_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.
_Rabbit._ Yes, yes. I’ll go. But, dear me! The dogs! They might catch me.
_Rabbit._ Good. I will go to-night. But what message shall I take?
_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.
_Squirrel._ Here are some acorns that have just sprouted.
_Spring._ My prettiest flowers go to the children. There! Stop at every house where there is a child.
_Rabbit._ I shall not forget. I’m off. [_To himself._] I’ll just make a nest of grass for each child, and leave it on the doorstep. An egg and a spring flower in each—and the children will know!
_First Child._ What a pretty nest! I found it on my doorstep—flowers and twigs and an egg.
_Second Child._ I found one, too—with everything in it from the woods.
_First child._ See, here are the tracks of the rabbit’s feet! He came to tell us.
_Second Child._ Then spring _is_ here. Let’s run to the woods—now!
_Children._ [_Running._] Spring is here! Bunny has brought us the message.
_Sanja_ _First Jizu_ _Second Jizu_ _Third Jizu_ _Ogre_
NOTE: _Jizu is a roadside image or statue._
_Sanja._ Dear, dear, there goes one of my finest dumplings rolling down the hill. That will never do. I cannot lose that one. I must run and catch it. [_Runs after it. As she goes she meets Lord Jizu._] Good morning, my Lord Jizu! Have you seen a rice dumpling fall this way?
_Lord Jizu._ Good morning! Yes, I saw a dumpling. It went past here. It went down the hill skipping as if it had legs.
_Sanja._ Oh, thank you. Then I must skip after it.
_Lord Jizu._ No, no. Do not go on. An ogre lives down there. He may do you harm.
_Sanja._ But I must have my dumpling. [_Laughing._] Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! [_Goes on._]
[_To Second Lord Jizu._] My good Lord Jizu, have you seen a dumpling pass this way?
_Second Lord Jizu._ As if it had wings! It flew past me.
_Second Lord Jizu._ You must not think of that. There is a wicked ogre below. He does not like old women. He will be cruel to you, and he might eat you up.