  Characters—Hans, Gretchen, Red Fox Scene I—In the WoodsRed Fox. Help me out! Help me out, little Hans. I am caught in this trap. Help me out, and it shall be well with you. Hans. To be sure. I’ll let you out. There! Red Fox. You are very kind. If you have a wish, tell me what it is and it shall be granted. Hans. Oh, as to that, I wish my pail here were full of berries. My sister and I are very hungry. Red Fox. Your wish is granted. Look into your pail! [Hans runs home.] Scene II—At HomeHans. See, Gretchen dear, what fine berries I have brought. Gretchen. Oh, what big ones! Where did you get them in so short a time? Hans. It was the fox, Gretchen. He was caught in a trap. I let him out. He said I might have Gretchen. Foolish boy! Why didn’t you ask for something better? If he could fill your pail with berries just for the asking, he could do far greater things. Hans. But don’t you like the berries, Gretchen? Gretchen. When we eat them there will be nothing left. Go back and tell the fox that you wish to have the cupboard always full of food. Hans. Be satisfied, dear sister. We are quite happy as we are. Gretchen. No, I will not be satisfied. You must do as I tell you. Scene III—In the WoodsRed Fox. How now, little Hans? Is it not well with you? Hans. Alas! My sister is not satisfied. She asked me to come to you again. Red Fox. What does she wish? Hans. She wishes that our cupboard may be always full. Red Fox. Go home, little Hans. It shall be as she wishes. Scene IV—At Home (the Next Day)Hans. Why are you unhappy again, Gretchen? Come, let us play. Gretchen. Why should I be happy? We have no toys, only sticks and Hans. Be satisfied, little Gretchen. We are quite happy as we are. Gretchen. No, I will not be satisfied. Scene V—In the WoodsRed Fox. How now, little Hans? Is it not well with you? Hans. Alas! My sister is not satisfied. She asked me to come to you again. Red Fox. What does she wish? Hans. She wishes she had some beautiful toys to play with. Red Fox. Go home, little Hans. It shall be as she wishes. Scene VI—At Home (Another Day)Hans. Why are you not happy, little Gretchen? Come, let us play. Gretchen. Why should I be happy? I am tired of these old toys. I want a beautiful palace to live in. Hans. Be satisfied, little sister. We are quite happy as we are. Gretchen. No, I will not be satisfied. You must do as I tell you. Scene VII—In the WoodsRed Fox. How now, little Hans? Is it not well with you? Hans. Alas! My sister is not satisfied. She asked me to come to you again. Red Fox. What does she wish now? Hans. She wishes to live in a beautiful palace. Red Fox. Go home, little Hans. It shall be as she wishes. Scene VIII—At HomeHans. Why are you unhappy again, little sister? Gretchen. Why should I be happy? I am tired of this palace. There is only one thing that would make me happy. Go to the Red Fox. Tell him I must have the great silver ball that hangs over us in the sky. Hans. Be satisfied, dear sister. We are quite happy as we are. Gretchen. No, no. I will not be satisfied. You must do as I tell you. Scene IX—In the WoodsRed Fox. How now, brother Hans? Is it not well with you? Hans. Alas! My sister is not satisfied with the palace. Red Fox. What does she wish? Hans. She wishes the great silvery moon for her plaything. Fox. [Very slowly.] The great silvery moon! Go, little Hans. It shall not be as she wishes. You will find the cupboard empty, the toys gone, and your home again a little cottage. |
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