Little Dramas for Primary Grades

<h2 class='c008'>CHRISTMAS EVE IN AN ATTIC</h2> <div class='nf-center-c1'> <div class='nf-center c002'> <div><span class='sc'>Characters</span></div> </div></div> <div class='lg-container-b'> <div class='linegroup'> <div class='group'> <div class='line'><em>First Mouse</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Second Mouse</em></div> <div class='line'><em>French Doll</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Tin Soldier</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Lion</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Elephant</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Tiger</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Jack-in-the-box</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Woolly Dog</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Mrs. Santa Claus</em></div> </div></div> </div> <div class='dl_1'> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>First Mouse.</em></span> Christmas is here again. The air is full of the smell of good things to eat!</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Second Mouse.</em></span> It’s a gay time for us. I know there’ll be plenty of crumbs around now.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>First Mouse.</em></span> I wish Christmas came every night. But look at those old toys in the corner. I wonder why they look so sad.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>French Doll.</em></span> Look sad, do we? No wonder. It’s Christmas Eve and we <span class="pagenum" id='Page_66'>66</span>don’t like to be here in the dark and cold. It isn’t fair!</p> </div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/p066.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> <div class='ic003'> <p><span class='sc'>Christmas Eve in an Attic</span></p> </div> </div> <div class='dl_1'> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tin Soldier.</em><span class="pagenum" id='Page_67'>67</span></span> We once hung on a Christmas tree.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>First Mouse.</em></span> It must have been a long time ago.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tin Soldier.</em></span> It was, indeed! But the children do not care to play with us now that we are so old.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>French Doll.</em></span> Old, sir? How can you say that? Just look at me! If my hair were combed and I had a new dress on, I’d still be a very nice doll! Old, indeed!</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Second Mouse.</em></span> Yes, I’m quite sure you would be very pretty.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tin Soldier.</em></span> And I’d be as good as <span class="pagenum" id='Page_68'>68</span>any other tin soldier, if I had a new leg, a little paint, and a fresh gun.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>First Mouse.</em></span> Oh, I believe that, sir.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span> [<em>Proudly.</em>] Only my mane’s gone. [<em>To Elephant.</em>] But I see you have lost your trunk!</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Elephant.</em></span> Yes, some one broke it off. Now if I had a new trunk, I’d be all right. But look at the tiger! He has cracked his paint, and his stripes are all gone. It would be hard to make him look new again.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tiger.</em></span> Do you mean me? Oh, a few stripes of new paint, and I’d be as fine a tiger as you ever saw. Listen! Woolly Dog is trying to speak.</p> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_69'>69</span> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Woolly Dog.</em></span> [<em>In a whisper.</em>] My voice is almost gone. Some one punched me too hard once and broke the spring. If I had a new spring, I’d bark louder than ever. We’d never even hear your squeak then, little mice.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Jack-in-the-box.</em></span> I never could get back after my lid came off. A hinge and a few screws, and I’d be as good as new. It’s a shame to leave me like this.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Mice.</em></span> Hush! Some one is coming up the stairs.</p> <div class='nf-center-c1'> <div class='nf-center'> <div>[<em>Mrs. Santa Claus enters.</em>]</div> </div></div> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>French Doll.</em></span> Who are you?</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Mrs. Santa Claus.</em></span> I am Mrs. Santa <span class="pagenum" id='Page_70'>70</span>Claus. Every Christmas Eve I find all the old toys I can. I change them into new ones. Then I send them to the little children who have no other Christmas toys. I knew I’d find some old toys in this attic! Come here, all of you. Let me see what each one needs. Please, only one at a time! [<em>Toys come about Mrs. Santa Claus.</em>] Now, French Doll, I’ll begin with you. There! I’ve washed your face and combed your hair. You’re as good as new.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>First Mouse.</em></span> She does look fine!</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Mrs. Santa Claus.</em></span> Now, Tin Soldier, what can I do for you?</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tin Soldier.</em></span> Give me a new red coat, <span class="pagenum" id='Page_71'>71</span>and mend my leg. Oh, yes, and I’d like a new gun, too.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Mrs. Santa Claus.</em></span> Here you are, sir. Now, Jack, down in your box while I mend the lid. There, now you can bob up as well as ever.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span> If you please, I want a new mane. A little boy pulled mine off. I haven’t had one for a long time.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Woolly Dog.</em></span> Please don’t forget me. I can’t bark till I get a new spring.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Mrs. Santa Claus.</em></span> Come, Elephant and Tiger. I’ll do you next. There, I’ve seen you all. You are now as good as toys can be.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>French Doll.</em></span> Are we to stay in this old attic?</p> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_72'>72</span> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tin Soldier.</em></span> Can’t we be put on a Christmas tree again?</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Mrs. Santa Claus.</em></span> No. Listen to me. You are all to go out into the world to-night. Each one of you must make one little child happy. Go the way you wish, but be sure to find the child that needs you most. I must hurry to another old attic over the way. Good night, toys.</p> <div class='nf-center-c1'> <div class='nf-center'> <div>[<em>Toys go away.</em>]</div> </div></div> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>First Mouse.</em></span> Will each toy try to make some child glad on Christmas morning?</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Second Mouse.</em></span> I hope so. How happy they all looked as they went out!</p> </div> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_73'>73</span> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />