The Juniper Tree - The birdNARRATOR The juniper tree rustled and moved. The branches parted and joined. MARLENE Parted and joined, as though they were clapping their hands with joy. NARRATOR Smoke drifted out of the tree. And in the heart of the smoke a fire burned. MARLENE Then a wonderful bird flapped from the flames. He soared higher and higher... NARRATOR ...and began to sing. BIRD Mein mutter, she killed me. Mein vater, he ate me. My sister, Marlene, made certain to gather my bones all together, in silk wrapped so nicely, under the juniper tree. Tweet-tweet! Under the juniper tree. Tweet-tweet! What a beautiful bird I am! NARRATOR The bird landed on a roof in the townsquare. GOLDSMITH The goldsmith heard the bird singing and thought the sound was beautiful. He ran from his workshop and didn't stop until he got a good look at the bird. ( He runs outside. In one hand he holds a golden chain and in the other his tongs.) SHOEMAKER When the shoemaker heard the song, he came hot-footing out onto the street to squinny up at the bird. (he carries a beautifully crafted pair of red shoes) STONEMASON (chiselling an impossibly heavy millstone) Then the stonemason chucked chiselling and listened to the words. GOLDSMITH Bird, you sing so beautifully! SHOEMAKER Sing your song to me again! STONEMASON Let me hear it all! BIRD No, I don't sing twice for nothing. GOLDSMITH Take this gold chain! (the bird swoops down and in his right claw he clasps the gold chain) SHOEMAKER You see these red shoes? They're yours! (in his left claw he clasps the shoes) STONEMASON But I have nothing to give! BIRD Give me the millstone! STONEMASON If you sing the song again, I'll give you the stone. (The men grab beams to lift the stone. The bird pushes his neck through the millstone hole and wears it like a collar.) BIRD (under narration and dialogue) Mein mutter she killed me. Mein vater he ate me. my sister Marlene made certain to gather my bones altogether, in silk wrapped so nicely, under the juniper tree. Tweet-tweet! under the juniper tree. Tweet-tweet! What a beautiful bird I am! NARRATOR As the bird sang he spread his wings. In his right claw, he had the chain, in his left the shoes, and around his neck the millstone. Then he flew away to his father's house. (The father, the mother and Marlene are sitting at the table.) | 
