A Trail Of Bread Crumbs

A Trail of Breadcrumbs

By

Klarissa

Lockhart-Beilke

A Trail of Breadcrumbs

 Copyright 2001

by  Klarissa Lockhart-Beilke

All Rights Reserved

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A Trail of Breadcrumbs

Hansel, a boy who gets lost in the woods

Gretel, Hansel’s sister who gets caught up in a fairy tale of her own

Stepmother, your typical evil stepmother

Father, a greedy woodsman 

The Birds, flying animals that eat breadcrumbs 

Frog Prince, a prince trapped in a frog’s body

Rapunzel, a blond living in a tower

Witch, Rapunzel’s guardian who has a fear of rats

Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood’s nemesis 

Little Red Riding Hood, a sarcastic brunette who befriends Hansel

Jack, a young boy who’s a friend of Little Red Riding Hood

13 Wise Women, 12 nice women, and one evil 

Prince Charming, a typical suave love-stuck prince 

King, a fashion-mad king with an image problem

The King’s Page, “Kingdom assistant technician engineer” 

The King’s Train, a group of people who follow the King around with the Page

Rumpelstiltskin, a short little man who won’t share his name

Servant 1, part of the King’s Train

Servant 2, part of the King’s Train

Hunter 1, a hunter with an odd sense of humor

Hunter 2, Hunter 1’s companion

The Pied Piper of Hamelin, a musician with leadership qualities 

The Rats, vermin that love music 

Act I, Scene I

Hansel and Gretel’s room. 

{HANSEL and GRETEL are lying down. HANSEL is asleep, while GRETEL is awake. FATHER enters stage left into their room to check on them. GRETEL pretends to be asleep until he exits stage left. He and STEPMOTHER then speak from off stage.}

Stepmother:  Are the children asleep?

Father:  I believe so. Why?

Stepmother:  I need to talk to you.

Father:  About what?

Stepmother:  About money.

Father:  Dear, I know that we aren’t that well off, but we get by, and-

Stepmother:  We’re broke.

Father:  I know that at times it may seem like were broke, but-

Stepmother:  We don’t have any money.

Father:  Now dear, tomorrow I’ll go to the market, and-

Stepmother:  We don’t have any food.

Father:  And with the firewood I sell, I can buy some food, and-

Stepmother:  You’re not listening to me! I said we’re broke. As in, we have no money. As in, we don’t have food. As in, we’re all going to die!

Father:  We’re not going to die, dear. I have plenty of firewood that I can sell at the market tomorrow, and-

Stepmother:  It’s the middle of summer! How many people do you think are going to buy firewood?

Father:  Well, ah…

Stepmother:  We are down to our last loaf of bread. That’s it. After that’s gone, we’re going to starve to death.

Father:  Can’t you make any more?

Stepmother:  There isn’t anything to make bread out of! Besides, I don’t bake… It’s those children of yours. It’s-

Father:  Now don’t blame our children for this.

Stepmother:  Our children? Oh no, I don’t think so. Those are your children, given to you by your first dearly departed wife. They’re not mine.

Father:  But when you married me-

Stepmother:  When I married you, I lost everything. It was the worst mistake of my life! I used to have a lovely life, but now… But now I live in a two-room cottage. I have to work. There’s never enough food to go around, and just last Tuesday… I, I broke a nail!

Father:  Now dear, you know that’s not true.

Stepmother:  Yes it is, just look at it! It’s shorter than the others! I can’t believe it.

Father:  That’s not what I meant.

Stepmother:  It’s those children. Those rotten children! They eat everything, and they never help with the work. Did you know that last week I did the dishes all by myself? Look at these hands. These hands weren’t made for doing dishes! Those children are just two lazy freeloaders!

Father:  They help with the chores around the house.

Stepmother:  We have to get rid of them.

Father:  What?

Stepmother:  Yes, we can dispose of them in the forest. Then we’ll never have to worry about them again!

Father:  We can’t leave them in the woods!

Stepmother:  What? Can you think of an easier way to get rid of them?

Father:  Why do we have to get rid of the children?

