Hang Up Your Stocking

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 7 (Supplement)

Hang Up Your Stocking

Christmas Playlet for Little Children.

Oy Hilda Trevelyan Thom-on.— Copyright.) Note: This can be played in any fairly large room. If small space can be sparefl two chair-beds with bright covers will serve for the ‘’furniture.” (Child’s dressing-table, etc., can be added of there is room.) Tn Front.—lt is essential that in front should be an empty space largo enough to take four (or six) dancers and a small sleigh (or cart). At each side of space must be openings large enough for the sleigh. A small screen is at the end of each bed—not hiding any of bed, but serving as hiding-place for the Elf who hears all they say.

Time: Christmas Eve. Place: Anywhere. Scene: Children’s Bedroom. CHARACTERS. Mortals: Two Children, Betty and Ann, their Mother. Immortals: Father Christmas and the Brownies, Peace and Goodwill, Elves (four or six), Fairies (four or six). PROPERTIES. Two Chair Beds. Sleigh or Cart. Chair, dreen Rug. Two Screens, any other Addition if Roons. Elf is hiding behind screen listening to all. Small child runs in through door (back). She leaves at open and hides behind it. Bigger child comes to door, laughing, listens, then creeps in. The first springs out and says ‘‘Boo” loudly. Ann: How dare you? There’s no time to pillow fight for Mummy’s coming up to say Good-night. • They both take off dressing gowns. Are either in pyjamas or nightdresses. They jump into bed. Betty suddenly says. “Oh, I forgot!” 6he gets out, finds stocking on chair, and fastens it at end of bed. Ann (watching her get out): Betty! Whatever are you going to do? Betty: I’m hanging up my stocking Find yours, too. Be quick. It’s Christmas Eve. Hip, fflp. Hooray! What fun we’ll have. To-morrow’s Christmas Day. Ann (superior voice): No fear. I think it’s silly. It’s all rot. You’re going to hang your stocking? Well, I’m not. I’ve been at school a term. I’m eight. You’re five. I don’t believe that fairies are ft live. Betty (opens eyes): Not believe in fairies? Ann (scornfully): Who has seen a fairy? Betty: Ann! But Santa Claus has been because he’s brought us presents every year. Ann: Well, if it pleases you at all. my dear, you can believe it. I am far too old. I know a lot of things you’ve not been told. Betty: You won’t get any presents, like last year. Ann: I shall. I don’t depend on him, my dear. I can’t think why you’re making all this fuss. Metty (hears footsteps): Here’s Mummy come to say good-night to us. (This part must be taken by grownup; a real mother preferred.) Mother (comes and tucks each up): Mother enters. Now. darlings, have you settled down all right? It’s Christmas Eve, all children’s favourite night. She kisses them and is going towards door, when Betty speaks. She turns and sits on ehairs between beds. Betty (sadly): Ann says there aren’t >u fairies any more. She never used to

say such things before. Ami Father Christmas doesn’t come at all. Ann: No more lie does. It’s only ’cos you’re small. Mummy’s not seen a fairy, have you. Mums? She can’t say Father Christmas really comes. Pause. Mother (slowly, thoughtfully): I’d never say ho didn’t come—though I have Dever really seen him with this eye. Ann; There, you see Betty. Mummy’s not like you. Mother: Ob, yes, I am. Because besides two ryes here, 1 have two others in my iniud, and when I shut these tight (shuts tin ini I always find that I see pictures—things I’ve never seen. Anu (interested): Oh. yes, and places where you've never bee«u

Mother (mysteriously): Those are the eyes that bring-the fairies near. Keep them wide open, then you need not fear For anything can happen. You can see (I’ve often found it happening to me) tor miles and miles—the most enchanting things. You’ll find they give your thoughts the fleetest wings, to fly to Fairyland. (Softly.) For there are more things in the heaven and earth than dreamed before. When you are older, you will find that true. Now shut your eyes, and happy dreams to you. Kisses them both. Goes out. Ann: Good-night, Betty dear. Betty: Good-night Ann. You can believe in Fairies if Mums can. They settle down and go to sleep. The Elf (in green) comes forward. He tip-toes, across to beds and looks to see if each child is. asleep. He touches stocking that is hung up, ami nods, satisfied. Shakes his head sadly when finds none on other bed. Comes forward and plays . a few on flute. Four (or six) little Elves, dressed in moss-green carpet (green rug or green matting). They spread, it. First Elf sits on earpet and they by him. (First U-: You may spread the fairy carpet. Here we’ve held our Christmas revels every year. This time, though I was very muoli for one small mortal a mistake has made. Second Elf: But why! I thought as long as children were near us, we could. (Points.) And two are sleeping there. First Elf: One nearly broke the spell, because she said she would not hang her stocking by her bed. That Father Christmas was not really true; he was all make-believe, and fairies, too. Chorus of horrified “Oh’s!” Third Elf: It must have given you a nasty fright. First Elf (nods): And when the mother came to say good-night the littlest asked her.

Second Elf: And wliat did .she say! First Elf (slowly): There were more tilings in heaven and earth than they had ever dreamed of. Fourth Elf (nodding, satisfied): Everything depends on mothers. They’re the fairies’ greatest friends. First Elf: She said it was the Inner Eye that made a child or grown-up see us. I’m afraid that one did not believe her. But you see the other hung her - stocking. Second Elf’ So we’re free to spread the fairy carpet. Every sprite knows 'Father Christmas passes here to-night. First Elf plays little tune on flute. Six (or four) little Fairies in white run in from each side of stage. Fairy: Ah! There you are! (They dance over to beds and look at children.) Two children sleep, it seems. We’ll dance for them, and give them happy dreams. Some dainty steps to soft, music. Sit down among Elves when finished. First Elf: Soon Father Christmas passes in his sleigh. It is liis busiest night. He will not stay; except to fill one stocking. Elves, look sad. Second Elf: Only one! But must the ■bigger child lose all the fun? Third Elf: We’ll see what Father Christmas says. He may think she must wait until next Christmas Day-. Fairies all chorus “Oh, no!” There is sound of a bugle outside. The Elf goes out, comes back and says: Elf: Two Christmas fairies have arrived and they have come to greet us, as they pass this’way. Two elves run forward and bring in two sprites, both dressed alike, in dove-grey.; One holds a dove against her (cither tamo or toy one). ■ First Elf .(goes to them): Peace and Goodwill. How pleased ive are to see you both again. Goodwill; To-night we art not free For very long, because on Christmas Day, We always try our very best to stay. In every house all through the world, we find That hearts are growing every day more kind. Peace (small, fair, gentle): For everyone is tired of strife and woe, And feeling as they never felt before; I wish that we could always with thent stay, And not just come to see them Christmas Day. Goodwill (puts hand on shoulder): Wherever Peace goes, there I go as well. In fact, we’re much alike—you’d hardly tell The difference. Peace has the softer heart, And she and I must never, never part. Peace: To-night the children hang their stockings, they Know that the fairies are as real today As ever, and that Father Christmas stiii