THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES

NARRATOR
A lark has her nest in a field of spring wheat.

LARK
Ah! My beautiful little babies are almost adults.
Their feathers are complete.

NARRATOR
Then the farmer arrives and looks over his field.

FARMER
The wheat is ready to gather. I must ask my neighbours to
help me with the harvest.

LITTLE BIRD #1
Mama! We must move!

LARK
Not yet, my son. His friends are not doing anything.

NARRATOR
A little later, the farmer comes again.

FARMER
The wheat is perfect.
Tomorrow I will do the harvest myself!

NARRATOR
Lark hears his words.

LARK
Now is the time for action, my little ones.

LITTLE BIRD #2
Why, Mama?

LARK
The farmer himself is doing the work!

LITTLE BIRD #3
Let's go!

The moral of the story: Depend on yourself more than on others.
(Self-help is the best help.)

THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES
by
Wanda

NARRATOR
Lovely Lark is nesting in a field of spring wheat. The tall swaying stalks have been keeping her babies safe while they grow into fine young birds.

NARRATOR
Farmer strolls into the field and proudly surveys his golden grain.

FARMER
(Grunting to himself)
My wheat is ripe and ready to gather. Such a lot of work!
I know, I'll get my neighbours to help me harvest this huge crop.

LITTLE BIRD #1
(Chirping frantically)
Mama! Mama! We'd better move out of here fast or
we'll be chopped and left for chaff!

LARK
(Warbling soothingly)
Relax, it's not urgent yet, my son. His friends won't be arriving any time soon.

NARRATOR
In a few days, Farmer strides into his unharvested field once again.

FARMER
(Sighing in resignation)
Well, the wheat is still perfect today, but soon it'll be past its prime!
It's now or never, so tomorrow I had better harvest the grain myself!

NARRATOR
Hearing the resolute tone in Farmer's voice, Lark calls to her youngsters.

LARK
Hop to it, my precious little ones. Now is the time for action!

LITTLE BIRD #2
(Peeping timidly)
Why the rush Mama? What's different this time?

LARK
Farmer isn't waiting on someone else to do his work.
He has decided to do the job himself!

LITTLE BIRD #3
(Twittering excitedly, taking charge)
No time to waste. C'mon everyone, take flight! Take flight!

NARRATOR
The moral of the story: Self-help is the best help.

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Series A
Versions
ESL

WANDA'S

The Ant and the Grasshopper

The Crow and
the Pitcher

The Fox and
the Crow

The Fox and
the Grapes

The Hare and
the Tortoise

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Series B
Versions
ESL

WANDA'S

The Oak and
the Reeds

The Farmer
and the Stork

The Ant and
the Dove

The Frogs Who
Want a King

The Milkmaid
and the Pail

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Series C
Versions
ESL

WANDA'S

The Lark and Her Young Ones

The Frog and
the Ox

The Bundle of
Sticks

The North Wind
and the Sun

The Bat, the Birds and the Beasts

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