Stepmother:  They’re going to eat us out of house and home. We don’t have anyway to support them! If there isn’t any food, you and I will certainly starve to death.

Father:  But-

Stepmother:  I’m just keeping our best interests in mind dear. You know, we can always have more children.

Father:  But what about the children we have now?

Stepmother:  They’re lazy! Keeping them around will only bring our deaths. You might as well just start chopping bigger pieces of wood the next time you go into the forest so you can make our coffins because we’ll have no way to buy any.

Father:  So we’re really are going to have to get rid of the children?

Stepmother:  Yes.

Father:  But what if someone gets suspicious and begins to ask questions?

Stepmother:  If we abandon them in the woods, we can just tell everyone that the children ran away.

Father:  What if they find their way home?

Stepmother:  We’ll just have to lead them deep enough in the woods so that they won’t be able to find their way home again. And besides, they’ll probably get eaten by wolves before they even have the chance to look for their way home.

Father:  Well, if it’s for the best.

Stepmother:  Good night, dear.

Father:  Good night. 

Gretel:  {After a long pause.} Hansel? Hansel? Hansel wake up!

Hansel:  What? What is it?

Gretel:  Did you hear that?

Hansel:  Hear what?

Gretel:  Mother and Father were just arguing.

Hansel:  When don’t they argue? All right Gretel, what were they arguing about this time?

Gretel:  We don’t have any money.

Hansel:  I’m going back to sleep.

Gretel:  But don’t you know what this means?

Hansel:  No more family outings at the park?

Gretel:  Hansel, I’m serious.

Hansel:  So am I. I really loved those outings.

Gretel:  We’ve never gone on an outing like that before.

Hansel:  Oh.

Gretel:  And tomorrow, they’re going to abandon us in the woods.

Hansel:  What?

Gretel:  Shh!

Hansel:  What? They can’t do that! There has to be some law against that.

Gretel:  They just said that they’re going to.

Hansel:   Did they just say that? {GRETEL nods.} Oh… Well don’t worry Gretel. We’ll find our way back home. I know the woods like the back of my hand.

Gretel:  Oh, that’s comforting. You don’t even know what side of your hand is the back of your hand.

Hansel:  Well, um… I’ve got it! I’ll leave a trail in the woods, and then we can follow it back home. Hey, in the morning I can pick up some of those white pebbles that sit outside, and then I can make a trail with them.

Gretel:  No Hansel, you can’t do that. If you do do that, our parents will know that we know what they’re up to.

Hansel:  Then I’ll go get them now. {He goes to open the door, but finds it locked.} 

Gretel:  What’s wrong?

Hansel:  The door’s locked.

Gretel:  Well just unlock it.

Hansel:  I can’t. The bolt is too noisy. It would wake our parents up.

Gretel:  Now what are we going to do?

Hansel:  Don’t worry Gretel. I’ll think of something.

Gretel:  That’s what I’m worried about.

Hansel:  Just go back to bed. I promise that I’ll take care of it. You can trust me. {He and GRETEL lay back down to sleep.}

Act I, Scene II

The Woods.

{MOTHER, FATHER, and GRETEL all enter stage left. HANSEL enters behind them making a trail of breadcrumbs.}

Stepmother:  Well here we are children. Hansel? Hansel, what are you doing?

Hansel:  Oh nothing Mother.

Stepmother:  Well, hurry it up. Now children, your father and I are going to go and collect some firewood. You two can go ahead and eat your bread for lunch. But when you’re done, you should take a nap. Now don’t protest Gretel. We’re going to be gone awhile, and there’s nothing better for you to do. Now say goodbye to your father. 

Gretel:  Goodbye Father.

Father:  Goodbye Gretel.

Hansel:  Goodbye Father.

Father:  Goodbye Hansel.

Stepmother:  All right. I think that we’ve had enough sweetness for the day. Come on dear, we really must be going.

Father:  Goodbye children.

Stepmother:  Now! {FATHER and STEPMOTHER exits stage left.}

Gretel:  All right Hansel, I can take my bread back now. But I must say that it was very generous of you to carry it for me.

Hansel:  Well, about your bread Gretel… I-

Gretel:  You didn’t eat it, did you Hansel? You know that one of these days you’ll get punished for your gluttony.

