Little Dramas for Primary Grades

<h2 class='c008'>THE BOASTFUL BAMBOO TREE</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>Boastful Bamboo</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Little Tree</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Boy</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Girl</em></div> <div class='line'><em>Woodcutter</em></div> </div></div> </div> <h3 class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene I</span>—<em>In the Forest</em></h3> <div class='dl_1 c006'> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boastful Bamboo.</em></span> Little bamboo tree, you bow and bend to every wind that blows. A bamboo tree should never show fear. Look at me! I stand straight and strong and bow to no one.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Little Tree.</em></span> I know you are strong. You are much stronger than I am. I am only fit to trim the houses for the New Year’s feast. But you will be used in making some great house or maybe in making a palace.</p> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_101'>101</span> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boastful Bamboo.</em></span> Only that! I shall be chosen for the mast of a big ship. Every one will look at me and say, “See what a beautiful mast that ship has!” As for you, timid little tree, you will never be brave enough even to deck the New Year’s feast.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Little Tree.</em></span> Who knows? If I grow straight and strong. I may be chosen to do some good in the world!</p> </div> <h3 class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene II</span>—<em>In the Forest (later)</em></h3> <div class='dl_1 c006'> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boy.</em></span> [<em>Looking at the Boastful Bamboo.</em>] What a big, strong, bamboo tree!</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Girl.</em></span> But this dear little one beside it is prettier than any of the others.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boy.</em></span> Yes; let us bind her with our garland of flowers.</p> </div> <div class='figcenter id002'> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_102'>102</span> <ANTIMG src='images/p102.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /></div> <div class='dl_1'> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Girl.</em></span> We’ll call her the Lady Silver Mist.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Woodcutter.</em></span> [<em>Looking at the big bamboo tree.</em>] Here is a tall, straight tree. It will do for a mast. I will cut it first.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boastful Bamboo.</em></span> [<em>To Little Tree.</em>] Good-by,—I am sorry for you. I shall see the world now and do great things. Good-by, Little Tree!</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Little Tree.</em></span> Good-by! Good fortune go with you! [<em>Big tree falls.</em>]</p> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_103'>103</span> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boy.</em></span> I’m glad he didn’t take our little tree.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Girl.</em></span> [<em>To Woodcutter.</em>] Please don’t cut down our little tree. In all the forest we love it best.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Woodcutter.</em></span> Ah, I see the little tree has friends.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Girl.</em></span> Yes, we call her the Lady Silver Mist, and she is our playmate.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Woodcutter.</em></span> But I’ve been sent to cut down all the trees in the forest. You must dig it up and carry it away, if you wish to keep it.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boy.</em></span> I’ll dig it up. We’ll take it home and plant it in our garden by the sea. [<em>Children carry off the tree.</em>]</p> </div> <div> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_104'>104</span> <h3 class='c012'><span class='sc'>Scene III</span>—<em>In the Garden (after storm)</em></h3></div> <div class='dl_1 c006'> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Little Tree.</em></span> All night the waves of the sea tossed the white foam and dashed the ships about. All around me lie pieces of wood washed up by the sea. What is this at my feet? A piece of a great bamboo tree! Can it be my friend of the forest?</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boastful Bamboo.</em></span> Alas! I am your poor friend.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Little Tree.</em></span> I wish I could help you.</p> <p><span class='dl_1'><em>Boastful Bamboo.</em></span> No one can help me. I wish that I had lived in a garden as you have. Then I might have been useful for many years. Farewell, Little Tree.</p> </div> <span class="pagenum" id='Page_105'>105</span> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />