The Eagle Who Thought He Was a Chicken

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The Eagle Who Thought He Was a Chicken cartoon-style illustration depicts an eagle spreading its wings and flying from a mountain peak as a farmer and his friend watch in awe, symbolizing the discovery of true potential.
An inspiring moment from “The Eagle Who Thought He Was a Chicken” as the eagle finally remembers who he is and soars into the sky—proof that believing in yourself can change everything.

Sometimes, the world tells us we are smaller than we truly are. The Eagle Who Thought He Was a Chicken is a powerful and inspiring play about identity, belief, and hidden potential. Raised among chickens, an eagle forgets who he really is—until someone reminds him to look up, trust himself, and spread his wings. This story encourages children to believe in themselves and discover their true strengths.

CHARACTERS:

NARRATOR

FARMER

EAGLE

FRIEND

Setting: A farm, then a rooftop, then a hill, and finally a majestic mountain peak. This can be achieved with simple props or a digital backdrop.

Tips for the Performance:

The Eagle Actor: This actor shouldn’t speak. They should use their body—hunched and small when a “chicken,” and tall and broad when an “eagle”—to show the transformation.

Sound Effects: If you don’t have a sound system, you can have students off-stage make the “shhh” sound for wind or use a whistle for the eagle’s cry.

(Light On. The Narrator stands to one side. The Farmer walks across the stage, looking at the ground.)

SCRIPT:

NARRATOR: Once upon a time, a small eagle fell from the safety of his nest. A chicken farmer happened to be passing by and took him back to the farm.

FARMER: (Picking up an imaginary bundle, looking surprised) Look what I found… an eagle!

(The Wife enters from the side, wiping her hands on an apron.)

WIFE: I can see that. What on earth are you going to do with it?

FARMER: I’m going to raise him in the chicken coop with the others.

WIFE: (Laughing loudly) Ha! Whatever you say, dear.

FARMER: You’ll see. He’s going to be my finest chicken!

(Lights fade to represent the passage of time, then brighten. The Eagle is now sitting on a low stool, hunched over, pecking at the ground.)

NARRATOR: The eagle grew up living like a chicken and believing he was a chicken. One day, a friend came to visit the farm.

(The Friend enters, stops abruptly, and stares at the Eagle.)

FRIEND: My friend, tell me—what is that eagle doing there among the chickens?

FARMER: (Proudly) Oh, him? That’s the best chicken I have!

FRIEND: No! That is not a chicken. That is an eagle, and he will always be an eagle!

FARMER: Not anymore. I trained him to be a chicken, and he believes he is one. Look! (He throws some “corn” on the floor; the Eagle pecks at it.) He even eats corn like the rest of them!

FRIEND: No. He was born an eagle, and he has the heart of an eagle. He is the king of the sky! I’ll bet you anything that he is still an eagle at heart.

FARMER: Very well, let’s see if what you say is true.

FRIEND: Come on. Let’s go to the roof of the farmhouse.

(The men move to a higher platform or step up onto a sturdy crate. The Friend helps the Eagle stand up.)

NARRATOR: Both men climbed to the roof. The friend held the eagle by the shoulders and spoke to him.

FRIEND: (In a commanding voice) You are an eagle, not a chicken. You belong to the sky, not to the earth. Stretch your wings and fly!

(The Friend gently pushes the Eagle. The Eagle hops down to the floor and immediately crouches back into a “chicken” pose.)

NARRATOR: The man let go, but the bird didn’t even try to open his wings. He fell to the ground and resumed eating corn.

FARMER: (Clapping his knees, laughing) See? I told you! He’s a chicken.

FRIEND: (Determined) No, he is still an eagle. I’ll double the bet, but we must go higher.

(The men walk in a circle around the stage to simulate traveling.)

NARRATOR: Both men went to a small hill near the farm.

FRIEND: (Holding the Eagle’s arms out) You are an eagle! You belong to the sky. Stretch your wings and fly!

(SFX: A light whoosh of wind.)

NARRATOR: The man tossed the eagle into the air. The eagle tried to stretch his wings, but he looked around and trembled. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he ran back toward the “farm” side of the stage.

FARMER: (Mocking) I rest my case!

FRIEND: This isn’t over yet. Let’s go to the highest point of all.

FARMER: (Hesitating) I don’t know… the bird could get hurt.

FRIEND: I will triple the bet. Just let me show you what this bird is truly meant to be.

FARMER: Very well. To the mountain.

(Lights dim. A blue or purple spotlight hits the highest point of the stage. SFX: The sound of strong whistling wind.)

NARRATOR: The two men climbed the highest peak. The friend pointed toward the bright sun.

FRIEND: (Whispering urgently) You are an eagle! You do not belong to the earth. Look at the sun… look at your home. Stretch your wings and fly!

NARRATOR: This time, the eagle stared skyward.

(The Eagle slowly stands up tall, head held high. A bright yellow light hits the Eagle’s face.)

NARRATOR: He straightened his body and stretched his massive wings.

(The Eagle spreads his arms wide. SFX: The sound of powerful wing flaps.)

NARRATOR: They moved slowly at first, then surely and powerfully.

(SFX: A loud, piercing eagle screech.)

NARRATOR: With a mighty cry, he flew!

(The Eagle “flies” offstage with grand, sweeping arm movements.)

FRIEND: (Watching the horizon) See? I told you. Once an eagle, always an eagle. He is the king of the sky.

(The Farmer looks up in silence and awe. Lights slowly fade to black.)

The End

Author: Popular Folktale

Adapted by: K I D S I N C O

Conclusion: At the highest mountain peak, the eagle finally remembers who he is. With courage and confidence, he spreads his wings and soars into the sky, proving that true nature can never be erased. The Eagle Who Thought He Was a Chicken reminds us that even when we forget our potential, it is still there—waiting for the moment we dare to rise.

Moral of the Story: You can only reach your true potential when you believe in who you really are.

Moral Values:

  • Self-belief
  • Identity
  • Courage
  • Perseverance
  • Encouragement
  • Personal growth

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