Aesop Play - The Frogs Who Wished For A King

THE FROGS WHO WISHED FOR A KING

The cast: *Narrator*
Gods -- Zeus, Hermes, Apollo
Frogs -- Croaker, Jumpy, Loopy, Grumpy, Splasher, Leaper, Webby

Narrator: Humans were not the only ones who had dealings with the Olympian gods in mythology. Sometimes even animals encountered the Olympians. The following tale is one of the fables of the great story teller Aesop. It is about a group of frogs who asked a favor of Zeus.

(Song)

(Curtains open)

1/2 Frogs: Ribbit...... ribbit......... ribbit

Other frogs: Croak.....croak........croak

Croaker: Boy it sure is dull around here.

Jumper: Yeah! Nothing ever happens around this lousy ol' pond.

Loopy: You guys want to go over to my pad? There's a new lily growing over there.

Jumper and Croaker: (Pause, shake heads) Naw!

Loopy: Hey look, Croaker. There's two big, juicy flies.

Grumpy and Splasher: (flick out tongues)

Croaker: You crumby wart-faced toads! Who invited you over here anyway? Those two always get the biggest and tastiest flies.

Jumper: Say I know what would make our lake an exciting place. How about if we had a king?

Croaker: Wow! What a great idea. Hey guys, what do you think about us having a king to rule over our lake?

Leaper: Splendid! Our very own ruler.

Webby: Hooray! Just think of it King of the Frogs. It has a noble ring to it.

Splasher: Let's ask Zeus to send us a king.

Jumper & Croaker: Zeus! Zeus! Zeus!

(Zeus Enters)

Zeus: Why have you summoned me, my tiny creatures?

Jumper: Great Zeus, we want a king for our pond.

Zeus: Why do you seek a king? Isn't there enough food in your small lake, and don't you live in safety?

Jumper: Yes we have all those things, but we want a ruler, a king who is strong, solid, and dependable.

Zeus: Very well I shall send you a king who is strong. Come Hermes and Apollo, usher in the king of the frogs.

Hermes: Here is your king, little froggies.

Apollo: And a strong king he is my friends. His name is "Granite."

(They toss a rock into the pond)

Leaper: Wow! Did you guys see the big splash our king made?

Splasher: Yahoo! We've got a real ruler now.

Webby: And look how solid King Granite is built.

Croaker: Our kind doesn't seem to move very much does he?

Grumpy: Well I'm not very impressed by our king. In fact I want to have a closer look. (moves next to the stone). Aha! Some ruler! Our king is nothing but a big stupid rock.

Jumper & Croaker: Zeus! Zeus! Zeus! (others croak)

Zeus: Why have you called for me again, my little ones? I already gave you a king.

Grumpy: Yes, but he's just a big stone. We want a king that moves.

Jumper: That's right. We want a king that glides through the water, a serene, graceful, noble ruler.

Zeus: Very well. You shall have a new king who shall be named "Peaceful." (exit)

Hermes: Well little fly catchers, here is your noble ruler. He will let you ride on his back as you travel through your watery domain.

(Apollo & Hermes toss in a log)

Leaper: Look how long our great king is.

Croaker: See how gracefully he floats upon the water.

Grumpy: If you ask me our king doesn't look very intelligent. In fact, he looks as dense as an oak. I think I'll give our mighty leader a closer inspection. Humpf! Just as I suspected. Our king is nothing but dumb old log.

Jumper & Croaker: Zeus! Zeus! Zeus! (others ribbit and croak)

Zeus: I'm growing impatient with you, my tiny subjects. What is the problem now?

Jumper: We want a new king.

Zeus: What! You are acting foolishly my little frogs. You should be satisfied with my wisdom. First, I gave you a huge stone. On it you could sun yourselves and jump to safety if any large fish chased you. Next I gave you a log, a raft on which you could toured leisurely on your lovely lake. And now you want another king. All right, but this shall be the last king I will send to you. So think wisely on what type of ruler you want before I send him to you.

Jumpy: We want a powerful king who will add some excitement to our pond.

Grumpy: Yeah. We want a real magnificent king, dressed in armor. We want a fierce dynamo who is armed to the teeth and, who will strike fear into all who see him!

Zeus: It shall be as you wish. But mark my words, if your new king is not to your liking, it will do no good to call on me for help. I will not come again. Your new king will come soon and his name will be "Terror."

Grumpy: Boy oh boy! Things ought to liven up around here now.

Leaper: You said it. A king named "Terror." He ought to be able to fix those big mouthed fish and those pesky water snakes.

Loopy: I say. Do you see that long green thing in the reeds? Do you suppose that could be our new king?

Grumpy: Some king! It looks like a bumpy green log to me. (pause) I'll just go and check out this new king. It's probably as boring as the rest. (offstage) Oh no, flee for your lives. It's a crocodile! (screams & most frogs flee)

(Aside) Jumper: Good grief! This is more excitement than we bargained for. I guess we shouldn't have that rock for Granite.

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