Old Rooster and Little Rooster
By Jan Trafford

Characters
Old Rooster
Little Rooster
Owl
Pigeon
Dog
Cow
Mouse

Scene: All the animals except the MOUSE are inside a barn. It is evening. 
OLD ROOSTER. I'm getting too old to
crow, Rooster.
LITTLE ROOSTER. What do you mean?
OLD ROOSTER. I want to sleep in for a change. I've been crowing every morning since I was your age. LITTLE 
ROOSTER. Does that mean it's my turn
now? OLD ROOSTER. Yes, it does. I'll be on my way tonight. LITTLE ROOSTER. Where are you going? OLD 
ROOSTER. To a lovely
retirement home for old roosters. It's just over the hill.
OLD ROOSTER packs up his belongings. ANIMALS. We'll miss you. OLD ROOSTER. Come and visit me one day. Goodbye. 
ANIMALS. Goodbye!
LITTLE ROOSTER proudly climbs onto his new perch.
LITTLE ROOSTER. I can't wait for morning! At last, it's my turn to wake up 
the whole village! I'm so excited, I'll never be able
to get to sleep.
OWL. Well, you'd better get some sleep, or you won't wake up in time.
ANIMALS. Goodnight, Little Rooster.
LITTLE ROOSTER. Goodnight.
All the animals sleep. Then LITTLE ROOSTER stands up tall on his perch. He 
clears his throat.
LITTLE ROOSTER (loudly and proudly). Cock-a-doodle ... Cock-a-doodle ... 
Cock-a-doodle ... Oh dear, I've forgotten
the words!
COW. It's Cock-a-doodle-MOOOO!
LITTLE ROOSTER. Thank you, Cow. Cock-a-doodle-MOO!
PIGEON. No, that's not right - it's Cock-a-doodle-COO!
LITTLE ROOSTER. Thank you, Pigeon. Cock-a-doodle-COO!
DOG. No, no, it's Cock-a-doodle-ruff-ruff-ruff!
OWL. That doesn't sound right, Dog. Let me think ... I've got it! It's 
Cock-a-doodle-WHOO!
LITTLE ROOSTER. Oh dear! That's not it, either. It's just not the same 
sound that Old Rooster made.
ANIMALS. You'd think one of us would remember. We've heard it often 
enough!
LITTLE ROOSTER (sobbing). Cock-a-doodle-boo-hoo-hoo!  I can't even crow like a real grown-up rooster!
DOG. Don't worry, Little Rooster. We'll think of something.
 Just then, a MOUSE scuttles through the door, carrying a note. DOG. Who 
are you? MOUSE. I'm from over the hill. I live next to the Retirement Home for Old Roosters.
OWL. What do you want?
MOUSE. I've brought a message for Little Rooster.
I presume that's you.
MOUSE hands the message to LITTLE ROOSTER. ANIMALS (except MOUSE). Open 
it, Little Rooster. What does it
say? LITTLE ROOSTER. It's from Old Rooster.
ANIMALS (except MOUSE). And???? LITTLE ROOSTER. And it says ... 
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!!!
ANIMALS. Hooray!!!!!

Zebra Crossing
by Lorraine Williams

CHARACTERS
TERI
JASON
ZEBRA
MUM
INSPECTOR THORN
MRS TREE
MISS VIOLET
As many CARS as you like

SCENE:  TERI and JASON are standing on a footpath.  ZEBRA enters.

JASON.  Teri, look!  A zebra crossing.
TERI.  There's no zebra crossing here, Jason.
JASON.  No, I mean there's a zebra crossing the road.
TERI.  Wow, it is a zebra!
ZEBRA.  Good morning.
TERI.  Er, zebras can't talk.
ZEBRA.  Did a zebra tell you that?
TERI.  Well ... no.
ZEBRA.  I'm a very good talker.  A very loud talker.  I can talk for hours.  I can talk about the moon.  I can talk about trains.  I 
can talk about cooking.  I can talk about …
JASON (interrupting).  What are you doing in Rose Avenue?
ZEBRA.  I'm looking for a job.  I live at the zoo.  My keeper can't afford to buy me any more liquorice allsorts.
JASON.  Oh dear, I don't think there are many jobs for zebras.  Not even for zebras who can talk and like liquorice allsorts.
TERI.  Zebra, can you use a computer?
ZEBRA (sadly).  My hooves are too big for me to use a computer.
TERI.  What about a calculator?
ZEBRA (even more sadly).  They're too big for me to use a calculator, too.
CARS, some beeping, start going backwards and forwards across the stage behind TERI, JASON, and ZEBRA.  MUM, 
INSPECTOR THORN, MRS TREE, and MISS VIOLET enter and walk along the back of the stage, behind the cars.
JASON.  Oh, look, there's Mum.
TERI.  Hey, she might be able to think of something Zebra can do.
JASON (calling).  Mum, Mum, come over here.  Quick!
TERI (calling).  Don't forget to look left, right, left.
MUM (looks left).  There's cars to the left, (looks right) cars to the right, (looks left) more cars to the left.  I'll be stuck here for 
ever!
JASON.  She'll never get across the road.  It's too busy.
ZEBRA.  Leave this to me.
TERI.  Zebra, be careful!
ZEBRA (bellowing).  Cars!  1 ... 2 ... 3, STOP!!!
CARS screech to a halt.
ZEBRA (bounding across the road).  Madam, allow me to help you across this road.
MUM.  Thank you.
MRS TREE.  And me.  Can you help me across, too?
INSPECTOR THORN.  Me, too.  I can never get across this road.
MISS VIOLET.  It's always too busy.  I'm scared of the traffic.
MUM.  Come on, Zebra will walk us all across the road.
MUM, MRS TREE, INSPECTOR THORN, MISS VIOLET.  Thank you, Zebra.
ZEBRA (bellowing).  Cars, are you ready?  1 … 2 … 3, GO!!!
CARS start going backwards and forwards along the road again.
JASON.  Zebra's looking for a job, Mum.
ZEBRA (sadly).  I don't think there's anything I can do.
TERI.  I've got an idea!  Zebra, you could be our very own zebra crossing.  You can help people cross the road.
INSPECTOR THORN.  I'm the inspector of traffic.  I hereby give you the title of Official Zebra Crossing.
ZEBRA (happy).  I'm an official?
EVERYONE.  Hoo-ray!
MUM.  Oh, I forgot to buy a newspaper.  I'll have to go back across the road …
ZEBRA.  Allow me, Madam.  (Bellows)  Cars!  1 ... 2 ... 3, STOP!!!
CARS stop.
MRS TREE.  I think I'll buy a paper, too.
INSPECTOR THORN.  And me.
MISS VIOLET.  Me, too.
TERI.  Jason, we'll go along, too, eh?
ZEBRA leads TERI, JASON, MUM, INSPECTOR THORN, MRS TREE, and MISS VIOLET across the road.
MUM.  Thank you, Zebra.  Thank you.
TERI (hugs ZEBRA).  You're our very own zebra crossing.
ZEBRA.  Are you ready, cars?  1 … 2 … 3, GO!!!
CARS start.
INSPECTOR THORN.  Zebra, I'll pay you in carrots.
ZEBRA.  Carrots?  I'd rather have liquorice allsorts!
INSPECTOR THORN.  It's a deal.
TERI, JASON, MUM, INSPECTOR THORN, MRS TREE, MISS VIOLET, and ZEBRA exit, laughing.  CARS drive off-stage.

Monkey Stew
by Philippa Werry

CHARACTERS
MR CROCODILE
MRS CROCODILE
MONKEY 1
MONKEY 2
MONKEY 3

MR and MRS CROCODILE are swimming in the river.  MR CROCODILE is admiring his reflection in the 
water.

