Add a Little Dramatic Play to Learning
Short Fables
Play Scripts in Two Versions
present tense for ESL and advanced vocabulary
THE BUNDLE OF STICKS
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Download PDF Files |
The Ant and the Grasshopper The Crow and The Fox and The Fox and The Hare and |
The Farmer The Ant and The Frogs Who The Milkmaid The Oak and the Reeds |
The Lark and Her Young Ones The Frog and The Bundle of The North Wind The Bat, the Birds and the Beasts |
Hear the Story as you read
NARRATOR
A father who is about to die calls his children to him.
FATHER
Come here, my children. I will give you my advice.
SONS
We are here, Father, and we are listening.
FATHER
Take this bundle of sticks.
OLDEST SON
Father, a bundle of sticks is not important.
FATHER
Break the bundle for me.
OLDEST SON
Yes, Father
NARRATOR
The boy tries to bend and break the bundle without success.
OLDEST SON
No way! It is impossible!
SECOND SON
Let me break the bundle!
YOUNGEST SON
Me too!
NARRATOR
The other sons try to break the bundle also.
No one can do it.
FATHER
All right then, undo the bundle and each of you take a single stick.
NARRATOR
Each son obeys the father.
FATHER
Now, break the sticks!
NARRATOR
Each boy easily snaps his stick.
SONS
Wow! That is so easy!
FATHER
Alone, you are weak. Together, my sons, you are powerful!
NARRATOR
Moral of the story: Together we are stronger.
(Unity gives strength)
NARRATOR
Lying on his deathbed, Father calls his children to him.
He has one last life lesson to teach.
(Weakly)
Come here, my children.
I have one more bit of advice to give before I must leave you.
SONS
(Respectfully)
We're here, Father, ready to listen and learn.
FATHER
My good Sons, I offer you this bundle of sticks.
ELDEST SON
Father, a common bundle of sticks is of no importance to us!
FATHER
Perhaps. One of you pick up the bundle and break it for for me.
ELDEST SON
Yes, Father. I can surely do that simple task for you.
NARRATOR
The muscular boy grasps the collection of sticks and attempts
to bend and break the stubborn bundle.
ELDEST SON
(Ashamed)
Sorry, Father, I am unable to do as you ask.
Even using all my might, I can't do it. It's impossible!
SECOND SON
I'm sure I can do it. Let me break the bundle!
(Grunts with the effort, gives up in disgust)
YOUNGEST SON
Maybe I have the right technique. Give me a turn!
(Unable to lift the bundle he tries a karate chop)
NARRATOR
All three boys are distressed because they cannot fulfill this
one simple request made by Father.
FATHER
All of you failed to do the job on your own.
Now, untie the bundle and each of you take a single stick.
NARRATOR
The three obedient youngsters followed Father's instructions once more.
FATHER
(Confidently)
Now, break the sticks!
NARRATOR
To their great surprise and relief, each boy snaps his stick with ease.
SONS
Incredible! That way is really easy!
FATHER
Remember, trying to accomplish something on your own can be difficult.
Working together, my Sons, you are powerful!
NARRATOR
Moral of the story: Unity gives strength.
