One-Eye! Two-Eyes! Three-Eyes!

A Very Grimm Fairy Tale

Told by Aaron Shepard
Readers Theater Edition #40
PREVIEW: Two-Eyes is different from her sisters and others, because she has just two eyes.
GENRE: Folktales READERS: 9
CULTURE: German READER AGES: 912
THEME: Being different LENGTH: 12 minutes
ROLES: Narrators 13, Two-Eyes, Old Woman, One-Eye, Three-Eyes, Knight, Goat

NARRATOR 1: Once there were three sisters who lived alone in a cottage in the woods.
NARRATOR 2: They had been there as long as they could remember,
NARRATOR 3: and they never saw anyone else.
NARRATOR 1: Now, the oldest sister was no different from other people. Her name was One-Eye. She had
just one eye, right in the middle of her forehead.
ONE-EYE: (steps toward audience, points at the middle of her forehead, then steps back)
NARRATOR 2: The middle sister was also quite ordinary. Her name was Three-Eyes. She had one eye in her
forehead, and one on each side of her face.
THREE-EYES: (steps toward audience, points at the middle of her forehead and at each eye, then steps back)
NARRATOR 3: But the youngest sister was different. Her name was Two-Eyes, and thats just what she had.
(TWO-EYES steps toward audience, points at each eye, gives an embarrassed smile and a broad shrug, then
steps back, while ONE-EYE and THREE-EYES give her dirty looks.)
NARRATOR 1: Because Two-Eyes was not like others, her older sisters were ashamed of her and picked on
her all the time.
NARRATOR 2: They dressed her in ragged hand-me-downs,
NARRATOR 3: and they only let her eat leftovers.
TWO-EYES: (making a face and whining) Yuck.
NARRATOR 1: Now, the sisters owned a goat
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 1: and every day Two-Eyes took it to the meadow to graze.
NARRATOR 2: One morning, when shed had hardly anything to eat, she sat on a big rock and cried her two
eyes out.
TWO-EYES: (bursts out in exaggerated crying and sobbing)
NARRATOR 3: All at once, an old woman stood before her.
(OLD WOMAN pops into place and sways, looking dazed. TWO-EYES stares at OLD WOMAN, forgetting to
cry.)
NARRATOR 1: But the biggest surprise was that this woman had two eyes, just like Two-Eyes herself.
OLD WOMAN: (smiles at audience, quickly points at each eye, then turns to TWO-EYES)
NARRATOR 2: The woman asked,
OLD WOMAN: (kindly) Whats wrong, my dear?
TWO-EYES: (bursts out crying and sobbing again, then whining) Its my sisters. They never give me enough
to eat. (wails in grief)
OLD WOMAN: (shakes her head and clucks) Dont worry about that! You can have as much as you like. Just
say to your goat,
Bleat, goat, bleat.
And bring me lots to eat!
Then youll have plenty. When you dont want any more, just say,
Bleat, goat, bleat.
Ive had so much to eat!
Then the rest will vanish. Just like this.
NARRATOR 3: And the old woman vanished
(OLD WOMAN pops out, and TWO-EYES looks around in surprise, trying to see where she went.)
NARRATOR 1: just
NARRATOR 2: like
NARRATOR 3: that.
NARRATOR 1: Two-Eyes couldnt wait to try. She said to the goat,
TWO-EYES: (eagerly)
Bleat, goat, bleat.
And bring me lots to eat!
NARRATOR 2: The goat bleated
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 2: and a little table and chair appeared.
NARRATOR 3: The table was set with a tablecloth, plate, and silverware, and on it were dishes and dishes of
wonderful-smelling food.
TWO-EYES: This sure is better than leftovers!
NARRATOR 1: Two-Eyes sat down and started in hungrily. Everything tasted delicious.
NARRATOR 2: When shed eaten her fill, she said,
TWO-EYES: (to GOAT)
Bleat, goat, bleat.
Ive had so much to eat!
NARRATOR 3: The goat bleated
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 3: and the table vanished.
TWO-EYES: And thats better than cleaning up!
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 1: When Two-Eyes got home, she didnt touch her bowl of leftovers.
NARRATOR 2: Her sisters didnt notice till shed gone off to bed. Then Three-Eyes said,
THREE-EYES: (excitedly, pointing at the food) Look! Our little sister didnt eat anything!
NARRATOR 3: One-Eye said,
ONE-EYE: (suspiciously) Thats strange. Is someone else giving her food? Ill go tomorrow and watch her.
NARRATOR 1: Next morning, when Two-Eyes started out, One-Eye said,
ONE-EYE: (sternly) Im coming along to make sure you tend the goat properly.
NARRATOR 2: Then she followed Two-Eyes to the meadow and kept a careful eye on her.
NARRATOR 3: So Two-Eyes never got to use the old womans rhyme.
TWO-EYES: (whimpers, on verge of tears)
NARRATOR 1: When they got home, Two-Eyes ate her bowl of leftovers. Then she went off to the woods and
