5 Fun Plays for Kids to Perform Vol. IV: Folk Tales

By Marian Scadden

These five folk tales feature clever animals and genii outwitting the not-so-clever. The scripts are designed for children 8-11 years old to perform. The scripts have a running time of 30-40 min, with flexible casting of 20-32, & opportunities for doubling or expanding. Please note that although these scripts are in one place, they are not royalty-free; information to get permission to produce these plays is at the end of the book. This collection includes:

1. The Annual Conference of the Genii in Regard to the Peculiar World of Humans
Based on several stories from the Arabian Nights, the Genii have come to tell the stories of some of the humans they’ve met. As they tell the stories, they also become characters in their own stories. Running time: about 30 min. Cast: 5 male, 5 female, 16 either, doubling possible.
2. The Bremen Town Musicians
This classic tale from Germany is about four animals who have grown old and would soon be put to death so they ran away from their farms. They meet and decide to become musicians in Bremen Town. On their way there, they run into a group of thieves hiding in the forest. Includes 4 songs. Running Time: about 35 min. Cast: 22 either, doubling possible.
3. But Why
A child keeps asking the one-word question, “Why?” The parent answers as best they can. But in hopes of not being flooded by whys, the parent tells the child two African tales: Why Do Sun and Moon Live in the Sky and Why Are Fire and Rain Enemies. Running Time: about 35 min. Cast: 4 male, 1 female, 25 either, doubling possible.
4. Just So, It Happened
Based on Rudyard Kipling's “How the Elephant Got His Trunk” and “How the Camel Got His Hump”, this play has a delightful cast of animals. The curious young elephants are disturbing everyone in the forest with their non-stop questions. But when they ask a crocodile a question, changes happen. The camel is being lazy and all the other animals must work harder because of it. Can the Djinn affect a change? Includes 4 songs. Running Time: about 35 min. Cast: 2 male, 2 female, 28 either, doubling possible.
5. The Tiger, the Brahmin, and the Jackal
The tiger is trapped in a cage and begs a passing Brahmin to release him and promises not to eat the Brahmin. The Brahmin kindly releases the tiger who wants to eat him. The Brahmin thinks this isn’t fair but it takes a jackal’s wisdom to solve the problem. Includes 5 songs. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 20 either, doubling possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marian Scadden
• Release date: Apr 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463407905

Marian Scadden

Marian Scadden reads a lot, and likes to write in theater-esque and other genres, such as Young Adult fantasy, Middle Grade stuff, and Picture Books. She loves playing board games with her family, especially when she wins. Marian graduated in Children's Theatre from Brigham Young University decades ago, more or less. Writing books and plays is not quite as long as that. She started writing plays so she wouldn't have to pay royalties when directing them; she started writing picture books to see if she could and she advanced to novels in 2009 when she participated in National Novel Writing Month. It's kind of exciting.

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5 Fun Scripts for Kids to Perform Vol. IV: Folk Tales

by Marian Scadden

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2021 Marian Scadden

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Producing any play in this collection

No part of this playbook may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, including photocopying, electronic, mechanical recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Marian L Scadden Enterprises.

Persons or entities that wish to produce any play in this collection must receive written permission in advance of production from Marian L Scadden Enterprises, 503-877-6842, [e-mail], www.PerformancesClassesBooks.com

Table of Contents: The Plays

Note: Although these plays are gathered in a collection, you may not perform any of them before an audience - even if the performance is free - without written permission. Please see information at the end of the book.

1. The Annual Conference of the Genii in Regard to the Peculiar World of Humans

Based on several stories from the Arabian Nights, the Genii have come to tell the stories of some of the humans they’ve met. As they tell the stories, they also become characters in their own stories. Running time: about 30 min. Cast: 5 male, 5 female, 16 either, doubling possible.

2. The Bremen Town Musicians

This classic tale from Germany is about four animals who have grown old and would soon be put to death so they ran away from their farms. They meet and decide to become musicians in Bremen Town. On their way there, they run into a group of thieves hiding in the forest. Includes 4 songs. Running Time: about 35 min. Cast: 22 either, doubling possible.

3. But Why

A child keeps asking the one-word question, Why? The parent answers as best they can. But in hopes of not being flooded by whys, the parent tells the child two African tales: Why Do Sun and Moon Live in the Sky and Why Are Fire and Rain Enemies. Running Time: about 35 min. Cast: 6 male, 1 female, 24 either, doubling possible.

4. Just So, It Happened

Based on Rudyard Kipling's How the Elephant Got His Trunk and How the Camel Got His Hump, this play has a delightful cast of animals. The curious young elephants are disturbing everyone in the forest with their non-stop questions. But when they ask a crocodile a question, changes happen. The camel is being lazy and all the other animals must work harder because of it. Can the Djinn affect a change? Includes 4 songs. Running Time: about 35 min. Cast: 2 male, 2 female, 28 either, doubling possible.

5. The Tiger, the Brahmin, and the Jackal

The tiger is trapped in a cage and begs a passing Brahmin to release him and promises not to eat the Brahmin. The Brahmin kindly releases the tiger who wants to eat him. The Brahmin thinks this isn’t fair but it takes a jackal’s wisdom to solve the problem. Includes 5 songs. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 20 either, doubling possible.

End Notes

~Getting Permission to Perform the Plays

~Minimal and Flexible

~Questions? Just Ask

~More Collections

~About the Author

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE GENII IN REGARD

TO THE PECULIAR WORLD OF HUMANS

[Note: you may not perform this play before an audience - even if the performance is free - without written permission. Please see information at the end of the book.]

