Once upon a time, in a small village near a dark forest, a kind woodcutter dreamed of a better life for his only son. He worked hard every day, hoping to give him a fine education — a future filled with purpose and hope. But one mysterious day in the forest, everything changed… because of the spirit in the bottle, and a clever idea.
CHARACTERS:
Narrator
Father
Son
Spirit
SCRIPT
NARRATOR: A long time ago, there lived a poor woodcutter and his son. One evening, the father sat beside the fire and said:
FATHER: Son, I’ve saved every coin I could. I want you to study at the university and become someone wise and honest. When I grow old, your knowledge will take care of us both.
SON: Thank you, Father! I promise I’ll make you proud.
NARRATOR: The following week, the boy left home to study. He worked hard for three years. But one day…
SON: (reading a letter) Oh no… Father has no money left. I must return home.
NARRATOR: When the son arrived, his father welcomed him with a worried smile.
FATHER: We have nothing left. I still work in the forest, but we barely survive.
SON: Then I’ll help you. We’ll work together.
FATHER: But we only have one ax…
SON: Why not borrow one from our neighbor?
FATHER: Good idea! We’ll buy a second ax when we can.
NARRATOR: The next day, with a borrowed ax, they went to the forest. After lunch, the son asked:
SON: May I take a short walk? I’ll be right back.
FATHER: Don’t go too far — we still have trees to cut!
NARRATOR: As the boy walked deeper into the woods, he saw a massive oak tree. Then he heard something unusual…
SPIRIT: (muffled voice) Help! Let me out! Free me!
NARRATOR: He looked down and saw a dusty bottle half-buried in the ground — and inside it, a tiny creature waving frantically.
SON: There’s something inside! A little… man?
SPIRIT: Let me out! Please!
SON: Alright… I’ll open it.
NARRATOR: The moment he pulled the cork — POOF! — the creature shot out of the bottle and grew into a towering, terrible spirit.
SPIRIT: Finally! I’m free! Now I shall eat you!
SON: Wait! Hold on! How do I know it was really you inside that bottle?
SPIRIT: What?! You just saw me!
SON: Prove it. Get back inside.
SPIRIT: Fine. Then I’ll eat you afterward!
NARRATOR: The spirit shrank smaller and smaller… and as soon as it was back in the bottle…
SON: POP! Now stay in there!
SPIRIT: Wait! Let me out! I swear I won’t harm you this time. If you free me, I’ll grant you a gift! I’ll make you rich!
SON: Do you promise not to eat me?
SPIRIT: I promise. On my smoky honor!
NARRATOR: The boy opened the bottle again. The spirit grew large, but this time smiled.
SPIRIT: Thank you, clever boy. Here — take this handkerchief. If you cover any wound with it, it will heal instantly. And if you wipe any metal with it, it will turn into silver.
SON: Thank you… and goodbye!
NARRATOR: The boy returned to his father.
FATHER: Where were you? It’s almost dark!
SON: Let me help now. You’ll see something amazing.
NARRATOR: He wiped the borrowed ax with the handkerchief — and FLASH! — it turned into silver and snapped in two!
FATHER: You broke it?! We have to return that ax!
SON: Wait… look closely.
FATHER: Is that… silver?
SON: Yes! Let me explain everything…
NARRATOR: The boy told him about the spirit and the magical handkerchief.
FATHER: Let’s sell the silver and buy our neighbor a new ax!
SON: And with the money, I can return to the university — and become a doctor!
FATHER: And the handkerchief?
SON: I’ll use it to heal people. No one in our village will suffer again.
FATHER: I’m proud of you, son.
NARRATOR: From that day on, the boy used his knowledge and kindness to help others. He didn’t need magic to be great — only a good heart and a clever mind.
THE END
Author: Brothers Grimm
Adapted by: K I D S I N C O
MORAL: Wisdom and kindness are more powerful than strength. And clever thinking can turn even danger into a gift.
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