The Hare and the Forest Genie is a fun and inspiring play for children based on an African folktale. In this story, a little Hare wishes to become the smartest animal in the forest and asks the powerful Genie for help. But instead of granting the wish, the Genie sets a surprising challenge: to bring five blue birds, five white butterflies, and a giant bee. Through this magical adventure, children learn that true wisdom is not given by magic but discovered within themselves.
CHARACTERS:
GENIE
HARE
5 BLUE BIRDS
5 WHITE BUTTERFLIES
1 HUGE BEE
CROWD – ANIMALS FROM THE FOREST
SCRIPT:
ACT I
(SCENE: In the forest, outside the Genie’s glittering palace. The Hare looks nervous but determined.)
GENIE: It’s a pleasure having you in my palace, little Hare. What can I do for you?
HARE: (Eyes wide, speaking quickly) Almighty Genie! You have control over everything in this forest! You are a true master! I desperately need a favor.
GENIE: What kind of favor? Most creatures ask me for gold or riches.
HARE: Just one thing. Please, make me wise and intelligent. I want to be smarter than all the other animals in the forest.
GENIE: (Leaning forward, intrigued) Well, well, well! That is a unique request. But you must prove that you’re worthy.
HARE: I’ll do whatever is necessary! I won’t fail!
GENIE: (A mysterious smile spreads across his face) Very well. Bring me five blue birds, five white butterflies, and a bee as big as you. Do that, and I will see what I can do for you.
(The Genie gestures toward the door. The Hare bows deeply and exits, full of confidence.)
ACT II
(SCENE: In a different part of the forest, near a sparkling pond. The Hare enters, looking exhausted. She slumps to the ground, panting. A variety of animals enter, drink from the pond, and then leave. The five Blue Birds enter, chirping happily. They drink from the pond and start playing and chasing each other in the air.)
HARE: (To herself, sighing heavily) Today I’ll know what I’m truly capable of. (She watches the Blue Birds, then shakes her head.) No! It can’t be! It’s impossible!
(The Blue Birds fly over and land near the Hare.)
BLUE BIRD 1: Hey, Hare! What are you muttering about? What’s wrong?
HARE: (Looking disappointed) Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just… something impossible.
BLUE BIRD 2: Please, tell us. We’ll help if we can.
HARE: Someone told me you could travel with me all the way to the Genie’s palace, but I know that’s impossible. The trip would be much too tiring for you.
BLUE BIRD 3: (Laughing loudly) Are you kidding?
BLUE BIRD 4: We never get tired!
BLUE BIRD 5: Flying long distances is what we do! We can go with you wherever you go!
(The five Blue Birds chirp and flutter around the Hare happily. Just then, the five White Butterflies enter and begin drinking nectar from the flowers by the pond.)
HARE: (To herself) Wow! They are the most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen! But no! I don’t think they could do it either. That would be impossible! What am I even thinking?
(The White Butterflies approach the Hare.)
WHITE BUTTERFLY 1: Hey, Hare! What are you talking about? What’s the matter?
HARE: (Sighing again) It’s nothing. Just something impossible.
WHITE BUTTERFLY 2: Please, tell us what’s wrong.
HARE: Someone told me that you could travel with me to the Genie’s palace, but I know it’s impossible. The trip would be too tiring for you.
WHITE BUTTERFLY 3: (Laughing) Are you serious?
WHITE BUTTERFLY 4: We never get tired!
WHITE BUTTERFLY 5: We fly long distances all the time! We can go with you wherever you go!
(The five White Butterflies flutter and dance around the Hare. Suddenly, a huge Bee enters and begins drinking nectar from a large flower.)
HARE: (To herself) What a beautiful bee! But no! I don’t think she can do it. That would be impossible.
(The Bee buzzes over to the Hare.)
BEE: Hey, Hare! What’s the matter?
HARE: (Acting sad) It’s nothing. Just something impossible.
BEE: Tell me what’s wrong.
HARE: Someone told me you could come with me to the Genie’s palace, but I know that’s impossible. The trip would be too tiring for you.
