Part II—Lady Spring
Reading edition
Spring. At last! Be off, Jack Frost and North Wind. You have kept me waiting too long. Now to work. I must waken the flowers. [Waves her wand.]
Flowers. [Awaken.] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have looked for you long.
Spring. Break into buds, trees.
Trees. [Awaken.] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have looked for you long.
Spring. Waken, animals.
Animals. [Awaken.] Welcome, Lady Spring. We have waited for you long.
Spring. But where are the children? Perhaps they do not know we are here. I must find some way to send them a message. Robin, will you take it?
147
Robin. I am too busy building a nest for my little ones. Send the fox.
Spring. Fox, will you take it?
Fox. I dare not go. The people will think I have come to steal their chickens. Send Black Bear.
Spring. Black Bear, will you take the message to the children?
Black Bear. Don’t send me. I am so big I would frighten them. All children love the rabbit. Send him.
Spring. Rabbit, will you go?
Rabbit. Yes, yes. I’ll go. But, dear me! The dogs! They might catch me.
Spring. Go when they are asleep.
Rabbit. Good. I will go to-night. But what message shall I take?
148
Spring. I’ll weave a basket of twigs and leaves and green grass, and line it with soft moss. Each one of us will put a message into it.