Hansel:  Hey, I didn’t eat it.

Gretel:  Then what did you do?

Hansel:  You know how I said that I would make it possible for us to find our way home?

Gretel:  Yes.

Hansel:  Well, um… I’ll tell you later. {He lies down.} 

Gretel:  You’re not going to sleep now are you?

Hansel:  You heard what our stepmother said.

Gretel:  But I’m hungry.

Hansel:  Oh come on Gretel, you could stand to miss a meal every now and then. {Offended, GRETEL lies down and falls asleep. After she is asleep, HANSEL takes out the bread and eats all of it. He then lies back down again and falls asleep. The BIRDS then enter from various places and take up the breadcrumbs, and then exit. A WOLF howl is then heard, and HANSEL wakes up.} Gretel? Hey Gretel? Gretel, please get up!

Gretel:  {Waking.} What is it Hansel?

Hansel:  There, there’s a wolf!

Gretel:  Where?

Hansel:  I don’t know. I just heard it.

Gretel:  Oh you’re such a baby.

Hansel:  Am not!

Gretel:  So Hansel, where’s my bread? 

Hansel:  I, I uh ate it.

Gretel:  But you said that you didn’t!

Hansel:  At the time I said that, I hadn’t. 

Gretel:  What do you mean?

Hansel:  I ate it after you fell asleep.

Gretel:  Hansel!

Hansel:  What? I was hungry.

Gretel:  Why didn’t you eat your own?

Hansel:  Speaking of which, shall we go home now?

Gretel:  Go home? Hansel, you’re changing the subject.

Hansel:  No I’m not. Now if you want to talk about people changing the subject- Hey, is that a house made entirely out of completely edible materials over there?

Gretel:  Hansel!

Hansel:  All right. But don’t you want to know what clever idea I had so we can find our way home?

Gretel:  You drew a map?

Hansel:  Hey, that’s a pretty good idea. I wish I would have thought of that. But no, I made a trail for us to follow.

Gretel:  Well where is it Hansel? I don’t see one.

Hansel:  What do you mean you don’t see one? It should be- hey! Where’s the trail?

Gretel:  You lost the trail?

Hansel:  No I didn’t. Someone must have moved it.

Gretel:  Who would move your trail?

Hansel:  I don’t know Gretel! But I swear it was right here!

Gretel:  What did you make the trail out of?

Hansel:  Breadcrumbs.

Gretel:  Breadcrumbs? You made a trail out of breadcrumbs? I must say that that is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done!

Hansel:  Well there was that one time I go my tongue stuck on a metal pole last winter…

Gretel:  Breadcrumbs? How could you?

Hansel:  Oh, it was simple. All I did was take the piece of bread Father gave me, and I broke off little pieces every so often, and-

Gretel:  You idiot! There are birds in the forest!

Hansel:  We’ll be fine. We’re not statues or anything. So what if there are birds here?

Gretel:  So what if there are birds here? Birds eat breadcrumbs, Hansel!

Hansel:  So you think the birds ate our trail?

Gretel:  No, little dwarfs came along and picked up each and every crumb for their dinner. Of course I think birds ate it!

Hansel:  You don’t have to be sarcastic.

Gretel:  You don’t have to be stupid! I can’t believe you! Not only was that a waste of good food, but now we’re not going to be able to find out way home. You told me that I could trust you!

Hansel:  Well I didn’t know that this would happen. Hey! Where are you going?

Gretel:  Home.

Hansel:  But you can’t, you don’t know the way.

Gretel:  Nor do you.

Hansel:  Well I-

Gretel:  Hansel, we’re lost. I know that because you’re male, you won’t be able to admit it, but I can.

Hansel:  We’re-

Gretel:  Goodbye Hansel. {Exits stage right.}

Hansel:  Fine! Go. I don’t need your help. I’ll find my own way home… Stupid birds! {The WOLF howls.} Ah, Gretel… {WOLF howls again.} Um, Gretel? Gretel! Hey wait for me! {He exits stage right. The FROG PRINCE enters stage left.}

Gretel:  {Enters stage right,} Hansel? Hansel, where are you? I should have never left him by himself. He won’t be able to survive in the woods alone.

