In a Toy Shop: A Christmas Play for Small Children

Proprietor: I’m glad it’s closing time for I’m tired. I always work so hard the week before Christmas and I had a lot of new toys to put away today. I hope I have no trouble in selling them but times are hard. [Shakes head.] Times are hard and Christmas isn’t what it used to be.

[He goes out, locking door. A light is left burning for the night. A voice calls from back of counter which should be high to make toys seem small.]

Voice: Has he really gone?

Second Voice, from large box in corner. [It is the Teddy Bear.] Yes, I heard the door slam.

First Voice: Come on out, friends, he’s gone.

From behind counter come Tin Soldiers, marching in single file to tune of John Brown’s Body. They sing.

First Tin Soldier:

Chorus:

Second Tin Soldier:

Third Tin Soldier:

If possible a simple military drill should be performed. They march to one side. From behind counter come books. They go to front of stage. As each one finishes saying her verse she steps to rear of stage across from Soldiers.

First Book: I’m Grimm’s Fairy Tales—every one likes me.

Second Book: I’m Peter Rabbit, as cunning as can be.

Third Book: I’m Anderson’s Fairy Tales, charming and sweet.

Fourth Book: I’m Black Beauty, a horse so fleet.

Fifth Book: I’m Alice in Wonderland—funny and queer.

Sixth Book: I’m the Bluebird—happy and dear.

Seventh Book: I’m Robinson Crusoe—adventures so wild.

Eighth Book: I’m Mother Goose, loved by every child.

Ninth Book: I’m Hiawatha, the Indian boy.

Tenth Book: I’m Peter Pan, the spirit of joy.

All:

All Blocks: We spell words.

[Three Blocks, C, A, T, step out from rest and say]: C—A—T— spells cat.

C Block:

A Block:

T Block:

D Block:

O Block:

G Block:

H Block:

E Block:

N Block:

All Blocks:

Chorus:

[They spin round and round making a humming sound until exhausted. They fall back opposite blocks, in front of books. Jumping Jacks come out walking jerkily.]

All Jumping Jacks:

[They do the following drill to music of any lively march holding each number four beats.]

Drill: 1—Heads down. 2—Heads up. 3—Right hand up. 4—Left hand up. 5—Both hands down. 6—Right knee up. 7—Right knee down. 8—Left knee up. 9—Left knee down. 10—Hands on hips. 11—Bow. 12—Stand at attention.

This may be continued indefinitely or modified in many ways. The Jumping Jacks should stand in two rows. After first part of drill is finished have first row bend knees low through four beats, then rise and second row bend knees for four beats and repeat till tired, when all march to rear of stage in front of blocks. All movements as jerky as possible.

Chorus:

[They go in front of tops, moving stiffly. Lid of box in corner raises slowly and a Teddy Bear sticks out his head.]

Teddy Bear: Are you sure there aren’t any hunters here?

Soldiers: Yes, it’s all right, Teddy, come on out and stretch your legs. You must be stiff sitting in that box so long. [Teddy Bear comes slowly out stretching himself and yawning.]

Teddy:

All: But, Teddy, you hug them too hard.

Teddy: No, really I don’t, that’s only gossip you’ve heard I’m always very gentle and I love folks very much. I’m too affectionate I’m afraid.

[Teddy goes to back of stage and sits on floor rubbing his legs which are stiff from being so long in the box.]

All say:

Peppermint Stick [red and white]:

Black and White Stick, Licorice:

Lemon Stick [yellow and white]:

Spearmint Stick [green and white]:

Chocolate Stick [brown and white]:

All Sticks:

All Others: Don’t be so conceited. Your praise let others tell.

Dominoes: We represent the pack. The rest are too tired to come out but we have more spots than they, so are stronger. We think there should be a game of Dominoes in every stocking this Christmas.

All Others: So do we, Spots, so do we.

A Soldier: Twelve o’clock. We’d better go back to our shelves and boxes.

A Doll: Yes, we need lots of sleep so we’ll look nice tomorrow. I’d hate not to be sold.

All Toys: I’m sure I’ll be sold, anyway.

Teddy Bear: Let’s sing a song and then get back where we belong.

All sing—

Chorus:

To soft music of Home, Sweet Home they disappear behind counter, dolls, first and soldiers last. Teddy Bear climbs in his box and pulls down lid.

All: Good night. Good night.

PAINE PUBLISHING CO.