cried her two eyes out.
TWO-EYES: (bursts out crying and sobbing)
NARRATOR 2: The old woman appeared again.
OLD WOMAN: (pops into place looking dazed, then turns to TWO-EYES) Whats wrong, my dear?
TWO-EYES: (sobbing and whining) Its my sisters. The goat cant bring me food, because One-Eye is
watching me. (wails in grief)
OLD WOMAN: (shakes her head and clucks) Dont worry about that! You can stop her if you like. Just sing
her this song. (singing)
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
Keep singing that, and shell sleep soon enough.
NARRATOR 3: Then the old woman vanished.
OLD WOMAN: (pops out)
NARRATOR 1: Next morning, when Two-Eyes went to the meadow, One-Eye again went along.
TWO-EYES: Sister, let me sing to you.
NARRATOR 2: And she sang to her over and over,
TWO-EYES: (singing)
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
NARRATOR 3: One-Eyes eyelid began to droop, and soon she was fast asleep.
(ONE-EYE closes her eyes and snores. TWO-EYES checks her sisters eye carefully before turning away.)
NARRATOR 1: Then Two-Eyes said to the goat,
TWO-EYES: (in a loud whisper)
Bleat, goat, bleat.
And bring me lots to eat!
NARRATOR 2: The goat bleated
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 2: the table appeared, and Two-Eyes ate her fill. Then she said,
TWO-EYES: (in a loud whisper, to GOAT)
Bleat, goat, bleat.
Ive had so much to eat!
NARRATOR 3: The goat bleated again
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 3: and the table vanished. Then Two-Eyes shook her sister.
TWO-EYES: Wake up, sleepyhead!
(ONE-EYE wakes with a grunt, looking surprised and disgruntled, while TWO-EYES smiles at her innocently.)
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 1: When they got home, Two-Eyes didnt touch her leftovers. After shed gone off to bed, Three-
Eyes asked,
THREE-EYES: (excitedly) What happened?
ONE-EYE: (grumpily) How should I know? I fell asleep. If you think you can do better, then you go tomorrow.
NARRATOR 2: So next morning, when Two-Eyes went to the meadow, Three-Eyes went along and
kept three careful eyes on her. Two-Eyes said,
TWO-EYES: Listen, sister, and Ill sing to you.
NARRATOR 3: And she sang to her, over and over,
TWO-EYES: (singing)
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
Is your eye awake?
Is your eye asleep?
NARRATOR 1: As Two-Eyes sang, the eye in her sisters forehead went to sleepbut her other two eyes
didnt!
(THREE-EYES closes her eyes and starts to snore. TWO-EYES checks her sisters eyes carefully.)
NARRATOR 2: Three-Eyes pretended, though, by closing them almost all the way and peeking through.
(As TWO-EYES turns away, THREE-EYES peeks and stops snoring.)
NARRATOR 3: She couldnt quite hear what Two-Eyes told the goat
TWO-EYES: (in a loud whisper)
Bleat, goat, bleat.
And bring me lots to eat!
GOAT: (bleats)
NARRATOR 3: but she saw everything.
THREE-EYES: (still peeking, smiles wickedly)
NARRATOR 1: That night, when Two-Eyes had gone off to bed, One-Eye asked,
ONE-EYE: What happened?
THREE-EYES: (excitedly) Our sister knows a charm to make the goat bring wonderful food. (dejectedly) But I
couldnt hear the words.
ONE-EYE: Then lets get rid of the goat.
NARRATOR 2: And they drove it off into the woods.
(ONE-EYE and THREE-EYES drive away GOAT, shouting nastily and throwing things at it, while GOAT bleats
as it goes off.)
NARRATOR 3: Next morning, One-Eye told Two-Eyes,
ONE-EYE: (accusingly) You thought you could eat better than your sisters, did you? Well, the goat is gone, so
thats that.
NARRATOR 1: Two-Eyes went down to the stream and cried her two eyes out.
TWO-EYES: (bursts out crying and sobbing)
NARRATOR 2: Again the old woman appeared.
OLD WOMAN: (pops into place looking dazed, then turns to TWO-EYES) Whats wrong, my dear?
TWO-EYES: (sobbing and whining) Its my sisters. The song didnt work on Three-Eyes. She saw everything,
and now theyve chased away the goat. (wails in grief)
OLD WOMAN: (shakes her head and clucks) Silly girl! That charm was just for One-Eye. For Three-Eyes,
you should have sung,
Are your eyes awake?
Are your eyes asleep?
But dont worry about that. Here
(OLD WOMAN reaches out with something tiny held between her fingers and places it in TWO-EYESs palm.
TWO-EYES pulls it close to peer at it.)
OLD WOMAN: take this seed and plant it in front of your cottage. Youll soon have a tall tree with leaves of
silver and apples of gold. When you want an apple, just say, (with hand outstretched, palm up)
Apple hanging on the tree,
I am Two-Eyes. Come to me!
It will fall right into your hand. (mimes catching the apple, her hand dropping a bit under its weight and
