Little Dramas for Primary Grades

<h2 class='c008'>THE MAGPIE’S NEST</h2> <div class='figcenter id002'> <ANTIMG src='images/p083.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /></div> <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>Magpie</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Thrush</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Blackbird</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Wise Owl</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Starling</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Sparrow</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Turtledove</em></div> </div></div> </div> <div class='dl_1'> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Thrush.</em></span> Oh, Mrs. Magpie, I wish you would teach us how you build your nest. Every one says your nest is made better than any other.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> Is that true? Indeed! Come nearer then, and I will show you how I do it. [<em>Birds draw near.</em>] You see I take some mud and make a round cake with it.</p> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_84'>84</span> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Thrush.</em></span> Oh, that’s how it’s done! I can make one now. [<em>Flies away.</em>]</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> Oh! the thrush went too soon. It is not yet done. Now I lay some twigs in the mud this way and that way, this way and that way.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Blackbird.</em></span> I see! I see! [<em>Flies away.</em>]</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> What! Has the blackbird gone, too? Next another layer of mud—twigs and mud, twigs and mud.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Wise Owl.</em></span> Oh, that’s very easy! [<em>Flies off.</em>]</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> Does the wise owl think that’s all? Now more twigs round the outside. Up and down; in and out; round and round.</p> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_85'>85</span> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Sparrow.</em></span> The very thing. [<em>Flies off.</em>]</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> Oh! but the nest is not lined yet. I make it soft and warm inside with feathers.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Starling.</em></span> That suits me. [<em>Flies off.</em>]</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> Has the starling gone, too? It will take just one minute more.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Turtledove.</em></span> Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> One is enough.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Turtledove.</em></span> Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Magpie.</em></span> One is enough, I tell you. Oh! are they all gone but you, silly turtledove? And I have just finished my nest. None of them will make a nest like mine.</p> </div> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_86'>86</span> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />