This myth is about Pandora and the box of Troubles left by the gods. Pandora knows she mustn't open the box—but her curiosity is overwhelming. She decides to take just a teeny peek. The Troubles, who were locked in, throw open the lid and leap into the world.

Nathaniel Hawthorne took the familiar story of Pandora from Greek mythology and wove it into a tale called "The Paradise of Children." I. E. Clark dramatized the story into a short play which will serve well in children's theatre and on the high school or college stage. It is an exciting way to introduce Greek mythology to young people, and to get an entire class on stage. More Children and Troubles may be added as desired. The charm of this play is the charm of any fairy tale—magical things happen right before our eyes, transporting us into a world of make-believe which, for the moment, becomes the real world.

The Director's Script (prompt book) contains drawings of costumes and set, details on all technical aspects of staging, discussion of characterization and plot and theme; and it suggests the complete blocking and full stage directions for all movement and business. The appearance of Quicksilver and the Princes "from nowhere" can be accomplished by the simple expedient of directing the audience's attention to one side of the stage while they enter unobtrusively from the opposite side. Movement, dialogue, offstage noises, lighting effects—all are standard devices for making the audience look where you want it to look. Pandora's "daydream"—during which she becomes a beautiful princess—can be worked smoothly and artistically by having a helper behind the screen. If the helper holds the gown in proper position, Pandora can walk right into it and right out onto the stage again so that the illusion of "changing" costumes is really a startling one.

The magic knot which holds the box closed might be heavy yarn or light rope wound around a spindle. If the spindle extends through the front partition of the box so that someone inside can spin it to unwind the rope, the knot will seem to untie itself.

One act; Set, empty stage with a large, decorative box; Time, long ago.

"Enclosed please find a check to cover royalty for two performances of your delightful play, Pandora and the Magic Box."—Globe, Arizona.

Clark's fairy-folktales: Hansel and Gretel, Twelve Dancing Princesses

See also: Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables