Description
The Tales of Beatrix Potter Part II
This is the second of a four part series of plays including:
The Tales of
- Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (6 speakers)
- Mr. Jeremy Fisher (6 speakers)
- Tom Kitten (8 speakers)
- Jemima Puddle-Duck (4 speakers
and
- The Flopsy Bunnies (6 speakers)
These five scripts are of varying lengths but take approximately five minutes each to read, with the total number of speakers at 30.
These plays are simple adaptations/conversation pieces based on Beatrix Potter’s tales, for use within the classroom. They can either be used as group readers or combined to create a whole class play/assembly.
They can be used as PSHE/Citizenship and/or Literacy resources – there are many tips on behaviour both within the scripts and afterwards, in the Q & A/Discussion sections. In the case of the latter, these offer a very simple line of questioning – they are intended as a starting point for further discussion and can, of course, be expanded beyond this simple format.
Tale 6: The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle
Cast of 6
Narrator
Lucie
Tabby Kitten (Cat)
Sally Henny-penny (Speckled hen)
Cock Robin (Robin)
Mrs Tiggy-winkle
One of Beatrix Potter’s best loved characters – the adorable Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. Accompanied here by some appreciative visitors.
Sample Text:
Narrator: So, where’s that wonderful hedgehog! I am so looking forward to meeting her!
Lucie: (Crying) Oh no! Not another handkerchief lost! Whatever is happening to me?
Narrator: (Aside) A little absentmindedness, perhaps? Just a suggestion!
Lucie: (To Cat) Tabby Kitten! Have you seen them anywhere?
Cat: ‘Fraid not! I don’t have much use for pocket-handkerchiefs! See, I have paws!
Lucie: (Sighing) Oh dear! Let’s try someone else.
(To Speckled hen) Ah Sally Henny-penny! Have you seen my handkerchiefs anywhere?
Speckled hen: (Sarcastically) What possible use would I have for a handkerchief? I have neither hands nor nose, or hadn’t you noticed?
Lucie: (Sighing) Ah well, one more try!
(To Robin) Cock Robin! Have you seen my handkerchiefs?
Robin: (Indignantly) Why would I be interested in handkerchiefs?
Narrator: Hmm, yes, sorry for stating the obvious but birds have beaks and claws – not noses and hands!
Tale 7 The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher
Cast of 6
Narrator
Jeremy Fisher
Minnow
Trout
Newt (Sir Isaac Newton)
Tortoise (Mr. Alderman Ptolemy)
A frog who fishes? And doesn’t like the damp? Does this character have any amphibious traits at all? Read on to find out!
Sample Text:
Jeremy: Hey, this is no confused frog, I’ll have you know! It’s everybody else that is confused around here! So, what if I went out on my boat to have a bit of fun fishing? Beats sitting around in that damp house!
Trout: But frogs aren’t supposed to mind the damp. In fact, most frogs positively love it!
Jeremy: No, what I meant was
Tortoise: (Interrupting) Don’t worry! We know you were just trying to catch us some supper!
Newt: Even if neither of us likes fish!
Narrator: (To Jeremy) Strikes me you didn’t think this through very carefully!
Jeremy: Well, I hadn’t anticipated being threatened by that water beetle
Trout: Pah! He merely tweaked your toe
Jeremy: And I’ll swear there was a rat out there too
Minnow: Hmm, I think that imagination is running away with you again! Or do you think you’re in a Wind in the Willows script?
Jeremy: (Angrily) This was no friendly rat! And as for that trout
Trout: (Interrupting) Just having a bit of fun!
Jeremy: (Protesting) What? Grabbing hold of me and then half drowning me?
Tortoise: Lucky you were wearing that mackintosh, Jeremy!
Trout: (Spitting) Ugh! That vile tasting garment!