bouncing back up)
NARRATOR 3: Again the old woman vanished.
OLD WOMAN: (pops out)
NARRATOR 1: Two-Eyes went home and waited till her sisters werent looking, then dug a small hole and
planted the seed.
NARRATOR 2: The next morning, a tall tree stood before the cottage with leaves of silver and apples of gold.
Two-Eyes found her sisters gaping at it in astonishment.
(ONE-EYE and THREE-EYES both stare up into the tree, till THREE-EYES notices something in the distance.)
NARRATOR 3: All at once, Three-Eyes cried,
THREE-EYES: (excitedly, pointing) Look! A man!
NARRATOR 1: Riding toward them was a knight in full armor, his visor over his face.
KNIGHT: (still at a distance, bounces up and down on his horse while holding the reins, enjoying the morning
and the leisurely ride)
ONE-EYE: (urgently, to THREE-EYES) Quick! Hide our little sister!
NARRATOR 2: So they lowered an empty barrel over Two-Eyes.
KNIGHT: (pleasantly, as he reaches them and stops) Good morning, ladies.
NARRATOR 3: . . . said the knight as he rode up.
KNIGHT: Beautiful tree you have there. (thoughtfully, gazing up into the tree) I would dearly love to have one
of those apples. In fact, I would grant anything in my power to the lady who first gave me one.
NARRATOR 1: The two sisters gasped.
ONE-EYE & THREE-EYES: (gasp)
NARRATOR 2: They scrambled over to the tree and jumped up and down, trying to grab the apples.
NARRATOR 3: But the branches just lifted themselves higher, so the apples were always out of reach.
NARRATOR 1: Meanwhile, Two-Eyes raised her barrel just a bit and kicked a stone so it rolled over to the
knight.
(TWO-EYES lifts the barrel slightly by pushing up with her hand from inside, then kicks the stone out from
underneath. KNIGHT looks down at the stone, perplexed.)
KNIGHT: Thats odd. (pointing first at the stone, then at the barrel) That stone seems to have come from that
barrel. (still to ONE-EYE and THREE-EYES) Does anyone happen to be in there?
ONE-EYE: Oh no, sir, not really. (reassuringly) Just our little sister.
THREE-EYES: (confidentially, leaning toward him) Shes different, so we cant let anyone see her.
KNIGHT: But I want to see her. (to TWO-EYES inside the barrel) Young lady, please come out!
NARRATOR 2: So Two-Eyes lifted off the barrel.
KNIGHT: (gaping) My word! Shes the loveliest young lady Ive ever seen!
NARRATOR 3: He raised his visor for a better look.
KNIGHT: (raises his visor and keeps gazing at TWO-EYES)
ONE-EYE & THREE-EYES: (screaming out together at the sight of his face) Oh no! Two eyes!
NARRATOR 1: Sure enough, the knight had two eyes, just like their sister.
KNIGHT: (leans and smiles toward audience, quickly points at each eye, then goes back to gazing at TWO-
EYES) Dear lady, can you give me an apple from that tree?
TWO-EYES: (brightly) Of course!
NARRATOR 2: Standing under it, she said,
TWO-EYES: (looking up, with hand outstretched, palm up)
Apple hanging on the tree,
I am Two-Eyes. Come to me!
NARRATOR 3: An apple dropped right into her hand, and she gave it to the knight.
(TWO-EYES watches an apple fall and catches it, her hand dropping a bit under its weight and bouncing back
up. She hands it to KNIGHT, who takes it from her.)
KNIGHT: My thanks! (takes a big, noisy bite, then chews noisily and mumbles with his mouth full) And now I
will grant anything in my power. (keeps chewing)
TWO-EYES: (starting to speak to KNIGHT normally but ending up yelling at ONE-EYE and THREE-
EYES) Well, to start with, you can take me away from these horrid, hateful sisters! (turns back to KNIGHT and
smiles sweetly)
KNIGHT: (stops chewing in surprise, then looks at ONE-EYE and THREE-EYES, then back at TWO-EYES and
returns her smile)
NARRATOR 1: So the knight took Two-Eyes back to his castle. And since they had so much in common
NARRATOR 2: After all, they both had two eyes.
NARRATOR 3: you can be sure they lived happily ever . . . .
(NARRATOR 1 clears throat to interrupt and get attention. As ALL OTHERS turn in surprise, NARRATOR 1
gestures for them to wait for the bit left to go.)
NARRATOR 1: (turns again to audience) As for One-Eye and Three-Eyes . . .
(ALL OTHERS catch on and resume their roles.)
NARRATOR 2: Day after day they stood under that tree and repeated their sisters words.
ONE-EYE & THREE-EYES: (looking up hopefully, each with hand outstretched, palm up)
Apple hanging on the tree,
I am Two-Eyes. Come to me!
NARRATOR 3: But the apples never fell for them,
NARRATOR 1: and they never did
NARRATOR 2: figure out
NARRATOR 3: why.
The Princess Mouse
A Tale of Finland
Told by Aaron Shepard
Readers Theater Edition #31

