Magic Casket. «Волшебная шкатулка». Пьесы для детей на английском языке

WORM. They’ve just begun. I’ve seen one. It’s lying under the tree. Do you really like to eat them, Foxy?

FOXY LOXY. Mmm…you are joking. It will be funny if foxes eat acorns. No, I don’t eat them. I just like them falling down.

WORM. Why?

FOXY LOXY. Are all worms so curious? Creep gown and in a moment you’ll watch a funny thing. Just wait for this moment. (Comes away).

SCENE II.

SETTING. The same tree.

Chicken Liken is looking for something. He sees Worm and catches it. They begin struggling. Suddenly an acorn falls down and hits Chicken Liken.

CHICKEN LIKEN. Oh, Lord! The sky’s fallen down on my poor head. I should go to the king to tell about this accident.

WORM. What’s wrong with you? This is an acorn. Never mind. It’s fallen down and hit you. Nothing serious.

HENNY PENNY. What’s happened to you, kid? Have you cried?

CHICKEN LIKEN. Oh, mummy. The sky’s fallen down and hit me.

HENNY PENNY. You should tell the king about this. By the way… do you see a fat worm? You can peck it yourself, but it’s too big and we can share the dinner.

WORM. That was an acorn, lady. The acorn fell down on him and hit his head. It’s not dangerous. You may ask Cocky Locky.

COCKY LOCKY. I’m busy now. It’s time to work but I haven’t got a watch. Who knows the exact time?

WORM. It’s seven o’clock sharp. Time to have dinner.

COCKY LOCKY. The work is the first, isn’t it? (Screams): Doodle doodle do! All right. The second is to eat you, Worm. You seem to be rather fat.

CHICKEN LIKEN. Oh, Daddy. The sky has fallen down and hit me!

HENNY PENNY. We should go to tell the king about this!

COCKY LOCKY. It’s our duty. The duty is above all! Follow me! I know the way!

WORM. They are fools. What is Foxy going to do? I’ll try to help them if I’m able to do anything.

SCENE III

SETTING. At the poultry.

Turkey Lurky waves his tail. He walks up and down to show how gracious he is! Ducky Lucky and Drackey Lackey watch the show and clap their hands.

GOOSE LOOSE (running in). Have you known the news? Such an awful story about Chicken Liken! He got into an accident and was seriously injured. And that’s not all.

WORM. Hello, guys! The busy day, isn’t it?

TURKEY LURKEY. Our show is over and guests are welcome to have dinner.

WORM. What do you have for dinner?

TURKEY LURKEY. It’s you. This worm is rather big and fat, so we can divide it into pieces.

WORM. I’m against. Since this morning I have had a terrible stomachache.

DUCKY LUCKY. You must have eaten too much grass that grows around the lake. It is sad. But we are ready to risk.

Chicken Liken, Henny Penny and Cocky Locky appear and Worm crawls away.

CHICKEN LIKEN. The sky has fallen down and hit my head.

HENNY PENNY. We are going to tell the king about it.

COCKY LOCKY. It’s our duty. The duty is above all! Follow me, everybody! I know the way!

DRACKEY LACKEY. It’s not the right road. I’m the only to lead you because my uncle lived at the royal court.

GOOSE LOOSE. Was he a courtesan?

DUCKY LUCKY. For a short time. Then he got onto a dish.

DRACKEY LACKEY. Come on, come on! Be quick!

SCENE IV

SETTING. At Foxy’s cave.

Foxy walks up and down, he looks at his watch. He is anxious.

FOXY LOXY. The cock hasn’t screamed jet and the ducks haven’t come out. What’s wrong?

WORM. Just an acorn has fallen down and hit Chicken Liken. They are travelling right here, towards your cave.

FOXY LOXY. Good news! How many of them?

WORM. Chicken Liken, Henny Penny, Cocky Locky, Ducky Lucky, Drackey Lackey, Goosy Loosy and Turkey Lurkey. That’s all.

