The Friendly Scarecrow is a heartwarming play script that teaches children the true meaning of kindness, friendship, and courage. In this charming story, a gentle scarecrow—who seems scary on the outside—tries his best to protect the crops and save the birds from danger. Along the way, he discovers that he is never truly alone. With the help of a busy Ant, a shy Worm, three cheerful Bees, and a loyal Cloud, the Scarecrow learns that friends can appear when you need them the most.
CHARACTERS:
SCARECROW
ANT
WORM
BIRD 1
BIRD 2
BIRD 3
BEE 1
BEE 2
BEE 3
CLOUD
SCRIPT:
(Lights Off – We hear a rooster crowing – Lights On. The Scarecrow is standing in the middle of the stage with his arms open. Corn cobs and pumpkins are all around him. The Worm is hiding behind a pumpkin. The Scarecrow’s eyes are closed).
SCARECROW: (Opens his eyes, looks up, and stretches his arms and body) What a great morning! (Breathes deeply, smiling) All those flowers look so bright… I can almost smell their sweet smell. Today will be a perfect day!
(The Ant enters, walking quickly and looking at the ground)
ANT: For me too, if you let me eat that yummy pumpkin!
SCARECROW: (Looks down at the Ant) You can eat all you want.
ANT: Really? (Looks up, surprised) You won’t get mad if I do it, will you?
SCARECROW: No, I’m here to keep the birds away from the field.
ANT: Thank you so much! (Bows a little)
SCARECROW: You can also take some food and share it with your sisters.
ANT: Yes, I will do that! They will be so happy! (Claps her hands) (She gets close to a pumpkin and sees the Worm)
WORM: (To the Ant) Shhhh, don’t say anything. (Puts a finger over his mouth)
ANT: (To the Worm in a low voice) What are you doing here?
WORM: (To the Ant) I’m eating! (Takes a pretend bite of the pumpkin)
ANT: (To the Worm) Well, I can see that! Why are you hiding?
WORM: (To the Ant) Don’t you know that we always hide? (Ducks behind the pumpkin more)
ANT: (To the Worm) That’s true! I’ve seen worms in apples and corn cobs. (Nods her head)
SCARECROW: (To the Ant) Is everything okay?
ANT: (Goes closer to the Scarecrow) Yes, everything’s fine. I have to go, but I’ll be back later to get more of that yummy pumpkin. Thank you! (Waves)
SCARECROW: See you later!
(The Ant leaves)
SCARECROW: (Looks longingly at the distance) If I could walk, I would go to that peaceful river down the hill. I would climb that mountain and touch the clouds.
(Bird 1 enters and starts pecking loudly at a corn cob)
BIRD 1: Stop dreaming!
SCARECROW: Oh no, it’s you again. (Sighs) I was having a great day.
BIRD 1: (Eating the corn cob, chewing loudly) You need to look at what’s real right now.
SCARECROW: Why are you always bothering me? Don’t you have a better place to go?
BIRD 1: No, I don’t have a job. But you do! (The Scarecrow tries to move and walk, but he can’t. He struggles to lift his feet). Why don’t you scare me? Look at me, I’m eating this tasty corn cob. (The Scarecrow sticks out his tongue to scare him) Is that the best you can do? Ha, ha, ha, ha. (Flaps his arms like wings and laughs. He keeps eating the corn cob. The Scarecrow tries to scare him by wiggling his arms)
SCARECROW: Go away! (Yells loudly)
(Bird 1 takes the corn cob, flies away (dashes), and stands on the other side of the stage looking at the Scarecrow)
BIRD 1: And now, what are you going to do? Give up, you can’t move!
SCARECROW: I want you to fly far, far away, and get lost! (Birds 2 and 3 enter, sneaking in and standing behind Bird 1) Oh no! Not one, but three of you! (Looks shocked)
BIRD 1: One for all! (Puts an arm around Bird 2)
BIRDS 2 AND 3: All for one! (Put their arms around Bird 1)
(The birds start hitting and pecking the Scarecrow until he falls to the ground. Each bird takes a corn cob)
BIRD 2: Thanks, buddy!
BIRD 3: We’ll come back tomorrow.
BIRD 1: To get all the pumpkins!
