The Bird with the Broken Wing

CHARACTERS:
LITTLE BIRD
THE OAK
THE MAPLE
THE WILLOW
THE SPRUCE
THE PINE
THE JUNIPER
THE FOREST FAIRY
JACK FROST

SCENE I.- In the Woods

THE OAK, THE MAPLE and THE WILLOW: See that flock of birds coming, the winter is near and they are flying south, we hope they will not rest on our branches, so many birds together will break our tender twigs, and we do not want them on our branches.
[The birds fly over the trees.]
LITTLE BIRD: Oh, I can fly no farther! My wing is broken and I cannot hold it up. May I rest on your branches tonight, great Oak Tree?
THE OAK: I am sorry, but my branches are all engaged by the squirrels, who are getting their acorns in for the winter. I have no room for strange birds.
LITTLE BIRD: Oh! Surely the Maple Tree will take me in. Kind, Maple Tree, may I rest on your branches?
THE MAPLE: My leaves tremble to think of taking in strange birds! Please go away!
LITTLE BIRD: Oh, what shall I do? Surely some tree must be kind. Dear Willow, will you take me upon your branches just for tonight?
THE WILLOW: Really, Mr. Bird with the broken wing, I think you should have gone on with the other birds. I cannot take you in.
LITTLE BIRD: Where can I go? The Oak, the Maple, and the Willow have all turned me away.
THE SPRUCE: Dear little bird, come to me! I'll try to keep you warm through the night.
LITTLE BIRD: Dear Spruce tree, oh, you are so good, and I am so tired and cold.
THE PINE: I will do my best to help you, I am not as strong as the Oak tree, little bird, but I will stand between you and the cold north wind.
LITTLE BIRD: I thank you, tall Pine tree, for your kindness.
THE JUNIPER: I cannot keep the strong north wind from you, but if you are hungry, you may eat of my berries.
LITTLE BIRD: Thank you, dear Juniper tree. I'll go to sleep. Good night, dear trees!

SCENE II.- Midnight in the Forest

JACK FROST: How I dislike touching all these beautiful leaves; yet I must obey the orders of King Winter. Here comes the Forest Fairy. Do you know why I have come?
FOREST FAIRY: Yes, Mr. Frost I know that you must touch all of the leaves, turning them into hues of gold, but I dislike having them go. And yet, you and I must obey the commands of King Winter. A dear little bird came to the forest this evening with a broken wing. He asked for shelter from the Oak, the Maple, and the Willow, and all refused. I was so ashamed of my trees!
JACK FROST: What! Why?
FOREST FAIRY: And just when I decided to speak to the trees, I heard the Spruce, the Pine, and the Juniper agreeing to help him.
JACK FROST: Such kindness as this should meet with some reward. The leaves of the Oak, the Maple, and the Willow shall fall to the ground in winter; but the Spruce, the Pine, and the Juniper shall keep their leaves through the year, and they shall be called the "evergreen trees."
1
How does the Spruce, Pine, and Juniper trees' act of giving shelter to the little bird in scene 1 add to the meaning of the play?
A.
It develops the idea that kindness is always rewarded and forms the basis of the theme of the play.
B.
It describes why the Forest Fairy is furious with the Oak, Pine, and Maple trees.
C.
It illustrates why Jack Frost and the Forest Fairy have to listen to the orders of King Winter.