In The Glitter That Wasn’t Gold, two thieves hide their stolen treasure near a quiet river, unaware that a group of hungry roosters and hens are nearby searching for food. Mistaking diamonds for shimmering corn kernels, the birds set off a chain of comical and unexpected events. This playful story reminds us that what glitters is not always worth keeping.

CHARACTERS:

Thief 1

Thief 2

Rooster 1

Rooster 2

Hen 1

Hen 2

SCRIPT:

By the Riverbank

(Thief 1 and Thief 2 rush in, panting. Thief 1 clutches a small bag.)

THIEF 1: Finally! We escaped from the police.

THIEF 2: I thought we wouldn’t make it.

THIEF 1: We planned this robbery for months, and it worked perfectly.

THIEF 2: We’re rich! Open the bag—I want to see the diamonds.

(Thief 1 pours the sparkling gems into his hand.)

THIEF 1: Look how they shine!

THIEF 2: They’re beautiful.

THIEF 1: With the money we get, we’ll live comfortably forever.

THIEF 2: I’ll travel the world, buy a mansion, wear designer clothes, and drive luxury cars.

THIEF 1: Careful—money doesn’t last forever.

THIEF 2: I don’t care. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

THIEF 1: It’s too hot. Let’s go for a swim.

(They set the bag down and head to the river. While they swim, Rooster 1, Rooster 2, Hen 1, and Hen 2 enter, pecking at the ground.)

The Hungry Birds

ROOSTER 1: Keep looking. There must be food somewhere.

HEN 1: I hope so.

ROOSTER 2: Why doesn’t the farmer feed us anymore?

HEN 2: He’s broke—no money for corn.

ROOSTER 1: Or maybe just stingy.

HEN 2: Wait! Here’s a bag. Maybe there’s food inside.

(They gather around the bag.)

ROOSTER 1: Open it.

HEN 2: I can’t.

ROOSTER 2: Give it to me.

(As Rooster 2 struggles with the bag, Thief 1 notices.)

THIEF 1: They’ve got our diamonds!

THIEF 2: Drop that bag—it’s ours!

ROOSTER 1: Run!

(The birds scatter and hide behind a tree. The thieves chase them offstage.)

The Big Mistake

(The birds return, Rooster 2 still carrying the bag. He pecks it open, spilling diamonds onto the ground.)

HEN 1: Look—corn kernels!

HEN 2: They’re oddly shiny.

ROOSTER 1: Let’s eat them.

(They each try to bite one.)

ROOSTER 1: Too hard!

(The Farmer enters.)

FARMER: What’s going on? Found something to eat?

(He bends down, picks up a gem, and gasps.)

FARMER: These are diamonds! They’re all mine! I’m rich!

ROOSTER 2: Diamonds?

HEN 1: Stones, then? So… not corn?

HEN 2: Nope.

HEN 1: We can’t eat stones.

ROOSTER 1: Let’s throw them in the river.

(They toss the diamonds into the water. The Farmer wails as the gems sink.)

FARMER: No! My treasure! Why?!

ROOSTER 2: They were beautiful, but useless to us.

HEN 1: Corn is our real treasure.

(They exit together.)

In The Glitter That Wasn’t Gold, everyone chased what they thought would bring them happiness—money, diamonds, or a better meal—only to learn that not all treasures have the same value for everyone.

Moral: What’s valuable to one may be worthless to another. True treasure is what meets your needs, not just what sparkles.

THE END

Author: K I D S I N C O

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External Resources:

Library of Congress Aesop Fables

Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia Aesop Fables

Aesop Fables in English for Language Learners

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