1 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:09,800 Narrator read by Pamela Krantz. Characters, Christmas Gifts read by Charlotte Duckett, 2 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:19,039 Money read by Ruth Golding, Christmas Tree read by Manda Friday, Christmas Stocking 3 00:00:19,559 --> 00:00:27,760 read by Ginger Cucolo. Plum Pudding read by Rapunzlina sir It read by Lyn 4 00:00:27,879 --> 00:00:35,000 Silva. An Old Man read by David Olsen. A Child read by Adililia 5 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:45,840 King's Son read by David Lawrence. Narrator read by Pamela Krantz. What makes 6 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:54,520 Christmas Christmas a morality? Play the scene At the sides and back the stage 7 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:59,320 is hung with curtains of a cold gray tone, lighter toward the top. 8 00:01:00,320 --> 00:01:04,400 In the upper left corner, a bright star is shining across the top. 9 00:01:04,439 --> 00:01:11,000 At the front hangs a dark gray curtain stenciled in a geometric design with dull 10 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:15,680 gold paint. A dark line of drapery borders the sides of the proscenium. 11 00:01:17,719 --> 00:01:21,480 A little to the right center and more than half way back is a stone 12 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:26,680 bench with a pine tree at each end. The light is diffused and dim 13 00:01:26,879 --> 00:01:34,519 to represent night in the distance. An almost imperceptible regular drumming is heard during 14 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:41,680 the solemn parts of the play. This monotonous beat is always audible, determining 15 00:01:41,719 --> 00:01:48,879 the tempo of the movement. There enters right Christmas gifts, a coquettish elf 16 00:01:49,079 --> 00:01:53,439 like figure, and a gold tunic and a stiff skirt stopping at the knees. 17 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:59,400 On her head is a gold cap like a cornucopia, and her stockings 18 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:05,439 and slippers our gold. She enters dancing. She is followed by money Bag, 19 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,680 who loiters sulkily behind, examining a little musical pipe which she carries. 20 00:02:10,599 --> 00:02:15,879 Money Bag is dressed in a loose brown bag, tied up about the neck 21 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:20,599 with a hempen rope. Otherwise he looks a little like a brownie. I 22 00:02:20,879 --> 00:02:24,879 are you so excited gifts? Why it's Christmas Eve, mister money bag, 23 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:30,759 she curtsies mockingly. Christmas is no better for gifts than any other time of 24 00:02:30,879 --> 00:02:36,599 year. What's the matter with birthdays? Poor old money bag? Kissing him 25 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:39,960 and dancing off. It's such a great drain on you, Yes it is. 26 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:46,560 See how poor and thin I've grown a month ago. My sides were 27 00:02:46,599 --> 00:02:51,560 all bulgy with my savings. But it's a season. I thrive. You 28 00:02:51,719 --> 00:02:55,199 thrive, my lady, at my expense. I want to dance. Money, 29 00:02:55,199 --> 00:03:00,599 dear, caressingly, play me a nice little tune whenever you want anything. 30 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:07,120 Then you're very nice to me with your money, DearS, you always 31 00:03:07,199 --> 00:03:10,800 have to rely on me for whatever you want. Money makes the dance girl. 32 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:16,120 Yes you're not a very esthetic creature, though, Money tosses his head 33 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:21,159 angrily. Oh, but we all love you. You're ever so much better 34 00:03:21,159 --> 00:03:23,960 than you look. Come play me a nice little tune to dance to. 35 00:03:23,479 --> 00:03:28,919 Tra la la la la, tra la la la la, still pouting and 36 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,840 shaking his head. I think my pipe is broken. He plays a few 37 00:03:32,919 --> 00:03:44,840 discords always broke when I ask you for anything, Come just one little tune. 38 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:54,039 Money begins to play and gifts starts for dance. Suddenly, abruptly, 39 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:58,879 in the middle of a strain, Money breaks off and begins to examine his 40 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:02,919 pipe with greater interest. Oh do play, stamping her foot. It's so 41 00:04:03,039 --> 00:04:08,800 tantalizing money to have you give out this way. Yes, it's money this 42 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:14,439 and money that, and you'll beckon call all the while. I can't keep 43 00:04:14,479 --> 00:04:17,720 on forever? Can I? With no pauses to catch my breath. It's 44 00:04:17,759 --> 00:04:21,959 hard work to keep time all the time. There's a good old money bag 45 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,800 kissing him a nice