Little Dramas for Primary Grades

THE MAGPIE’S NEST

Reading edition

Illustration from Little Dramas for Primary Grades

Characters

Magpie

Thrush

Blackbird

Wise Owl

Starling

Sparrow

Turtledove

Thrush. Oh, Mrs. Magpie, I wish you would teach us how you build your nest. Every one says your nest is made better than any other.

Magpie. Is that true? Indeed! Come nearer then, and I will show you how I do it. [Birds draw near.] You see I take some mud and make a round cake with it.

Thrush. Oh, that’s how it’s done! I can make one now. [Flies away.]

Magpie. Oh! the thrush went too soon. It is not yet done. Now I lay some twigs in the mud this way and that way, this way and that way.

Blackbird. I see! I see! [Flies away.]

Magpie. What! Has the blackbird gone, too? Next another layer of mud—twigs and mud, twigs and mud.

Wise Owl. Oh, that’s very easy! [Flies off.]

Magpie. Does the wise owl think that’s all? Now more twigs round the outside. Up and down; in and out; round and round.

Sparrow. The very thing. [Flies off.]

Magpie. Oh! but the nest is not lined yet. I make it soft and warm inside with feathers.

Starling. That suits me. [Flies off.]

Magpie. Has the starling gone, too? It will take just one minute more.

Turtledove. Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o.

Magpie. One is enough.

Turtledove. Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o.

Magpie. One is enough, I tell you. Oh! are they all gone but you, silly turtledove? And I have just finished my nest. None of them will make a nest like mine.