Characters:

Shoemaker

Neighbor

SCRIPT:

Scene I -  At the Shoemaker’s Shop

(The shoemaker is in his shop.  He sings and works on a pair of shoes)

Shoemaker: La, tara, la, la, la… life is good… life is great…. La, tara, la, la, la.

(His neighbor enters)

Shoemaker: Good morning!  How are you on this wonderful day?

Neighbor: Augh!… today is like any other day.  I still can’t understand how can you be so happy.

Shoemaker: I love life… nothing worries me… I’m just happy!

Neighbor: You love life?    You’re happy?   I’m rich… I have tons of money…

Shoemaker: And you don’t love life, and you’re not happy.  I know… that is why you never sing, you can’t sleep at night, and  you are always tired.  All you care about is money!

Neighbor: Yes…and you must know that I hate your songs!  You have to stop singing!  Tell me something.. how much money do you make a year?

Shoemaker: A year?  I don’t know.  I only have a few coins… but I have food on my table everyday.

Neighbor: Fine, I’ll make it easier for you…how much money do you make a day?

Shoemaker: Some days I make more money… and some days I make less.  There are some days when I can’t work, especially on holidays… so I don’t make any money.

Neighbor: Hmmm…I want to help you.  I’m going to give a hundred gold coins.

(The neighbor takes out a small bag with coins from his pocket and gives it to the shoemaker)

Shoemaker: A hundred gold coins!  I have never seen a hundred gold coins in my whole life!

Neighbor: Well now you have.  Take them… they are yours.

Shoemaker: Oh… thank you!  Now I don’t have to work so much!

Neighbor: You mean.. now you don’t have to work.. and I am glad.  Well, I have to go… I’ll see you in a few more days.

Shoemaker: Yes!  Yes!  I’m going home.  I have to put all this money in a safe place. Good-bye!

Neighbor: Ha, ha, ha… good-bye.

( The  neighbor leaves.  The shoemaker closes his shop and leaves)

Scene II -  At the Shoemaker’s House

(The shoemaker is in bed)

Shoemaker: Oh, my… I couldn’t sleep last night.  What’s happening to me?  I feel so tired.

(He gets out of bed)

Shoemaker: I have to check if my money is still where I put it.

(He kneels down and takes out a box from under his bed.  He opens the box and sees the gold coins inside)

Shoemaker: Good… my treasure is here.  But why do I feel so unhappy?  If I have all this money… why do I feel this way?  I’m always worried…I don’t want anybody to steal it… to take it away from me.  Oh, but I never felt this way before.  Why now?

(There is a knock at the door.  The shoemaker opens the door)

Shomaker: Oh, it’s you.  Come in.

(The neighbor enters)

Neighbor: I went to your shop… but it has been closed for days… is there something wrong with you?

Shoemaker: Yes, there is.

Neighbor: It must be something serious… you don’t look so good.  What is it?

(The shoemaker gives the box of money to his neighbor)

Shoemaker: It’s this!

(The neighbor looks at the box full of money)

Neighbor: Is this the money I gave you?  You still have it… how come you haven’t spend it?

Shoemaker: Of course I still have it.  I have been taking care of it since the minute you gave it to me.  Now,  please give me back my songs… my happiness… and my peace of mind… Oh, and take your money with you… I don’t want it!

(The neighbor takes the box)

Neighbor: I tried to make you unhappy… and I did it!   Now you understand why I hated your songs.

Shoemaker: You wanted me to feel just the way you did, and they way you still do… but happiness comes from inside of us, and we should appreciate what we have.

Neighbor: You are right, and I’m sorry.  Are we still friends?

Shoemaker: Sure, we are!  We both learned a great lesson.

(They hug)

The End

Author:  Jean de La Fontaine

Adapted by: K I D S I N C O

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Characters:

Emperor

Beggar

Servant

Man

Woman

Crowd

SCRIPT:

Scene I – In the Street Outside the Palace

(The Emperor and his servant are getting out of the palace  A beggar approaches him.  He is holding a  pot in his hands)

Emperor: What do you want?

Beggar: Ha, ha, ha… you’re asking me… as if you could fulfill my wish.

