Part 25 (1/2)

Ah, ha! ah, ah! catch me, if you can!

You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Little Old Woman._ Oh, dear! Oh, dear! there he goes into the wood, and no one can run fast enough to catch him.

_Farmer._ I'm sorry, madam, but we must go back to our work on the farm.

_Boy._ Hark! listen! don't you hear the little gingerbread man calling?

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can!

You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

_Little Old Woman._ Yes, he is calling to us from the wood. I thank you, children, and now we will go home.

_Gingerbread Man_ (_in the wood_). Ah, ha! and they didn't catch me! and now I am free to play in the wood. What a pleasant place!

_Mr. Fox._ Well, what sort of a funny little man is this?

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can!

You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Mr. Fox._ Can't I? Well, I _have_ caught you; and now let me see if you are good to eat. First, I'll try one of your arms. That tastes good!

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ And now the other arm!

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ Now for the leg.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ Really, Mr. Gingerbread Man, I think you are very good eating for a hungry fox. Now I'll taste the other leg.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ Now for your round little body.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ There is not very much left. Just your head for the last mouthful.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm gone!

_Mr. Fox._ Yes, you're gone; and a very nice meal, Mr. Gingerbread Man.