BEE: (Chuckles, buzzing with energy) Are you kidding?
HARE: No, really, you couldn’t.
BEE: I never get tired! I travel long distances every day!
HARE: Perfect! Let’s go, everybody!
(The birds, butterflies, and Bee look at each other, confused.)
BLUE BIRD 1: Wait, you haven’t told us where we’re going.
HARE: That’s a big surprise!
WHITE BUTTERFLY 1: Is it a good surprise or a bad one?
HARE: A good one, of course! Come on, before it gets dark.
(The Hare leads the birds, butterflies, and Bee offstage.)
ACT III
(SCENE: At the Genie’s palace. The Hare, five Blue Birds, five White Butterflies, and the huge Bee stand before the Genie.)
GENIE: (To the Hare) I was waiting for you. (He looks at the birds, butterflies, and the Bee, a hint of surprise in his voice) I see you brought company.
HARE: Will you grant my wish now? I brought them all to you!
GENIE: (Shaking his head slowly) I don’t think so.
HARE: Why not?! I did exactly what you asked!
GENIE: Because if I made you more intelligent, I would be making a grave mistake.
HARE: How come?
GENIE: Because you already are very intelligent! If you get any smarter, you could become my master!
(The Hare looks around at the birds, butterflies, and Bee, a slow smile spreading across her face.)
HARE: Then… am I truly more intelligent than the other animals in the forest?
GENIE: You’ve always been clever, but you didn’t realize it. You solved my riddle with wit and cunning, not magic.
(The Blue Birds, White Butterflies, and Bee all begin to chatter at once.)
BLUE BIRD 1: What about us? What do we get?
BEE: Yeah! We came all this way!
GENIE: What is your wish?
(As they all begin talking at the same time, trying to get the Genie’s attention, the Hare quietly and triumphantly walks away, a knowing look on her face. The other animals are too busy to notice her leave.)
The play The Hare and the Forest Genie teaches us that we often search outside for what we already carry inside. The Hare realized she didn’t need magic to be wise — her cleverness and determination had always been her greatest strengths.
The End
Author: African Folktale
Adapted by: Kidsinco
Moral of the Story: True intelligence and wisdom are not something you can be given; they are qualities you already possess and must discover for yourself.
The Hare believes that being intelligent is a magical gift the Genie can grant, something that is external to him. However, the story demonstrates that the Hare already has the very qualities he seeks. His cleverness is shown not by a magical wish but by how he outsmarts the Genie’s challenge by using his wits and understanding the nature of the other animals.
Moral Values:
- Self-Awareness: The Hare’s journey is one of self-discovery. He spends the entire story believing he is “not smart enough” and is only successful when he stops trying to be something he thinks he is not, and instead uses the intelligence he has always had. The story encourages us to look inward and recognize our own strengths and abilities, rather than seeking external validation or magical solutions.
- Wits over Brute Force: The Genie’s challenge—to bring three different types of creatures to his palace—seems impossible through physical strength or force. The Hare succeeds not by overpowering the birds, butterflies, and bee, but by using clever language and a bit of psychological manipulation (telling them they are “incapable” of a trip, which makes them want to prove him wrong). This shows that intelligence and cunning can be more powerful than strength or force.
- Confidence and Belief in Oneself: At the beginning of the play, the Hare lacks confidence in his own intelligence. He is so focused on what he thinks he is missing that he can’t see what he already has. The Genie’s final reveal teaches him to believe in his own abilities. The Hare’s triumphant walk at the end signifies his newfound self-assurance.
- Humility and Pride: While the Hare starts with a bit of a boast (“I want to be more intelligent than all the animals in the forest”), his journey is not about simply gaining a new status. It’s about learning a lesson in humility. He realizes that his intelligence is not something he needs to “get” from an outside source. He is already intelligent, and his true reward is the realization itself, which is a more humble and profound kind of pride.
In summary, the play is a powerful reminder that the qualities we most admire in others—like intelligence, wisdom, and confidence—are often already within us, waiting to be used and recognized.
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