old money bag. Of course, you have to pretend 46 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:33,160 that times are hard, money grunts, and begins to play m After a 47 00:04:33,199 --> 00:04:38,839 few hours, he again stops abruptly on a high note and falls to examining 48 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:42,759 his pipe. You always give out this way at the crucial moment, dear 49 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:46,720 money bag, just one more little strain. The strains too much for me, 50 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:50,600 how stingy you are. And your music is pretty poor too. I 51 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:55,439 noticed it's good enough for your dancing. I'd dance to a different tune if 52 00:04:55,439 --> 00:05:00,519 I could. Aily, it's my artistic temperament anyway, which furnishes all m 53 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:05,959 oh tastey temperament? Indeed, when did that ever furnish anything but trouble? 54 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:12,360 I'd like to know? Enter left Christmas tree. He wears a short, 55 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:18,160 flaring green tunic trimmed with horizontal evergreen bands, green knickers, brown stockings, 56 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:23,839 and scarlet slippers. On his head is a peaked green cap. From time 57 00:05:23,879 --> 00:05:28,000 to time, electric lights shine out on the point of his cap and in 58 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:33,839 the evergreen bands. Here here you two squabbling again. Why it's Christmas Eve, 59 00:05:34,199 --> 00:05:40,959 the time for shouting and laughter? See how I shine? The bulbs 60 00:05:41,079 --> 00:05:45,199 glow and flicker out. He won't play for me? Oh yes he will, 61 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:48,519 and like a right good fellow too. Why one hour more and it 62 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:54,279 will be Christmas, mister bagg, See how I shine with the festive spirit. 63 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:59,199 The lights glow a moment. Now, if ever is the time to 64 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:03,319 play, Come gifts. We'll have a little dance together. They caper about, 65 00:06:03,439 --> 00:06:08,639 but Money continues to salt. Then examine his pipe, Come, come 66 00:06:08,759 --> 00:06:14,560 money, What would gifts be without you? She can expect no more of 67 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:19,920 me gifts flinging arms round his neck. Dear old money bag, you're too 68 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:26,360 fickle, not in loving you. This is the season of jollity. See 69 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:31,639 how I shine? The lights glow again, gass one short pace. Then 70 00:06:32,199 --> 00:06:40,360 he begins to play. Gifts and tree join hands. It's scandalous the way 71 00:06:40,399 --> 00:06:44,720 you treat him. You're so changeable. You seem to forget the Christmas gifts 72 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:53,639 must be all things to all men. They dance presently. The music stops 73 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:57,240 again on a high note. In the middle of a strain, Money is 74 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,600 given out again. A new tune starts up. Now early is stocking enters 75 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,600 left. He wears a blue and white doublet and a square cap on his 76 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:10,560 head. On the whole he resembles a checked pantaloon more than anything else. 77 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:16,319 Stocking dances gaily while gifts and tree give him the floor. Poor Stocking. 78 00:07:16,759 --> 00:07:20,959 It's very seldom money spends any effort on him. You mean, it's very 79 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:26,879 seldom money is ever spent on him. Women are so reckless in what they 80 00:07:26,959 --> 00:07:32,319 say. Stocking stops breathless. How well you dance tonight, Stocking on Christmas 81 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:36,879 Eve? I always dance well. I'm dancing dreams into the heads of all 82 00:07:36,959 --> 00:07:42,600 the children. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care. You know, 83 00:07:43,519 --> 00:07:46,639 that's the very core of the whole thing. What would Christmas be without 84 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:53,120 me? Why? I am Christmas rubbish, old fellow. You're all right, 85 00:07:53,199 --> 00:07:56,920 of course, In fact, you play your part very nicely. But 86 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:03,240 what would Christmas be without a tree? See how I shine the lamp's glow. 87 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:07,639 Sooner a Christmas any time without a tree than without a stocking. Why 88 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,879 it's the whole joy of Christmas to hang up your stocking, have dreams dancing 89 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:16,319 on your head all night, and dash down in the morning to pull out 90 00:08:16,399 --> 00:08:20,360 gifts. There you are, It's gifts thereafter, What would an empty stocking 91 00:08:20,399 --> 00:08:24,360 be? It's gifts gifts, gifts that makes them happy. Stocking is about 92 00:08:24,399 --> 00:08:28,920 to retort, but Tree pushes him aside. There there don't quarrel. We 93 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:33,440 all admit that Christmas would be a pretty slow thing without you stalking, and 94 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:39,639 that you'd be a pretty disappointing fellow without gifts. You're both essential to Christmas. 95 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:45,480 I guess, so Christmas Eve and no stalking. Why it's inconceivable. 96 00:08:45,759 --> 00:08:48,960 Whoever heard of a Christmas with no gifts? Why I enter every lowest hovel, 97 00:08:50,039 --> 00:08:52,559 bringing joy wherever I go, and spreading Christmas trere. I visit the 98 00:08:52,639 --> 00:08:56,879 richmond in his villa, and the convict in his prison, and the soldier 99 00:08:56,879 --> 00:09:03,200 in his trench. Everywhere I go, helping and sententiously, making all men 100 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:07,320 brothers. The whole world becomes one vast fraternity under the charm of Christmas gifts. 101 00:09:07,639 --> 00:09:13,080 Wherever I look, I will see Christmas smiling. See how I shine 102 00:09:13,639 --> 00:09:18,600 the lamps flesh. What is a home without me when Christmas dawns? Why 103 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:24,039 I am the very center and symbol of joy round me. The family gather 104 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:30,200 and look at me with smiling eyes. I am the shrine of Christmas. 105 00:09:30,759 --> 00:09:35,720 Christmas is Christmas without a single gift. If I stand shining by the hearth. 106 00:09:37,759 --> 00:09:41,360 Where would you all be without me? Who ever heard of anyone's keeping 107 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:46,799 Christmas without money? I may not make as much show as some of you 108 00:09:48,039 --> 00:09:52,240 here, but money is their biggest thing in life. What's a man without 109 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:58,039 money? Where can he live? What can he eat? What can he 110 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:05,039 do? Build? Canals and palaces and the great ships that sail on the 111 00:10:05,159 --> 00:10:11,759 sea. I wage war and bring back peace again. I wreck hospitals and 112 00:10:11,879 --> 00:10:16,679 bring men healing and comfort. Without me, the whole world would fall into 113 00:10:16,799 --> 00:10:22,120 chaos, and the race of men would perish Christmas without money? Indeed, 114 00:10:22,639 --> 00:10:28,039 here comes plum Pudding. He has attended countless Christmas festivals. Yes, but 115 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:33,399 think of his reputation. I'll admit that he is in averse to a little 116 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:35,720 liquor and is often in his cups. But he is a man of the 117 00:10:35,759 --> 00:10:39,759 world and has seen life. He ought to know what makes Christmas Christmas. 118 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:46,559 Let's lay the whole matter squarely before him and abide by his decision. Yes, 119 00:10:46,799 --> 00:10:52,559 plum Pudding knows what's what? I agree, and I and I enter 120 00:10:52,639 --> 00:10:56,960 left. Plum Pudding. He is a portly old gentleman, dressed in black 121 00:10:56,039 --> 00:11:01,919 velvet with red stockings and a red sash. Good evening, mister pudding. 122 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:07,200 We're having a little discussion here about who's most essential to Christmas. Now I 123 00:11:07,799 --> 00:11:11,200 just tell them, please, what Christmas would be without a tree? See 124 00:11:11,279 --> 00:11:16,399 how I shine the lamps glow? Hum, mister pudding, did you ever 125 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:22,080 hear of a Christmas without gifts? She takes his arm coquettishly and smiles up 126 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:26,639 at him. Well, no, of course she didn't. Where would they 127 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:30,600 all be, sir? Without me? Put them all straight? Now? 128 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:35,919 See how I shine the lamp's glow. Did you ever hear of a child 129 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:39,679 who forgot to hang up his stalking on Christmas Eve? There's a good deal 130 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:45,679 of wisdom in all these claims. Christmas would indeed be a poor thing without 131 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:52,120 stalking. See how I shine the lamp's glow. A tree is very important 132 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:56,480 gifts, pulls his arm, and no one would be willingly forgotten by gifts? 