Frog Prince:  Did you know that talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity? {GRETEL screams.} I’m sorry if I startled you.

Gretel:  You’re a frog!

Frog Prince:  Actually-

Gretel:  A talking frog.

Frog Prince:  Actually no, I’m not a frog.

Gretel:  I’m sorry. You’re a talking toad then?

Frog Prince:  I most certainly am not!

Gretel:  Then what are you? A mutated salamander?

Frog Prince:  Actually no, I’m a human, a prince to be precise.

Gretel:  What happened to you?

Frog Prince:  You see, this witch turned me into a frog. It’s a long story really, but I- Say, are you a princess?

Gretel:  No, I- What do you think you’re doing?

Frog Prince:  I want you to kiss me. Actually, I need you to kiss me.

Gretel:  I don’t even know you.

Frog Prince:  Please. You see, the only way I can break the spell and return to my prince form is if I can get a kiss.

Gretel:  How long have you been a frog?

Frog Prince:  Quite some time. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to get a girl to talk to you. Let alone kiss you, when you look like this. So what do you say?

Gretel:  You wouldn’t happen to have anything to eat, would you?

Frog Prince:  I only have this one apple. 

Gretel:  If I can have the apple, I’ll give you a kiss… {FROG PRINCE shakes his head every time GRETEL asks.}  How about half? A forth? What about one bite?

Frog Prince:  All right, but just one bite.

Gretel:  Thank you, you’re a prince.

Frog Prince:  I know. {GRETEL takes a bite of the apple and faints.} Oh, this couldn’t be good. Ah, um… It’s time to wake up. Come on. Wakey, wakey. Oh no. You know, you can keep the rest of the apple. Oh my, look at the time. I better go. {Exits stage left.}

Act I, Scene III

Another section of the Woods, with Rapunzel’s tower at stage left.

{HANSEL enters stage right looking lost.}

Hansel:  Gretel? Hey, I’m really sorry about eating your bread! I promise I’ll make it up to you. Gretel? Come on, it’s not funny any more. {He sits down. RAPUNZEL emerges from her tower, standing high above the ground. She begins to sing.} What’s that? {RAPUNZEL continues to sing, overlapping HANSEL’s lines.} Why it’s beautiful. I wonder who could be singing. {He sees RAPUNZEL, who is still singing.} I think I’m in love.

Witch:  Rapunzel? {HANSEL hides, and the WITCH enters stage left.} Oh you wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had! It was just awful! At least I didn’t see any rats today. But it was just horrid anyway… Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me! {RAPUNZEL’s hair falls down to the ground, and the WITCH climbs up it.} Rapunzel, my day was just awful. You should be thankful that I keep you in the tower, that way you don’t have to endure the horrors of the outside world. It’s just wretched out there, nothing but sadness and misery… And rats! Ugh. You should consider yourself lucky because I saved you from it. But we’re happy here, right Rapunzel? Now have you been practicing your scales today? Well let’s go inside. It looks as though the weather will turn bad. {She and RAPUNZEL exit within the tower.}

Hansel:  {Emerges,} What a beauty, with a voice to match… But she is held captive by a wicked Witch! Ah Rapunzel, Rapunzel, someday I will find a way to rescue you. {The WOLF howls.} But that’s not going to be today. Gretel! {Exits stage left.}

Act I, Scene IV

Same as scene three.

{The WOLF is on stage, and LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD enters stage right with her basket.}

Wolf:  Little girls shouldn’t be out in the woods all by themselves… Now you wouldn’t happen to have anything in that basket for me, would you?

Little Red Riding Hood:  For the millionth time: no.

Wolf:  Nothing at all?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Nothing, now leave me alone. {WOLF takes her basket.} Hey! Give that back!

Wolf:  It’s empty!

Little Red Riding Hood:  {Taking the basket back,} I already told you that. With what big ears you have, I’d imagine that you would be a better listener.

