The Gingerbread Boy and the Great Chase is based on the classic folktale of a freshly baked cookie who springs to life and runs off on a grand adventure. With frosting buttons, a big smile, and very fast feet, the Gingerbread Boy dashes past farmers, fields, and a parade of hungry animals who all want a bite. As the chase grows wilder and funnier, our speedy hero becomes more and more confident—perhaps a little too confident. Filled with repetition, humor, and colorful characters, The Gingerbread Boy and the Great Chase invites young performers to explore a timeless story about bravery, choices, and the importance of listening to wise advice.
CHARACTERS
NARRATOR
OLD WOMAN
OLD MAN
GINGERBREAD BOY
COW
HORSE
PIG
DOG
FOX
SCRIPT:
NARRATOR: Once upon a time, in a tiny village surrounded by fields and sunshine, there lived an old woman and an old man. They were kind and cheerful, but their home felt a little quiet because they had no children. One warm summer morning, the old woman had a delightful idea.
OLD WOMAN: I know! I will bake a little boy out of gingerbread. He will have candy buttons, frosting shoes, and a big sugary smile!
OLD MAN: What a wonderful idea! I already love him—and I love gingerbread!
NARRATOR: So the old woman mixed the dough, rolled it carefully, and shaped a charming little Gingerbread Boy. She placed him in the oven and waited patiently.
OLD WOMAN: Oh my! He must be ready. I’ll put on my blue oven gloves and take him out.
NARRATOR: But the old woman had no idea what was about to happen! The moment she opened the oven door— POP! The Gingerbread Boy jumped up, leaped off the tray, and dashed out the door as fast as lightning!
GINGERBREAD BOY: Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me—I’m the Gingerbread Man!
OLD WOMAN: Wait! Come back!
OLD MAN: After him! He’s our gingerbread boy!
NARRATOR: But the Gingerbread Boy was already far down the road, laughing as he ran. Soon, he met a cow grazing in the meadow.
COW: Moo! You look delicious, little cookie. Stop right there, so I can eat you!
GINGERBREAD BOY: I’ve run away from an old woman and an old man, and I can run away from you, I can! Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me—I’m the Gingerbread Man!
NARRATOR: And the cow tried—but she could not catch him.
The Gingerbread Boy ran on until he met a horse.
HORSE: Neigh! You look good enough for dessert. Come back here!
GINGERBREAD BOY: I’ve run away from an old woman, an old man, and a cow, and I can run away from you right now!
Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me—I’m the Gingerbread Man!
NARRATOR: The horse galloped, but the Gingerbread Boy was too quick. Soon, he met a pig.
PIG: Oink, oink! You smell scrumptious! Slow down!
GINGERBREAD BOY: I’ve run away from an old woman, an old man, a cow, and a horse, and I can run away from you, of course!
Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me—I’m the Gingerbread Man!
NARRATOR: And off he ran again! Next came a dog.
DOG: Woof! Woof! I adore cookies! Come back here!
GINGERBREAD BOY: I’ve run away from an old woman, an old man, a cow, a horse, and a pig, and I can run away from you—so big! Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me—I’m the Gingerbread Man!
NARRATOR: By now, the Gingerbread Boy felt very proud. He believed no one in the whole world could catch him. Then… he reached a river. And there, on the bank, sat a sly fox.
GINGERBREAD BOY: Oh dear… a river! I can’t swim!
FOX: Why, hello there, little Gingerbread Boy. Where are you rushing off to?
GINGERBREAD BOY: I’ve run away from everyone! No one can catch me!
FOX: Perhaps… but you cannot cross this river alone. Jump on my tail, and I will carry you across safely.
NARRATOR: The Gingerbread Boy thought for a moment. He was tired from running—and very confident. So he jumped onto the fox’s tail. The fox began to swim.
FOX: Oh dear, the water is getting deep. You’d better climb onto my back so you don’t get wet.
NARRATOR: The Gingerbread Boy climbed onto the fox’s back.
FOX: My back is getting tired. You should sit on my nose. It will be safer there.
NARRATOR: The Gingerbread Boy hopped onto the fox’s nose. But the moment they reached the shore— SNAP! The fox tossed his head back and gobbled him up in one bite!
FOX: Mmm… what a tasty treat.
NARRATOR: And that was the end of the Gingerbread Boy who ran too fast… and trusted too easily.
The End
Adapted by Kidsinco from the traditional folktale The Gingerbread Boy, first published by Mary Mapes Dodge (1875).
Conclusion: And so ends The Gingerbread Boy Who Wouldn’t Slow Down. Our speedy little cookie believed that being fast made him unstoppable. But along his journey, he forgot to be careful and humble. Sometimes, the world is full of surprises—and not everyone who offers help has kind intentions. Let us remember that wisdom and kindness are just as important as speed and confidence.
Moral of the Story: Being fast and clever is wonderful, but being careful, humble, and wise will keep you safe.
Moral Values:
- Humility
- Listening to advice
- Thinking before trusting strangers
- Self-control
- Awareness of consequences
- Kindness and wisdom
👉 External Resources:
- Original 1875 “Gingerbread Boy” – Wikipedia
- The Little Gingerbread Man – Project Gutenberg
This play script, “The Gingerbread Boy and the Great Chase,” 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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