MR CROCODILE.  Oh, I'm the smartest crocodile 
you ever did see.
Nobody else
is as smart as me.
MRS CROCODILE.  Mr Crocodile …
MR CROCODILE.  Yes, my dear?
MRS CROCODILE.  If you are so smart …
MR CROCODILE.  Oh, I'm the smartest crocodile 
you ever did see.
Nobody else
is as smart as me.
MRS CROCODILE.  If you are so smart … then perhaps you could get us some dinner while I go for a swim.  I'm so 
hungry!
MR CROCODILE.  Certainly, my love.  A nice, crunchy piece of roast monkey, perhaps?
MRS CROCODILE goes out.  MONKEY 1 enters.
MR CROCODILE.  Monkey, oh monkey …!
MONKEY 1.  Yes, Mr Crocodile?
MR CROCODILE.  I'm so hungry, I'm going to catch you and eat you up for my dinner.
MONKEY 1.  You're going to eat me?
MR CROCODILE.  Yes, I am.  Delicious monkey stew – yum-yum-yum!
MONKEY 1.  But you need more than one monkey for a proper dinner.
MR CROCODILE.  Yes, I suppose I do.
MONKEY 1.  So where are you going to keep me while you catch the other monkeys?
MR CROCODILE.  Hmm, yes.  Where shall I keep you?
MONKEY 1.  What about up in that tree?
MR CROCODILE.  What a good idea!  Up you go!
MONKEY 1 scrambles up the tree.  MONKEY 2 enters.
MR CROCODILE.  Monkey, oh monkey …!
MONKEY 2.  Yes, Mr Crocodile?
MR CROCODILE.  I'm so hungry, I'm going to catch you and eat you up for my dinner.
MONKEY 2.  You're going to eat me?
MR CROCODILE.  Yes, I am.  Delicious monkey burgers – yum-yum-yum!  I've already caught one monkey, and 
now I'm going to catch you too.
MONKEY 1.  Yoo-hoo!
MONKEY 2.  Don't you worry about catching me, Mr Crocodile.  I'll just climb up this tree with the other monkey 
you've caught.
MR CROCODILE.  What a good idea!  Up you go!  
MONKEY 2 scrambles up the tree.
MR CROCODILE (counting).  One monkey – two monkeys.  (Hums) Oh, I'm the smartest crocodile …
MONKEY 3 enters.
MR CROCODILE.  Monkey, oh monkey!
MONKEY 3.  Yes, Mr Crocodile?
MR CROCODILE.  I'm so hungry, I'm going to catch you and eat you up for my dinner.
MONKEY 3.  You're going to eat me?
MR CROCODILE.  Yes, I am.  Delicious monkey curry – yum-yum-yum!  I've already caught two monkeys, and 
now I'm going to catch you, too.
MONKEY 1.  Yoo-hoo!
MONKEY 2.  Here we are!
MONKEY 3.  Don't you worry about catching me, Mr Crocodile.  I'll just climb up this tree with these other 
monkeys you've caught.
MR CROCODILE.  Splendid.  Up you go.  
MONKEY 3 scrambles up the tree.
MR CROCODILE (counting).  One monkey – two monkeys – three monkeys.  (Hums) Oh, I'm the smartest 
crocodile you ever did see …
MRS CROCODILE (entering).  Mr Crocodile?  Mr Crocodile?  I'm so hungry!
MR CROCODILE.  Here is your dinner, my dear.  A nice, crunchy piece of roast monkey?  Or a lovely monkey 
stew?  Or …?
MRS CROCODILE.  I don't see any dinner.
MR CROCODILE.  Here it is, my dear, right up in this tree.  See – three juicy monkeys!  I'm keeping them up there 
till we're ready to eat them.
MRS CROCODILE.  But how are we going to get them down?
MR CROCODILE.  Easy, my love.  We'll just ask them to come down.  Come on, little monkeys.  Come down and be 
eaten.
MONKEYS 1, 2, AND 3.  No!  We're not coming down!
MR CROCODILE.  But – but – but …
MONKEY 1.  You can come up and get us if you want us for dinner!
MR CROCODILE.  But what about my monkey stew?
MONKEYS 2 AND 3.  Come and get us!
The MONKEYS scamper away.
MRS CROCODILE.  Oh, Mr Crocodile!
You're the silliest crocodile
I ever met.
You're the silliest crocodile
ever, I bet!
MR CROCODILE.  Oh, I'm so hungry!  (He goes out after the monkeys.)  Here, little monkeys – here, little monkeys 
…
Cough Medicine
By Philippa Werry

