Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-23
By EMILE BLAcKMoRE sTAPP and ELEANOR CAMERON

-
flowers. Spring WAS late because
Miss April had not the help she need.
ed to waken the forest to life. jeff.
the Love Elf. comes to her rescue.
Today Mother Nature. Father Time
and the Moon Man all lend hand.
Our April play in the Fairy Grotto
is called:
THE COMING OF yELF."
CONTINUED from Last Sunday.)
APRIL.
But h.hs Is NO gentle at their game
oh. know no will put out every flame!
H- hides himself. and suddenly appears
To blow their hair and whisper In their
ears
Ana toss their skirts q bit and whirl
them round:
They think him tho BEST playmate ever
found.
To SEQ him playing with them there
MOTHER NATURE.
(Astounded)
APRIL.
You'd never guess how cruel he can be.
My sunbeams grow more selfish every
day!
Now all they want is Just to play tsobs)
play tsobs)-piay.
(She again buries her face in her
hands while Mother Nature looks at
Father Time and gravely shakes her
head.)
FATHER TIME.
with a sad shake OF his head.)
Sad. my dear. sad, to find these things
arc so;
How can we help her. I should like to
know?
Uooks appealingly at Mother Ma
ture.)
You MUST do something. I have awful
Poor April will soon drown herself In
tears!
(They both seat themselves on
great log. Father Time scratches
his head soberly, while Mother Ma
ture grasps her forehead with both
hands and thinks laboriously. April
goes on with her weeping.)
MOTHER NATURE.
(Springing up enthusiastically
When I squeeze my poor head as hard
as this, -
A bright idea pops out.
(She goes to April and lays her
hand on her shoulder.)
Turning to Father Time.)
Now cheer up. Miss! Wen counsel with
the Old Man in the Moon
And all your troubles will be ended soon.
FATHER TIME.
(Nodding his head in great relief,
claps his hands slowly three times,
then solemnly waves the top OF his
scythe to and fro while he counts
seven, then recites in deep. slow
voice as he looks up into the sky.)
Now. Father. get him here-and quickly.
For he will know exactly what to do.
Moon Man. Moon Man, in the sky
Come down from your place on high,
We have heaps of trouble. You-oo-oo!
stretching hand to sky.)
Como and tell us what to do.
(There is period Of silent wait
ing and the sound OF slow, heavy,
clumping steps, and the old bent
Moon Man appears, dressed in long,
gray cloak and carrying lantern
lighted)
MOON MAN.
(In loud, hoarse voice.
Oh, am the Man In the Moon,
So you will learn one thing quite soon!
He's not made Of green cheese. =
But the Old Moon Man sees
All that goes on
Yes, even at noon!
From my round house up there In the
I've watched with my great silver eyes
And that is the reason
I'm wise. I'm wise!
Turns to the waiting group.)
Good-day to you! Turns to ApriD Sweet
April. do not cry,
I've seen your troubles from my place
cannot weep. because my heart IL cold.
But can help. for ! am wise and old.
I've learned from watching both the bad
Tho world MUST. be kept going as it
And somehow-and before so very long
This wood must smile with bloom and
ring with song.
MOTHER NATURE.
Coming forward eagerly.l
Dear Moon Man. You are always such a
h friend,
Now you are here. our troubles sure to
end.
FATHER TIME.
with eagerness.)
They say that you are wise: IL that is
Why hustle up and tell US what to do.
MOON MAN.
(Ponderously.)
I've been up there (points to the sky) on
watch so long
rye learned to know why things go
wrong.
OF al our woes. the greater part
Are caused by some ones selfish heart.
Ono selfish heart-it's just too bad
Turns to smile kindly at April.)
Now. April. that's what troubles you.
And I will tell you what to do.
Turns to others and goes on
speaking.)
When hearts grow selfish. people shirk.
They do not care to do their work;
But much prefer to live In ease
And do exactly as they please.
So when you start about to win
Such selfish folks. you must begin
Where all such work must have Its start.
(More solemnly and slowly.)
Find ways to warm a selfish heart.
really cannot help you there.
For, You know, scholars all declare
My heart holds neither heat nor light,
And that Is Just exactly right.
My heart Is dead. Is II appears,
And has been so a thousand years.
I would have died. too. long ago
OF grief. II one thing were no. so.
My heart 10 cold. but there. above,
Lived Jelf. the little Elf Of Love.
And when he heard me moan and scold,
Because my heart was always cold,
He crept within it. In thrice
He melted all that ancient ice,
And I am happy, for. you see.
The Elf Of Love still lives with me:
(He pats his heart appreciatively)
MOTHER NATURE.
am SO glad. so glad for you,