Audience Participation Stories

The Brutal Miner

(Each character in the skit has a distinctive sound to make when the Narrator
says their name during the reading of the skit. The Narrator should pause, after
reading the name of each character so they can make their sound and for
audience reaction.) Brutal Miner -- Grrrrrrrrrr
Tired Wife -- Oh dear.
Lazy Son -- (Yawning sound)
Young Daughter -- (Giggles)
Beautiful Daughter -- "Ahhhhh"
Handsome Harry -- Ah Ha !
Automobile -- Honk Honk
Cat -- Meow

Narrator:
Once upon a time in the far west, there lived a BRUTAL MINER, who had a
TIRED WIFE, a LAZY SON, a giggling YOUNG DAUGHTER, and a BEAUTIFUL
DAUGHTER. On the other side of the mountain lived HANDSOME HARRY. This
young man drove his AUTOMOBILE over the mountains and carried mail to the
BRUTAL MINER.

One day, the TIRED WIFE was cleaning the house. The BEAUTIFUL
DAUGHTER was helping her. The YOUNG DAUGHTER was playing with the
CAT on the steps and the LAZY SON was sleeping. The BRUTAL MINER came
out and kicked the CAT. The TIRED WIFE and the BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
rushed out with brooms and hit the BRUTAL MINER, but this did not bother him.
He grabbed the TIRED WIFE by one arm and the BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER by
the other and shoved them into the house. The YOUNG DAUGHTER ran away
with the CAT. Just then, HANDSOME HARRY drove up in his AUTOMOBILE
and saw the BRUTAL MINER beating the TIRED WIFE and the BEAUTIFUL
DAUGHTER. HANDSOME HARRY rushed to the rescue and grabbed the
BRUTAL MINER and threw him down the mine shaft. The BEAUTIFUL
DAUGHTER flew into the waiting arms of HANDSOME HARRY, while the TIRED
WIFE and the YOUNG DAUGHTER watched with enthusiasm. The LAZY SON
slept on. HANDSOME HARRY took the BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER in his
AUTOMOBILE to the little church in the wildwood and they lived happily every
after.
 The Story of Running Deer

The Cast (respond when these words from the story are said aloud):

Old Chief: Stand, raise right hand and give a hearty "HOW!" in a low, loud voice.

Running Deer: Place open hands on side of head to make deer antlers, and
stomp feet as if running.

Falling Rock: Stand, make a short whistling sound, then sit down abruptly with a
loud "BOOM!"

Wilderness: One group howls like wolves; another raises sway- ing hands above
head and make sound of wind blowing through the trees.

Babbling Brook: (Standing in front of audience for the entire storytelling) Gargles
water with head back until the story narrator says . . ."Above the Waterfall."

Outdoor version. Spray gargled water onto the ground in front of audience.

Indoor version. Have a bucket or pail to catch water coming out of the "Babbling
Brook's" mouth.

The Story:

Long ago, there was a small Indian (Native American) village. In this village lived
an Old Chief with his two sons, Running Deer and Falling Rock. This village was
situated deep in the Wilderness, next to a Babbling Brook [pause], Above a
Waterfall.

The Old Chief, knowing he would not live forever, decided it was time to choose
one of his sons to take his place when the time came to pass on. "But, which
one?" pondered the Old Chief. And he devised a plan: Running Deer and Falling
Rock were sent off into the Wilderness, far from the village-next to the Babbling
Brook [pause], Above the Waterfall. The Old Chief had told the lads, "The one of
you who is able to live out longest in the Wilderness will take my place as Chief."

