The Monkey and the Jealous Camel
The Monkey and the Jealous Camel
Characters:
Three Storytellers, Monkey, Giraffe, Lion, Kangaroo, Crocodile, Penguin, Camel, Frog, Pig, Squirrel, Ant
Storyteller 1: Once upon a time, a long time ago.
Storyteller 2: All the animals in the world decided to have a big party to celebrate midsummer.
Storyteller 3: It was a midsummer party and all the animals in the world were going.
Storyteller 1: From the tiniest ant to the enormous elephant.
Storyteller 2: The animals arrived two by two.
(Everyone sings: “The animals arrived two by two, hurrah, hurrah.”)
Storyteller 3: Eventually, all the animals had arrived.
(Monkey is ticking off names as the animals enter. He has a clipboard and looks very official. Giraffe is the lookout.)
Monkey: Is that everyone?
Giraffe: I think so. I can’t see anyone else coming.
Lion: Well, let’s get this party started! Welcome, everyone, to this party to celebrate midsummer. I hope you all have a wonderful time tonight. I want to introduce the band. Back by popular demand, all the way from the jungle—I present our band: The Animals!
(Everyone cheers and claps. Elephant plays trumpet with her trunk, the bear plays drums with his feet, and other animals play instruments.)
Storyteller 1: Everyone danced and chatted and had a merry time.
(Music plays.)
Kangaroo: Stop the music! I just noticed the camel isn’t here.
Crocodile: Never mind him. He’s always so grumpy.
Penguin: He couldn’t be bothered coming.
Giraffe: No wait—I see something coming up the hill in the distance.
(Monkey climbs up a tree.)
Monkey: It’s the camel—and he doesn’t look very happy.
(The camel trundles slowly up the hill.)
Penguin: We should be very welcoming when he arrives.
(Camel eventually makes his way to the top of the hill.)
Animals: Hello Camel! Welcome to the midsummer’s eve party.
Lion: Come and join us!
Camel: (sighs, wiping his brow) This better be a good party. I’ve come an awfully long way.
Frog: It will be wonderful. Let’s play a game of leapfrog!
(All the animals jump over one another.)
Pig: That was fun, but now let’s play piggy in the middle!
(All the animals throw a ball and the pig tries to catch it.)
Storyteller 2: Everyone had so much fun.
Storyteller 3: Then the dolphins performed a lovely water display.
(Music plays.)
Monkey: Now it’s my turn to show my contemporary dance.
Storyteller 1: The monkey danced, and all the other animals were impressed.
(All the animals cheer and clap when the monkey finishes.)
Pig: That was amazing!
Frog: You are such a good dancer.
Camel: Harrumph! What’s all the clapping and cheering about? Anyone can dance like that.
Kangaroo: That’s not true. The monkey is a very good dancer.
Ant: You’re such a grumpy old hump, Camel.
Elephant: You’re just jealous, Camel. Everyone knows camels can’t dance.
Camel: Of course camels can dance!
Monkey: Go on then—show us how camels can dance.
(The camel slowly makes his way to the middle of the circle. All the animals stare at him in silence.)
Penguin: Band—music please!
Storyteller 1: The band started to play, and the camel began to dance.
Storyteller 2: It was the most peculiar dance they had ever seen.
(Camel gives a sideways hop and wiggle, then falls over, crashing into the band. The music stops.)
Squirrel: Watch where you’re going!
(The camel does a high kick and hits Kangaroo.)
Kangaroo: Ouch! (limps)
Storyteller 3: The camel swung his tail and knocked the rabbit to the floor.
Storyteller 1: Then he nearly trod on the ants!
Ants: Oh my goodness! Somebody stop him before he kills us!
(The camel is so clumsy that all the animals scatter to the far side of the stage.)
Lion: (roaring) Stop! Stop, Camel!
Camel: But I’m in the middle of my dance! Can’t you see I’m the best dancer here?
Storyteller 1: Then, the unimaginable happened.
Storyteller 2: He stood on the lion’s tail.
Lion: (roars furiously)
(All the animals freeze.)
Camel: Is it just me, or do I get the feeling you didn’t like my dance, Lion? (looks around) Why isn’t anyone clapping?
Pig: Your dancing is… horrible.
Camel: (hangs his head) I must admit—it wasn’t as fun as the monkey’s dance. (looks at Monkey) You dance very well, Monkey.
Monkey: Thank you. But you have special talents too! You can walk for miles without water, and you can give everyone rides on your hump.
Kangaroo: Everyone has a talent.
Lion: The world would be a strange place if we were all good at the same thing.
Camel: I guess you’re right. Well… who would like a ride on my hump?
All Animals: Me!
Camel: Hop on then!
Storyteller 1: The camel smiled with pride and pleasure.
Storyteller 2: The moral of the story is…
Storyteller 3: Everyone is good at something.