FOXY LOXY. My dinner will be great, but I don’t have enough appetite to eat them all.

WORM. Would you like to have a medicine for appetite? This grass is growing around the lake. Just what you want.

FOXY LOXY. Thank you very much. It’s kind of you to be my doctor.

Chicken Liken and his campaigners appear.

CHICKEN LIKEN. The sky has fallen down and hit my head.

HENNY PENNY. We are going to tell the king about it.

COCKY LOCKY. It’s our duty. The duty is above all!

FOXY LOXY. You’re welcome! Wait a moment and I’ll tell the king about your arrival.

He returns in a minute and takes Chicken Liken and others.

Soon Foxy Loxy comes back alone. He looks unhappy.

WORM. Have you eaten them all?

FOXY LOXY. No, I can’t. I have a terrible stomachache. You were a bad doctor. (Runs off).

CHICKEN LIKEN (coming out of the cave). Such a fat worm, Mummy. I’m hungry. Daddy! Uncle! Aunt! Cousins! Come here!

WORM. I have troubles. I wonder if he can fly.

The end

NOW I KNOW THE ABC

CHARACTERS:

MARY

LETTER M

LETTER D, DICK

LETTER C, CINDERELLA

LETTER A, ALICE

LETTER B, BARBIE

OTHER LETTERS

SCENE I

SETTING. A children room in the flat.

Mary lies in bed. She is ill. Then she gets up.

MARY. I like to play but I can’t play because I am not well today. I like to study but I can’t study because I don’t go to school.

MOTHER’S VOICE. You can open your textbook and read a little, can’t you?

MARY. All boys and girls are at school now. They are learning English ABC and as for me (crying)… How can I read a textbook if I don’t know even a letter…Mmm…

LETTER M. Good morning, Mary. Did you mention me?

MARY. I wonder who you are. Where are you from?

LETTER M. Let me introduce myself. I am Letter M and come from the ABC. The first letter of your name.

MARY. Glad to meet you, M. How I’ll be happy to get to your country. But I don’t know English words.

LETTER M. Let’s learn some of them. Repeat after me: morning, mother, milk.

MARY. Morning, mother, milk.

SCENE II.

SETTING. The ABC country.

The boy hides among the bushes.

DICK. How do you do?

LETTER M. How do you do? And where are other letters? Why is the mess?

DICK. They disappear because they are afraid of dragon. Dreadful dragon does a lot of bad things. He is going to gobble up all letters from the ABC from the very beginning.

MARY. If he gobbles them up, I’ll never learn them!

DICK. They are hiding over here but nobody can find them.

LETTER M. I guess where they are. Can you spell your name?

DICK. D-I-C-K.

LETTER M. C is hiding right here. Say three words beginning with “C”.

MARY. Certainly, I try, but I can’t catch a word.

CINDERELLA. Did you call me? I’d come if you called me.

DICK. No doubts, darling. We can’t do without “C” if we learn the ABC. Where are your friend A and B? Where do they disappear?

CINDERELLA. It is clear that letter “A” is hiding in my name. It’s a charming place. Can you cheer her up?

MARY. I am not able to find her. I see only the air. Can you show her with your arm?

ALICE. Excuse me, but I’m so anxious. Are you still alive, Cinderella? I’m afraid of that awful dragon. And what about beautiful Barbie? Did anybody see her? She went to buy biscuits and didn’t come back. Let’s go to the shop!

SCENE III.

SETTING. A shop at the ABC country.

Barbie talks to the shop assistant.

BARBIE. Can I have best bananas and bacon? Don’t forget about box of biscuit and bar of bubbled chocolate.

SHOP ASSISTANT. Here you are. What else?

ALICE. Are you buying apricots? Adore apricots! As well as autumn apples!

CINDERELLA. Don’t forget about cakes and cornflakes. Can you give me cocoa and candy!

LETTER “M”. And marmalade, please. Milk and macaroni. And what about you, Dick?