Much time passed. The Old Chief feared the worst, and began to worry. "How
long will it be before the return of Running Deer and Falling Rock?" thought the
Old Chief. Soon after, a member of the tribe announced the approach of the
beloved son, Running Deer. The Old Chief was very happy, and threw a grand
celebration. For his first son, Running Deer had returned to the village - next to
the Babbling Brook [pause], Above the Waterfall. The ordeal was over, and
scouts were sent out into the Wilderness to find and return Falling Rock to his
village, where he would become Chief someday.
Many moons went by (as happens in Native American stories). The Old Chief,
now passed on (sorry), never saw the return of his younger son, Falling Rock.
Falling Rock has never returned from the Wilderness to his village-next to the
Babbling Brook [pause], Above the Waterfall. His brother, Running Deer, still
looks for him.

We know this because, all along the highways and byways of New Hampshire
and Vermont, we still see the signs [show sign if you made one]:

WATCH_FOR_FALLING_ROCK

This is how the story ended until, in 1990, a small child sitting in the front row at a
campfire (just like this one) raised a hand, and with a serious look said in a voice
that was loud and clear, "I know where he lives!"

So the narrator of the story asked, "Where?"

The answer came back, "He's in Pennsylvania!"

The child had been touring with family and had seen this sign [show sign if you
made one]:

FALLING_ROCK_AHEAD
 Quiet Please

THE FIRE SIREN (Moan)

THE LIBRARIAN (SSSSh!)
THE DOG (Arf, Arf)
THE PIGS (Snort, Oink)
THE POLICEMAN (Loud Whistle)
THE DUCKS (Quack-quack)
THE CHICKENS (Bok-Bok-Bok)
TWO BOYS (sing, Row, Row, Row your Boat)

If there is room, appropriate motions can accompany the sounds, such as

marching feet for the boys, flapping wings for chickens, etc.

Narrator:

It was a beautiful spring afternoon in the sleepy little town of Blodgettville. In the
balmy air the fragrance of early tulips mingled with the rich aroma of skunk
cabbages in nearby marshes. The only sounds to be heard were the faint moan
of a FIRE SIREN in a neighboring village, the distant barking of a DOG, and the
occasional whistle of the POLICEMAN at the main intersection. Within the town
library, someone turned a page too loudly, and the LIBRARIAN said, "SSSH!".
On the main road, at the outskirts of the town, a farmer was lazily driving his
animals to market. Each time he hit a bump, the PIGS grunted, the CHICKENS
squawked, and the DUCKS quacked. Yes, all was peaceful in the sleepy little
town of Blodgettville.

Suddenly, TWO BOYS appeared on the quiet street. They were singing "ROW
YOUR BOAT" and marching in time to the rhythm. They reached the c enter of
town where the POLICEMAN blew his whistle to let them cross. Still singing, they
marched up the steps of the library. The LIBRARIAN looked up quickly and said,
"SSSH". EACH BOY took a book, then sat down at one of the tables. One of the
boys looked around the almost empty library and said, "They'd do a lot more
business in here if they had comic books!" Guess what the LIBRARIAN said?
That's right, "SSSh".

Outside, the DOG'S barking could be heard more strongly. The POLICEMAN
blew his whistle as a car approached the intersection, followed by the farmer's
truck. As they started up again, the woman driving the car signalled a right turn.
Oddly enough, her car made a left turn. The farmer slammed on his brakes, and
there was a LOUD CRASH (everyone clap their hands together). Down went the
tail gate of the truck and out tumbled the PIGS, the crates burst and out flew the
CHICKENS and the DUCKS. The DOG, who by now was quite close, began an
excited chase, barking wildly.
Frightened, the PIGS ran up the library steps, grunting, followed by squawking
CHICKENS, quacking DUCKS, and yelping DOG. The LIBRARIAN was so
startled she had time to let out only one "SSSH", before a CHICKEN flew into her
face. The BOYS jumped up and delightedly burst into song. In rushed the
POLICEMAN, frantically whistling. From across the street, old Miss Spindle saw
the disturbance, and called the FIRE DEPARTMENT.

