2. Reader's Theatre
[ Stage Set: One side of the stage shows the cottage where FATHER, PETER, PAUL and BOOTS
live. The other side shows a village square. FATHER is sitting by himself at a table in the
cottage. After a moment, PETER, PAUL and BOOTS, who are carrying two fish in a torn net
and one apple, enter the cottage from the wings as if they have just walked through a door.]
FATHER:
(looks up)
Ahhh, you are home. That is good.
PETER:
(proudly)
Father, we went fishing!
(drops two fish on the table)
PAUL:
Look what we brought home! We can have fish for dinner tonight!
[FATHER picks up the fish and holds it up so the audience can see. He smiles and pats each
boy on the shoulder. While PETER, PAUL, and FATHER are standing at the table, BOOTS
moves to the corner of the cottage. He hangs up his coat on a small hook by the painted
fireplace.]
FATHER:
This is very good, boys, but I’m afraid it is not enough to feed us all.
(turns to BOOTS and speaks gently)
Boots, come and join us. Let’s all sit down. I have something to talk about.
[The three sons join their FATHER at the table. They sit down, fold their hands, and listen
quietly as he speaks.]
FATHER:
[He ruffles the hair of each boy and stands at the center of the table, facing the audience.
He is sad.]
Boys, the time has come for each of you to leave this home. You must go and
find your fortunes. With winter coming, and the mountain passes about to close
with snow, it is best if you leave soon.
[The boys are surprised. They look confused and ad-lib protests, such as “No, we could not
leave you here,” or “I don’t want to go.” As the boys are speaking these lines, a trumpet
blast is heard from the wngs.]
2
Copyright 2002 Elaine L. Lindy. All Rights Reserved.
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3. Reader's Theatre
FATHER:
If I were a rich father, I would never say these words, my boys, but there is nothing
for any of you here.
(hears a noise outside the cottage)
What is that noise? Let’s see what is happening.
[A SOLDIER enters in the area outside the cottage. The trumpet blast is repeated. Several
TOWNSPEOPLE gather at each side of the SOLDIER. FATHER, PETER, PAUL and BOOTS open
the door of the cottage and step outside.]
[The SOLDIER marches to a spot in front of the FATHER’S doorway. He tands straight and
tall, pulls a rolled up piece of paper from under his or her arm, unrolls it and begins to read
in a loud voice. He puts a lot of emphasis on the word GLORIOUS. )
SOLDIER:
By the GLORIOUS order of the GLORIOUS KING of this GLORIOUS country, I
announce in all of the villages and all of the towns a GLORIOUS contest. Our
GLORIOUS King will see who among his GLORIOUS subjects can chop down
the ugly tree that blocks all of the sunlight from his palace windows and dig a well
in the king's courtyard. The person who chops down the tree and digs the well
will win a GLORIOUS fortune and HALF OF THIS GLORIOUS KINGDOM. So
says our GLORIOUS KING.
(rolls up the paper and marches off-stage)
[The townspeople are excited. They talk among themselves. FATHER, PETER, PAUL, and
BOOTS go back inside their cottage and sit down at the table. FATHER is still standing.]
PETER:
(excited, to PAUL)
Well, this is something to think about, brother.
(looks at BOOTS)
Uh…I mean you too, Boots. It’s something for ALL of us to think about.
PAUL:
Yes, Peter, I think we must try to dig the well and chop down the tree for our King!
FATHER:
All of you must go together.
PETER:
Yes, of course, father. Paul and I will go together.
[BOOTS nudges PETER.]
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This Page May Not Be Reproduced In Any Form Without Written Permission From The Publisher.

4. Reader's Theatre
PETER:
OH, right! Boots will come with us too.
[PETER and PAUL look at each other and sigh.]
FATHER:
Well, even if you do not succeed, at least you may each find a good master
along the way. That is more than what you will have if you stay here. Good
luck to each of you! (claps each boy on the shoulder)
[BOOTS, PETER, and PAUL rise, put on their coats. They go out the door leading to the
village square and off into the wings. FATHER waves.]
(End of Act I)
[Once the curtain is closed, the town square and cottage scenery are removed. Forest
scenery is placed on the stage.]
ACT 2
[When the curtain reopens, BOOTS, PETER and PAUL are seated in front of a fire. The
mountain range backdrop created for ACT I and several trees surrounds them.]
PAUL:
(warms his hands over the fire)
It certainly is cold out here. I miss our father’s fireplace at home…
PETER:
Oohh, stop whining! The cold means nothing to adventurers like us! Even Boots
is not complaining.
[BOOTS, PETER, and PAUL continue to warm their hands. Off-stage, the audience and
actors hear the sound of a student stagehand clapping wooden blocks. If a microphone is
available, the student stagehand can clap the blocks over the microphone. This noise
begins softly and grows until it is loud. PETER and PAUL do not look up or even seem to
hear this noise.]
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4