DICK. That will do! Dance, dolls, dance! You don’t think about the danger. Don’t you see! I’m Dreadful Dragon.

BARBIE. I’ll beat you with the ball (throws the ball).

DICK. Now it’s a bell (throws it back).

CINDERELLA. I’ll beat you with my cup! (Throws it).

DICK. Look! It turns into a cap! (Returns it).

ALICE. I’ll beat you with my anchor! (Throws it).

DICK. It turns into an acorn! (Returns it).

LETTER M. Letters, come here! Move on!

LETTER F. How funny and fantastic! I am fond of fighting.

LETTER E. I’m an eastern eagle. The eagle enters the battle.

LETTER K. I’m a king. Where are my knights? Our knives are sharp.

LETTER P. I’m a pirate with a pistol. Push him and pull.

Dragon falls down and the battle is over.

SCENE IV.

SETTING. A bedroom.

Mary is still in bed.

MOTHER’S VOICE. Did you awake, dear? How are you today?

MARY. I’m quite all right. I’m absolutely fine.

Letters appear and dance around her.

LETTER M. I’m major. Make me your major maid because I love you most of all.

LETTER K. Kiss me, kid!

LETTER P. Put your pink palm into my pocket and take out a pretty plum!

MOTHER’S VOICE. Are you going to school now?

MARY. Yes, of course. I guess I know the ABC.

The end

LITTLE MISTRESS

(after Beatrix Potter)

CHARACTERS:

LUCY

LITTLE MISTRESS

ROBIN

BUNNY

SQUIRREL

SCENE I

SETTING. A garden near Lucy’s house.

MOTHER’S VOICE. What’s happened, Lucy?

LUCY. Nothing terrible, but I’ve lost some of my clothes: my pretty white apron, my socks and my handkerchiefs. Can I go out to look for them?

MOTHER’S VOICE. You are too old to care of yourself. You may look for them but don’t walk a long way far from home.

LUCY. I’ll travel up the hill to look what it is there. I’ve never been there.

Robin appears.

ROBIN. How do you do, Lucy?

LUCY. How do you do, Robin? Glad to meet you. Have you seen where my white socks are? It seems to me somebody has taken them away.

ROBIN. You are too old to care of yourself. I’m busy. Goodbye.

Squirrel appears.

LUCY. Hello, dear Squirrel! You look great in this new fur coat!

SQUIRREL. Hi, Lucy. Have you seen my new white gloves? Yesterday they were hanging on this branch all day long.

LUCY. You gloves are so small that nobody can wear them. I can’t put them on my little finger. Why did you hang your winter gloves in summer?

SQUIRREL. My gloves are of the right size and they suit me well. But they were very dirty and I would like to do washing. Squirrels should put their things in order and what about people?

LUCY. I’m afraid I didn’t care of my clothes. My white apron was dirty and my socks had holes in them. And now they are lost.

SQUIRREL. It’s a pity. Bye!

Bunny appears.

LUCY. Hi, Bunny! Are you quite all right?

BUNNY. Are you joking, young lady? I’ve lost me waistcoat, which is the best in the world?

LUCY. Why is your waistcoat the best in the world?

BUNNY. Because I love it. Can I do without a lot of useful things, which were in its pockets? No, I can’t! Where is my favourite pipe? Where is me handkerchief? Can you borrow me one?

LUCY. No, I can’t. I haven’t got any. They are lost.

BUNNY. It’s not good to lose your things. Try to find them. Bye!

SCENE 2.

SETTING. A little house up the hill. The little path leads to the door.

LUCY. I’ll try to find my things but it is very difficult. Should I climb the hill? It’s very hard to do. My legs are tired. I have a backache. I hope there is something interesting up the hill. There is a pretty little house with a chimney. And smells tasty. May I come in?

VOICE. Nobody is here. Come away.

LUCY. I’ve heard a voice that means that I can see an owner of this voice soon. I think it is a doll’s house. Nobody can live in such a tiny house.