PREVIEW: When a young man seeks a wife by way of family tradition, he finds himself engaged to a mouse.
GENRE: Folktales READERS: 8 or more
CULTURE: Finnish READER AGES: 812
THEME: Kindness, humility, integrity LENGTH: 12 minutes
ROLES: Narrators 14, Mikko, Princess Mouse, Farmer, Brother, (Other Mice/Wedding Guests/Servants),
(Rats/Horses), (Coachman), (Footman), (Brothers Sweetheart)

NARRATOR 1: Once there was a farmer with two sons. One morning he said to them,
FARMER: Boys, youre old enough now to marry. But in our family, we have our own way to choose a bride.
NARRATOR 4: The younger son nodded and listened respectfully, but the older one said,
BROTHER: (rudely) Youve told us, Father. We must each cut down a tree and see where it points.
FARMER: Thats right. Then walk that way till you find a sweetheart. Thats how weve done it, and thats
how we always will.
NARRATOR 2: Now, the older son already knew who he wanted to marry. He also knew how to cut a tree so
it fell how he wanted. So, his tree fell and pointed to the farm where his sweetheart lived.
NARRATOR 3: The younger son, whose name was Mikko, didnt have a sweetheart, but he thought hed try
his luck in the town. Well, maybe he cut the tree wrong, or maybe it had thoughts of its own, but it fell pointing
to the forest.
BROTHER: (mockingly) Good job, Mikko! What sweetheart will you find there? A wolf or a fox?
MIKKO: (bristling) Never mind. Ill find who I find.
NARRATOR 1: The two young men went their ways. Mikko walked through the forest for hours without
seeing a soul. But at last he came to a cottage deep in the woods.
MIKKO: I knew Id find a sweetheart!
NARRATOR 4: But when he went inside, he saw no one.
MIKKO: (sadly) All this way for nothing.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Maybe not!
NARRATOR 2: Mikko looked around, but the only living thing in sight was a little mouse on a table. Standing
on its hind legs, it gazed at him with large, bright eyes.
MIKKO: Did you say something?
PRINCESS MOUSE: Of course I did! Now, why dont you tell me your name and what you came for?
NARRATOR 3: Mikko had never talked with a mouse, but he felt it only polite to reply.
MIKKO: My name is Mikko, and Ive come looking for a sweetheart.
PRINCESS MOUSE: (squeals in delight) Why, Mikko, Ill gladly be your sweetheart!
MIKKO: (confused) But youre only a mouse.
PRINCESS MOUSE: That may be true, but I can still love you faithfully. Besides, even a mouse can be
special! Come feel my fur.
NARRATOR 1: With one finger, Mikko stroked the mouses back.
MIKKO: (in surprise) Why, it feels like velvet! Just like the gown of a princess!
PRINCESS MOUSE: Thats right, Mikko.
NARRATOR 4: And as he petted her, she sang to him prettily.
PRINCESS MOUSE:
Mikkos sweetheart will I be.
What a fine young man is he!
Gown of velvet I do wear,
Like a princess fine and rare.
NARRATOR 2: Mikko looked into those large, bright eyes and thought she really was quite nice, for a mouse.
And since hed found no one else anyway, he said,
MIKKO: (kindly) All right, little mouse, you can be my sweetheart.
PRINCESS MOUSE: (happily) Oh, Mikko! I promise you wont be sorry.
NARRATOR 3: Mikko wasnt so sure, but he just stroked her fur and smiled.
NARRATOR 1: When Mikko got home, his brother was already there boasting to their father.
BROTHER: My sweetheart has rosy red cheeks and long golden hair.
FARMER: Sounds very nice. And what about yours, Mikko?
BROTHER: (laughing meanly) Yes, Mikko. Did you find a sweetheart with a nice fur coat? (keeps chuckling)
NARRATOR 4: Now, Mikko didnt want to admit his sweetheart was a mouse. So he said,
MIKKO: Mine wears a velvet gown, like a princess!
BROTHER: (gasps)
NARRATOR 2: His brother stopped laughing.
NARRATOR 3: The farmer said,
FARMER: Well! It sounds like Mikkos tree pointed a good way too! But now I must test both your
sweethearts. Tomorrow youll ask them to weave you some cloth, then youll bring it home to me. Thats how
weve done it, and thats how we always will.
NARRATOR 1: They started out early next morning. When Mikko reached the cottage in the woods, there was
the little mouse on the table, jumping up and down in happiness.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Oh, Mikko, Im so glad youre here! Is this the day of our wedding?
NARRATOR 4: Mikko sighed and gently stroked her fur.
MIKKO: (glumly) Not yet, little mouse.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Why, Mikko, you look so sad! Whats wrong?
MIKKO: My father wants you to weave some cloth. But how can you do that? Youre only a mouse!
PRINCESS MOUSE: That may be true, but Im also your sweetheart, and surely Mikkos sweetheart can
weave! But you must be tired from your walk. Why dont you rest while I work?
MIKKO: (yawning) All right.
NARRATOR 2: Mikko lay down on a bed in the corner, and the little mouse sang him a pretty lullaby.
PRINCESS MOUSE:
Mikkos sweetheart will I be.
What a fine young man is he!
Cloth of linen I will weave.
Ill be done when he must leave.
NARRATOR 3: When the little mouse was sure that Mikko was asleep, she picked up a sleigh bell on a cord
and rang it.
NARRATOR 1: Out of mouseholes all around the room poured hundreds of mice.
NARRATOR 4: They all stood before the table, gazing up at her.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Hurry! Each of you, fetch a strand of the finest flax.
NARRATOR 2: The mice rushed from the cottage.
NARRATOR 3: Then one, two, three, and back they were, each with a strand of flax.
NARRATOR 1: First they spun it into yarn on the spinning wheel.
NARRATORS 24 (or OTHER MICE): Whirr. Whirr. Whirr.
NARRATOR 4: Some worked the pedal,
NARRATOR 2: some fed the flax,
NARRATOR 3: some rode around with the wheel.