5. Reader's Theatre
BOOTS:
(stands up and looks around)
I wonder what 's making that chopping sound up yonder?
PETER:
(rolls eyes)
You wonder what's making that’chopping sound up yonder. HHHMMMMmmm…let’s
see..It sounds like a woodcutter on a hillside. We’ve only heard woodcutters
cutting wood a thousand times before. Say, Paul, what do you think the chances
are that this time it’s also a woodcutter cutting wood?
PAUL:
Only about 100%!
(cups his hand over his ear)
Hark! I hear rain! You don’t suppose that means it's raining, do you?
PETER:
For goodness sake, NO! Why should we think that? Just because it sounds
EXACTLY like rain?
PETER and PAUL together:
BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN IT IS RAIN!
[PETER and PAUL laugh loudly, but BOOTS is quiet.]
PETER:
Boots, you’re not really going to go see what’s making the chopping sound, are
you?
BOOTS:
This sounds different. I want to find out what it is.
[PETER and PAUL sigh]
PETER:
You're impossible, Boots!
[PETER and PAUL exit, laughing. The AXE enters, kicking his way onto the stage from
the wings, but AXE, but AXE does not see him. The “chopping” sound continues but the
volume decreases as BOOTS approaches AXE. When the actors speak, AXE stops kicking
and the “chopping” sound stops.]
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5

6. Reader's Theatre
BOOTS:
Good day!
[AXE stops kicking and turns to BOOTS.]
BOOTS:
So, you stand here all day alone and chop, do you?
AXE:
Yes. Here I have stood and chopped a long, long time - waiting for you.
BOOTS:
Well, here I am at last!
[BOOTS takes AXE by the hand. AXE smiles. The two of them walk back to the fire.]
[AXE and BOOTS sit down at the fire again. PETER and PAUL do not appear to notice
AXE. The brothers continue to warm their hands over the fire. Off-stage, the sound of
shoveling is heard. If a micropho is available, rubbing sandpaper across the surface
ne
of a microphone produces this sound. If a microphone is not available, one stagehand
starts rubbing the sandpaper and is gradually joined by 6 to 8 more stagehands
producing the same sound. In the next series of lines, PETER and PAUL take turns
pushing each other until they shove each other over and their feet fly up in the air. Do
this gently. You are pretending! Don’t push hard enough to move the other actor.]
BOOTS:
I wonder now what is it that would be digging and shoveling up yonder at the
top of the rock.
PETER:
There you go again! As if you never heard a woodpecker before!
(stands)
Boots, I hate to tell you this, but you are out of your mind to go wandering off
after every little noise you hear.
PAUL:
Trust us on this one, Boots.
[PETER and PAUL each put an arm around the other’s shoulder and lean toward
BOOTS.]
PETER and PAUL, together:
It’s…a…WOODPECKER!
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6

7. Reader's Theatre
[PETER and PAUL laugh. BOOTS shrugs.]
PETER:
Not again, Boots!
[PETER and PAUL throw their arms up into the air. They shake their heads from side to
side.]
BOOTS:
This sounds different. I think I’ll go and see for myself.
[BOOTS walks to the other side of the stage again. He looks around as if trying to see
something behind a tree.]
[SHOVEL enters by hopping up to BOOTS. As SHOVEL enters, the sound of
“shoveling” off-st age continues. Once BOOTS speaks the next line, the sound of
“shoveling” stops so the actors can be heard.]
BOOTS:
Good day! So, you stand here all alone and dig and shovel?
SHOVEL:
Yes. That’s what I do. Indeed, it’s what I’ve done this many a long day - waiting
for you!
BOOTS:
Well here I am!
(Takes SHOVEL’S hand and returns to the fire.)
[PETER and PAUL do not see SHOVEL, as SHOVEL joins AXE by the fire. Off-stage, a
student stagehand rolls several rolls of blue streamer paper across the stage near the
brothers. The stagehand stays hidden. As this happens, another stagehand turns on the
tape recording of the sound of water splashing. When WALNUT appears, the volume of
the sound is reduced so the actors can be heard. PETER, PAUL, and BOOTS walk to the
streamers, kneel, and pretend to take water in their hands to drink. AXE and SHOVEL
stay by the fire.]
BOOTS:
I wonder where all this water comes from?
PETER:
If you’re not crazy already, you’ll go crazy soon!
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7

