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KING: Come on, why are you lagging behind, we will
never reach that poor man if you don't buck up.
PAGE: Sir, it is getting colder and the wind is so strong.
I can hardly walk.
KING: Well, look here poor chap, just walk behind me and
I will shelter you from the wind, and if you tread where I step
in the snow you will find the going easier. Are you ready? Well
come on then and don't drop the firewood. Hello. Who have we
here?
Enter the children
KING: Well did you ever see such a quaint bunch in
your life? Well now, who are you?
PETER: Please sir, we are looking for Father Christmas.
KING: Father Christmas?
PETER: Yes, sir. Are you Father Christmas?
KING: God bless my soul alive! I'm not Father Christmas.
I'm King Wenceslas.
JANE: Goodness, are you another king? We have met three
already.
JOHN: You're not Old King Cole are you?
KING: No oh no. I'm King Wenceslas.
JOHN: (To the other children) He could be King
Kong.
PETER: Or the King of the Golden River.
CEPHAS: Or the King of Tartary.
MARK: Or the King of Hearts.
JANE: Or the one-eyed King in the country of the blind.
SUSAN: Or King Solomon.
PETER: Or...
KING: Now look here young people don't you go around confusing
the masses. If you do I will have you all flushed out. I am not
old King Cole, I'm not King Kong, I'm not the King of the Golden
River, I'm not the King of Tartary, or the King of Hearts, or
the one-eyed King in the country of the blind, King Solomon,
or any of these other fancy kings you are talking about, I am
plain, simple, good King Wenceslas.
PETER: Oh, are you a real king then?
KING: Of course I am a real king.
PETER: Well then why aren't you wearing your crown?
KING: Heavens above my boy, do you think we kings have
nothing to do but have a coronation every day? We are far too
busy for such things. Just now I am busy taking some presents
to a poor man who lives by that mountain. (To Cephas with
concern) Why are you on crutches? Have you had an accident?
CEPHAS: No your majesty. I was born like this. My legs
don't work properly.
KING: Poor chap. I would like to give you a present, but...(He
feels about his pockets)...I don't know I have anything suitable.
I tell you what though, just take my advice about your misfortune.
Always keep up your spirits, always put a brave face on things,
never forget your dignity and, above all, never lose hope. That's
the best present I can give you.
CEPHAS: (With philosophical resignation) Thank
you your majesty.
SUSAN: It's funny, but the other kings were all carrying
presents too, it must be something to do with Christmas.
PETER: Well, Mr. King, if you are not Father Christmas...
JOHN: You don't call a King 'Mr' silly, you have to say
'Your Majesty'.
PETER: I didn't call him Mr Silly, I called him Mr. King.
Anyway, Your Majesty, do you know where we can find Father Christmas?
KING: I am sorry my boy, I have never heard of him in
my life. Who is he anyway?
CAROLIE: Well, you see Your Majesty, every Christmas we
hang up our stockings and then when we are all asleep he comes
down the chimney and fills them with toys and presents.
KING: Does he by Jove! He sounds an interesting sort of
chap. Perhaps he ought to be a member of my Central Committee.
Where does he live?
CEPHAS: We don't know your Majesty. We are looking for
him.
KING: Look here, are you sure this chap is a real person?
CHILDREN: (Variously) Oh yes Your Majesty. He is
a real person alright.
KING: Well, if you ask me, do you know what I think? I
think you must all be dreaming.
During the singing the lights slowly dim and towards the end the King and Page are seen slowly moving off. At the end the stage is in darkness and a small point of light from a high point off-stage begins to reflect onto it. The children huddle together in alarm as the light steadily advances and becomes steadily brighter
PETER: Goodness. What is it?
JANE: It must be a ghost.
CAROLIE: Oh dear, I am so afraid.
MARK: (Beginning to cry) I want my Mum!
JOHN: Shut up you soppy 'aporth, it's not a ghost.
The figure of the Good Fairy slowly appears, resplendent in spangled attire and carrying a wand topped by an illuminated star. The alarm on the children's faces changes to wonder and delight
PETER: Why, its the Good Fairy.
GOOD FAIRY: Hullo children, what are you doing here?
PETER: We are trying to find Father Christmas.
GOOD FAIRY: Ha, ha, ha, ha, well, dear me, have you had
any luck?
PETER: Not really. First we met a witch and she chased
us all away.
GOOD FAIRY: Oh dear. Was she very nasty?
JOHN: She was terrible. She said she would turn us into
snowflakes.
CAROLIE: And then she was going to make a big fire so
that we would all melt into nothing.
GOOD FAIRY: Oh dear me, how terrible. I wonder if she
has got a proper work permit.
SUSAN: I don't know, but when she thought we had gone
I heard her saying she was going to hang up her stocking, so
at least she believes in Father Christmas.
PETER: And then we met three kings, and Mary and Joseph,
and just now we met Good Wenceslas...(Looking round)...but
he seems to have gone off somewhere.
GOOD FAIRY: You seem to have been having a marvelous time
but did you find Father Christmas?
ALL: (Disconsolately and variously) No we
didn't.
SUSAN: Perhaps you can tell us where he is?
GOOD FAIRY: Well, actually he is an old friend of mine.
We voted together in the last election. But I don't know where
he is now. In any case at this time of the year he tends to be
terribly busy. I tell you what though. I can tell you a secret.
Do you like secrets?
CHILDREN: (Variously) Oh yes, we love secrets.
Do tell us a secret. etc.
They gather round eagerly
GOOD FAIRY: Well, come close and I will tell you the Secret of Christmas.
They huddle nearer to her. She bends forwards so that her face is hidden in theirs and whispers inaudibly. After a few seconds the children fall back their faces calm and happy.
GOOD FAIRY: (Finger to her lips) shshssh!
The children all smile at her. There follows the carol 'While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night' at the end of which...
» Scene 6 - A City Street In The Days of Robinson Crusoe
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