NARRATOR 1: Then they strung the yarn on the loom and wove it into cloth.
NARRATORS 24 (or OTHER MICE): Swish. Thunk. Swish. Thunk. Swish. Thunk.
NARRATOR 4: Some worked the pedals,
NARRATOR 2: some rocked the beater,
NARRATOR 3: some sailed the shuttle back and forth.
NARRATOR 1: At last they cut the cloth from the loom and tucked it in a nutshell.
PRINCESS: Now, off with you!
NARRATOR 4: And they all scampered back to their mouseholes.
PRINCESS MOUSE: (calling) Mikko, wake up! Its time to go home! And here is something for your father.
NARRATOR 2: Mikko sleepily took the nutshell.
NARRATOR 3: He didnt know why his father should want such a thing, but he said,
MIKKO: Thank you, little mouse.
NARRATOR 1: When he got home, his brother was proudly presenting the cloth from his sweetheart. The
farmer looked it over.
FARMER: Strong and fairly even. Good enough for simple folks like us. And where is yours, Mikko?
NARRATOR 4: Mikko blushed and handed him the nutshell.
BROTHER: (scornfully) Look at that! Mikko asked for cloth, and his sweetheart gave him a nut!
NARRATOR 2: But the farmer opened the nutshell and peered inside. Then he pinched at something and
started to pull. Out came linen, fine beyond belief. It kept coming too, yard after yard after yard.
NARRATOR 3: Mikkos brother gaped with open mouth, and Mikko did too!
FARMER: There can be no better weaver than Mikkos sweetheart! But both your sweethearts will do just fine.
Tomorrow youll bring them home for the wedding. Thats how weve done it, and thats how we always will.
NARRATOR 1: When Mikko arrived at the cottage next morning, the little mouse again jumped up and down.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Oh, Mikko, is this the day of our wedding?
MIKKO: (glumly) It is, little mouse.
NARRATOR 4: But he sounded more glum than ever.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Why, Mikko, whats wrong?
MIKKO: (blurting out in distress) How can I bring home a mouse to marry? My brother and father and all our
friends and neighbors will laugh and think Im a fool!
PRINCESS MOUSE: (softly) They might think so, indeed. But, Mikko, what do youthink?
NARRATOR 2: Mikko looked at the little mouse, gazing at him so seriously with her large, bright eyes.
NARRATOR 3: He thought about how she loved him and cared for him.
MIKKO: (decisively) I think youre as sweet as any sweetheart could be. So let them laugh and think what they
like. Today youll be my bride.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Oh, Mikko, youve made me the happiest mouse in the world!
NARRATOR 1: She rang her sleigh bell, and to Mikkos astonishment, a little carriage raced into the room.
NARRATOR 4: It was made from a nutshell and pulled by four black rats. A mouse coachman sat in front, and
a mouse footman behind.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Mikko, arent you going to help me down?
NARRATOR 2: Mikko lifted her from the table and set her in the carriage. The rats took off and the carriage
sped from the cottage, so that Mikko had to rush to catch up.
NARRATOR 3: While he hurried along behind her, the little mouse sang a pretty song.
PRINCESS MOUSE:
Mikkos sweetheart will I be.
What a fine young man is he!
In a carriage I will ride
When I go to be his bride.
NARRATOR 1: At last they reached the farm and then the spot for the wedding, on the bank of a lovely, swift-
flowing stream.
NARRATOR 4: The guests were already there enjoying themselves. But as Mikko came up, they all grew
silent and stared at the little carriage.
NARRATOR 2: Mikkos brother stood with his bride, gaping in disbelief. Mikko and the little mouse went up
to him.
BROTHER: (loudly) Thats the stupidest thing I ever saw.
NARRATOR 3: And with one quick kick, he sent the carriage, the rats, and the mice, all into the stream.
Before Mikko could do a thing, the current bore them away.
MIKKO: (beside himself) What have you done! Youve killed my sweetheart!
BROTHER: Are you crazy? That was only a mouse!
MIKKO: (defiantly but near tears) She may have been a mouse, but she was also my sweetheart, and I really
did love her!
NARRATOR 1: He was about to swing at his brother, when his father called out.
FARMER: Mikko, look!
NARRATOR 4: All the guests were staring downstream and pointing and crying out in wonder.
NARRATOR 2: Mikko turned and to his amazement saw four black horses pulling a carriage out of the stream.
NARRATOR 3: A coachman sat in front and a footman behind, and inside was a soaked but lovely princess in
a gown of pearly velvet.
NARRATOR 1: The carriage rode up along the bank and stopped right before him.
PRINCESS MOUSE: Mikko, arent you going to help me down?
NARRATOR 4: Mikko stared blankly a moment, and then his eyes flew wide.
MIKKO: Are you the little mouse?
PRINCESS MOUSE: (laughing) I surely was, but no longer. A witch enchanted me, and the spell could be
broken only by one brother who wanted to marry me and another who wanted to kill me. But, sweetheart, I need
a change of clothes. I cant be wet at our wedding!
NARRATOR 2: And a grand wedding it was, with Mikkos bride the wonder of all. The farmer could hardly
stop looking at her.
NARRATOR 3: Of course, Mikkos brother was a bit jealous, but his own bride was really quite nice, so he
couldnt feel too bad.
NARRATOR 1: The next day, the princess brought Mikko back to her cottage
NARRATOR 4: but it was a cottage no longer!
NARRATOR 2: It was a castle with hundreds of servants,
NARRATOR 3: and there they made their home happily.
NARRATOR 1: And if Mikko and the princess had any sons,
ALL: you know just how they chose their brides.
Peddler Polly and the Story Stealer
By Aaron Shepard
Readers Theater Edition #8
Adapted for readers theater (or readers theatre) by the author