8. Reader's Theatre
PAUL:
Where does the brook comes from, indeed!
PETER:
(impatiently)
The brook’s here! That’s all that matters. Who cares where it comes from!
(gently pushes PAUL’S shoulder)
Where does the sky come from? Where does the air we breathe come from?
[When PETER pushes PAUL’s shoulder, PAUL laughs and rocks over backward so that his
feet fly upward into the air. PAUL remains lying down for a moment and then stands up.]
PAUL:
Where does the grass come from? Where do the trees come from?
(also gently pushes PETER’S shoulder)
Hey, Peter, where does BOOTS come from?
[PETER rocks over backward in the same manner that PAUL did a moment ago, then,
picks himself up so that he stands next to PAUL.]
PETER AND PAUL say these lines together:
Why do we get the feeling we know what Boots is going to do next?
BOOTS:
Just the same, I’ve a fancy to see where the brook comes from.
[PETER and PAUL shake their heads even harder. They sit back down and sigh in
disgust as BOOTS walk s to the side of the stage. Immediately they begin to whisper in a
sneaky manner and gesture at BOOTS. After a moment, PETER and PAUL sneak offstage to the wings, but BOOTS does not see them leave.]
BOOTS:
Good day! So you lie here, and splash and run down the hill all alone?
[WALNUT takes a handful of glittery confetti and tosses it into the air.]
WALNUT:
Yes. I do. Here I have splashed and run this many a long day – waiting for you.
BOOTS:
Well, here I am.
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8

9. Reader's Theatre
[BOOTS takes a small patch of felt from his pocket; see Production Notes on pp.22-23
of the Teacher’s Guide for information on props. BOOTS puts it on WALNUT’S costume.
Then he walks WALNUT back to the fireside, where SHOVEL and AXE are seated.]
[BOOTS notices that his two brothers are gone. He runs to one side of the stage and then
runs to the other side. He runs to the center of the stage and looks out to the audience.)
BOOTS:
Where could they have gone?
(End of ACT 2)
[Before ACT 3 begins, a painted background showing a castle is in front of the forest
backdrop. A large tree, made of rolled paper or another light material, is shown on
one side of the stage. A treasure chest, overflowing with shiny coins, is placed near
the tree. Several TOWNSPEOPLE stand along the sides and back of the stage. KING
takes his place in front of the castle next to the tree.]
ACT 3
KING:
(points to tree)
IF ANYONE COMES TO CHOP DOWN THIS TREE…
(points to ground)
AND DIG MY NEW WELL AND FAILS, THAT PERSON SHALL BE
SHIPPED OFF AT ONCE TO A FARAWAY ISLAND!
[TOWNSPEOPLE cringe in fear as the KING says this, but they do not leave the stage.]
KING:
COME NOW! DON’T BE COWARDS! SURELY, SOMEONE WILL TRY!
[Three TOWNSPEOPLE gently nudge other TOWNSPEOPLE toward the KING, adlibbing comments such as: “SHE’LL do it! SHE’S been dying to see that ISLAND!” or
“My BROTHER can do it! If he fails we won’t have to live with him anymore!” or “I
WOULD, really, but have a bad back you know…”]
[BOOTS enters and walks toward KING from the wings. He is followed by AXE,
SHOVEL and WALNUT, who are holding hands.]
Copyright 2005 Elaine L. Lindy. All Rights Reserved.
This Page May Not Be Reproduced In Any Form Without Written Permission From The Publisher.
9