Characters
Second Patient
Sick People
Doctor
Receptionist
Patient

Scene: A crowd of people are sitting in the doctor's
waiting room. PATIENT comes in the door, coughing.
PATIENT (coughs). I've got an appointment to see the doctor. (Coughs 
again.)
RECEPTIONIST. Just go through there, please.
DOCTOR. Good morning, good morning, good morning! What seems to be the 
trouble?
PATIENT (coughs). I just can't stop (coughs) coughing.
DOCTOR. Dear me, that's no good. Here, try some of my own special cough 
medicine.
PATIENT (taking a spoonful). It's worked! It's worked! I've stopped 
coughing! Thank you, doctor.
DOCTOR. Goodbye.
PATIENT gets to the front door but then starts hiccuping.
PATIENT. Hic ... hic ... hic! Oh, no - can I see the
doctor again, please?
RECEPTIONIST. You'll have to wait your turn now. SECOND PATIENT. It's my 
turn! PATIENT. Hic! Please! I'll only be
a – hic!- moment. RECEPTIONIST. Oh, all right then. Just go back in there.
DOCTOR. Good morning, good morning, good morning! Haven't I seen you somewhere before? Now, what seems to be the 
trouble?
PATIENT. Hic! Your special medicine cured my cough, but it's given me – hic! The hiccups.
DOCTOR. Dear me, that's no good. Here, try some of my own special hiccup medicine.
PATIENT (taking a spoonful). It's worked! It's worked! I've stopped hiccupping! Thank you, doctor.
DOCTOR. Goodbye now.
PATIENT gets to the front door but then starts yawning.
PATIENT (yawns). Oh, no - can I see the doctor again, please?
RECEPTIONIST. You want to see the doctor again?
SECOND PATIENT. It's my turn! I've been waiting for over an hour.
PATIENT (yawns). I'll be as quick as I (yawns) can.
RECEPTIONIST. All right, then - go through there.
DOCTOR. Good morning, good morning, good morning! You again! What seems to be the trouble this time?
PATIENT (yawns). Your special medicine cured my hiccups, but now I can't stop (yawns) yawning!
DOCTOR. Dear me, that's no good. Here, try some of my special yawn medicine.
PATIENT takes a spoonful.
DOCTOR. You'd better take two spoonfuls of this one.
PATIENT (taking another spoonful). It's worked! It's worked! I've stopped yawning! Thank you, doctor!
PATIENT gets to the front door but then starts sneezing.
PATIENT. Atchoo! Atchoo! Oh, no – I'll have to see the doctor again. Atchoo!
RECEPTIONIST. Not again - I don't believe it!
PATIENT (loudly). Atchoo! Atchoo!
RECEPTIONIST. All right! All right! Through here!
SECOND PATIENT. This is a disgrace. I want to make a complaint!
DOCTOR. Good morning, good morning, good morning! Now what is it?
PATIENT. Atchoo! Your medicine cured my yawns - but now I can't stop 
sneezing!
DOCTOR. Dear me, that's no good at all. Here, try some of my own special 
sneezing medicine.
PATIENT. Listen! Your cough medicine gave me the hiccups. Your hiccup 
medicine made me yawn. Your yawn
medicine made me sneeze. How do I know what your sneezing medicine is going 
to do to me?
DOCTOR. I'll try it first, shall I? (Takes a spoonful and starts to laugh.) 
Ha ha ha!
PATIENT. What's so funny? 
DOCTOR. Nothing. He he he!
PATIENT. Here, let me try some of that! (Takes a spoonful.) Ha ha ha!
DOCTOR. What are you doing with that bottle? Here, bring it back! 
SECOND PATIENT. What's going on? When is the doctor going to see me? 
PATIENT gives spoonfuls of medicine to SECOND PATIENT and SICK PEOPLE.
PATIENT. Here, have some of this – ha ha ha! It'll make you feel better – he he he!
 SECOND PATIENT and SICK PEOPLE all start to laugh.  RECEPTIONIST. What are you doing? PATIENT. 
Here's some for you, too  RECEPTIONIST starts to laugh.
PATIENT. Thank you, doctor. I'm cured at last. But I'm going to take the rest of this bottle home with me – just in case!

Twenty Questions
by John Lockyer

A play for two people

Scene:  EMMA and ZAC are in the playground.  EMMA is carrying a brown paper bag.

ZAC.  What's in there?
EMMA.  Something small.  I'll give you twenty questions to guess what it is – and you've just had your first 
question.
ZAC.  Give me another clue?
EMMA.  It'll cost you another question.
ZAC.  OK.
EMMA.  It's in a jar.
ZAC.  Marbles?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  Sweets?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  Is it something to eat?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC (scratching his head).  Give me another clue?
EMMA.  It's black.  And I'm only going to answer yes or no.
ZAC.  Small and black … small and black.  Is it a stone?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  Is it alive?
EMMA.  Yes.
ZAC.  A spider?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  A beetle?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  Does it bite?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  Is it an insect?
EMMA.  No.  Do you give up?
ZAC.  No!  Does it have fur?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  Does it make a noise?
EMMA.  No.
ZAC.  Can it see?
EMMA.  Yes.
ZAC.  Has it got a tail?
EMMA (peeping into the jar).  Yes.
ZAC.  Can it swim?
EMMA.  Yes.
ZAC.  Is there any water in the jar?
EMMA.  Yes.
ZAC (shouting).  It's a fish!
EMMA.  No, it's not a fish.  And you've only got one more guess.
ZAC (scratching his head).  It's in a jar.  It's got a tail, and it can swim …
EMMA.  Do you give up?
ZAC.  No!  I know what it is!  It's a … TADPOLE!