For more readers theater, visit Aaron Shepards RT Page at

www.aaronshep.com/rt
Story copyright 1995, 2002 Aaron Shepard. Script copyright 1995, 2002, 2014 Aaron Shepard. Scripts in
this series are free and may be copied, shared, and performed for any noncommercial purpose, except they may
not be posted online without permission.
PREVIEW: The storytellers of Taletown are mysteriously losing their stories, while a stranger sells
storyboxes in the town square.
GENRE: Fables (original), humor READERS: 13 or more
CULTURE: READER AGES: 912
THEME: Electronic entertainment LENGTH: 10 minutes
ROLES: Narrators 14, Peddler Polly, Penny, Spellbinder, Crowd 13, Bertha Bigwig, Milton Marbles, Jack,
(Other Crowd), (Audience), (Pied Piper), (Children), (Giant), (Pegasus)
NOTES: For best effect, place NARRATORS 1 and 2 at far left, and 3 and 4 at far right, as seen from the
audience.

NARRATOR 1:

PEDDLER POLLY
Goods Bought Here
and Sold There

NARRATOR 4: That was the sign on Peddler Pollys cart as her horse pulled her up Main Street. Peddler Polly
looked around and smiled.
PEDDLER POLLY: Im sure glad to be back in Taletown. Imaginea town where everyone tells stories!
NARRATOR 2: Peddler Polly parked at the town square. Over on Town Hall she saw a notice:
NARRATOR 3:

STORY SWAP TODAY

Bring a story
(if you still know one)

PEDDLER POLLY: (puzzled) If you still know one?

