Stories from an Empty Classroom

The Tinderbox

Play form of what is supposed to be a classic fairy tale, though I didn't hear about it until writing this.

Narrator: A soldier came marching down the high road

Soldier: (continued muttering) left, right, left, right, left right

Narrator: He had been to war and was now returning home. He was marching peacefully when he came to see an old witch.

Old Witch (Who I've now dubbed Liyanne): Good evening, soldier. You look real enough, so you shall as many riches as you please.

Soldier (You are dubbed Sirius the 4th): I thank you, kind maid, but what do you mean?

Liyanne: Do you see that large tree? It is hollow inside, and you must climb to the top, when you will see a hole that you can climb down into the tree to a great depth. I will tie a rope around your body so that I can pull you up again when you need it.

Sirius the 4th: What do I do when I'm inside?

Liyanne: Get your money. When you reach the ground under the tree, you will find yourself in a large cavern, lit by three hundred lamps; you will then see three doors, which can be opened easily, as the keys are in the locks. On entering the first door, you will see a large chest, with a dog, with a pair of eyes as large as teacups, sitting on top. Do not be afraid of him; I will give you my blue checked apron, which you must lay on the floor, take hold of the dog, and place him upon it. You can then open the chest, and take from it as many pence as you please, they are only copper pence; but if you would rather have silver money, you must go into the second room. You will find another dog, with eyes as big as mill-wheels, do not let that trouble you. Place him upon my apron, and then take what money you please. If, however, you like gold best, enter the third chamber, where there is another chest full of it. The dog who sits on this chest is very dreadful; his eyes are as big as a tower, do not mind him, If he also is placed upon my apron he cannot hurt you. You may take from the chest what gold you will.

Sirius the 4th: Why do you tell me this, surely not for nothing.

Liyanne: No, not for nothing. All I ask in return is that you retrieve an old tinderbox. It was left there by my grandmother years ago.

Sirius the 4th: It will be done. (put arms up in a 'T' fashion.) Tie it tight, okay?

Liyanne: (Ties rope around Sirius) Here is my apron. (Leaves to stage wings as the next set is put in place)

Narrator: As soon as the rope was tied, the soldier climbed up the tree and let himself down through the hollow to the ground beneath. Here, he found a large hall, in which many hundreds of lamps were all burning as the witch said.

Sirius the 4th: (Walks to the first dog.) You're a pretty thing, yes? (lays out apron and puts dog on it)

Narrator: He filled his pockets with as much copper as they would hold. Then he closed the lid, seated the dog upon it again, and walked into another chamber.

Sirius the 4th: (Does as the Narrator says)

Sirius the 4th: (To the second dog) You will make your eyes water, staring at me like that. (lays out apron and puts the dog on top. Opens box lid)

Narrator: When he saw how much silver was in the box, he quickly replaced the copper in his pockets with silver, adding a bit more. He closed the lid and moved on.

Sirius the 4th: (to the last dog and touching cap) Good Morning. (repeats the 'dog process')

Narrator: When he saw how much gold was in the box, he quickly replaced the silver he had with gold, adding a bit more. He closed the lid and moved back to the centre, calling to the witch.