Children's Classics in Dramatic Form Part 10

PETER. Now I will make you white. You shall look just like a miller.

(_He covers the Fox with meal._)

Ha, ha! Jacob's chickens will think you are Jacob. Now go! Go and eat Jacob's chickens.

(_The Fox goes._)

Ah, this is fine! I do not like Jacob. I do not like Jacob's chickens. I am glad the fox will eat them. Ha, ha, ha!

[_Peter enters the mill. Soon his_ WIFE _comes running._]

WIFE. Peter! Peter! Come out! Come out! Peter!

[PETER _comes running from the mill._]

PETER. What is it? What is it?

WIFE. The fox has killed your chickens!

PETER. Oh, no! He has killed Jacob's chickens, dear wife. Ha, ha, ha!

WIFE. No, no! He has killed your chickens! They lie there on the gra.s.s.

Look and you will see them.

[_Peter runs to the fence and looks over._]

PETER. What is this? What is this? Ah, my pretty chickens! My pretty chickens!

[_He weeps bitterly._]

SCENE II

TIME: _the next day._ PLACE: _Jacob's mill._

JACOB, THE WISE MILLER.

THE FOX.

[_The_ FOX _enters. He knocks at the mill door._ JACOB _opens the door and comes out. He is covered with meal._]

FOX. Good-morning, Jacob.

JACOB. What do you want, sir?

FOX. I am hungry. I want to eat Peter's chickens.

JACOB. Why do you come to me?

FOX. You do not like Peter.

JACOB. Oh, you know that, do you?

FOX. Oh, yes, I know! Now will you help me to get his chickens?

JACOB. What can I do?

Fox. Put meal on me, till I am white. Then the chickens will think I am a miller.

JACOB. Ah, that is fine! Wait here.

[_He enters the mill._]

FOX. He has gone for meal! Ha, ha, ha, ha!

[JACOB _comes out with a club._]

JACOB. Now go! Go, sir!

FOX. Why, what is this? I said I would eat Peter's chickens.

JACOB. Yes, but you mean to eat mine. Now go! Go, or I will beat you!

[_The Fox runs quickly away._]

THE VAIN JACKDAW

TIME: _last summer._ PLACE: _a public park._

VAIN JACKDAW.

OLD JACKDAW.

YOUNG JACKDAW.

OTHER JACKDAWS.

PEAc.o.c.kS.

[_The_ JACKDAWS _are seen in the park._]

OLD JACKDAW. Come, jackdaws! We must have our breakfast. Come!