THE STREET MUSICIANS

I

_The donkey._ I am very old.

I am very weak.

I can work no more.

My master will not keep me.

I will run away.

I will go to the city.

I can make music.

I will join a band.

Trot! trot! trot!

II

What is that in the road?

It is an old dog.

What is the matter?

_Dog._ I am very old.

I am very weak.

I cannot hunt.

My master will not keep me.

How can I live?

_Donkey._ Come with me.

You can play the ba.s.s drum.

Join a band.

_Dog._ Good! good! good!

I will go.

_Dog and donkey._ Trot! trot! trot!

III

_Donkey._ What is that in the road?

It is an old cat.

What is the matter, old whiskers?

_Cat._ I am very old.

I am very weak.

I cannot catch mice.

My mistress will not keep me.

How can I live?

_Donkey._ Come with us.

You can sing.

Join a band.

_Cat._ Good! good! good!

I will go.

_All three._ Trot! trot! trot!

IV

_Donkey._ What is that on the gate?

It is a rooster.

What is the matter?

_Rooster._ The cook will kill me.

_Donkey._ Come with us.

You can sing.

Join a band.

_Rooster._ Good! good! good!

I will go.

_All four._ Trot! trot! trot!

THE UNHAPPY PINE TREE

I

I am a little pine tree.

I do not like to be a pine tree.

My leaves are needles.

Needles are not pretty.

I wish I had gold leaves.

II

_In the morning._ Why do the trees look at me?

What has happened?

Gold leaves! Gold leaves!

Just what I wanted!

Good! good! good!

III

_To the robber._ Do not take my leaves.

I want them.

They are beautiful.

Give them back.