Wolf:  You must have just returned from your granny’s house then. {HANSEL enters stage left.} 

Little Red Riding Hood:  No, I’m going to her house. I always bring my grandmother an empty basket every time I go visit her. And with what a big head you have, I’d imagine that you be a bit smarter.

Wolf:  One of these days I’ll find out where your granny lives, and I’ll get you when you come.

Little Red Riding Hood:  In your dreams.

Wolf:  Every night.

Hansel:  {Speaking boldly to the WOLF, but his confidence quickly diminishes.}  Hey! Yeah you. You, ah, you ah better leave um, leave her alone.

Wolf:  And why should I?

Hansel:  Because, I um… Because I, uh, said so.

Wolf:  Ooh, I’m scared.

Hansel:  You, you should be. {WOLF rolls his eyes exits stage right, and HANSEL joins LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.} Are you all right?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Oh, my hero!

Hansel:  Don’t be sarcastic. I just saved you.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Sure.

Hansel:  I just did. Didn’t you see the wolf leave?

Little Red Riding Hood:  I was standing right here.

Hansel:  Well I didn’t know if you are able to concentrate or not when you’re frozen with fear. {Offering his hand.} I’m Hansel.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Good for you.

Hansel:  And you would be?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Leaving.

Hansel:  Hey wait. Ah, what was your name again?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Again? I never gave it to you in the first place.

Hansel:  You know, little girls shouldn’t be out alone in the woods. 

Little Red Riding Hood:  Like I haven’t heard that before.

Hansel:  So what’s your name?

Little Red Riding Hood:  I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.

Hansel:  But I saved your life.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Please.

Hansel:  So what are you doing out here anyway?

Little Red Riding Hood:  I’m going home.

Hansel:  Don’t you want to know why I’m out here?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Not in particular. 

Hansel:  Well you see, my parents ran out of money and decided to abandon my sister and me in the woods.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Wolf!

Hansel:  Where?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Wolf!

Hansel:  What are you doing? The wolf isn’t anywhere around here.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Wolf!

Hansel:  Hey! Will you stop that? He might hear you!

Little Red Riding Hood:  Precisely, I’m calling him.

Hansel:  Why?

Little Red Riding Hood:  I like his company over yours.

Hansel:  But if you call him over here, I won’t be company anymore: I’ll be lunch! Now will you please stop calling him?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Fine.

Hansel:  Hey, do you think you could help me?

Little Red Riding Hood:  I believe that there is a psychiatrist in town that-

Hansel:  Seriously. 

Little Red Riding Hood:  All right, what do you need help with?

Hansel:  You see, there is this beautiful girl who a Witch keep locked up in a tower, and I want to talk to her. But she’s so high up, and the only one who can get to her is the Witch.

Little Red Riding Hood:  If I help you, will you leave me alone? {HANSEL nods.} Well just go up the same way the Witch does. Now how does the Witch do that?

Hansel:  You see, everyday the Witch comes right below this tower and says {in the Witch’s voice} “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me.” {RAPUNZEL emerges, and drops her hair.} What? She must think I’m the Witch.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Yes, you do have a certain old lady with warts appeal about you. Besides, judging by her hair, she looks like the easily confused type. Now it looks like you solved your problem. I should be going now.

Hansel:  No, wait, please stay and keep watch just in case the Witch comes back.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Why should I?

Hansel:  Please? Please, please, please, please?

Little Red Riding Hood:  Fine, fine. I’ll do it. Just stop whining.

Hansel:  Thank you so much. {He climbs RAPUNZEL’s hair.}

Rapunzel:  You’re not the Witch!

Hansel:  Are you disappointed?

Rapunzel:  No, it’s just that I wasn’t expecting anyone else. Who are you?

Hansel:  Your prince charming. {JACK enters stage right with a golden egg.}

Little Red Riding Hood:  Jack? Is that you? {HANSEL and RAPUNZEL exit.}

Jack:  Oh, hi Red.

Little Red Riding Hood:  Why are you in such a hurry?

Jack:  It’s kind of a long story.

Little Red Riding Hood:   {She looks up at the tower, and sighs} I have the time.

Jack:  Remember when you met me?

Little Red Riding Hood

A Trail Of Bread Crumbs

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