133 00:11:56,720 --> 00:12:01,440 He smiles at her. Without money? Yes, where would they all 134 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:07,399 be without money? Eh? Where? Indeed? Well? Well, well, 135 00:12:07,799 --> 00:12:15,360 well, well what is it that makes Christmas Christmas? What? What? 136 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:20,200 What? What is it possible? You don't know? I'll shake their 137 00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:24,720 heads gifts, smiling at him, What do you think think, I don't 138 00:12:24,799 --> 00:12:31,840 think I know. Oh, oh, oh oh, what is the road 139 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:37,159 to a man's heart? Why his stomach? Of course? Do you see 140 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:43,679 plum pudding is what makes Christmas Christmas? Didn't you all refer to me plum 141 00:12:43,759 --> 00:12:48,919 putting turns and struts off right in a superior manner, always puts himself above 142 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:54,320 everybody else, too much ego, my dear tree, always overestimating his own 143 00:12:54,440 --> 00:13:03,080 importance. The way till a man's heart is through his puss. Why I 144 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:07,559 can tell you A gay tinkling sound is heard, and a light, yellow 145 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:13,159 clad figure enters right. She is dancing and is peaking imaginary flowers. Spirit. 146 00:13:13,639 --> 00:13:22,120 I am young into bright and the flowers, and my hair, my 147 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:30,960 high food, so cheery, my high bed, a brown fur. This 148 00:13:31,159 --> 00:13:37,559 is no one I know, No I spirit, still gathering imaginary flowers and 149 00:13:37,639 --> 00:13:43,080 weaving them into wreaths, morning glories and roof and hair bills growing with daisies. 150 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:48,639 I don't see anything growing under the Christmas star. She thinks that'd perish 151 00:13:48,759 --> 00:13:54,000 the salt, oh sweet flowers for my garland, the rose, the lily, 152 00:13:54,159 --> 00:14:00,559 and the stately dahlia tree stepping up to her. See how I shine 153 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:05,159 lamps glow. Oh no, no drawing back. You're no child of the 154 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:11,960 wood and metal. So much dress being sadders, my footstep, saloon, 155 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:24,720 the stars in the sky hoppy. When I see she'll be asking us to 156 00:14:24,759 --> 00:14:28,360 have a cup of moonlight. Next she's mad, I'll speak to her. 157 00:14:28,759 --> 00:14:35,120 What's your name? I see quit a be training sweet from the torn so 158 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:41,679 it touches my heart, Little big lovebird, Well, where did you come 159 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:46,120 from? I can't say the exact place. I have come from the mountains 160 00:14:46,159 --> 00:14:52,000 of the shed Nevada, down through a great sweep of its country. So 161 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:56,919 I wandered along the banks of the Ohio and touched the heels again, and 162 00:14:56,039 --> 00:15:01,080 passed into the mist, over the waves, into the dermoil of the nations. 163 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:05,360 But where is your home? Singing is? She pleads her wreaths. 164 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:13,200 When the sun shines south, the springs my cup, and I hear from 165 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:22,600 the trash that her nestling is flow. You see, she won't tell. 166 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:26,399 I pass here and there ludge in the hearts of men, and they reach 167 00:15:26,519 --> 00:15:31,639 them and set my magic on children. Aren't you cold out the night with 168 00:15:31,759 --> 00:15:37,000 that thin dress? The December winds are blowing down from the great ice pue 169 00:15:37,039 --> 00:15:39,919 in the north. But I am not cold at all, for my heart 170 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:45,440 warms me. This is no time to be thinking about yourself. This is 171 00:15:45,559 --> 00:15:50,519 Christmas night, don't you know that the time when there's love and goodwill among 172 00:15:50,600 --> 00:15:56,759 men, and everyone is giving himself enjoy and service for others. See how 173 00:15:56,799 --> 00:16:03,480 I shine. The lamps gleam. The spirit looks about her bewildered. Everybody 174 00:16:03,559 --> 00:16:10,200 is expected to give a little flowers. They're only in your minds enjoyed laughter. 