  Characters Boastful Bamboo Little Tree Boy Girl Woodcutter Scene I—In the ForestBoastful Bamboo. Little bamboo tree, you bow and bend to every wind that blows. A bamboo tree should never show fear. Look at me! I stand straight and strong and bow to no one. Little Tree. I know you are strong. You are much stronger than I am. I am only fit to trim the houses for the New Year’s feast. But you will be used in making some great house or maybe in making a palace. Boastful Bamboo. Only that! I shall be chosen for the mast of a big ship. Every one will look at me and say, “See what a beautiful mast that ship has!” As for you, timid little tree, you will never be brave enough even to deck the New Year’s feast. Little Tree. Who knows? If I grow straight and strong. I may be chosen to do some good in the world! Scene II—In the Forest (later)Boy. [Looking at the Boastful Bamboo.] What a big, strong, bamboo tree! Girl. But this dear little one beside it is prettier than any of the others. Boy. Yes; let us bind her with our garland of flowers. Girl. We’ll call her the Lady Silver Mist. Woodcutter. [Looking at the big bamboo tree.] Here is a tall, straight tree. It will do for a mast. I will cut it first. Boastful Bamboo. [To Little Tree.] Good-by,—I am sorry for you. I shall see the world now and do great things. Good-by, Little Tree! Little Tree. Good-by! Good fortune go with you! [Big tree falls.] Boy. I’m glad he didn’t take our little tree. Girl. [To Woodcutter.] Please don’t cut down our little tree. In all the forest we love it best. Woodcutter. Ah, I see the little tree has friends. Girl. Yes, we call her the Lady Silver Mist, and she is our playmate. Woodcutter. But I’ve been sent to cut down all the trees in the forest. You must dig it up and carry it away, if you wish to keep it. Boy. I’ll dig it up. We’ll take it home and plant it in our garden by the sea. [Children carry off the tree.] Scene III—In the Garden (after storm)Little Tree. All night the waves of the sea tossed the white foam and dashed the ships about. All around me lie pieces of wood washed up by the sea. What is this at my feet? A piece of a great bamboo tree! Can it be my friend of the forest? Boastful Bamboo. Alas! I am your poor friend. Little Tree. I wish I could help you. Boastful Bamboo. No one can help me. I wish that I had lived in a garden as you have. Then I might have been useful for many years. Farewell, Little Tree. |
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