Главная страница «Первого сентября»Главная страница журнала «Английский язык»Содержание №20/2007
The Happiest Halloween
FOR YOUNG READERS

The Happiest Halloween

A little witch was the only one who wanted a cheerful Halloween. This caused a big problem each year. How could she change everyone’s mind?

Props
Large pot or cauldron, two sticks to stir the brew, a pretend spider web, 2 bones, bag with “moonbeams” printed on it, pitcher for red drink, cups, flower for Dilly’s hat.

Costumes
Witches in witch costumes or masks, Cats in black cat crowns or headbands, Vampire in black cape or vampire mask, Pumpkins in pumpkin patch crowns or headbands, Extras in Halloween costumes.

Setting
In the woods, two witches are stirring a brew.

Milly: Tricks and trouble! Tricks and trouble! Cast a spell of tricks and trouble!
Tilly: I will put in a spider’s web and two bones. (Drops them in the cauldron.) The brew will soon be ready for Halloween.

(Two black cats enter.)

Kit Cat: Tonight is Halloween and Dilly Witch is nowhere around. She has disappeared again.
Milly: She has not been with us all day. Every year at Halloween she disappears.
Tilly: She does not want to join us as we cast spells on boys and girls.
Kit Cat: Instead she flies off on her broom and sprinkles moonbeams on the houses.
Kitty Cat: Then the people inside give the children treats instead of tricks.
Both Cats: Halloween is not scary anymore!

(Vinnie Vampire, Pumpkins, and others enter in costumes.)

Vinnie: (growling) Dilly is getting her broom ready for tonight (Hands on hips, he stamps his foot.) No one will be afraid of me. Dilly makes kids giggle and enjoy Halloween.
Pumpkins: Every year we smile. We never get to frown. Dilly makes people carve us into happy pumpkins.
Kit Cat: Everyone thinks I’m just a cute kitty.
Kitty Cat: Even if we growl and hiss, kids think we’re just being silly and laugh.
Milly: Here comes Dilly now.

(Dilly enters wearing a witch hat with a flower in it. Her cheeks are rosy and she is smiling. She carries a bag of moonbeams.)

Dilly: Hi everyone! Happy Halloween! It looks like it will be another jolly, happy Halloween. You all look so unhappy. Is anything wrong?
Tilly: Dilly, Halloween is not supposed to be happy. It is supposed to be scary. Your spells are making it silly and we don’t like it!
Vinnie: Whoever heard of a giggling vampire? (growling)
Milly: Or a witch’s brew made from sweet strawberry soda and vanilla ice cream. Yuck! It sounds terrible!
Pumpkins: (in complaining voices) We should look scary. We don’t want to look happy!
Dilly: Being scary is scary to me! I don’t like to be scary, and I think most people would rather be happy than scared on Halloween.
Kit Cat: I think we should all sit down and talk about this.
Kitty Cat: I agree.
Vinnie: I’m thirsty. What is there to drink?
Milly: It’s too bad, but our black spider brew is not ready yet.
Pumpkins: There’s nothing here to drink except Dilly’s sweet strawberry brew.
Dilly: I’ll be glad to give you some. Everyone sit down.

(Dilly gives a glass of brew to everyone, including the Narrator. Soon after, all characters begin to giggle and laugh.)

Both Cats: What a great taste! We never felt more like giggling in all our lives.
Tilly: I hate to say this, but Dilly’s brew is the best I have ever tasted.
Vinnie: Can we have some more?
Dilly: (nodding) Sure. (Pours more for every-one.)

Narrator: That Halloween night was the silliest ever. Everyone decided it was more fun to have a good time than a scary time. And don’t you agree? To all of you watching we wish you a happy and giggly Halloween!

From Holiday Plays