take the bean porridge hot and bean porridge cold, mother, and Tommy Tucker can go with me and pa.s.s the white bread and b.u.t.ter.

_Mother Goose._ That's my good Jack. Now Tom the Piper's Son may take the roast pig and Mary may pa.s.s the Banbury cross buns.

_Miss m.u.f.fet._ Dear Mother Goose, may I pa.s.s the curds and whey?

_Mother Goose._ Yes, my dear child, but be careful not to spill any.

Then for the last course Jack Horner will pa.s.s the Christmas pie and give every child a big fat plum.

_Children_ (_sing_).

Little Jacky Horner Sitting in a corner Eating a Christmas pie He put in his thumb And pulled out a plum And said--What a great boy am I?

_Old King Cole._ Mother Goose, you have given us a beautiful party and we have had a lovely time. We hope you will live to give many more to your friends and the children.

_Children._ Yes, Mother Goose, your party was just lovely!

_Mother Goose._ Thank you, dear children.

_King Cole._ Now, little folks, let us sing a good-by song to Mother Goose.

_The girls_ (_bowing to King Cole_).

The king was in the counting room, Counting out his money.

_The boys_ (_bowing to Mother Goose_).

The queen was in the parlor, Eating bread and honey.

_All._

The maid was in the garden

(_To Mistress Mary_)

Hanging out the clothes, Along came a blackbird And nipped off her nose!

_Mother Goose._ And that story means that night is coming and putting the day to sleep.

_King Cole._ So it does, and you see the sun is fast going down behind the western hills. Say good-by, children, for it is time to go home.

_Children._ Good night, Mother Goose.

_Mother Goose._ Good night, dear children, and don't forget your old Mother Goose.

_Children._ Forget dear Mother Goose? Never! Good-by, good-by!

_Mother Goose._ Good-by.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

LITTLE TWO-EYES

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--MOTHER, LITTLE ONE-EYE, LITTLE TWO-EYES, LITTLE THREE-EYES, LITTLE OLD WOMAN, TREE, PRINCE, GOAT

SCENE I.--_Dining Room at Little Two-Eyes' Home_