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Little Dramas for Primary Grades cover

Little Dramas for Primary Grades

Chapter 8: THE ODD MAN AND THE DOG TRUE
By Ada M. Skinner
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About This Book

A collection of brief, teacher-friendly scripts and dramatic readers intended for beginning primary grades that present simple scenes, animal fables, folk tales, and short adaptations. Each piece includes character lists, directions, and stage cues adaptable to classroom performance; selections aim to develop oral reading, imagination, and interpretive skills. Contents range from nursery dramas and moral fables to seasonal pieces and adaptations of well-known short stories and legends, offering varied roles for young children and practical material for classroom dramatization.

THE ODD MAN AND THE DOG TRUE

Characters—Odd Man, True, Big Black Dog

Odd Man. [To the dog.] Who are you, and why do you come into my cave?

True. I am a poor dog, sir, who has lost his way. Will you be so kind as to tell me how I may get out?

Odd Man. No, I will not. But I will tell you what you may do if you like. You may stay here in my cave and work for me.

True. I will do that if you will not let me out. But what work do you wish me to do?

Odd Man. Well, well, you see I have here a great bag full of gold. I have to sit on it all the time.

True. Why must you sit on it?

Odd Man. I will tell you. Near my cave lives an ogre. This ogre wants to kill me so that he can get my gold.

True. Dear me!

Odd Man. If I go to sleep or move away he will try to get at me. I am just worn out for want of rest.

True. Dear me! How can I help you?

Odd Man. Well, if you would stay by me and watch for the ogre, I might take a short nap.

True. I will do that! And you, sir, go to sleep. [Odd Man goes to sleep. Big Black Dog enters.]

Big Black Dog. Good day, little dog. How do you do?

True. I am very well, I thank you; but who are you?

Big Black Dog. My name is Nip, and I have come to show you the way out of this cave. Let us run now!

True. No; I said I would take care of this cave for the Odd Man, and I will do it.

Big Black Dog. But the Odd Man is asleep. He will not see you. Come, now, come along with me!

True. No, I will not go.

Big Black Dog. Then give me a bone, will you?

True. I cannot, for they are not mine; the Odd Man may give you one, by and by. [Big Black Dog goes to get a bone.]

True. Bow-wow-wow!

Odd Man. [Opening his eyes.] What was that? You woke me out of my nap.

True. Oh, sir, it was a big black dog. It came into the cave and was stealing a bone.

Odd Man. Oh! That was the ogre in the dress of a black dog. Here, you may have a bone. You were a good dog to bark and wake me up. What more can I do to show you how glad I am?

True. Oh, sir, may I go out of the cave now? I want to see a nice, nice cat that is waiting outside.

Odd Man. Very well, good dog. The ogre will not come back again, and I can take a good nap. Here is a door in the side of the cave. I will open it, and you can go.—Good-by.