The Tomten and the Fox

Adapted for the Puppet Tree Theater by J. Ping

from the classic children’s book by Astrid Lindgren

MUSIC

How light it is tonight… a night for foxes and Tomtens….

The fox lives in the middle of the forest. When evening comes he leaves his den.

Now where can a hungry fox find something to eat?

Creep silently Mr. Fox. Creep silently… let no one see you.

MUSIC

The moonlit night hovers over snow so white - and stars so bright.

People, inside their houses, do not look out to see a hungry fox coming through the snow.

Some one is watching though, Mr. Fox… the old Tomten who takes care of the farm at night.

The fox prowls round to the barn. There must be something there for a hungry fox to eat.

Creep silently Mr. Fox.. let no one hear you.

Inside the shed, everything is quiet. The cows and sheep are asleep… but the mice are awake!

SOUND EFFECTS - MICE

Who wants mice?

MUSIC

The fox prowls round to the chicken house. Look out hens… SOUND EFFECTS - HENS

Help! The fox is here! Help, help!

MUSIC

Suddenly the hens and the fox hear steps outside. SOUND EFFECTS

The old, old Tomten, who takes care of the farm at night, startles Mr. Fox.

The Tomten guards the farm, watching over the animals who sleep… the old Tomten knows that a fox can be hungry.

“You know you are not allowed to steal our hens, don’t you, Mr. Fox?”

“Hens?” .... “Nothing was further from my mind.”

The old Tomten knows what it is to be hungry.

“Here you are, eat some of my porridge!”

Every night the children fill the Tomten’s bowl with porridge.

They have never seen him, but they know he is there.

“It’s good, isn’t it? Eat up, Mr. Fox. You can share my porridge every night if you like. But let our hens live in peace.

MUSIC

Satisfied and happy, Mr. Fox goes through the forest back to his den.

People are asleep in their beds, but the morning star has already risen above the edge of the forest.

How light it is tonight, a night for foxes and Tomtens.

MUSIC