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Table of Contents

(A Christmas Play in One Act)

By Anna van Marter Jones

SCENE

Any stage or platform large enough to hold all the actors for final chorus and dance—with wings screened from view where players may sit when not on the stage. No curtain required, the only “stage setting” being a large chair at back of stage and twelve (or six) small chairs placed about the stage leaving center free.

CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY

Father Time, a tall boy in gown, with white hair and beard; carries a scythe and an hour-glass.

Herald, boy in page’s suit.

Jury, twelve or six boys and girls in school clothes, having dolls, teddy-bears, books or toys—as if meeting for play.

Master January, boy—suit of white—leggings, trousers, sweater, and stocking cap—trimmed with white cotton; carries a large, white-covered book on which Resolutions is printed in bold relief.

Little New Year, tiny child, also in white, carrying sleigh-bells; one who can sing.

Miss February, girl—blue cap, white blouse, red skirt, the last trimmed with silver hearts and birds; carries a small flag and a large valentine.

Bluster March, boy—wearing overcoat, mittens, “pull-down” cap and tippet; carries a huge kite, a large top, and a bag of marbles.

Four Winds,[1] four smaller lads, who can sing; costumes: gray gowns with large kimono-like sleeves covering hands; and pointed hoods of same material.

Baby April, small girl—dress, lavender; a “red ridinghood” cape of pale green; carries some tiny white flowers.

The Princess May, tall girl—in pink gown, with wreath of green vines and pink flowers; carries wild flowers.

May’s Attendants,[2] six or twelve smaller boys and girls—in white costumes, who dance about her or do a simple Maypole dance.

Summer-hearted June, girl, in white with wreath of roses; carries large bunch of roses.

Jolly July, boy, in Uncle Sam suit; carries bunch of sky-rockets and toy pistol.

Miss Leisure August, girl, in outing costume—large hat, etc.; carries tennis racquet, fishing rods, and golf sticks.

School-day September, boy, in school suit, laden with huge strap full of school books.

Golden October, girl, in light brown dress trimmed with autumn leaves; carries basket of red apples.

Little Leaves,[3] six tiny girls in red and yellow dresses.

Harvest November, boy, in cook’s cap and apron; carrying, on a tray, a turkey.

Assistant Cooks, four boys similarly dressed, each bearing on his tray a portion of the Thanksgiving dinner described in his lines.

Dear December, a large boy, dressed as Santa Claus and carrying a small Christmas tree.

Music throughout the play may be produced by a pianist, an orchestra, or a chorus of children. Any suitable selections may be substituted for those here suggested. The play moves on well with only piano interludes.

THE PLAY

[Enter, left wing, six or a dozen school children, talking, laughing, hurrying in. They discover Father Time standing at right front of stage, leaning on his scythe, and looking much disturbed.]

Children. [Cheerily.]Good evening, Father Time.

Father Time. [Very sadly.]Good evening, little folks.

Boy. [Aside.]The old man looks terribly blue

to-night, doesn’t he?

Girl. Sh! Don’t let him hear you say that—Poor

old Father Time!

Father Time. You may well say “Poor old Father

Time.”

Children. [Together.]Why, have you had bad

luck, Father Time?

First Girl. Are you ill?

Second Girl. Can’t we help you?

Father Time. [Shakes his head several times most

sorrowfully, then steps forward as if suddenly struck

with a fine idea.]Perhaps you can help me,—yes, I

do believe you children are the very ones who can.

Children. [Eagerly.]Oh, tell us how!

[They gather near him.]

Father Time. Well, my dears, a sad state of affairs

exists in my family. I’m ashamed to tell you—but

my twelve children have been quarreling.

Children. Children quarreling! How shocking!

Father Time. True, true, my friends. And the

worst of it is that they declare they will never leave

off wrangling until one of them has proven his right

to be king. But if one of the twelve can make good

his claim to sovereignty, the rest are ready to crown

him and will become his loyal subjects—so they say.

Boy. Well, Father Time, why don’t you decide

which is your best child, and appoint him king, and

so settle the whole matter?

Father Time. Oh, a father cannot select his best

child. All the children in a family must be equal in

their parents’ eyes, you understand. But [tapping

his forehead]I think I see how this unfortunate dispute

can be ended. I’ll go talk to those months of

mine—I’ll ask them to submit to a trial by jury—and

if they will do that—

Children. [With great glee.]We may be the

jury? Oh, goody!

