In Bonds of Friendship, we follow Mario and Henry—two boys whose lives are filled with very different struggles. While Mario feels overwhelmed by family problems and loneliness, Henry brings comfort and laughter, even as he silently faces a devastating challenge of his own. Through their heartfelt journey, Bonds of Friendship reminds us that the strongest bonds are often forged not in moments of joy, but in times of hardship—and that even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s world.
CHARACTERS:
MARIO
HENRY
MRS. CARWIN
HENRY’S MOTHER (NO DIALOGUE)
SCRIPT:
(Mario is in his bedroom, diligently doing his homework. There’s a gentle knock at the door.)
MARIO: I’m sorry, Mom, I’m not hungry.
HENRY: Open the door, it’s me… Henry.
(Mario stands up, curious, and opens the door.)
MARIO: Hi, Henry. Come on in.
(Henry enters the room.)
HENRY: How are you, Mario?
MARIO: Not so good.
HENRY: What’s wrong?
MARIO: Sometimes, I just feel so lonely… and lately, I’ve been facing a lot of problems.
HENRY: Do you want to talk about it?
MARIO: Well, you know my father got a job in another city, and my mother is working tirelessly. We had planned to visit him this weekend, but she has to work on Saturday, so we won’t be able to go… and I really wanted to see him!
HENRY: Mario, remember that this Saturday, we have our school play.
MARIO: Oh, I completely forgot about the play!
HENRY: Ha, ha, ha! See, things aren’t so bad! You’re the main character! What would Little Red Riding Hood be without the wolf?
MARIO: Ha, ha, ha! The wolf wouldn’t eat her, right? Ha, ha, ha… Thanks for reminding me. Oh, wait, but that’s not all… My aunt called last night, and she said that my grandmother fell and broke her leg!
HENRY: I’m sorry to hear that. But your grandmother is a strong woman; I’m sure she’ll recover soon.
MARIO: You’re right… But since my aunt will take care of her until she recovers, she asked my mom to buy her a wheelchair. Now, my mom is distraught because…
HENRY: Hey, we have my grandfather’s wheelchair at home. I’ll ask my mom to lend it to you and bring it tomorrow.
MARIO: Really? Oh, thank you.
HENRY: Do you feel better now?
MARIO: Yes, I do. You’ve cheered me up today… I mean, I was really worried about everything, and you even made me laugh!
HENRY: That’s what friends are for.
(Mario’s mother enters the room.)
MRS. CARWIN: Henry, your mother is waiting for you outside.
HENRY: Thank you, Mrs. Carwin. Well, Mario, I have to go.
(Henry, Mario, and Mrs. Carwin exit the room and head outside.)
MARIO: Thanks for coming over… and thanks for being my friend.
(Henry waves goodbye and starts walking away with his mother. Mario calls out to him.)
MARIO: Henry! You didn’t tell me why you came to see me!
(Henry yells back while he keeps walking.)
HENRY: I just wanted to tell you something!
MARIO: What is it?
HENRY: My mom took me to the doctor, and he said I have a brain tumor. He also said there was nothing he can do to save my life, and all I have to do… is wait to die. Have a nice day, my friend!
(Henry waves goodbye.)
MARIO: Oh, Mom, he came to tell me the news. When he asked me how I was, I forgot about him and only talked about myself and my problems. He was always smiling, just to make me feel better, even though he was in a worse situation. That’s incredible!
MRS. CARWIN: Now, try to spend as much time as possible with him.
MARIO: I will, Mom… From now on, I will cherish every minute I spend with him and with everyone I love.
(They hug.)
“Bonds of Friendship” leaves us with a powerful message about love, compassion, and the true meaning of being there for one another. Mario learns that friendship is a gift that must be cherished every day, and that sometimes, the people who comfort us are the ones who need comfort the most. This emotional story encourages us to treasure every moment we have with those we love, to listen with our hearts, and to offer kindness freely. In the end, Bonds of Friendship reminds us that life becomes brighter, warmer, and more meaningful when we face its challenges together.
The End
Author: K I D S I N C O
Moral of the story: True friendship means being there for others, listening with compassion, and appreciating every moment we share with the people we love.
Moral Values:
- Empathy: Understanding that others may be suffering even when they hide their pain.
- Compassion: Offering kindness and comfort without expecting anything in return.
- Gratitude: Cherishing the friends and loved ones who stand by us through difficult times.
- Selflessness: Thinking of others’ needs, not only our own struggles.
- Presence: Spending meaningful time with the people we care about.
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👉 External Resources:
- Society of Care — “Helping Kids Build Healthy Friendships at School”: A practical article with suggestions for parents/teachers to help children identify and build meaningful, supportive friendships – Society of Care
- Kids Character Building — “Friendships That Build Character: How to Help Kids Make the Right Friends”: Explains why friendships during childhood matter so much for emotional development, and how adults can guide children toward friendships that build confidence, empathy, communication skills, and belonging. Kids Character Building
- The OT Toolbox — “Friendship Activities for Kids”: Offers playful and creative activities (games, turn-taking exercises, sensory activities) to help children practice kindness, sharing, teamwork, and empathy.
- Twinkl — “How To Be A Good Friend Activity”: A ready-to-use worksheet set with cards defining good/bad friendship behaviors, ideal for classroom discussions or reflections after reading/performing a play.
This play script, “Bonds of Friendship,” is the property of Kidsinco and may not be republished, copied, or distributed on any other website, blog, forum, or social media platform without written permission from Kidsinco. It is intended for personal and educational use only.
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