HEDGEHOG. You’re wrong. It’s good to live in this house and I live there.

LUCY. Can I look around? I have never been inside such houses! (Comes inside without any invitation).

HEDGEHOG. The polite children should introduce themselves.

LUCY. I’m Lucy. Who are you? What are you doing there?

HEDGEHOG. I’m the mistress of this laundry as you see. I hate dirty clothes! Why do people always throw out their dirty things? Can you see these two baskets? The first is full of dirty clothes and the second – of clean ones. I need some time to iron them.

LUCY. Oh, these are my socks as well as my apron! And where are my handkerchiefs?

HEDGEHOG. They are over here. They were quite dirty when I found them in the grass. I have never seen dirtier ones.

LUCY. I should thank you, little lady. Can I get them back?

HEDGEHOG. One minute. I’ll iron some things. Their owners are waiting for them. Can you take a waistcoat out of the basket? It is for Bunny. There are a lot of pockets there and he keeps so many useless things in them. This cap is for Robin. It is just at the bottom. And these gloves belong to our Squirrel. They were worn, so I had to repair them. It took me half a day.

LUCY. Can I help you? I didn’t use to do washing but I can iron.

HEDGEHOG. All is done. Your apron is ready. You can put it on. Hold this basket and come out. We should give out these things to their owners.

SCENE III

SETTING. A green meadow in the forest.

The birds sing.

HEDGEHOG. Robin must be over here. Take back your cap, sir!

ROBIN. A lot of thanks, lady. I’m going to the concert tonight. You are invited.

HEDGEHOG. I have a lot of work to do, sir. I’m not sure to be free.

LUCY. I’ve never been to a birds’ concert. May I come?

ROBIN. Certainly. Glad to have met you, ladies. (Flies away).

SQUIRREL. Oh, my gloves are like new. You’re a true magician, my dear.

HEDGEHOG. I tried my best. These gloves will serve you if you take care of them.

SQUIRREL. But I have to cut nuts and that spoils a lot of gloves. Thank you very much. How I can do without you! (Runs away).

BUNNY. Hello, lady! Hello, Lucy! What about my waistcoat? I need pockets.

HEDGEHOG. Why do you wear a lot of things in your pockets, I wonder?

BUNNY. Have you heard the philosopher said, ’All my own I wear with myself’?

LUCY. But he didn’t mean penknives and glass balls.

BUNNY. It doesn’t matter. A lot of thanks. Bye!

LUCY. This is my home. Come in. My mother will be glad to meet you.

MOTHER’S VOICE. Is that you, Lucy? Who are you speaking to?

LUCY. It’s me, Mummy. Let me introduce Little Mistress to you. (Looking around). Where are you? She’s come away. What a pity! Mummy! I have brought my apron and my socks as well as my handkerchiefs. They are clean. I’ll always wash my things myself!

The end

PETER, THE RABBIT

(after Beatrix Potter)

CHARACTERS:

PETER

MOTHER

MOPSY, HIS SISTER

TOPSY, HIS BROTHER

MR.MCGREGOR

CAT

SCENE I

SETTING. A little tidy house where the rabbits’ family lives.

MOTHER. And now, my little children I should go out. I have a lot of work to do: to see a dentist, to meet your aunt Betty, to go to the fair and – last but not least – to do shopping. Would you like to have tasty buns for tea?

PETER. May I go for a walk?

MOTHER. Sure. You can either pick up flowers or play leapfrog with your brother and sister. I don’t mind.

TOPSY. Can I have two buns, Mummy if you have an extra bun?

MOTHER. You’re too fat, my dear. The fewer buns you’ll eat, the better! But why should I have an extra bun I wonder?

MOPSY. Peter won’t follow your advice. He is going to McGregor’s garden to pick up cabbages and carrots.

PETER. You are fools! I’ve told about lettuce! Nobody will take his cabbages because they are small and insipid. Only fools can eat the carrots in May.