BIRD 1, 2, AND 3: Ha, ha, ha, ha. (They laugh as they walk backward off stage)
SCARECROW: NO, don’t come back! I don’t want to see you again! (The Birds leave the stage). (Sad) I’m a failure. I can’t do anything right. (Sobs softly)
(Bee 1 enters, flying in a quick, buzzing pattern)
BEE 1: (Flying around the stage) It’s so hot! (Looking up, shading her eyes with a hand) And there’s not one cloud to cover the sun. (Looks at the Scarecrow lying on the floor and goes closer to him) What happened to you? You’re all hurt! You’re even missing some straw. (Picks up a piece of imaginary straw) Who did this to you? Oh, I know! It was those mean and nasty birds, right?
SCARECROW: (Sad) They are just hungry birds.
BEE 1: Stand up before the farmer gets here. (Tries to pull his arm)
SCARECROW: Leave me alone! I want him to see me like this… here… lying in the middle of the field, eating the dirt. I’m no good here; he should throw me away.
BEE 1: Don’t be so sad! (Struggles, trying to lift him) You’re so heavy! I can’t lift you.
SCARECROW: (Sad) I want to stay here.
BEE 1: No. You have to stand up. (Stops pulling and thinks) But how? I have an idea! (She snaps her fingers and whistles, and Bees 2 and 3 enter, flying in fast)
BEE 2: What’s the matter, sister?
BEE 3: How can we help?
BEE 1: Help me make him stand up.
BEE 2: (Looking at the Scarecrow) What happened? (Looks concerned)
(The three bees lift the Scarecrow, grunting with effort)
BEE 3: (Shaking the dust off his pants) Look at you! You’re all dirty! (Dusts him off quickly)
(The Scarecrow stands up, and the Bees help him stand in the middle of the stage with his arms wide open. He stands with his head down)
BEE 1: Raise your head. (Gently lifts his chin)
SCARECROW: What should I do that for? To see how the birds come to the field? Oh, if they only knew why I try to scare them away.
BEE 2: Why is that?
BEE 3: Why do you think? Can’t you see he’s a scarecrow? (Yelling, pointing at him) His name says it all, he SCARES THE BIRDS. Do you get it now?
BEE 2: Yes, but you don’t have to yell at me! (Covers her ears)
BEE 1: He wants to scare them away so they won’t eat the corn.
SCARECROW: You’re making a big fuss; it would be better if you left. I want to be here all by myself.
BEE 2: If that’s what you want… then we’ll leave you alone. (Shrugs)
BEE 3: Call us if you need us.
BEE 2: And we’ll get here flying!
BEE 1: Oh, sister! How else can we get here? (Rolls her eyes)
BEE 3: Crawling like a snake? How could you even think of saying that? (Makes a snake movement with her hand)
BEE 2: I’m getting tired of you! You’re calling me silly. (Stomps a foot)
SCARECROW: Stop arguing, you’re giving me a headache! (Rubs his temples) Goodbye… and thanks for helping me.
BEE 1, 2, AND 3: So long. (Wave)
BEE 2: We’ll be back! (Flies off stage quickly)
(The Bees leave).
SCARECROW: (Looking up, arms still open) Where are you, dear Cloud? Where is your shadow that keeps me safe from the hot sun? Why did the strong wind take you away from me? Many days and nights have passed, and I have nobody to talk to. I need you to keep me company, help me, and be kind to me.
(The Cloud enters, moving slowly and gently)
CLOUD: You know that when the wind blows, I can’t stop moving.
SCARECROW: (Smiling brightly) You came back!
CLOUD: How have you been?
SCARECROW: Waiting for you… all alone in this open field, and very tired of watching over the crops.
CLOUD: Do the birds keep coming?
SCARECROW: Yes, they do! The more I try to scare them, the more they return. They even make fun of me! (Bird 1 enters and hides, peeking out from behind a pumpkin) I wish I could walk, but my legs won’t move. I am stuck here forever!
CLOUD: Why do you want to walk?
SCARECROW: To run after them as the mean scarecrow I’M SUPPOSED to be, so they won’t come back to eat and steal the crop I’M SUPPOSED to be protecting.