175 00:16:10,879 --> 00:16:15,399 They don't cost anything, they're just in the heart, said the people, 176 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:21,200 holding out his cap to her. Everybody is expected to give a little 177 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:26,039 that's much too small to contain my gifts. The spirit disappears. Who ever 178 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:30,679 saw the like such as Some folk have enter right, an old man with 179 00:16:30,759 --> 00:16:36,960 his little grandson. They're very poor and wretched. The old man carries on 180 00:16:37,039 --> 00:16:41,000 his back a sack which contains all his possessions, and the little boy has 181 00:16:41,039 --> 00:16:45,120 a swag on the end of a stick. They come in and rest themselves 182 00:16:45,159 --> 00:16:51,159 and their burdens on the bench. I'm old, old by a hundred years 183 00:16:51,159 --> 00:16:55,399 and wearied out. Yet it's near midnight, and we must be getting on 184 00:16:55,559 --> 00:17:00,759 to some shelter. Half our musty good grandfather. It's a long way, 185 00:17:00,879 --> 00:17:04,920 child, that the poor must travel, a long and weary way. Money 186 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:14,000 slinking away, there beggars gift coming forward. It's Christmas Eve, my good 187 00:17:14,079 --> 00:17:17,359 man. On the hour of midnight is nea I was coming to seek you. 188 00:17:17,759 --> 00:17:22,519 I'm gifts. Christmas is for the rich, bitterly, not for us 189 00:17:22,559 --> 00:17:27,599 poor folk, driven forth on the road to celebrate with gifts. See how 190 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:33,359 I shine the lamps gleam on Christmas Eve? Even the poor man can bear 191 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:38,079 home of balsam from the hills and light a taper in its branches to the 192 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:44,960 blessed child to shine into the eyes of his own children. Old man turning 193 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:48,640 away, it's a roof tree that I'm lacking this Christmas Eve, young man. 194 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:53,160 But though the poor man has no home, he has yet a fire 195 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:59,200 where the Christmas stocking may hang tonight. The highway is my hearth. Friend, 196 00:18:00,319 --> 00:18:04,400 enter left the spirit and touches the old man on the sleeve. Father, 197 00:18:04,759 --> 00:18:10,039 I to have come along road on Christmas night, and I'm going alonger 198 00:18:10,119 --> 00:18:15,200 Still shall we not go one together, ah company on the long dark road? 199 00:18:17,039 --> 00:18:21,720 That's something, now, my friends, where did you get those flowers? 200 00:18:22,319 --> 00:18:29,039 Mad? Mad? Mad? You see we're very poor, my grandson 201 00:18:29,079 --> 00:18:33,720 and I. We're too poor to keep Christmas. I didn't see any flowers, 202 00:18:33,759 --> 00:18:37,480 grandfather, as we came along. But now, why are they going 203 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:42,640 everywhere? And what a fine smell they have? Can't you see how she's 204 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:48,200 fooling you? Where are her flowers? Now? But can a fine lady 205 00:18:48,279 --> 00:18:52,920 like you be seen on the road with poor folks like us jing skins with 206 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:56,160 him in his manger, Then let us be getting along, For the road 207 00:18:56,279 --> 00:19:03,039 is dark and difficult, bright with moonlight, and the hedges are thick with 208 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:07,359 daces and hairbells, and the meadows are dotted with buttercups. We shall pass 209 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:12,119 orchards too, with plums and peaches, and big and little apples, and 210 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:18,720 hanging gripes on the trellis incredulously. This reminds me of the day is when 211 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:23,359 I too was young and unwearied, and before us faith will run like a 212 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:30,720 welder in the mountains, Oh ray, ridden wealth, hard a flowers on 213 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:38,759 my bro hand, bear ridden bees to flame in my home. The old 214 00:19:38,799 --> 00:19:44,279 man and the child go out, left with a confident air, accompanied by 215 00:19:44,319 --> 00:19:48,279 the spirit. As they go, they do not heed the others. She 216 00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:51,680 carries a high head now and despises us as if you were a betses. 217 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:56,440 There they go, a couple of poor doft shadows, begging along the road, 218 00:19:57,079 --> 00:20:03,599 a reproach to good paper, who are enjoying Christmas. A cloud of 219 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:07,559 incense rises behind the spirit and the old man and child. Don't you see 220 00:20:07,599 --> 00:20:14,000 a mist rising there? Odd and smell a holy fire? And together they've 221 00:20:14,039 --> 00:20:18,839 passed into the mist. And who is she anyway? And what was her 222 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:23,799 business here on Christmas night? She's only a poor mad thing with her flowers 223 00:20:23,839 --> 00:20:29,559 and her orchards and her moonlight. It's an ill time to be meeting