Tale 8: The Tale of Tom Kitten
Cast of 8
Narrator
Mrs Tabitha Twitchit (Mother)
Mittens
Tom Kitten
Moppet
Rebeccah Puddle-Duck
Jemima Puddle-Duck
Mr. Drake Puddle-Duck
Kittens will be kittens and ducks will be ducks. Poor Tabitha Twitchit – she seems to be fighting a losing battle!
Sample Text:
Mrs Tabitha Twitchit: Huh! I didn’t greatly appreciate it! After all that trouble I took to get my three kittens looking smart and presentable for my guests!
Mr. Drake Puddle-Duck: Oh, I’m sure they wouldn’t have minded!
Rebeccah Puddle-Duck: They were there for tea, presumably
Jemima Puddle-Duck: Not a fashion parade!
Mrs Tabitha Twitchit: (Huffily) Well, really! It’s the principle!
Mittens: You mean, you want your guests to think we’re the perfect kittens?
Tom Kitten: We are, aren’t we?
Mrs Tabitha Twitchit: Well, of course.
Tom Kitten: So, why all the fuss?
Mrs Tabitha Twitchit: (Spluttering) Well, because, because (pauses) I have certain standards!
Moppet: You mean, a dress code?
Mrs Tabitha Twitchit: Well, I suppose you could call it that.
Moppet: But we looked ridiculous in those pinafores
Tom Kitten: And that jacket was way too small.
Narrator: Nothing to do with you being a little, now, how shall I put this?
Rebeccah Puddle-Duck: Tubby!
Tale 9: The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
Cast of 4
Narrator
Jemima Puddle-Duck
Fox
Kep (collie-dog)
In short, just how dumb can a duck be? Read on!
Sample Text:
Jemima: But why? The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck is one of the best
Fox: (Laughing) You think?
Kep: No, that’s just the problem. She doesn’t!
Jemima: (Angrily) Hey! What are you guys getting at?
Narrator: (Sighing) Oh dear. Do we really have to spell it out to you?
Fox: Allow me! In a word, madam, you have to be the dumbest duck on this planet!
(Gasps from other 3)
Kep: Ooh! That was a little harsh!
Narrator: I think you could have chosen your words just a little more carefully!
Fox: But why? She really isn’t going to be around long, if you get my drift, if she doesn’t wise up a bit!
Jemima: (Indignantly) Wise us? What could you mean?
Kep: Oh dear, how long have we got?
Fox: Not long enough, I suspect!
Jemima: Well, I’m here to listen
Narrator: Which is a great start. So, let’s get going!
Jemima: Oh yes, let’s. So, once upon a time there was this beautiful duck called
Narrator: (Interrupting) Cut! Have you not been listening to the other tales? We don’t do the ‘once upon a time’ thing.
Jemima: You don’t? Oh dear, well perhaps somebody else had better start then!
Fox: That’s probably the best idea we’ve had from you yet!
Tale 10: The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
Cast of 6
Narrator
Benjamin Bunny and wife Flopsy
Flopsy Bunny
Mr and Mrs McGregor
Just how unruly can a rabbit be? Read on!
Sample Text:
Narrator: Aha! Those lettuces! I’ve never before heard of lettuces sending you to sleep!
Flopsy Bunny: If you eat enough of them, they sure do! My siblings and I went out like a light!
Flopsy: (To Benjamin) Whilst you looked on!
Mrs McGregor: Not much of a father, eh!
Benjamin: (Indignantly) I would never do anything to put my bunnies’ lives at risk!
Mr. McGregor: (Sarcastically) Apart from falling asleep whilst they were in your care!
Flopsy Bunny: Oh, but those lettuces were so good!
Flopsy: That’s no excuse! Benjamin! I’m disappointed in you!
Benjamin: I know. I should have known better
Mrs McGregor: It’s not like you rabbits haven’t had run-ins with my husband before!
Mr. McGregor: Exactly! I’d have thought you’d have learnt to be a bit more careful near my territory!
Flopsy: (Sighing) Just like my brother, Peter!
Mr. McGregor: Thieving rabbits, the lot of them!
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