Puppet Play
Power of Words Puppet Play © Jenny Jenkins 2015 https://sites.google.com/site/valueslessons
Each puppet play on this website uses the same 3 puppets. Use 'Muppet' TM type puppets with mouths you can open from inside, 1 larger headed mother, and 2 boys, one good and one naughty. Rename them, perhaps for their colour.
Or make Sock Puppets See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-mfUBQE3_s or Paper-bag Puppets -See: https://youtu.be/R-NmTMum-6I
For a simple Puppet theatre drape a piece of fabric or a sheet over a tight piece of string between 2 chairs or in an open doorway, or duck down behind a long sofa or couch.
(Blue and Yellow pop up.)
Blue You are so stupid!
Yellow Why?
Blue You left Dad's saw outside and now it's rusty!
Yellow Um, don't you remember?
Blue Remember what?
Yellow You told me to leave it out when I was finished making my toy boat because you wanted to make one too.
Blue Oh, yeah. I forgot to make one. I always forget to do stuff.
Yellow So, who were you calling stupid?
Blue You, for thinking that I'd remember to make a boat.
Yellow Oh boy.
Blue Okay, I'm stupid too.
Yellow For leaving the saw outside?
Blue No, for living with a stupid brother like you!
Mum pops up Blue! I've told you not to call people names! You hurt Yellow's feelings.
Yellow Don't worry, Mum. I'm used to it.
Blue Isn't that what brothers are for?
Mum and Yellow No!
Blue Then what's the point of having a stupid brother?
Yellow Funny that you asked me that. I've been wondering the same thing...
(Mum looks at Yellow)
Blue I'm going to clean the rust off Dad's saw before he gets home. If he sees it he'll ban me from using his tools for a month! (Disappears)
Mum Yellow, what did I tell you about your words?
Yellow Um, once they're said you can't take them back?
Mum Yes, so use them wisely. Do you really want to copy the way Blue talks?
Yellow No. He makes me feel stupid. I can't remember the last time he said something nice to me.
Mum He does like you though.
Yellow He's sure got a weird way of showing it. (Both disappear. Pause)
Narrator (from below) Later
(All pop up)
Mum That sounds like Dad's car. Blue, did you get the rust cleaned off his saw?
Blue Oh, no! I forgot! I went to, but then I remembered I had homework...
Mum Blue, did I hear you right? You've actually done your homework? Without anyone making you?
Blue Umm, not exactly. I, um, used it for a... science experiment...
Yellow You did a science experiment? Without anyone making you?
Mum Well done, Blue. What was it?
Blue I spread peanut butter over my homework sheet, to see if the dog would eat it. And it worked! Awesome eh! Now I can't do my homework.
Mum That's okay. I'll phone your teacher to let her know you'll need to stay in at lunchtime tomorrow to get it done.
Blue Lunchtime? Not lunchtime! I play footie at lunchtime! That's the only reason I go to school!
Dad's (deep voice from below) Who left my saw outside? It's all rusty!
Blue Yellow did.
Mum No, Blue did.
Dad's voice Blue, come here right now!
Blue Stupid saw! It shouldn't have gone rusty!
Yellow and Mum Oh boy! (All disappear)
Discussion Questions
1. What did Blue say about himself when he realised he had forgotten to make a toy boat? (I always forget to do stuff)
2. Did saying this make it easier or harder for him to remember things? (Harder)
3. Did he forget to do something else later? (To clean the rust off the saw)
4. How did Blue's unkind words affect Yellow? (Made him feel stupid.) Why?
5. What did Mum remind Yellow about words? (Once they're said you can't take them back, so use them wisely.)