Take Care, Tables Are Turned!
[The children enter, stand in line and recite. After each recitation is given, the object they mention is seen, shown over a screen at the back of stage. The Witch, Owl, etc., may wear masks, the Bat may be made of paper and swung from above.]
All:
We all have frolicked on Hallowe’en.
We hear strange sounds, what can they mean?
First:
What if my Jack-o’-Lantern came to life?
I made his mouth so big and wide,
And put a candle bright inside!
All:
What if he came to life?
Second:
What if my Witches made of black paper,
On Hallowe’en should cut up a caper?
All:
What if they came to life?
Third:
What if the Owl I stuffed this year
Should very suddenly appear,
And cry, “Tu-who, are you all here?”
All:
What if he came to life?
Fourth:
What of the black cat, so sleek and fat,
I cut and mounted upon a mat?
All:
What if he came to life?
Fifth:
Suppose my Bat of paper there,
Should go a-sailing through the air!
All:
What if he came to life?
Sixth:
I made a Brownie, a jolly fellow,
In a jacket black and yellow.
All:
What if he came to life?
[The objects mentioned, now come forward from behind the screen, and scare the first children, who run off the stage. They shake fingers at the audience and recite]:
Be very careful what you make,
Or you may find ’tis a mistake
To cut such cunning people out;
They’ll come to life beyond a doubt,
On Hallowe’en, on Hallowe’en!
Hurrah! hurrah! for Hallowe’en!