The big, bad wolf has heard of Jill’s plight. Her brother, Jack, has fallen down the hill while both were fetching a pail of water from the well. The wolf suggests he take the Council of Nursery Rhyme Land to court to reach a settlement.
JILL & THE WOLF
By Michele Lourie.
Jill (from Jack & Jill) enters, the wolf following close behind.
WOLF: Dear Miss Jill, are you alright. I just saw a strange person talking to you.
JILL: Thank you. But you are another strange person now talking to me.
WOLF: True, but I have heard all about your brother’s sad accident and I have something to say to you that you will find very important.
JILL: What is that?
WOLF: I have knowledge of the law and I can tell you that you should sue Nursery Rhyme Land.
JILL: Good heavens, but why?
WOLF: That hill you and your brother Jack climbed to fetch a pail of water was very steep.
JILL: Yes, it was.
WOLF: Too steep. You would not have fallen down if the authorities had made sure the hill had a suitable gradient for climbing whilst carrying a pail to collect water.
JILL: You sound just like a lawyer.
WOLF: I am a concerned citizen of Storyland, wishing only to make sure a fellow citizen gets what is coming to her.
JILL: Which is?
WOLF: If you pay me, I will see that you receive some gold for all your suffering and that of your brother’s too.
JILL: Oh, I don’t know.
WOLF: Your brother’s treatment will be very expensive and how will you find the money for it?
JILL: I intended to continuing fetching water from the well on the hill and selling it to the citizens of Nursery Rhyme Land. That’s what Jack and I have always done.
WOLF: But consider, please, Miss Jill. Jack will not be here to help you until he is all mended. You cannot mean to do it all by yourself, surely?
JILL: Boo hoo! You are right. How can if carry that heavy pail of water, and what if I fell and broke my head also. I don’t know if I could afford more vinegar and brown paper. It is so expensive.
WOLF: There, there, don’t cry. I will take the Council to court and get you the money, but you will have to pay me a retainer.
JILL: (she hands over a bag of coins) Very well.
Jill exits, and the Wolf howls with delight.
