Scene II—In the Woods
Reading edition
Mabel. Dear me! How dark it is getting. I must hurry home. [Hears 27a little squeaking sound.] What’s that? [Sees a little green lizard with a stone on its tail.] Oh, you poor little lizard! Let me lift that stone from your tail. [Takes stone off.]
Lizard. Thank you. You are a very kind child.
Mabel. Oh! I didn’t know that lizards could talk!
Lizard. Some lizards can’t. But I am the king of all the lizards. I am going to do something for you because you lifted the stone from my tail.
Mabel. I was very glad to do it.
Lizard. I am going to do something for you that I wouldn’t do for any other little girl. It’s this: I’m 28going to teach you the animal call. Then you will understand everything the animals say to you, and they will know what you say to them.
Mabel. What fun!
Lizard. Just listen. [Gives a low whistle.] Now you do it after me. [Mabel tries.] Try again, Mabel. [She tries again and again.] Good, that’s it! Now if you wish any animal to be your friend, just whistle that way to him. That’s the call of all the animals. Good-by. [Lizard goes away.]
Mabel. Well, that’s the funniest thing I ever heard of. But, dear me, how dark it is getting. I must run home. [Starts homeward. Hears howl.]
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Wolf. [Howls.] O-ooo-w.
Mabel. What’s that? Oh! it’s a wolf. I’m so frightened! What shall I do? I’ll give the call.
[Whistles.]
Wolf. [Answers.] O-ooo-w! O-ooo-w!
[Wolf comes to Mabel.]
Mabel. Wolf, I want you to be my friend.
Wolf. To be sure, I will be.
Mabel. I’ve lost my way. Please show me the way home. I live at grandma’s.
Wolf. I know where you live. I’ve seen you playing there many times. Put your hand on my neck, and I’ll show you the way. [Mabel does so.]
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