Characters:

Boss Genie

Assistant Genie

Other Genii:

~Balibash, Tells The Blind Beggar’s Story

~Del, Tells The Dervish’s Story

~Magalla, Tells Ali Baba’s Story

~Scrimeo, Tells One Of Sinbad’s Journeys

~Flaflay, Tells Fisherman’s Story

~Genie 1

~Genie 2

(Story Of Baba Abdalla, The Blind Beggar Who Wants To Be Struck)

Caliph

Grand Vizier

Baba Abdalla

(Story Of Baba Abdalla And The Dervish

Dervish

(Story Of Ali Baba And The 40 Thieves)

Ali Baba

Morgiana

Cassim

Thief Captain

Thief 1

Thief 2

(Story Of Sinbad’s Second Voyage)

Sinbad

Captain

Crewman 1

Crewman 2

Merchant 1

Merchant 2

Merchant 3

(Story Of The Fisherman And The Genie)

Fisherman

Townsperson 1

Townsperson 2

SETTING: Several chairs are in rows up right. A speaker's podium is downstage of the chairs. A door frame, which serves as doorways and cave entrances, is up left. One chair is down right.

AT RISE: Boss Genie and Assistant enter through doorway. Assistant checks list, takes notes as Boss Genie speaks.

BOSS GENIE: Do you have a variety of foods for refreshments?

ASSISTANT GENIE: Yes, sir [ma'am]. Seafood, meat platters, veggie trays, fruits, nuts and petit fours.

BOSS GENIE: Petit fours?

ASSISTANT GENIE: Little cakes.

BOSS GENIE: Good. And to drink?

ASSISTANT GENIE: Cow's milk, goat's milk, coconut milk, well water, glacier water, spring water, and water with lemons.

BOSS GENIE: Good. Do we have enough seats?

ASSISTANT GENIE: There are a few extra, just in case.

BOSS GENIE: Who's taking the minutes today?

ASSISTANT GENIE: Me, sir [ma'am].

BOSS GENIE: Then it's time. Call them in! (moves away from Assistant; covers ears)

ASSISTANT GENIE: (at center, facing front, bellowing very loudly; dragging out the calls) ALLY, ALLY IN COME FREE! OPEN SESAME! COME OUT, COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE! ETC., ETC., It's time! (Genii enter noisily from several directions, laughing, talking, etc. Optional: lights flash, smoke rises, drums & cymbals boom and clang) Take your seats! TAKE YOUR SEATS! (Genii sit, are quiet) Thank you. (reading at podium) Welcome to the Annual Conference of the Genii in Regard to the Peculiar World of Humans. Conducting this conference is none other than that Chieftain of all Crafts, that Maestro... (looks at Boss questioningly; Boss nods enthusiastically; finishes quickly) That Maestro of Astounding Magic, that Ace of Achievement, that Director of Daring Deeds, the High Mucky Muck himself [herself], none other than the one and only Boss! (sits in chair down right; takes notes throughout)

(Genii applaud & cheer; Boss comes to podium)

BOSS GENIE: Thank you! It's good to be here and good to see all of you. Let's dive right in and find out what the humans have been up to.

GENIE 1: This should be good.

BOSS GENIE: Who would like to start?

(Balibash, Del, Magalla, Scrimeo, Genie 1 & 2 raise their hands)

SCRIMEO: (with hand raised) Sinbad went on another journey.

(GENII groan)

GENIE 1: Another one?

GENIE 2: Doesn't that human ever learn?

BALIBASH: I've heard enough about Sinbad.

SCRIMEO: But...

BOSS GENIE: Sorry, Scrimeo. Balibash, what have you got to share?

BALIBASH: (stands) I saw the Caliph meet Baba Abdalla, the blind beggar.

(Caliph and Grand Vizier enter dressed as though poor, but walking gracefully)

CALIPH: I didn't think anyone would recognize me in these clothes but the people seem hesitant to speak freely to me.

GRAND VIZIER: (with a slight bow) Caliph, if I may be so bold?

CALIPH: Speak.

GRAND VIZIER: You may have the clothes for an ordinary person but you walk as proudly as the Caliph.

CALIPH: You are right. (teasing Vizier who has been walking gracefully, too) Do show me, Grand Vizier, how I should walk.

GRAND VIZIER: (stammering) Well, Caliph, it's like this... (walks only slightly less gracefully)

CALIPH: You walk like a Grand Vizier trying not to walk like a Grand Vizier. Let me try. (walks strangely)

GRAND VIZIER: Are you hurt, sir?

CALIPH: I am trying not to walk like myself!

GRAND VIZIER: Perhaps we should return to your palace and practice walking.

CALIPH: Yes, let's. I'm sure the servants will be amused.

(Baba Abdalla, a blind beggar, enters. He is tapping a stick as he walks; he carries a cup; a rag covers his eyes)

BABA ABDALLA: Alms. Alms.

CALIPH: Hold there. We have something for you. (to Grand Vizier) Give him a coin.

BABA ABDALLA: I thank you in advance for the coin but before you place it in my cup, I must tell you that I accept no alms without first being struck.

CALIPH: (laughing) You keep a sense of humor about you.

GRAND VIZIER: (about to place coin in cup) Here's the coin.

BABA ABDALLA: (covers the cup) But you have not yet struck me.

GRAND VIZIER: I will not strike a blind beggar.

BABA ABDALLA: If you will not strike me, I will not accept the coin.

CALIPH: But it is obvious that you need the coin.

BABA ABDALLA: Perhaps it is not so obvious that I need to be struck, but I do.

CALIPH: Very well, then.

GRAND VIZIER: Sir?

CALIPH: (to Grand Vizier) Strike him that we may give him the coin. (whispers) Just don't do it hard.

GRAND VIZIER: (hits Baba Abdalla lightly on the shoulder) There. And here is your coin. (drops coin in cup)

BABA ABDALLA: