Aesop’s famous fables are brought to life in this practical collection of 18 short play scripts for children aged 5–11.
Aesop’s Fables on Stage is designed for teachers, parents, drama leaders and anyone working creatively with children. The scripts can be used for classroom drama, readers’ theatre, assemblies, drama clubs, group reading and home education.
About the book
Each play takes approximately 5–10 minutes to perform. The scripts use flexible casting, simple stage directions and straightforward language, making them suitable for children with different levels of confidence and reading ability.
The Storyteller or Narrator can be played by a teacher, group leader, parent or confident reader. This helps to guide the action and support younger or less experienced performers.
The plays require minimal props, costumes and preparation. They can be performed in a classroom, hall or other open space without an elaborate stage or scenery.
Plays included in the collection
This collection contains 18 short play scripts:
• The Lion and the Mouse
• The Ants and the Grasshopper
• Hare and the Tortoise
• The Boy Who Cried Wolf
• The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
• Belling the Cat
• The Miller, His Son and the Donkey
• The Fox and the Crow
• The Cockerel and the Fox
• The Goatherd and the Wild Goats
• The Sun and the North Wind
• The Fox and the Cat
• The Fox Who Lost His Tail
• The Cat and the Hen
• The Peacock and the Crane
• The Dog and the Bone
• The Ant and the Dove
• The Crow and the Pitcher
Why teachers use these plays
The scripts provide opportunities for children to:
• develop confidence in speaking and performing;
• practise reading fluency and expression;
• explore character, action and storytelling;
• work cooperatively as part of a group;
• discuss moral questions and different points of view;
• develop communication, imagination and empathy.
The fables introduce themes including kindness, honesty, patience, perseverance, cooperation and the consequences of our choices. These ideas can be explored through drama, literacy, social and emotional learning, or class discussion.
Flexible and accessible
The plays can be read directly from the script or developed into performances. Roles may be shared, doubled or expanded to suit the number of children taking part. Additional children can participate as animals, villagers, weather, trees or members of a chorus.
This flexibility makes the collection particularly useful for mixed-age groups, mixed reading abilities and classes where every child needs an opportunity to participate.
Aesop’s Fables on Stageis available in paperback and digital formats. It is a practical, flexible and easy-to-use drama resource that teachers can return to whenever they need a short and engaging play for children. Click here.
