MARCHING MARIONETTES

 MARCHING MARIONETTES - SCHOOL GAME 

By  MAUDE DAY BALTZELL 

ANY number of players may play in this game. It may be played in any large space either indoors or out doors. All of the players, except the one, who is the first King, stand on a line at one side of the area where the game is to be played. On the opposite side of the field is another line, which is parallel to the first, or starting line. This second line is the goal line.

The King has a heavy wand, or Scepter, a pole, and he may stand in any part of the space between the starting and goal line. When the King faces the Marionettes (and by these we mean all the other players), these children must be as motionless as wooden dolls... they must not even smile. But when the King faces the goal line, and thumps three times with his scepter, the Marionettes come to life, and as stealthily as can be, so that the King will not see them, they move a few steps toward.  

If the King sees them moving, he sends them back to the starting line. When the King faces the goal line to thump three times again,the Marionettes may move again. After some of the Marionettes have advanced as far as the middle of the field, the King must close his eyes, while he thumps.

The first Marionette to reach the goal line, changes places with the King, and the child who is King the greatest number of times, is called the winner. 

Reference:

JOHN The Child's Magazine HELEN WALDO and JOHN MARTIN EDITORS 1929