Father Time. Perhaps—maybe—But wait you

here—I’ll bring you their decision. [Goes out right wing.]

[The Children form ring and play drop the handkerchief, but rush at Father Time pell-mell when he returns.]

Children. May we decide? Are we the judges,

Father Time?

Father Time. Softly, softly—judges must be

grave and sober, you know. [Children stand very

straight and look most solemn.]Yes, the twelve

months agree to present their claims to you. They

say you will be fair, for they have heard that children

always speak the truth.

Children. Quite right—we always do speak the truth.

Father Time. Now take you each a chair [Children

obey] and sit you here. [Children seat themselves

in two rows at left front of stage facing toward

center partially.]Be very careful how you look and

how you listen. Think hard before you give your

judgment—for what you decide will make one child

of mine a sovereign.

[Father Time seats himself at back of stage.]

Father Time. [Calls.]Ho, Herald.

Herald.[Entering from left wing.] Yes, your

reverence—I come, your reverence.

Father Time. Go, bid my children be ready in the

anteroom, and when they are assembled bring hither

each in turn.

Herald. Yes, your reverence; I go, your reverence.

[Goes out at right wing.]

[Music and sleigh-bells heard. Short instrumental selection or sleighing song.]

[Enter Herald with Master January and the Little New Year.]

Herald. [To Jury.]Honorable judges, this is

Master January.

[January bows to Jury and recites.]

I’m the first month, as you see,

And there is a charm to me,

For all that’s old or bad I hide away;

And I bring this book so white

Where each one of you may write

Resolutions to be good from day to day.

And this little fellow here,

My delightful chum, New Year,

Just think of all the treasures he will bring.

I am sure you’ll vote for me,

For I know you will agree

That you choose me—when you hear him sing.

[Little New Year sings, “I am the little New Year.” Jenks’ Kindergarten Songs.]

Jury. A very good pair and a nice little song—

But we cannot say you—you may pass right along.

[Exit January and New Year to left.]

[Music—A Patriotic Air played or sung.]

[Enter Herald and Miss February.]

Herald. Allow me to present Miss February.

Miss February.[Recites.]

Think well of the heroes you honor and bless.

I bring you their birthdays and so rather guess

That from pride in your country you’ll surely choose me.

For Lincoln and Washington both did you see.

But if to appreciate them you’re too small

Then surely St. Valentine’s day wins you all.

Jury. We love you and we honor you

But for a queen you will not do.

[Exit February.]

[Enter Herald and Bluster March, followed by the Four Winds, who wave their arms like fans as they approach.]

Herald. This is Bluster March.

Bluster March.[Recites.]

Ho, ho, ho! Can’t we blow,

These little winds and I!

We clear the earth for flowers’ birth

And frolic in the sky.

I bring the marbles, tops, and kites

In which the small boy so delights.

And better still, I always bring

The promise of approaching spring.

[Winds sing “The Winds.”

Modern Music Series, First Book.]

Jury. You are a jolly fellow true,

But not for kings such lads as you.

[Exit March and the Winds.]

[Enter Herald coaxing little April to follow. She hangs back and seems so shy that Herald has to push her gently toward the Jury.]

Herald. This is Baby April.

Baby April.[Wipes her eyes, and says:]

I’m ’most too small to go about

Without some grown-up guides.

I can’t help crying—I must pout—

But I can smile besides.

And when my little form is seen

The dreary world awakes all green.

Jury. O, April, you’re too timid quite

To rule the year—trot out of sight.

[Exit April.]

[Music. May song sung or May dance played.]

[Enter Herald, Princess May and Dancers.]

Herald. Honorable judges, allow me to present

the Princess May and her train.

[All bow. The dancers place the crown on May’s head and form for the dance which immediately follows. At its close May recites.]

Hear the birds a-singing,

See the leaping rill,

How they greet my coming

Over vale and hill.

In my hands are blossoms,

On my face a smile,

And my days of sunshine

Sadness will beguile.

Jury. You surely are a lovely lass—

But not a queen—so you must pass.

[Exit May and train.]

[Music.]

[Enter Herald and June.]

Herald. Honorable judges, Miss Summer-hearted June.

June.[Recites.]

