Description

The Magic Tinderbox Guided Reading Script or Readers Theater is one of a collection of Hans Christian Andersen stories.

Cast of 6

• • • Narrator
    • Soldier
    • Witch
    • Dog 1
    • Dog 2
    • Dog 3

It is intended as a Guided Reading Script or Readers Theater to be read by a group of six speakers.

Duration: 10 – 15 minutes not including teaching input, discussion etc.

Sample Text

Narrator:             So, fill us in. How, roughly, did the conversation go between you two?

Witch:                  Well, I started by wishing him Good Day! And I think I commented favourably on his appearance, saying he looked like a real soldier. And that he could have as much money as he liked!

Narrator:             What a strange way to greet a complete stranger! Were you always so trusting?

Witch:                  Well, he was rather handsome!

Narrator:             (Sighing) Oh dear. Tell me, how did this handsome young soldier respond?

Soldier:                I said ‘Thank you kindly’

Witch:                  (Muttering) Followed closely by ‘you old witch!’

Narrator:             (To soldier) You actually called her an old witch to her face?

Soldier:                Well, that’s what she was! I didn’t, of course, add that she was also probably the ugliest witch I’d ever set eyes upon in my life!

Dog 1:                  (Growling) Grrr! There he goes again!

Dog 2:                  He just can’t help himself!

Dog 3:                  Certainly the most uncouth, callous poor excuse for a soldier we’ve ever set eyes upon!

Narrator:             Now, now! We’ll come to those eyes in a minute! All in good time. So, what happened next?

Witch:                  I pointed to a nearby tree and told him to climb to the top and jump!

Dog 1:                  I’m not surprised!

Dog 2:                  Reckon I’d have been tempted if he’d spoken to me like that!

Dog 3:                  Good for her!

Soldier:                No! She wasn’t telling me to jump off it. Just down it! Weren’t you listening?

(All three dogs snarl)