Dramatic Reader for Lower Grades Part 12

_Mother._ Come to dinner, little One-Eye and little Three-Eyes. Here is some good soup and white bread for you. Little Two-Eyes, you can have what your sisters do not want.

_Little Three-Eyes._ Here's a crust for you. That is enough for a girl with only two eyes.

_Little One-Eye._ What a shame to have a sister with two eyes! You look just like other people! Little Three-Eyes and I are very different.

_Little Three-Eyes._ Here little Two-Eyes, take this bowl. I don't want any more and you can have what is left.

_Mother._ Now, children, run away and play. Little Two-Eyes, take the goat and go out to the hillside. You must stay till it begins to get dark, and then you may come home. You must work, because you have two eyes like other people, but my little One-Eye and Three-Eyes may stay at home and play.

SCENE II.--_On the Hillside_

_Little Two-Eyes._ Come, little goat, here is some green gra.s.s for you to eat. I wish that my sisters loved me and that my mother was not ashamed of me. Oh, why do I have two eyes just like all other people? I am so hungry, Oh, dear! Oh, dear! (_Cries._)

_Wood Fairy._ My child, why do you cry?

_Little Two-Eyes._ Because I have only two eyes, and my mother and my sisters treat me badly. I don't have enough to eat and I am so hungry.

My dress is old, and my sisters have nice dresses and pretty ribbons.

But who are you?

_Wood Fairy._ I am the little Old Woman who lives on this hill. I have come to help you. Listen, little Two-Eyes! You need never be hungry again. Say to your little goat:

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, rise!

Then a table will rise before you with all the food you can eat. When you have finished eating, you must say:

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, away!

and it will disappear before your eyes. Good-by, dear little Two-Eyes. I must go now, but remember what I have told you.

_Little Two-Eyes._ Why, where has that queer looking little woman gone?

I am so hungry I'll try now if what she said can be true.

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, rise!

_Goat._ Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!

_Little Two-Eyes._ Oh, look, little goat! what a pretty table! and how good the food looks. Now we shall have all we want to eat. Here is something for you, and here are oranges and meat and pudding for me!

Dear little woman! How can I thank her? Now I can eat no more.

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, away!

_Goat._ Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!

_Little Two-Eyes._ There, it is gone. Aren't we happy, little goat? But see, it is time to go home. Come, little goat.

SCENE III.--_At Home_

_Mother._ Here, little Two-Eyes, here are the crusts your sisters saved for you.

_Two-Eyes._ Thank you, mother, but I don't care for any crusts. I'm not hungry.

_Mother._ Not care for them? You are not hungry? You have always eaten them before now and asked for more! You didn't eat any supper last night, either. What does this mean? What did you have to eat to-day?

_Two-Eyes._ I cannot tell you, mother.

_Mother._ You cannot? Then, little One-Eye, you shall go to the hillside with little Two-Eyes and find out why she is no longer hungry.

_Little One-Eye._ I don't want to go! The walk is too long, and I shall get tired!

_Mother._ Just this once, my dear! You will not have to go again. But we must learn the secret.

_Little Two-Eyes._ Come, sister. Come, little goat.

SCENE IV.--_The Hillside_

_Little Two-Eyes._ Now we are almost there. Are you tired, little One-Eye?

_Little One-Eye._ Oh! I am so tired, and my feet hurt so I can hardly walk.

_Little Two-Eyes._ I have to walk this far every day.

_Little One-Eye._ Yes, but you have two eyes like other people and you must expect to work. I cannot go any farther. I'll lie down here and rest.

_Little Two-Eyes._ I'll sing you a pretty song:

Are you awake, little One-Eye?

Are you asleep, little One-Eye?

Yes, you are asleep, little One-Eye, and now I can have my dinner.

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, rise!

_Goat._ Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!

_Little Two-Eyes._ Here is the little table again! Oh, how thankful I am for the good food. Dear little old woman, you are very good to send me such nice things to eat. Here is some for you, little goat. Now I have had enough.

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, away!

There, it is gone. Little One-Eye, wake up! It is time to go home.