MOTHER. You ought not to attend Mr. McGregor’s garden. It’s an unhappy place for our family. My poor husband who was a father of yours – went to the garden to pick up onions and didn’t come back. He ended his life in the cake baked by Mrs. McGregor!

MOPSY (crying). My poor father will never return! We shall never see him again!

PETER. He didn’t bring onions!

MOTHER. I suppose picking up blackberries will be safer. (Comes out).

MOPSY. Have you heard, Peter, what mother has told you? Will you go to eat blackberries with us?

PETER. Only fools eat blackberries hen they can help themselves with lettuce!

TOPSY. Can I join you, Peter?

PETER. You’re too fat for the hole in the fence. See you later!

SCENE II.

SCENERY: Mr. McGregor’s garden. A scarecrow and a small hut for garden tools.

PETER. Let me have a look. It is a lettuce bed, isn’t it? Carrots are over there. They are too small but I can try them. They are insipid! But where are the onions I wonder? (He picks up some lettuce and a few carrots).

CAT. What are you doing, sir?

PETER. It doesn’t matter. As far as I know this is neither Mr. McGregor nor his dog.

CAT. They have gone to the fair. Mrs. McGregor joins them too. Do you know this old lady? She can bake cakes well. I prefer her rabbit pies.

PETER. I have no time to chatter to you, lady. Can you tell me the way to the onion bed?

CAT. With pleasure, sir! Go straight on, then turn to the left and take the second turning to the right.

PETER. Thanks. I’m glad to have met you. Bye! I’m too busy.

CAT. Are you leaving? You can’t leave! Master, master! He’s come. He is over there! Catch him!

MR. MCGREGOR. Who? Where? What’s the matter? Who is making noise? (Takes a stick and began beating poor Peter). Let me watch you better! Are you a relative of the rabbit who came here a year ago? Did you come to eat my cabbage either?

PETER. It’s lettuce. Your cabbage is small and insipid.

MR.MCGREGOR. My cabbages are the best in the area and not only! Every year I win prizes at the fairs!

PETER. In my opinion the lettuce is better. I can’t say anything about your onions, sir. I haven’t tasted them.

MR.MCGREGOR. I suppose I’ll taste you with onions soon! (Catches Peter’s jacket but he jumps out of the jacket and off he goes).

Peter meets his mother.

MOTHER. I wonder where your new jacket is saying nothing of a pair of new boots?

PETER. They are at Mr. McGregor’s garden.

MOTHER. I think you wouldn’t have a tasty bun today. Herb tea will be enough. Have tea and go to bed!

SCENE III

SETTING. A fence at the McGregor’s garden.

PETER. I look funny in this red handkerchief, don’t I?

TOPSY. Never mind. We’ll get back your clothes soon.

MOPSY. Who is that terrible guard in front of us? He is standing just behind the fence and waves his hand so fearfully.

PETER. It’s McGregor’s scarecrow. It is wearing my jacket and boots. Take the stick, the strong stick and beat the scarecrow!

TOPSY(beats the scarecrow and laughs). It’s great.

Peter’s jacket and boots are falling down. The noise awakes Cat and she appears.

MOPSY. Who is that smart lady over there? She is looking at us? Shall I tell her good morning?

PETER. Never talk to the cat. They always lie and can fool you. How do you do, madam?

CAT. How do you do, a piece of pie? Mr. McGregor is over here. I can call him if you want.

PETER. As far as I know your master has left for the fair. An hour ago we saw him doing in a carriage. Do you always lie or only sometimes?

TOPSY. Beat the cats!

All rabbits take the sticks and drive Cat into the hut for tools. Then Peter locks the door.

PETER. Let’s look for the onions. We should bring some home.

MOPSY. I would like to pick up some cabbages. They seem to be tasty.

PETER. Certainly. It’s the best cabbage in the area. Every year McGregor wins the prizes at the fair.