creatures 224 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:33,759 like that the holy Christmas eve. The old man's coat was very poor, 225 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:37,759 indeed he needed a new one. His hood was all tattered, and his 226 00:20:37,839 --> 00:20:41,480 stockings were only rags. But he refuses our assistance. That's the way of 227 00:20:41,519 --> 00:20:45,039 the poor. They'd rather freeze before our eyes than eases by taking help. 228 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:51,000 He listened to her quick enough to empty promises and vain hopes. Heild out 229 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:56,519 with all her talk about flowers. Yes see how I He jumps aside, 230 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:00,519 startled and cries out, she has taken away my shoes. The others look 231 00:21:00,559 --> 00:21:04,079 on in amazement. A pox on her for taking away the good old ways 232 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:10,039 of celebrating Christmas. Suddenly, the King's son appears, left on the highway. 233 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:14,440 He is dressed in a short purple tunic and wears a golden circlet on 234 00:21:14,519 --> 00:21:19,200 his brow. Money immediately runs forward to salute him. Money always follows, 235 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:23,319 and the footsteps of the great all stand in the way of the King's son 236 00:21:23,559 --> 00:21:29,759 saluting him. He looks peevish and is evidently annoyed at the interruption. What 237 00:21:29,799 --> 00:21:33,519 do you want of me? It was to you, sire, that we 238 00:21:33,519 --> 00:21:36,640 were about to proceed. It was to you, first of all in the 239 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:40,519 wide realm, that we would bring our Christmas greetings. And who were you? 240 00:21:40,599 --> 00:21:44,640 Pray? I am Christmas gifts with my faithful attendant, money bag, 241 00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:48,799 and we have saved for you the rarest and vest I don't want any more 242 00:21:48,839 --> 00:21:55,119 gifts already the palace is filled up with them, Birthday gifts, Christian gifts, 243 00:21:55,400 --> 00:22:00,119 Christmas gifts, gifts, gifts till my eyes are tired of look, 244 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:04,319 Sire, you are right. I am the only true symbol of Christmas. 245 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:10,759 I the Christmas stocking. You hang me up in the chimney corner, and 246 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:15,640 all night long dreams and fancies dance over your head. I'm much too old 247 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:19,440 for such nonsense. Why I haven't hung up my socking for ever so long? 248 00:22:21,079 --> 00:22:25,799 Sire, I am the Christmas tree. See how I shine? He 249 00:22:25,799 --> 00:22:29,799 hesitates to try, but the lights gleam out again. I am the shrine 250 00:22:29,839 --> 00:22:33,319 of Christmas. On Christmas morning, the family gather round me. I'm tired 251 00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:38,079 of Christmas trees. I have them every year, and they're always the same. 252 00:22:38,799 --> 00:22:44,000 All these things are nothing to me, For in my heart there is 253 00:22:44,039 --> 00:22:48,920 a great heaviness. What is it that makes Christmas Christmas? I have set 254 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:53,240 out tonight on the great highway of the realm to see whether I shall find 255 00:22:53,319 --> 00:22:59,720 Christmas there. I have left my father's house, where I walk between walls 256 00:22:59,759 --> 00:23:03,640 of beat and bronze, lighted with silver lamps, and where my father sits 257 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:07,839 on a high throne with a crown on his head and a mastiff at his 258 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:12,880 feet. In the courtyard, festive preparations are going forth, and there is 259 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:19,200 a great coming in of kings and princes. But Christmas joy has deserted our 260 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:23,680 palace. I remember the time when my heart was high on Christmas night, 261 00:23:25,799 --> 00:23:30,599 but now everything is sodden and dull. Enter left, Spirit dancing, no 262 00:23:30,839 --> 00:23:37,599 gem and no gold. Can my speit breass, no mish and no net 263 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:42,319 stay the wing of my flight? Who is she? He goes toward her 264 00:23:42,680 --> 00:23:49,200 spirit, gathering flowers and singing. The summer lifts a when the harvests thrive, 265 00:23:51,079 --> 00:23:55,240 the lark song is heard, and the shadows are long. There is 266 00:23:55,279 --> 00:23:59,599 a princess in the court who has come up from the south and sits pining 267 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:03,400 for me by the window. But I'll have none of her. And now 268 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:07,039 when I put out my arms to