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

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 are singing.

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