MIDDLE-FINGER.  Ah, now I will help you to get the rose.

POINTING-FINGER.  And I will help you to get the apple.

THUMB.  And I will help you to write.

THE TWO MILLERS

SCENE I

TIME:  morning.
PLACE:  Peter’s mill.

* * * * *

PETER, THE STUPID MILLER. 
PETER’S WIFE. 
THE FOX.

* * * * *

[The FOX enters.  He knocks at the mill door. PETER opens the door and comes out.  He is covered with meal.]

FOX.  Good-morning, Peter.

PETER.  What do you want, sir?

FOX.  I am hungry.  I want to eat Jacob’s chickens.

PETER.  Ah, that is fine!  I do not like Jacob.  Do you know that?

FOX.  Oh, yes, I know!  Now will you help me to get his chickens?

PETER.  What can I do?

FOX.  Put meal on me, till I am white.  Then the chickens will think I am a miller.

PETER.  Ah, that is fine!  I will get meal.  Wait here.

[Peter enters the mill.]

FOX.  Ha, ha, ha, ha!

[PETER comes with a pan of meal.]

[Illustration]

PETER.  Now I will make you white.  You shall look just like a miller.

(He covers the Fox with meal.)

Ha, ha!  Jacob’s chickens will think you
are Jacob.  Now go!  Go and eat Jacob’s chickens.

(The Fox goes.)

Ah, this is fine!  I do not like Jacob.  I do not like Jacob’s chickens.  I am glad the fox will eat them.  Ha, ha, ha!

[Peter enters the mill.  Soon his WIFE comes running.]

WIFE.  Peter!  Peter!  Come out!  Come out!  Peter!

[PETER comes running from the mill.]

PETER.  What is it?  What is it?

WIFE.  The fox has killed your chickens!

PETER.  Oh, no!  He has killed Jacob’s chickens, dear wife.  Ha, ha, ha!

WIFE.  No, no!  He has killed your chickens!  They lie there on the grass. 
Look and you will see them.

[Peter runs to the fence and looks over.]

PETER.  What is this?  What is this?  Ah, my pretty chickens!  My pretty chickens!

[He weeps bitterly.]

SCENE II

TIME:  the next day.
PLACE:  Jacob’s mill.

* * * * *

JACOB, THE WISE MILLER. 
THE FOX.

* * * * *

[The FOX enters.  He knocks at the mill door. JACOB opens the door and comes out.  He is covered with meal.]

FOX.  Good-morning, Jacob.

JACOB.  What do you want, sir?

FOX.  I am hungry.  I want to eat Peter’s chickens.

JACOB.  Why do you come to me?