The Buddha and the Angry Man – A Children’s Play

Characters: Storyteller, Buddha, Angry Man

Storyteller: One day, the Buddha was walking from village to village to spread love and compassion. (He walks slowly, looking around, taking in the wonders of his surroundings.)
Buddha: What a lovely, sunny day it is for a walk.
(Suddenly, an angry man runs towards him, waving his fists.)
Angry Man: Who do you think you are?
Buddha: Whatever is the matter?
Angry Man: You! That’s what is the matter. You walk around thinking you know everything, teaching goodness and love. You are just a fake, silly man in an orange robe.
Buddha: Come, sit with me. (He guides him towards a tree and they sit in the shade.)
Angry Man: (confused) Why are you not angry with my insult?
Buddha: I’ve a question for you.
Angry Man: What?
Buddha: If you buy a present for someone and that person doesn’t want it, then whom does the present belong to?
Angry Man: What a strange question. Me, of course, I bought the present.
Buddha: That’s right, and it’s exactly the same with your anger.
Angry Man: That makes no sense.
Buddha: It’s very clear. If you become angry with me and I do not accept your anger, then it falls back on you. All you succeed in doing is hurting yourself more.
Angry Man: What should I do?
Buddha: Rid yourself of your anger and become a more loving person.
Angry Man: I will try. Thank you for teaching me this lesson.
(They hug and wave goodbye to one another.)
Storyteller: The moral of the story is: when you have hate and anger towards other people, only you are unhappy.