PENNY: (sadly) Hello, Peddler Polly.
NARRATOR 1: . . . came a sad little girls voice.
PEDDLER POLLY: Well, its my old friend Penny! Do you have a good story for me? Ill gladly trade for
something from my cart.
NARRATOR 4: Penny sobbed and sniffed.
PENNY: I dont have any stories at all! Hardly anyone in Taletown does. Were all losing our stories!
PEDDLER POLLY: Losing your stories? Whatever do you mean?
PENNY: We start to tell a story, and then its gone! We cant remember it anymore. Come to the Story Swap
this afternoon and see.
SPELLBINDER: (loudly) Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls . . .
NARRATOR 2: Another cart had parked on the square. Its sign said,
NARRATOR 3:

DR. SEBASTIAN SPELLBINDER

Entertainment Paraphernalia

NARRATOR 1: In the cart stood a man with a topcoat, top hat, and goatee, surrounded by piles of wooden
boxes.
NARRATOR 4: A crowd was gathering before him.
SPELLBINDER: Youve heard of a storyteller. And youve heard of a storybook. Well, Im here to show you
something finer still: The brand-new, patented Spellbinder Storybox!
PENNY: (delighted) Oh, Peddler Polly! Hes selling stories!
NARRATOR 2: Dr. Spellbinder held up one of the wooden boxes, showing a pane of glass on one side.
NARRATOR 3: He flipped a switch and the glass came to life. Tiny characters moved across the pane, and tiny
voices came out.
NARRATOR 1: Someone in the crowd yelled,
CROWD 1: Its Cinderella!
NARRATOR 4: Dr. Spellbinder turned a knob, and a different moving picture appeared.
CROWD 2: Thats Puss in Boots!
NARRATOR 2: He turned the knob again.
CROWD 3: And thats Sleeping Beauty!
SPELLBINDER: Never again will you have to ask for a story. And never again will you have to imagine the
pictures! Wholl be the first to buy a Spellbinder Storybox?
CROWD 1: Ill take one!
CROWD 2: So will I!
CROWD 3: Ill take two!
NARRATOR 3: Before long, Dr. Spellbinders cart was empty. The town square was covered with children
and grownups, all staring blankly at the little boxes.
PEDDLER POLLY: (to herself) I dont like the looks of this.
***
NARRATOR 1: When Peddler Polly arrived at the Story Swap that afternoon, Town Hall was packed. The
room was buzzing with talk about lost stories and Spellbinder Storyboxes.
NARRATOR 4: Finally, Mayor Bertha Bigwig took the stage. She glanced nervously around her.
BERTHA BIGWIG: Welcome to the Story Swap. It is my honor to tell the first story: The Pied Piper of
Hamlin.
NARRATOR 2: From her seat by an open window, Peddler Polly heard a soft whirr and a sucking noise.
BERTHA BIGWIG: Life in the town of Hamlin was pleasant. Or it would have been, if not for the . . . the . . .
NARRATOR 3: The mayor turned pale.
BERTHA BIGWIG: Ive lost my story!
NARRATOR 1: . . . and she ran from the stage. A horrified murmur rose in the room.
NARRATOR 4: Milton Marbles, the schoolteacher, tried next.
MILTON MARBLES: My story is Jack and the Beanstalk.
NARRATOR 2: Again Peddler Polly heard the whirr and the sucking.
MILTON MARBLES: There was once a poor widow who had an only son named . . . named . . . . Oh no!
NARRATOR 3: He fled the stage in tears.
NARRATOR 1: Next came Penny.
PENNY: This is the myth of Pegasus.
NARRATOR 4: Peddler Polly heard the noises once more.
PENNY: A long time ago in Greece, there was a horse called Pegasus. This horse was special because . . .
because . . . because . . .
BERTHA BIGWIG: Stop the Swap! We cant afford to lose any more stories. Its the end of storytelling in
Taletown!
NARRATOR 2: As excited talk filled the room, Peddler Polly thought she heard a cackle out the window.
NARRATOR 3: She looked and saw a man with a topcoat and top hat hurry away from the building. He carried
a large wooden box covered with switches, knobs, and dials, with a long hose attached to it.
PEDDLER POLLY: Its Dr. Spellbinder! Id better look into this.
NARRATOR 1: Peddler Polly hastened from the hall. She followed Dr. Spellbinder from a distance as he left
the town and made his way into the hills.
NARRATOR 4: At last Dr. Spellbinder disappeared through the mouth of a cave. Peddler Polly followed him
in and stopped in astonishment. The huge cave was filled with mechanisms and contraptions, all of them noisily
