The English fairy tale, _The Magpie's Nest_, told by Joseph Jacobs, might be dramatized by first-grade children. This tale might offer the problem of observing how different birds make their nests and how they vary their calls. It also might offer the language problem of making suitable rhymes. An original dramatization of the _pourquois_ tale is given in the _Appendix_. Andersen's _Fir Tree_ would offer a fine opportunity for a first grade at Christmas time. The fir tree has become vitally interesting through nature study at this time of the year. The children love to make things to decorate a tree. They have a short list of stories they can tell by this time. All this can be utilized in a Christmas tree play.--For the play use the original story, not a weakened version.--A pleasant Christmas play could end most happily with the story-telling under the tree. For the play an actual small fir tree may be in the room placed so that it may be moved easily. A child standing closely behind it may represent it and speak for it through its branches. The air and the sun, ordinarily not to be represented, in this case may be, as they come up to the Tree and talk to it. Much freedom of originality may be displayed through the children's entering into the character of the Fir Tree and improvising speeches. _The Fir Tree_ _Time_.......Spring. _Place_.......Forest. _Characters_: Sun, Air, Hare, Woodmen, Swallow, Stork, Sparrows, Children, Servants, and Fir Tree. _Act I, Scene i_. A Fir Tree in the forest. Sun and Air talk to it. Children sit under its branches. A Hare comes and jumps over it. Woodcutters come. A Swallow comes and talks to it. A Stork comes and talks to it. Sparrows talk to it. (Have the Tree removed. Apparently from a cart outside the door, a larger Christmas Tree may be brought in and planted in a sand-box by two servants, students from grammar grades. The same child now grown older, represents the Tree.) _Act II, Scene i_. The Fir Tree brought into the room. The decorating of the Tree by the Children and Teacher. Talk of the Children about the Tree when decorating it. Singing of Christmas carols; dancing of folk-dances; or recitation of Christmas poems, after the decoration of the Tree. The distribution of gifts by the Children. An audience to whom the Children wanted to give presents, could be invited. The Story-telling under the Tree.