10. Reader's Theatre
BOOTS:
I will try, Your Majesty!
KING:
YOU WILL? Well then, you must be very brave…
(turns to audience)
…or CRAZY!
Two men tried this morning. First they tried to chop this tree.
(points to tree)
They failed. Then they tried to dig a well.
(points to ground)
That didn’t go very well, either. So now they're on their way to a faraway island.
Good riddance to them! Now, do YOU still want to try?
BOOTS:
Yes, sire, I do!
KING:
Well then, my brave friend, what is your name?
BOOTS:
I am called Boots, Your Majesty.
KING:
BOOTS! You must be the brother of those two fools! I heard about you. Why
don't you save us the trouble of watching you fail? The ship, my lad, is over there.
[TOWNSPEOPLE laugh as if the KING has just made a great joke.]
BOOTS:
(puts his hands on his hips)
Well, I’d like to try first, Your Majesty.
KING:
Go on then. If you must.
BOOTS:
[BOOTS goes up to the tree and walks around it. He faces the audience and makes a “come here”
gesture to AXE. When the AXE is standing next to him, Boots yells this line.]
CHOP AWAY!
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10

11. Reader's Theatre
[When BOOTS yells, “CHOP AWAY,” the audience and actors once again hear chopping sounds
off-stage. AXE kicks and kicks and kicks at the tree until it falls over! See the Play Script
Production Notes on pp. 22-23 of the Teacher’s Guide for how to make a "tree" of paper or
another light material . Once the tree falls, the TOWNSPEOPLE “oooohhhhh” and
“aaaaahhhhh.” The KING nods. He is impressed.]
BOOTS:
[BOOTS walks around the spot where the tree has fallen. He tests the hardness of the soil with
his toe. He s tubs his toe on a rock and hops about holding his foot. TOWNSPEOPLE laugh
when this happens. Then he makes a “come here” gesture to SHOVEL, and SHOVEL hops to
his side. BOOTS yells the next line.]
DIG AWAY!
[The shoveling sound is produced by a student stagehand off-stage. SHOVEL hops and
hops, spreading black confetti from his or her pockets, until the shoveling sound stops.
SHOVEL hops back to BOOTS’ side. This brings more “OOOOHHHHHSSSS” and
“AAAHHHSSSS” from the TOWNSPEOPLE. Now, BOOTS makes a “come here"
gesture to WALNUT, and WALNUT walks to BOOTS’ side.]
BOOTS:
(pulls the felt patch from the side of WALNUT’S costume)
SPLASH AWAY!
[Off-stage, the student stagehands turn on the recording of running, splashing water.
WALNUT pulls several handfuls of blue confetti and glitter and tosses it into the air. The
volume of the recording of running water is played loudly for a few moments, but the
volume decreases rapidly until it is barely heard. When WALNUT’S pocket is empty, he
walks to BOOTS’ side to stand with AXE and SHOVEL. TOWNSPEOPLE “ooooohhhh”
and “ahhhhh.” KING walks to BOOTS’ side.]
KING:
(grabs BOOTS’ hand and shakes it hard)
Well, I thought it could not be done. I thought the stars would fall from the sky
before THIS would happen! You have chopped down the tree and dug the well!
(to audience)
I suppose I have to keep my promise to the lad.
(to BOOTS)
Well, Boots, I must keep my promise to you. Half the kingdom is yours.
(reaches into the treasure chest and grabs two handfuls of coins to place into BOOTS’
hands)
This is a fortune ….it is now yours!
[TOWNSPEOPLE cheer!]
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This Page May Not Be Reproduced In Any Form Without Written Permission From The Publisher.
11

12. Reader's Theatre
BOOTS:
Thank you, Your Majesty, but I have one small favor to ask…
KING:
What could it be, Boots?
BOOTS:
My heart can never be free as long as there are prisoners on your faraway
island. Surely, a king as generous as you are could find it in your heart to
release all of the prisoners.
KING:
Well, I don’t know….
BOOTS:
But, you have your well to bring you all of the clean water you will ever need.
And now the sunlight will fill your windows now that the tree is chopped down….
KING:
OH, all right! I suppose you’d like your brothers back?
BOOTS:
They meant no harm, Your Majesty…
[KING raises his arm toward the wings. SOLDIER appears gently pushing PETER and
PAUL ahead of him.]
KING:
(to PETER and PAUL) You may go free!
[PETER and PAUL look embarrassed and wave a fast hello to BOOTS.
TOWNSPEOPLE cheer.]
KING:
But only because BOOTS was such a clever fellow to wonder about things and
go in search of the answers!
[TOWNSPEOPLE, AXE, SHOVEL, WALNUT, PETER AND PAUL gather around
BOOTS. They gentl y hug him, push at his shoulders and ruffle his hair.]
The End
Copyright 2005 Elaine L. Lindy. All Rights Reserved.
This Page May Not Be Reproduced In Any Form Without Written Permission From The Publisher.
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