Oh, take me for your queen,

For surely ne’er was seen

A fairer, sweeter, dearer month than I.

I bring the balmy weather

When roses crowd together,

And blueness makes the beauty of the sky.

But when my moon so tender

Sheds over all its splendor

It seems that heaven itself is drawing nigh.

Jury. You’re dear and fair and sweet

But not for queenship meet.

[Exit June.]

[Music. “Yankee Doodle.” Drumming and noise of fire-crackers.]

[July rushes on to stage unannounced, shoots his cap pistol and says to Jury:]

You know me, boys—and girls, you do,

The month of the year I am sure for you—

With crackers and cannon and squibs and rockets,

And pistols and caps in small boys’ pockets—

With fireworks and music and jolly noise,

I’m the favorite month with girls and boys.

Now am I not, Eh?

Jury.[With hands over their ears.]

We love you once in a long year

But more than that would tire, we fear.

[Exit July.]

[Music—Waltz or Boat Song.]

[Enter Herald and August.]

Herald. Honorable judges, permit me to

introduce to you Miss Leisure August.

August.[Recites.]

Picnics by the lakeside,

Fishing in the bay,

Hammocks on the porches,

Idleness all day.

Golfing on the meadows,

Bathing in the sea,

Surely for a monarch

You’d be glad of me.

Jury.[With great disapproval.]

Ninety in the shade—

Never you, fair maid!

[Exit August.]

[Music. “School Days.”]

[Enter Herald and September.]

Herald. The Jury knows School-day September.

September. [Recites.]

You know me well for I’m the day

When school begins and stops your play;

When packing up your books, you go

Where you must study—

Jury.[Interrupting.] Oh, oh, oh!

We never could have you for king—

Why, that would be a dreadful thing!

[Exit September.]

[Music. “October’s Bright Blue Weather.” Modern Music Reader, Book II.]

[Enter Herald and October.]

Herald. Honorable judges, Golden October.

October.[Recites.]

I’m the month of wonderful color—to me

Belongs the beauty of changing tree.

Nuts drop for my friends on the countryside,

And over the landscape far and wide

I spread the loveliest purple haze

To soften the sun on my warmest days.

While over the meadows, growing brown,

The beautiful leaves come fluttering down.

[Enter little Leaves, dancing to front of stage where they sing “Come Little Leaves.” Kindergarten Song.]

Jury. We can’t choose you, October gay,

For long enough you never stay.

[Music. Song—“Come, ye thankful people.” Any Hymnal.]

[Enter Herald, followed by chief cook November and his assistants.]

Herald. Harvest November.

November. Come along, my helpers true,

Show the jury what we do.

Here’s a dinner for you all—

Turkey here for large and small.

First Assistant. Celery and squash for you—

Second Assistant. Cranberries and jelly, too.

Third Assistant. Pumpkin pies and mince, as well.

Fourth Assistant. Raisins rich and nuts to shell.

November. While a song of thanks we sing—

[They sing—Repeating the first stanza of

“Come, ye thankful people.”]

Will you choose me for your king?

Jury. We love you well but not the best,

So you must go and join the rest.

[Exit November and the cooks.]

[Bells are heard and a Christmas carol outside.]

[The Jury exhibit great excitement and show by pantomime that they know what is coming now.]

[Enter Herald followed by Dear December.]

[The Jury rise in haste and clapping hands rush to meet December, shouting:]

Here is the king!

[They surround him joyfully.]

First Girl. You bring us Christmas day!

Boy. With wonderful Christmas stories!

Girl. And the bells—

Girl. And the stockings—

Boy. And Christmas trees—and Santa Claus—

Boy. And love to us all with peace and good will.

All. Oh, dear December, your praise we sing,

We know all choose you for their king.

[They sing an appropriate Christmas song.]

Father Time. [Coming forward.] Have you

chosen the king?

Children. Yes, yes, Father Time, December is the

king.

Father Time. And you have chosen well, for this

is the month of love, and love is always king. Herald!

Herald. Yes, your reverence, I am here,

your reverence.

Father Time. Go bid my other children come and

greet their rightful king.

[Herald goes out.]

[The others return and passing before December salute him with low bows and curtsies, forming two circles about him. When all have come they dance about December, singing—“Hail, Old Father Christmas.” Modern Music Series, First Book.]

[At the final phrase of the chorus all wave a good-by to the audience.]