SCENE: Outside the cave of a very grouchy hermit.

CAST: The hermit (H) and a very sweet child (C).

C: Isn't it a lovely day? H: No, it isn't!

C: Could you come outside and play? H: No, I couldn't!

C: Did you ever take a hike? H: No, I didn't!

C: How'd you like to ride my bike? H: Frankly, I

wouldn't!

C: Isn't, couldn't, didn't, wouldn't -- Is that all you

can say?

H: Isn't, couldn't, didn't, wouldn't -- Yes, now go

away!

The sweetest sound to me,

It stands for "not,"

I like it a lot,

It's spelled N apostrophe T.

C: Have you ever tried to smile? H: No, I haven't!

C: Won't you try it for a while? H: No, I won't!

C: Are there games to play in there? H: No, there

aren't!

C: Then why d'you like to stay in there? H: Frankly, I

don't!

C: Haven't, won't, aren't, don't --

Is that all you can say?

H: Haven't, won't, aren't, don't --

And I said, "Go away!"

Grouches all agree,

We get a glow

From saying "NO!"

With N apostrophe T.

C: Do you talk to anyone? H: (wistfully) No, I don't.

C: Come on out and have some fun. H: (hesitantly) No, I

couldn't.

C: Can't you even tell me why? H: (apologetically) No,

I can't.

C: Will it kill you just to try? H: (wanting to) Well.

I shouldn't.

C: Don't, couldn't, can't, shouldn't -- Now try it once

my way! Do!

H: Do!

C: Could!

H: Could!

C: Can!

H: Can!

C: Should!

H: Should!

Hey, that feels okay!

I'll give it a try And say goodbye To N apostrophe

C: N apostrophe

Both: N apostrophe T!