Emperor: Ha, ha, ha, of course I can.  What is it?  Just tell me!

Beggar: You should think it twice before making a promise.

Emperor: I’ll give you anything you want.  I am a very powerful emperor!  What could you want, that I couldn’t provide?

Beggar: My wish is very simple.  Do you see this pot?

Emperor: Yes.

Beggar: Can you fill it with something?

Emperor: (to his servant) Fill the pot with gold coins.

(The servant takes some gold coins from a bag and puts them in the pot. They disappear)

Emperor: Hmmmm…. Put some more.

(The servant puts some more gold coins.  They disappear)

Servant: Your majesty.  I don’t understand!

Emperor: Just put some more!

(The servant puts some more gold coins.  They disappear)

Servant: The pot is empty!

(People gather around them)

Man: Why don’t you try with your jewelry?

(The Emperor takes off his gold rings and precious stones necklaces and puts them in the pot.  They disappear)

Woman: Take off your crown!

(The Emperor takes off his crown and puts it in the bowl.  It disappears)

Servant: The pot is bottomless!

Emperor: (to the servant) I  don’t care if I lose my whole kingdom, but I can not be defeated by this beggar!  Go to the palace, and bring me all my jewels!

(The servant bows and leaves)

Emperor: (to the beggar) Are you a magician?

Beggar: No, your majesty.

Emperor: Well, your pot has swallowed my treasures, and it is still empty!

(The servant enters with a jewelry box.  The Emperor takes the jewels and puts them in the pot.  They disappear)

Emperor: You have defeated me… you won!

Beggar: Your majesty, even if the whole world’s treasure was put into it… it would still remain empty.

Emperor: Why?  What is this pot made of?

Beggar: Ha, ha, ha… it is made of the human mind. There is no secret . . . it is simply made of human desires.

Emperor: I understand.  We always want to have things, and when we have them, then we want more because we feel empty.

Beggar: Your  begging pot is never complete.

Emperor: And we will always remain beggars.

Beggar: It’s a never ending story, your majesty.

Emperor: You have taught me a great lesson… Have a good day.

(The Emperor, his servant, and the crowd leave)

Beggar: Who wants to fill this pot with something?

The End

Author:  A Sufi Folktale

Adapted by K I D S I N C O

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Characters:

Merchant

Friend

SCRIPT:

Narrator: Once upon a time there was a rich merchant who was about to take a long trip, but before leaving, he talked to one of his best friends.

Friend: What a nice surprise!  Come, and sit down… you look worried, what’s wong?

Merchant: Oh, my good friend!  Today I received a letter from my nephew. My sister is sick, and I have to go and see her.

Friend: I am sorry to hear that.

Merchant: I will be gone for a few months, and I want to ask you for a favor.

Friend: Sure, what do you need?

Merchant: Would you take care of my gold bars while I am away?  You are my best friend, and you are the only one I can trust.

Friend: You know you can count on me.

Merchant: I know they will be in good hands.

Friend: Don’t worry… I’ll put them in a safe place.  And I hope your sister gets well soon.

Merchant: I hope so, too.  As soon as I come back from my trip, I’ll come to see you to get my gold bars.

Friend: Of course.  Where do you have them?

Merchant: Here… take the bag.

Friend: It sure is heavy!

Merchant: I know, and I’m sorry to put you in this situation.

Friend: That’s what friends are for!

Merchant: Thank you… I have to go.

Friend: Have a nice trip.  And the only thing in your mind right now, should be your sister.

Merchant: I know… I appreciate your support.  Good-bye.

Friend: Good bye, my friend.

Narrator: After a few months the merchant came back and the first thing he did, was to go and see his friend to get back his gold bars.

Friend: Oh!  Your back!  How’s your sister?

Merchant: She’s fine now.

Friend: I am glad to hear that… and I am also happy that you’re back.

Merchant: Everything is fine now.

Friend: Oh… I have terrible news! It’s about your gold bars!

Merchant: What is it?

Friend: As soon as you left, I placed the bag you gave me inside a wood chest under seven locks… but I didn’t know that I had rats in my house!  Can you imagine what happened?

Merchant: No, I can’t.

Friend: The rats gnawed the wood chest and ate the gold bars!   You know they have voracious appetites and will eat almost anything!

Merchant: Oh, this is terrible!  I am completely ruined!

Friend: I feel so sorry…  it’t all my fault.

Merchant: Don’t feel guilty, it’s all because of them!

Friend: Thank you for being so understanding.

Merchant: Forget about it… come to my house tomorrow… we will have dinner.

Friend: I’ll be there.

Merchant: See you then… good-bye.

Narrator: The merchant left.  But before leaving his friend’s house, he went to the stable, and without being seen, he took the best horse he found there.  When he arrived home, he hid the animal where nobody could see him.  Next day when his friend arrived for dinner he said.

Merchant: You don’t look good!  Is there something wrong?

Friend: Yes… I just suffered a terrible lost!  My best horse just vanished!

Merchant: Really?  But, how could that happen to you?

Friend: I looked for it everywhere, and I haven’t been able to find it… I even went to the woods, but it seems like earth gobbled it up!

Merchant: Is it possible?  Maybe an owl took him!

Friend: What are you saying?

Merchant: Well, last night I was looking up to the sky and I a saw an owl… and he was carrying a beautiful horse on his feet.

Friend: That’s nonsense!  How can an owl carry an animal that weights hundreds of pounds?

Merchant: Everything is possible.  We live in a town where rats eat gold… why are you surprised to find out that owls can steal horses?

Friend: Oh… you are right, my good friend, I feel so bad… please forgive me!  I lied to you.  I will give you back your gold.

Merchant: And I will give you back your horse.

Friend: I fell into my own trap.

The End

Author:  Unknown

Adapted by K I D S I N C O

Moral:  Treat others as you would like to be treated.

One bad turn deserves another.

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Characters:

Narrator

Rich Man

Servant

Crowd (servants)

Poor Man

SCRIPT:

Narrator: Once upon a time there was a rich man who build a magnificent and  luxorious palace.  When the palace was finished he moved there with his servants.  The first night he spent in his new home, he told one of his servants.

Rich Man: I thought I would never come to live in my palace.

Servant: This place was built especially for you.

Rich Man: It has everything I ever wanted to have… a beautiful garden with exotic flowers, gold chandeliers, marble walls and floors, the most fine carpets.

Servant: I am happy for you, sir.

Rich Man: I am tired, it’s been a long day… you can go now.

Servant: Very well, sir.  Good night.

Rich Man: Good night.

Narrator: The servant left the room, and the rich man prepared to go to  sleep, but as soon as he was in bed, he heard a strange and powerful voice.

Voice: May I come down?

Rich Man: Who’s there?

Narrator: The rich man stood up and looked around, but nobody was in the room.  Then he heard the voice once again.

Voice: May I come down?

Rich Man: Where are you?  Who’s hiding in my room?

Voice: May I come down?

Narrator: The rich man was scared.  He could not see anybody, so he dressed up, left the room, and went straight to one of his servant’s room.

Rich Man: Open the door!  Open the door!

Narrator: The servant opened the door and he was surprised to see his master standing outside his room.

Servant: Sir, what’s the matter?

Rich Man: There’s someone in my room.  Who did you let in when I was not here?

Servant: Nobody, sir.

Rich Man: Who’s in my room, then?  I heard someone talking to me, but when I checked the room, I saw nobody.

Servant: Let me go and see for myself.

Rich Man: No!  I have the strange feeling that something might happen to you.

Servant: Then, what should we do?

Rich Man: I don’t want to be here anymore.  I’m going back to my old house tomorrow morning.

Servant: But, sir… you’ve waited too long… this is all you ever wanted to have.  This is your palace!

Rich Man: I already told you… it’s my decision.  Tell everybody to pack their things, we are leaving early in the morning.

Servant: Yes, sir.

Narrator: Next morning the rich man and his servants returned to his old house.  People in the city said that an evil spirit was haunting the palace, and nobody wanted to go there.  One day a poor man who lived in the streets with his family, asked to see the rich man.

Rich Man: I don’t know who you are.  What do you want?

Poor Man: Oh, Sir, please help me!  I am desperate… my family and I are living in the streets.  Our celing is the sky and the walls is the horizon… we have no food… my family depends on me… we only have each other…. and I have lost all hope!  I beg you… please, let me live in your palace… I know it’s empty… let me spend the winter there with my family.

Rich Man: Your words have convinced me… but you have to know that the palace is not really empty.  There is a spirit living there… did you know that?

Poor Man: That’s what people say, but I don’t care.  I don’t want my family to spend the winter in the streets… it’s so cold… you know.

Rich Man: Very well, you can stay there.

Poor Man: Oh, thank you!

Narrator: That same day the poor man and his family went to live to the palace.  And at night, when he was about to go to bed, he heard a strange and powerful voice.

Voice: May I come down?

Poor Man: Yes, you may come down.

Narrator: Suddenly a rain of gold coins came down from the ceiling and fell on the floor.

Poor Man: Stop!

Narrator: A few minutes later the gold rain stopped.

Poor Man: This is wonderful!  This is not an enchanted house… this is a miracle!  I have to tell him what is happening in his palace… he must know!

Narrator: Next day the poor man went to talk to the rich man.

Rich Man: I don’t believe you… I really don’t!

Poor Man: You must!  I am telling you the truth!   Come with me, and spend the night there, and you will see.

Rich Man: You’re right… I have to see it with my own eyes.

Narrator: That night the rich man went to the palace.  Both man were in the room, when they heard the voice.

Voice: May I come down?

Rich Man: Yes, you may come down.

Narrator: Suddenly many gold coins came down from the ceiling.

Poor Man: This is wonderful!  Look, it’s raining gold coins!  I can feel them in my hands!  It’s a miracle!

Rich Man: No!  No!  they are not gold coins, they are horrible spiders!  No!  No! …. Get away from me!  Don’t touch me!… the palace is yours… I don’t want it!

Narrator: The rich man left the palace terrified, and the poor man lived in the palace, and he helped  the poor and homeless people that lived in the city.

The End

Author:  A folktale from India

Adapted by K I D S I N C O

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Characters:

Narrator

Fairy

Man 1

Man 2

Man 3

SCRIPT:

Narrator: Once upon a time there was an fairy who lived inside a mountain which was full of gold, silver, and precious stones.

Fairy: Oh, I’m so bored in this place! I wish I could go out into the world and see the sun, the lakes and rivers… the flowers… but that’s impossible. I have to stay here…underground taking care of all these rubies, diamonds, and emeralds.

Narrator: One day she heard a noise coming from outside the mountain. Some people were making a hole to get inside.

Fairy: Now I see… they are coming to steal my treasure! Men are greedy and ambitious! Anyway… I will help them get in, and I will even give them some of my treasure.

Narrator: The fairy used her magic to open up a hole, and a few minutes later three sweaty, dirty, and tired men entered the treasure mountain.

Man 1: Where are we? I can’t see anything!

Man 2: Me neither!

Man 3: Where’s that bright light come from? I can’t even open my eyes!

Narrator: Finally, the three men could open their eyes.

Three Men: This is wonderful!

Man 1: Come on… everything is ours!

Fairy: Stop where you are!

Man 2: Who are you?

Fairy: I live here… you don’t have to take anything… I give it to you.

Man 3: Are you sure?

Fairy: Yes, take everything you want.

Man 1: Thank you good fairy!

Man 2: I’ll fill my pockets with all these precious stones!

Man 3: You are so kind, really.

Fairy: Don’t say anything more, just take whatever you want to, and leave.

Narrator: The three men took everything they could, and left the mountain feeling satisfied. One day, one of them came back to the mountain.

Fairy: What did you come back? Didn’t you have enough? Is it possible that you don’t have anything I gave you?

Man 1: Oh, yes I do! I have everything you gave me! In fact, I hid the treasure in a safe place… not even my son knows where it is!

Fairy: You’re so greedy! You were not capable of sharing your treasure with anybody… not even your son. Get away from here! I will not give you more!

Man 1: No… listen to me… please.

Fairy: Get out!

Narrator: The man left, and after a few months another man came back to the mountain.

Fairy: What do you want?

Man 2: Please, help me! I have lost everything you gave me. I don’t have a single precious stone!

Fairy: What did you do with all the treasure I gave you?

Man 2: I used it to get to know people better. Money makes people betray each other, even an honest man can turn disrespectful and dishonest!

Fairy: So you used the treasure to turn people against each other…and you dare to come and ask for more… I don’t want to see you anymore… get out!

Narrator: The man left and a few months later the third man came back to the mountain.

Fairy: Now it’s you! I won’t give you anything… Get away from here!

Man 3: Wait… I don’t want anything else from you. I just came to give you back some of the treasure you gave me. I don’t want to be rich!

Fairy: You don’t want to be a wealthy man?

Man 3: No.

Fairy: why?

Man 3: Because money doesn’t make me happy. People came to me just because I was rich… they were not sincere… they were not my true friends.

Fairy: Oh, surely wealth is not a good thing! Go back to your own world. You are poor once again and you can now live in peace.

Narrator: The man left, and she forgot her dream of going out into the world. She forgot about the sun, the lakes, the rivers, and the flowers.

Fairy: I prefer to stay here, in my underground world with my treasure… men don’t understand that wealth doesn’t bring happiness. Wealth can also bring misfortune.

The End

Author:  Unknown

Adapted by K I D S I N C O

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Characters:

Narrator

Woodcutter

Fairy

SCRIPT:

Narrator: Once upon a time in a forest there lived a poor woodcutter who worked hard to support his family.

Woodcutter: Thank God I am healthy… and I can work to earn money to buy food for my family.

Narrator: One day he was cutting trees when he felt tired and decided to rest for a while.

Woodcutter: I´ll sit on the ground to rest for a few minutes.

Narrator: But when he was about to leave his ax on the floor, he stumbled with a rock an the ax fell into the river.

Woodcutter: Oh no!  I lost my ax! The river is so deep that I will not be able to get it!  What am I going to do?  How am I going to support my family?

Narrator: Then he just stared helplessly into the water, when suddenly a beautiful lady emerged from the lake.

Woodcutter: Who are you?

Fairy: I am the fairy from the lake. I come out of the water when I hear a sad voice.  What is wrong?

Woodcutter: I lost my ax.  It´s in the water.

Fairy: I´ll get it for you.

Narrator: The fairy went inside the water and came out with a silver ax.

Fairy: Is this your ax?

Narrator: The woodcutter thought of all the things he could buy for his family if he sold that silver ax.  But it didn´t belong to him.

Woodcutter: No, mine has a wooden handle.

Fairy: Let me get it, then.

Narrator: The fairy went again inside the water and came out with another ax.

Fairy: Is this yours?

Woodcutter: No!  That ax is made of gold.  It´s worth more than mine.

Fairy: I´ll leave it here, and let me go again inside the water.

Narrator: When the fairy came out of the water, she had the woodcutter´s ax.

Woodcutter: Ah!  That is my ax! Without any doubt… that is my old ax!

Fairy: This is your ax, but you can also have the other two.  They are a gift from the river because you have told the truth.

Woodcutter: Oh, thank you!

Narrator: And that night the woodcutter went home with his three axes.

Woodcutter: I am happy… now my family will have everything they need.

The End

By Jean de La Fontaine (July 8, 1621 – April 13, 1695) was the most famous French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century.

Adapted by K I D S I N C O

Moral Value:  Honesty

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Characters:

Farmer

Elf

Woman 1

Woman 2

Man 1

Man 2

Man 3

SCRIPT:

Narrator: Once upon a time there was a farmer who was very poor.  One day he was plowing the field and thought.

Farmer: I work too much… and all for nothing!  I am tired of coming here every day and just for a few cents.  I really have bad luck!

Narrator: Suddenly an elf appeared.

Farmer: Oh my!

Elf: Don’t be afraid.

Farmer: Who are you?

Elf: I have heard what you said, today your luck will change.  Take this hen.

Farmer: Thank you, I am so hungry!  I will cook it as soon as I get home.

Elf: No!  This is a very special hen.

Farmer: What makes it so special? …  Does it talk?

Elf: No!  Listen to me!  This hen is so wonderful that every day it lays a golden egg.

Farmer: A golden egg?

Narrator: The elf didn’t answer, and he just disappeared.

Farmer: I hope it’s true.  I will go home right away.

Narrator: The farmer went home and immediately put the hen in a cage.  Next day, as soon as he woke up, he went to the chicken house to see if the hen laid the golden egg.

Farmer: Oh… it is true!  It’s an egg of solid gold!

Narrator: He took the egg, went to town and tried to sell it.  He stood in the middle of the street and shouted.

Farmer: Golden egg for sale!  Golden egg for sale!

Narrator: Soon a crowd gathered around him amazed at the golden egg.

Woman 1: How much do you want?

Woman 2: Is it really a golden egg?

Farmer: Sure, it is!

Man 1: I want it!

Man 2: No, it’s mine!

Man 3:I’ll buy it!  Sell it to me!

Farmer: It’s your then!… And don’t worry… I will bring another one tomorrow.  There are enough for everybody!

Narrator: The farmer sold the egg.  Next day when he woke up he went straight to see if there was another golden egg.

Farmer: Good… another golden egg!  I’ll sell it right away.

Narrator: And once again he went to town and sold the egg.  After that day, every day, the hen gave him a beautiful golden egg.

Farmer: I am getting richer and richer every day.  I am the richest man in town!  I have everything a man could want… but… I wonder how I could get more eggs from my hen…

Narrator: As the farmer grew richer, he also became greedy and stingy.

Farmer: I want to have more and more money!  I am tired of waiting every day just for one  golden egg.

Narrator: And he thought and thought…

Farmer: I am going to kill the hen and I’ll find the gold mine she has inside.   I will have all her treasure at once!

Narrator: So he cut her open and found nothing at all.

Farmer: This can’t be!  Where’s the gold mine?  Where’s her treasure? Now I don’t have the hen and its golden eggs!

The End

Author:  Aesop Fable

Adapted by K I D S I N C O

Moral:  Ambition can makes us do thing that we can regret later.  Don`t be impatient and greedy.

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Characters:

Narrator

Midas

god

Daughter

SCRIPT:

Narrator: Once upon a time there was a very kind King called Midas.  But there was something wrong with him.  He wanted to have all the gold in the world.

Midas: Gold is more important to me than anything else in the world.  I don`t care about anything, I just want to have gold only for myself.

Narrator: One day he did a favor to a god.

god: Thank you for your favor.  I will give you anything you want.

Midas: I wished that anything I touch would turn into gold.

god: Your wish is foolish, Midas!  You can get into a lot of trouble.  Think about it, Midas, think about it.

Midas: That`s the only thing I want.

god: Very well.  You wish will come true.

Narrator: And his clothing was turned into gold, and his house, even his dog was turned into a statue of gold.

Midas: I am really worried.  I can`t eat.  I can`t eat golden food!  I can`t smell the gold flowers.

Narrator: One day her daughter said.

Daughter: Oh father, I am so sad.

Midas: No, my dear daughter I made a mistake. I am sorry.

Narrator: And when he hugged her, she was turned into gold.

Midas: No!  This can´t be happening to me.  What have I done.  My precious daughter is now a gold statue!

Narrator: Then horrified he went running looking for the god.

Midas: Please, take back my wish!  My daughter is worth more than gold!

god: I told you Midas, I told you.  But now, I can´t undo the gift I granted you.  Go now to the river and get into the water.  But if when you come out of the water you are not free, then there`s nothing else I can do.

Narrator: Midas ran to the river and got into the water.

Midas: I have to stay here for a while.

Narrator: Then when he came out of the water he touched some tree branches.

Midas: The tree branches are still green and fresh.  I am free!

Narrator: From that day the King lived happy in a hut in the forest.

Midas: I have learned that love is what makes a person rich, not gold.

The End

Adapted by K I D S I N C O based on an Ancient Greek Myth

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