The Sour Grapes – In this story, a proud fox discovers a bunch of juicy grapes hanging high on a vine. He jumps and tries his best to reach them, but no matter how hard he tries, the grapes remain out of reach. Frustrated, he pretends he never wanted them, calling them “sour.” With the help of his forest friends—a cheerful bird, a kind bunny, a wise turtle, and a playful squirrel—Foxy learns that honesty is sweeter than pride. This fun and easy-to-act play teaches children about truthfulness, humility, and the importance of accepting challenges without pretending we don’t care.
CHARACTERS & COSTUMES:
- FOXY – A clever but proud fox.
Costume: Fox ears headband, orange shirt or hoodie with tail pinned on back, face paint or a fox nose.
Props: None needed. - BIRDIE – A cheerful little bird.
Costume: Colorful feathers on shirt or cape, bird mask or headband with beak.
Props: None, optional wings made from cardboard or fabric. - BUNNY – A sweet and honest rabbit.
Costume: Bunny ears headband, white or grey clothes, small bunny tail.
Props: Optional carrot prop. - TURTLE – A wise, slow-moving turtle.
Costume: Green shirt, shell made from cardboard or a pillow in a backpack.
Props: None needed. - SQUIRREL – A jumpy and playful squirrel.
Costume: Brown clothes, big fluffy tail (can be made of felt or fake fur), headband with small ears.
Props: Small acorns or a pouch of pretend nuts. - GRAPE VINE – A talking vine with a grand personality.
Costume: A green robe or leafy cloak, with fake grape bunches attached. Can also be a prop tree or trellis with a hidden speaker/voice.
Props: A tall “vine” made of cardboard tubes wrapped in green paper, fake grapes (can be purple balloons or pom-poms). - NARRATOR (optional):
Costume: Neutral or storyteller’s robe.
Props: Storybook or scroll.
SET AND SCENE SETUP
Set Design:
- Use a backdrop of trees and sky to represent the forest.
- Center stage features a tall trellis (made of cardboard or sticks) with hanging grape bunches.
- The vine may be a standing decoration or played by a student in costume.
SCRIPT:
NARRATOR: Welcome to the enchanted forest, where animals talk and lessons grow on vines! Today’s story is about a very proud fox, a delicious-looking bunch of grapes, and a surprising twist that will teach us something important. Let’s watch what happens!
SCENE 1 – THE TRELLIS NEAR THE FOREST PATH
FOXY: (Foxy enters stage left, holding his tummy.) Oh, I am starving! My tummy is making louder noises than a bear with a bellyache! (Foxy spots the grapes and points upward dramatically.) What’s this? Grapes? Glorious, plump, purple grapes! Hanging right there on that vine! My lunch has arrived!
GRAPE VINE: (Sways proudly or gestures from behind trellis.) Well, hello there. Hungry, are we?
FOXY: (licking lips) You have no idea. Come to me, my juicy treasures! (Jumps 3 times, exaggeratedly. He misses each time, groans, and flops to the ground.) Ugh! Why are you so high up?! That’s not fair!
SCENE 2 – FOREST FRIENDS ARRIVE
BIRDIE: (Futters in from stage right, flapping arms or cardboard wings.) Hi, Foxy! What are you doing? Practicing your dance moves?
FOXY: (standing up, brushing himself off) Those grapes! I want them, but they’re way too high!
BUNNY: (Bunny hops in holding a carrot.) Maybe you need a trampoline!
TURTLE: (Walks on stage slowly with arms swinging back and forth like flippers.) Or maybe… patience and a plan.
SQUIRREL: (Bounds in with energetic hops, tail bouncing behind.) Or maybe you should just climb like me!
FOXY: (Foxy crosses arms, pretending not to care.) I don’t need help. I’m the cleverest animal in this forest. I can do it alone!
SCENE 3 – PRIDE AND SOUR WORDS
FOXY: Foxy tries again with a big jump.This time, he lands with a loud groan and dramatic roll. Picking himself up, speaking loudly) You know what? I didn’t want those grapes anyway. They look sour. Probably bitter and full of bugs!
GRAPE VINE: (Gasps, rustles leaves.) Excuse me?! I’ll have you know I’m the finest fruit in the forest!
BIRDIE: (Futters closer.) But Foxy, you said they looked delicious just a moment ago.
BUNNY: (Looks concerned.)Are you sure you’re not just upset because you couldn’t reach them?
TURTLE: (Nods wisely, very slowly.) It’s okay to admit when something’s hard. Pretending you didn’t want it doesn’t change the truth.
SQUIRREL: (Flips or spins playfully.)Yeah, you don’t have to pretend, Foxy. We all miss sometimes!
FOXY: (Looks down, then smiles and shrugs.) Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should’ve asked for help… or at least been honest.
(All characters gather center stage in a semicircle around Foxy.)
NARRATOR: And so, Foxy learned that it’s better to be honest than to pretend you don’t care. His pride made him say the grapes were sour, but the truth is—he really wanted them. Next time, he might just bring a ladder… or a friend.
(Everyone holds hands and bows.)
The End
Author: Aesop Fable
Adapted by: K I D S I N C O
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