pulling or pushing or pulsing or pounding.
NARRATOR 2: Dr. Spellbinder stood at a workbench covered with Storyboxes and other strange devices. He
set down the big box he was carrying and patted it fondly.
SPELLBINDER: Three more stories to put in my Storyboxes! And all thanks to my brilliant invention, the
Spellbinder Story Sucker. Soon Ill steal all the stories in the world! Then everyone will need a Storybox, and
Ill be rich, rich, RICH.
PEDDLER POLLY: Not if I can help it!
SPELLBINDER: (gasps) Peddler Polly! What are you doing here?
PEDDLER POLLY: Putting an end to your evil plans, Spellbinder!
SPELLBINDER: Youll never stop me, Peddler Polly!
NARRATOR 3: Then Dr. Spellbinder grabbed the Story Sucker and sprinted from the cave.
NARRATOR 1: Down the hill sped Dr. Spellbinder, while Peddler Polly puffed in pursuit. Without the Story
Sucker, Peddler Polly was faster.
SPELLBINDER: (yelling back) You wont catch me so easily.
NARRATOR 4: He lifted the lid on the Story Sucker and reached in.
SPELLBINDER: See how you like this story, Peddler Polly.
NARRATOR 2: He threw something behind him. There was a flash of light, and out of nowhere a huge crowd
of children appeared, coming uphill toward Peddler Polly. They were led by a man in a many-colored costume,
playing on a pipe.
PEDDLER POLLY: Well, Ill be!
NARRATOR 3: Peddler Polly pushed past the startled man and pressed through the crowd of mesmerized
children.
PEDDLER POLLY: Its a catchy tune, kids, but I wouldnt follow a pied piper!
NARRATOR 1: Dr. Spellbinder was far ahead, but Peddler Polly ran hard and gained on him.
SPELLBINDER: (calling back) One good story deserves another!
NARRATOR 4: . . . and he reached into the Story Sucker. Another flash, and Peddler Polly saw a boy
chopping down a gigantic beanstalk. But just then the boy took to his heels, calling,
JACK: Heads up!
NARRATOR 2: Peddler Polly looked up and stopped just in time. A huge man tumbled from the sky and
landed with an earth-shaking crash just before her.
PEDDLER POLLY: Didnt know stories could be so dangerous.
NARRATOR 3: Peddler Polly ran around the giant while she waved to the boy and called,
PEDDLER POLLY: Thank you, Jack!
NARRATOR 1: Dr. Spellbinder had vanished behind a hill, and Peddler Polly panted after him. As she
rounded the bend, she gasped.
NARRATOR 4: Tied to a landing platform was a lighter-than-air balloon, and Dr. Spellbinder was climbing
into the basket.
PEDDLER POLLY: Oh, no! Now hell get away for sure! Unless . . . unless . . .
SPELLBINDER: Its all over now, Peddler Polly!
NARRATOR 2: Dr. Spellbinder untied the rope and the balloon floated into the air.
SPELLBINDER: But I still have one more story, and it might as well keep you busy.
PEDDLER POLLY: (to herself) If its the one I think it is . . . .
NARRATOR 3: Dr. Spellbinder threw it to the ground. Another flash, and there stood a horse with long and
graceful wings.
PEDDLER POLLY: Pegasus!
NARRATOR 1: Peddler Polly ran and leaped onto the horse, and dug in her heels.
NARRATOR 4: The horse flapped its wings smoothly and rose in the air. Up and up it spiraled, until it was
flying circles around the dismayed Dr. Spellbinder.
PEDDLER POLLY: Guess you forgot your mythology, Spellbinder. Didnt you know Pegasus was a flying
horse?
NARRATOR 2: Peddler Polly rode in close, grabbed Dr. Spellbinder, and flung him across the horses back.
SPELLBINDER: My Story Sucker!
NARRATOR 3: . . . cried Dr. Spellbinder as the balloon floated away with his invention.
PEDDLER POLLY: I dont guess youll need it where youre going. For a crime like shutting up stories, a
judge is sure to shut you upunhappily ever after.
***
NARRATOR 1: A few weeks later, when all of Dr. Spellbinders Storyboxes had been opened and the stories
returned to their tellers, the people of Taletown held a big storytelling festival on the town square. Mayor
Bigwig announced,
BERTHA BIGWIG: And our special guest for today is Peddler Polly!
ALL (except PEDDLER POLLY and SPELLBINDER): (not in unison) Hooray!
PEDDLER POLLY: Well, thanks. And now Ill tell a story called Peddler Polly and the Story Stealer.
NARRATOR 4: And thats a tale
NARRATOR 2: theyll always tell
NARRATOR 3: in Taletown.