Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium Part 56

Some one of you has picked it up And put it in your pocket; It isn't you--it isn't you--

This last phrase is repeated until the player reaches one behind whom he wishes to drop the handkerchief, when he says, "It is you!" and immediately starts on a quick run around the circle.

[Ill.u.s.tration music: Itiskit, Itasket

I-tis-kit, I-tas-ket, A green and yel-low bas-ket; I wrote a let-ter to my love And on the way I dropped it. I dropped it, I dropped it, And on the way I dropped it.

Some one of you has picked it up And put it in your pock-et; It isn't you, it isn't you, It isn't you, it isn't you.

The one behind whom the handkerchief was dropped picks it up and at once starts around the circle in the opposite direction, the object being to see which of the two shall first reach the vacant place. The one who is left out takes the handkerchief for the next round.

Should a circle player fail to discover that the handkerchief has been dropped behind him until the one who has dropped it has walked or run entirely around the circle, he must yield his place in the circle to the handkerchief man, changing places with him.

KEEP MOVING

_5 to 60 players._

_Indoors; out of doors; schoolroom._

One player is chosen as leader. He repeats or sings the following formula, at the same time going through the motions indicated. The other players must repeat the formula and the motions with him. They may be either seated or standing. The rhythm should be very rapid:--

[Ill.u.s.tration music:

One finger, one thumb (etc.) keep moving, One finger, one thumb (etc.) keep moving, One finger, one thumb (etc.) keep moving, Tra la! la, la! la, la!

One finger one thumb keep moving, One finger one thumb keep moving, One finger one thumb keep moving.

Tra-la! la-la! la-la!

(The thumb and index finger of one hand are separated and brought together, as when a bird's beak is being imitated with the fingers.)

Two fingers two thumbs keep moving, Two fingers two thumbs keep moving, Two fingers two thumbs keep moving.

Tra-la! la-la! la-la!

(The thumb and index finger of both hands are moved in similar manner.)

Four fingers two thumbs keep moving, Four ---- Four ---- Tra-la! ----

(The thumb, index, and middle fingers on each hand.)

Six fingers two thumbs keep moving, Six ---- Six ---- Tra-la! ----

(Add the ring finger.)

Eight fingers two thumbs keep moving, Eight ----, etc.

(All the fingers.)

Eight fingers two thumbs one hand keep moving, Eight fingers two thumbs one hand keep moving, Eight fingers two thumbs one hand keep moving.

Tra-la! la-la! la-la!

(The finger motion is continued, and to it is added an up-and-down shaking of one hand.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands keep moving, Eight ---- Eight ---- Tra-la! ----

(A similar movement of the other hand is added.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands one arm keep moving, etc.

(One arm is moved up and down with the shoulder, elbow, and wrist all active, while the movement of the fingers and of the opposite hand continues.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands two arms keep moving, etc.

(Add similar movement of the other arm.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands two arms one foot keep moving, etc.

(The toes of one foot are lifted (bending the ankle) and tapped on the floor as in beating time.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands two arms two feet keep moving, etc.

(Add similar movement of other foot.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands two arms two feet one leg keep moving, etc.

(Lift one leg with bent knee and replace the foot on the floor in rhythmic time, while all of the other parts mentioned are kept in motion as previously.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands two arms two feet two legs keep moving, etc.

(Add similar movement of the other leg.)

Eight fingers two thumbs two hands two arms two feet two legs one head keep moving, etc.

(Add a nodding movement of the head, forward and backward.)

This is a Scotch game and is full of sport, but will depend largely for its success upon the familiarity of the leader with the order of the movements, and, like most Scotch games, upon the rapid and sustained time in which it is kept going. It is especially good for the schoolroom, as it affords some excellent exercise without the players leaving their seats.

KING OF FRANCE (THE)

_10 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium; schoolroom._