(Bird 2 enters and stands beside Bird 1)
CLOUD: You need to tell them the truth. We have talked about this many times.
SCARECROW: Yes, I will. But tell me… can you see it from up there? Tell me if it’s in the same place.
(Bird 3 enters and stands beside Bird 1 and 2)
CLOUD: Yes, it is. The gun is still hidden in the ditch, ready to be fired.
(The three birds look at each other, wide-eyed and scared)
SCARECROW: The farmer wants to kill the birds when they come to the field. I have really tried to make them stop eating the growing crops, but I haven’t had any luck. I just wish I could save their lives. (The three birds stand in front of the Scarecrow) What are you doing here? (He sticks out his tongue and moves his arms, trying to catch them). Get away from MY corn field!
BIRD 1: We’ve heard everything, so don’t try to scare us away. Please, forgive us for everything we did to you. (Looks down sadly)
BIRD 2: We didn’t know you were trying to save us. You’re very kind!
BIRD 3: We’ll go away forever, and never come back. (Nods firmly)
CLOUD: Hurry up before the farmer arrives.
BIRD 1: (To the Scarecrow) We’ll miss you. (Gives a little wave)
BIRD 1, 2, AND 3: (To the Scarecrow) Goodbye, dear friend! (They all wave)
(The birds leave, flying off quickly)
CLOUD: They are gone!
SCARECROW: (Sadly lowers his head) And I’ll stay here with a sad heart for the rest of Autumn, Spring, and even until Summer.
CLOUD: How can you be sad if you saved their lives? Right now, they’re flying to make their nests somewhere else, and you should be happy!
SCARECROW: (Raises his head and smiles) You’re right, because now, while I protect the birds, I also take care of the crops. But I feel lonely, I will have nobody to talk to or get angry at.
(Bees 1, 2, and 3 enter, flying in happily)
BEE 1: Don’t worry about that. My sisters and I will keep you busy all summer.
BEE 2: If you want… You can get angry with us! (Giggles)
CLOUD: You can also talk to me!
SCARECROW: Thanks, everybody! I’m not as lonely as I thought. You are my best friends!
BEES 1, 2, AND 3: Best friends forever! Ha, ha, ha, ha. (They hug each other)
(The Worm comes out from behind the pumpkin)
WORM: Can I also be your friend?
SCARECROW: So you’re the one who’s been eating the pumpkins!
WORM: (Lowering his head) I’m sorry. (Looks guilty)
SCARECROW: Come here. (The Worm hugs the Scarecrow) Sure, you can be my friend! (Gives a gentle pat to the Worm)
WORM: I’ve always been here, with you, Scarecrow.
CLOUD: You have never been alone.
(The Ant enters, walking on stage)
ANT: What about me?
SCARECROW: Ha, ha, ha, ha. (Laughs joyfully) I totally forgot about you, little ant. Thank you all for being here… and for listening to me. (They hug the Scarecrow) And for loving me just the way I am… made of straw!
CLOUD: But with a big heart.
EVERYBODY: (Yelling, waving their arms in the air) Yes!
In the end, The Friendly Scarecrow reminds us that kindness always matters, even when it goes unnoticed at first. The Scarecrow’s gentle heart changes the Birds, who learn the truth just in time. And although he once felt lonely, he soon discovers that he has many friends who care about him. This beautiful play encourages children to look beyond appearances, appreciate one another, and believe that doing the right thing can create its own happy ending.
The End
Author: K I D S I N C O
Moral of the Story: Don’t judge someone by how they look or the job they have. Even if someone seems scary or mean (like the Scarecrow), they might be trying to protect you out of kindness. It is always important to look for the good heart inside.
Moral Values:
- Kindness: The Scarecrow demonstrated great kindness by trying to save the birds, despite their mean behavior towards him.
- Friendship: The Bees, the Worm, and the Ant all worked together to help the Scarecrow when he was down. True friends support each other.
- Empathy: The Birds learned to understand why the Scarecrow was doing his job (to save them from the farmer’s gun) and felt sorry for how they treated him.
- Self-Worth: Even though the Scarecrow felt like a “loser” at first, his friends reminded him that he did a great and important job by protecting the birds and the crops.
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