you, you do not come. All 269 00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:10,839 men, have a deep durst for joy. Come to my father's house, 270 00:24:11,279 --> 00:24:15,759 and we will dance together in the gardens, you and I playmates. Oh 271 00:24:15,839 --> 00:24:18,759 no, no, in palaces there are sad hearts. Where then, with 272 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:23,119 the duties of Christmas, I must be happy and free. But I will 273 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:26,720 make it different. You may come and go as you will, and you 274 00:24:26,759 --> 00:24:32,880 may have a great toll gendarme to keep away anyone who annoys you. And 275 00:24:32,920 --> 00:24:37,519 you can console yourself by giving to the poor who are always near the golden 276 00:24:37,559 --> 00:24:42,000 gate. Spirit dancing away and singing, I fine, and I sigh for 277 00:24:42,119 --> 00:24:48,920 no caif and no gold. The glow window west is treasure. To me 278 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:53,319 the spirit disappears. It does a heap of good to talk to her. 279 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:59,279 She won't even listen to the king's son. Enter left, the old man 280 00:24:59,359 --> 00:25:06,839 and the boy alas joy caught up my sleeve and disappeared. It is the 281 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:11,720 only thing which will not dwell in palaces. She was taken away from us 282 00:25:11,960 --> 00:25:15,680 as everything else is taken, because there was nothing there. To the old 283 00:25:15,759 --> 00:25:22,480 man, she and her flowers were an empty show to delude poor daft folks 284 00:25:22,759 --> 00:25:27,079 like you. With her, the way was not dark while she ran beside 285 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:33,079 us, we walked in moonlight. Then she ran ahead. She would wait 286 00:25:33,119 --> 00:25:37,960 for us, she said, at the cross roads further on, and she 287 00:25:37,079 --> 00:25:44,160 vanished like dew. But when she was gone, our sorrow returned and the 288 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:48,000 weariness of the way, and we could not see ahead. The poor too. 289 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:53,359 She held in her hands joy like a great light. I saw it 290 00:25:53,440 --> 00:26:00,000 shining there, and it vanished again. My light. She stole it from 291 00:26:00,079 --> 00:26:03,400 me for a little while. What did I tell you? Empty promises? 292 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:07,960 He thought she would wait for his coming at the crossroads. Her blossoms bloomed 293 00:26:07,039 --> 00:26:11,240 only a moment, old father. Then she deserted you, leaving you on 294 00:26:11,319 --> 00:26:17,359 the road alone, and she left me too. Our promises were much more 295 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:21,119 substantial. But you turned from them to her flowers. Did you touch them, 296 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:23,160 then? Did you take them in your hands? What I see is 297 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:27,279 mine. She offered fair sight to her eyes, and gentle thoughts to our 298 00:26:27,319 --> 00:26:32,920 hearts, such as belonged to the poor, and to the children, and 299 00:26:33,039 --> 00:26:37,440 to poets. The king and the rich hold their possessions in their hands, 300 00:26:37,279 --> 00:26:41,400 But who can play the tyrant with the eye and the thought of a poor 301 00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:47,519 man? Hark again, she is filling the air with her sweet sounds. 302 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:52,720 All stop and listen. Spirit sings in the distance and does not seem My 303 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:59,960 voice spets the voice of the forest and glove. But the sun never shines, 304 00:27:00,079 --> 00:27:06,519 and sunda gold of flurry. It is strange. Her figure is not 305 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:10,400 here, yet the sound comes to us like the film of a dream. 306 00:27:11,039 --> 00:27:15,960 The form too is here if you see it. Spirit still in the distance. 307 00:27:17,079 --> 00:27:23,559 My life is a joy that no mystery cloud, with no pain. 308 00:27:23,799 --> 00:27:32,960 Then no takes I keep and the cat this night, my longing has been 309 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:37,920 fulfilled, and the poor have been happy. This is no place for us. 310 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:44,319 Gifts, money, tree and stockings slink away left as the spirit continues 311 00:27:44,359 --> 00:27:48,319 to sing, still in the distance, my fancy, my ballace, my 312 00:27:48,559 --> 00:27:55,880 joy, my chroll, My dreams are my real and my gardlets my crown. 313 00:27:56,720 --> 00:28:02,680 Though she speeds over the earth tonight her spirit has found its resting place, 314 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:10,319 for she dwells in our hearts. The drum beats heavily, twelve times 315 00:28:15,519 --> 00:28:19,440 curtain and of what makes Christmas Christmas