Little Engine That Could Play: A Classroom Drama About Resilience
This Little Engine That Could play gives children an opportunity to explore perseverance, kindness and teamwork through narration, movement and flexible roles. Use it as a short classroom performance or a starting point for discussion about trying again when something feels difficult.
For more child-led storytelling and drama ideas, explore our preschool drama activities.
Based on the 1930 text by Watty Piper
Cast: Flexible (10–25)
Performance style: Narration + ensemble movement.
Narrator: Once upon a time, on a busy railway yard, there were many engines working every day. One morning, a long train of cars was filled with good things—food, toys, and gifts for children waiting on the other side of a mountain.
(Freight Cars form a connected line. Each shows what they carry through gesture.)
Freight Cars (together): We must get over the mountain!
(The Broken Down Engine enters slowly.)
Broken Down Engine: I cannot go. I am broken.
Narrator: So the cars waited and asked for help.
(The Big Engine enters with heavy, confident movement.)
Freight Cars: Will you help us over the mountain?
Big Engine: I cannot. I am too busy.
(Big Engine exits. The Shiny New Engine glides in.)
Freight Cars: Will you help us?
Shiny New Engine: I cannot. I am too fine for such work.
(Shiny New Engine exits. The cars droop.)
Narrator: The cars felt worried and sad.
(The Little Blue Engine enters, small but steady.)
Freight Cars: Little Blue Engine, will you help us?
Little Blue Engine (pauses): I am not very big… but I will try.
(They connect. The ensemble begins a slow, uphill movement.)
Narrator: Up, up, up they went toward the mountain.
Little Blue Engine (softly, rhythmical): I think I can… I think I can…
(Ensemble repeats quietly. The climb becomes heavier.)
Freight Cars: Push on! Push on!
Little Blue Engine (stronger): I think I can! I think I can!
(They reach the top. The movement changes to lighter, downward travel.)
Narrator: Over the mountain they went and down the other side.
Little Blue Engine (joyfully): I thought I could! I thought I could!
(Children on the other side rush forward, cheering.)
Children: Here come our toys and food!
Narrator: And the Little Blue Engine learned that even the smallest engine can do great things if it tries.
(All face the audience.)
All (together): I thought I could.
(Freeze. Bow.)
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