_Big Fir Tree._ I see a sleigh and reindeer. Some one all wrapped in fur is in the sleigh.
_Little Fir Tree._ Oh, I feel that some one is coming for me. Now I am going to be a Christmas tree. The bells sound nearer and nearer. I see the sleigh.
_Santa Claus._ [_Alights from his sleigh and looks at Big Tree._] A fine tree—tall and straight! But it is too tall for my Christmas tree. I must look farther. [_Goes on to next tree._] Ah! Here’s another; but there’s a little one I see just at the foot of the hill. I believe it is the most beautiful tree in all the wood. [_Goes to Littlest Tree._] Little tree, you hold your head up straight, and your branches spread out in all directions. I must have you for my Christmas tree. [_Seeing Little Bird._] Who is this that has found shelter in your branches? A little bird. I will take it, too, and it shall be some little child’s Christmas present.
_First Mouse_ _Second Mouse_ _French Doll_ _Tin Soldier_ _Lion_ _Elephant_ _Tiger_ _Jack-in-the-box_ _Woolly Dog_ _Mrs. Santa Claus_
_First Mouse._ Christmas is here again. The air is full of the smell of good things to eat!
_Second Mouse._ It’s a gay time for us. I know there’ll be plenty of crumbs around now.
_First Mouse._ I wish Christmas came every night. But look at those old toys in the corner. I wonder why they look so sad.
_French Doll._ Look sad, do we? No wonder. It’s Christmas Eve and we don’t like to be here in the dark and cold. It isn’t fair!
[Illustration: CHRISTMAS EVE IN AN ATTIC]
_Tin Soldier._ We once hung on a Christmas tree.
_First Mouse._ It must have been a long time ago.
_Tin Soldier._ It was, indeed! But the children do not care to play with us now that we are so old.
_French Doll._ Old, sir? How can you say that? Just look at me! If my hair were combed and I had a new dress on, I’d still be a very nice doll! Old, indeed!
_Second Mouse._ Yes, I’m quite sure you would be very pretty.
_Tin Soldier._ And I’d be as good as any other tin soldier, if I had a new leg, a little paint, and a fresh gun.
_Lion._ [_Proudly._] Only my mane’s gone. [_To Elephant._] But I see you have lost your trunk!
_Elephant._ Yes, some one broke it off. Now if I had a new trunk, I’d be all right. But look at the tiger! He has cracked his paint, and his stripes are all gone. It would be hard to make him look new again.