KING OF THE FOREST

(Readers’ Theater)

Cast: Narrator, Wolf, Goat, Doe, Zebra, Bear, Monkey, Fox, Lion, Rabbit

Introduction: Good morning teachers, Good Morning fellow students! The play is about a hungry lion that keeps eating the other animals in the forest. The
animals get together and make a plan to stop the lion from eating any more of their friends.

Narrator: Once there was a big Lion that lived in the forest. All the other animals were afraid of him. Every day the lion went through the forest to hunt for food.
The animals tried to hide from him but the Lion always found one and killed. The forest was not a safe place. At last the Wolf thought of calling the animals to a
meeting.

Wolf: It is good that everyone is present. We are here because we have a big problem. Our lives are in danger.
Goat: Meeee-eee-eee. What can we do to save ourselves from the Lion? He eats one of us every day. Soon, all of us will die.

Doe: The Lion is fierce. He has no pity for anyone. I remember that day I left my little fawn alone. When I came back, my little one was gone.

Zebra: What shall we do? The Lion is wise. He roars to frighten the animals. They cry in their hiding places. That is why the Lion knows where to find them.

Bear: The Lion’s sharp claws can tear us to pieces. He can climb a tree with his strong paws and his teeth are very sharp.

Monkey: Everyone is afraid of the Lion. He is only one. We are many. Can we not stop him from killing us?

Fox: If we don’t plan well. Then we will all die. Why don’t we think and talk about the matter?

Wolf: What do you suggest?

Rabbit: Everyone must think of a plan. Then we shall decide what is best.

ALL: We agree! Let’s think of a good plan.

Narrator: The animals thought and thought. Many gave suggestions. Finally they chose the Rabbit’s plan as they thought it was the best. That night, the animals
went to see the lion. As they came near the cave, they heard him growl. Some wanted to turn back but when they saw how brave the rabbit was. They went on.

Lion: What do you want!?

Bear: King Lion! We have come to tell you something that will help you.

Lion: What it is?

Bear: We know you are the King of the Forest but you must stop eating the animals. You have killed many. Those you have not killed are afraid to stay in the
forest. Soon there will be no animals left.

Lion: What shall I eat!? I must have something to eat!

Bear: We will take care of that. Each day we will choose one animal for you to eat. It will come to your cave so that you will not have to hunt for food.

Lion: That’s a good plan. Let’s try it!

Narrator: The animals carried out their promise to the Lion. Each day, they sent one little animal to the lion’s cave. Each night one of them was missing from the
forest.

Narrator: One day, the rabbit was chosen to be the lion’s meal. He started for the lion’s cave early in the morning but he thought he might as well have all the
fun he could before he was eaten. So he played along the way. It was very late when at last he hopped to the door of the lion’s cave. The lion was very hungry.

Lion: Why have you kept me waiting so long?

Rabbit: Good morning king Lion, would you like to see a big Lion that looks just like you? He has a voice like yours too.

Lion: Where is the other Lion?

Rabbit: I cannot tell you that King Lion. You have come to see for yourself.

Narrator: Then the Rabbit hopped away through the forest and the Lion followed him. Soon they came to a deep well. There was water at the bottom of it and it
was very deep.

Rabbit: Look down there King Lion! There he is!

Narrator: The Lion looked down into the well. There he saw another Lion. He opened his mouth and roared. The echo of his voice was very loud. He jumped into
the well to fight the other Lion and was drowned. The rabbit hopped back to tell the other animals about the good news.

ALL: After that, the animal live at peace in the forest.