This play script, The Wise Judge and the King in Disguise, is based on a story by Leo Tolstoy. It teaches us about truth, honesty, and wisdom. Children will enjoy acting as the clever judge, the disguised king, the mischievous boy, and the townspeople, while learning that justice always reveals what is hidden.
CHARACTERS:
NARRATOR
KING BAUAKAS
YOUNG BOY
CROWD
BUTCHER
OIL MERCHANT
JUDGE
SCRIPT:
NARRATOR: Once upon a time, King Bauakas of Algeria wanted to see if the stories about a wise and just judge were true. It was said this judge could discover the truth even when liars tried to hide it. So the king disguised himself as a simple merchant and rode on horseback to the city.
YOUNG BOY: Excuse me, kind merchant. Can you take me to the square?
BAUAKAS: Of course. Hop on, and I will take you.
NARRATOR: But when they arrived at the square, the boy refused to get off.
BAUAKAS: Why don’t you get down? We’ve arrived.
YOUNG BOY: Why should I? This horse is mine! If you don’t want to give it to me, let’s go see the judge!
CROWD: Go to the judge! He will know the truth!
NARRATOR: At the court, two other men were also waiting: a butcher with bloody hands and an oil merchant with stained hands. Both claimed a small purse of money.
BUTCHER: I was buying oil from this man, and when I took out my purse to pay him, he took me by the hand and tried to take all my money away from me. That is why we came to see you. The money is mine, and he is a thief.
OIL MERCHANT: That is not true. The butcher came to my store to buy oil. When I filled a jug, he asked me to change a gold piece for him. When I took out my money and placed it on the counter, he took it and tried to run off. I caught him by the hand, as you see, and brought him here to see you.
JUDGE: Leave the money here. Return tomorrow.
NARRATOR: The butcher and the oil merchant left the court, and Bauakas told what had happened. The judge listened to him, and then asked the young boy.
JUDGE: Now, you tell me what happened.
YOUNG BOY: He is not telling you the truth. As I rode through the city he asked me to let him ride with me to the square. I agreed, but when we arrived he refused to get off and he said that the horse was his, and that is not true.
JUDGE: Leave the horse with me. Come back tomorrow.
NARRATOR: The next day, the people gathered to hear the judge’s decision.
JUDGE: (to the butcher) The money is yours. Guards, take the oil merchant to prison!
NARRATOR: Everyone gasped. Then the judge called Bauakas and the boy.
JUDGE: Can you recognize your horse among twenty others?
BAUAKAS: Yes, I can.
YOUNG BOY: Me too!
NARRATOR: They went to the stable. At the stable, both pointed to the horse. But the judge was watching carefully. The horse stretched its neck toward Bauakas, but when the boy touched it, the horse pinned its ears and lifted its hoof angrily.
JUDGE: Take the horse, Bauakas. Guards, take the boy to prison!
BAUAKAS: Wise judge, I am satisfied. But how did you know the money belonged to the butcher?
JUDGE: I placed the money in a cup of water. If it had been the oil merchant’s, it would have floated on the surface, but it did not. If the money had belonged to the oil merchant it would have been soiled by his oily hands. There was no oil on the water; therefore, the butcher was telling the truth. It was more difficult to find out about the horse.
BAUAKAS: And the horse?
JUDGE: I was not testing who knew the horse, but whom the horse knew.
BAUAKAS: I must tell you something. I am not a merchant. I am King Bauakas. I wanted to see if you were truly just, and now I know you are. Ask me for any reward.
JUDGE: I need no reward. My greatest honor is to know that my king is pleased.
NARRATOR: And so, the truth was revealed, and the wise judge became even more admired by the people.
The Wise Judge and the King in Disguise reminds us that lies may seem strong, but the truth always shines brighter. A just person does not fear tricks or deceit, for wisdom uncovers everything hidden.
The End
Author: Leo Tolstoy from Fables and Fairytales.
Adapted by: K I D S I N C O
Moral: Wisdom and truth will always defeat lies.
Moral Values:
- Honesty is the foundation of trust.
- Wisdom comes from observing.
- Justice must be fair and without fear.
- Lies may win for a moment, but truth wins forever.
👉 Explore our full collection of free play scripts for kids, perfect for classroom performances
👉 External Links:
- Leo Tolstoy Biography – Britannica – Learn more about the life and works of Leo Tolstoy, the author of the original fable.
- Fables and Fairy Tales by Leo Tolstoy – Full Text – Free eBooks by Leo Tolstoy, including fables and fairy tales, at Project Gutenberg.
- Stories with Morals for Kids – A collection of short moral stories for children that teach honesty, kindness, and wisdom.
- Teaching Justice and Fairness in the Classroom – Lesson plans and activities for teaching the values of justice and fairness to children.
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