So then, at that moment in the quiet library of the quiet town of Blodgettville,
these things were going on: The PIGS were grunting, the CHICKENS were
clucking, the DUCKS were quacking, the BOYS were singing, the FIRE SIREN
was screaming, the POLICEMAN was whistling, and the LIBRARIAN was
hopelessly saying over and over again "SSSh, SSSh!". And for awhile at least, all
these things were going on at the same time (EVERYBODY). But an hour later,
everything was peaceful again in the sleepy little town of Blodgettville. The PIGS,
DUCKS and CHICKENS had somehow been caught and put back in the truck;
the BOYS and DOG had gone home for supper, the FIRE TRUCK was back in
the station house, and the POLICEMAN again stood at his post by the
intersection.

And the LIBRARIAN?? Well, the LIBRARIAN looked around the library at the
floating feathers, the muddy floor, the mixed up books, the overturned tables and
the broken chairs.

And then, all of a sudden, the LIBRARIAN SCREAMED (EVERYBODY)

(Do not rehearse the audience on the ending; let it be a surprise)

 A Pirate Story

The Characters:
Old Sea Pirate -- Ho! Ho! Ho! and a bottle of Rum
Bosun -- snore, snore
Black Cloud -- Blow wind Blow
Sea Gulls -- caw, caw (flapping arms)
Long John Silver -- Aharrr me maties
Polly Parrot -- Polly wants a cracker
Croaky Crocodile -- Tic Toc, Tic Toc (shake head)

The Story:

Once upon a time there was an Old Sea Pirate and his Bosun who sailed out on
the ocean blue in their sturdy ship the Black Cloud.

Far off in the distance he could hear the Sea Gulls cry.

The Old Sea Pirate and his Bosun dropped anchor and went fast asleep, first
making sure all the hatches were secured on the Black Cloud.

Now creeping up the side of the ship came Long John Silver and his parrot Polly
looking for the treasure of the Old Sea Pirate and his Bosun.

Looking for Long John Silver was Croaky Crocodile who had swallowed a clock.

Just as Long John Silver and Polly Parrot discovered the treasure chest, Croaky
Crocodile's clock woke up the Old Sea Pirate and his Bosun who thought it was
the Sea Gulls landing on the deack of the Black Cloud.

Well Long John Silver grabbed hold of Polly Parrot and turned to run, and only in
his haste he tripped overboard, much to the glee of Croaky Crocodile. The Old
Sea Pirate and his Bosun chased after them, but the Black Cloud rolled in the
waves, clearing the deck of Sea Gulls, the Old Sea Pirate and his Bosun.

Now, from a very good source, I am told that the last anyone heard of all these
characters was strange sounds in the night as the Sea Gulls flew overhead
followed by Long John Silver and Polly Parrot, chased by the Old Sea Pirate and
his Bosun, all frantically swimming away from Croaky Crocodile with his ticking
clock, while to this day, the Black Cloud is anchored far out at sea with its
treasure chest still aboard.

Oscar and His Dream Trip

From "The Cub Book", 8th printing, December 1980

"....." denotes a space that the listeners fill in. The best way is to give each a
piece of paper with a noun on it (just about any -- the crazier the better) and at
each stop, point to a different person so that they know to read their paper.

*****

Oscar followed the little creek to where it passed by the stone wall and the sand
cliffs. The spring air was full of the singing of birds and the gentle whisper of the
wind. He was getting tired from such a long walk and he sat down to rest on a
large stump. As he sat in the soft drowsy air, he noticed the big sand cliffs all
coverd with swallow holes and little scrawny bushes growing here and there on
its face. Oscar grew very sleepy in the warm sunshine. It was then that he
noticed the yellow door in the side of the sandy cliff.

"This is very strange," Oscar thought. "I've been here often and never noticed
that door before." He got up with the true Wolf Cub curiosity and went to the door
to open it. He was surprised to find that it opened so easily.

Inside he was surprised to see that he was in a huge garden surrounding a funny
little house. He went to the door and knocked. There was no answer, so Oscar
went inside. Then, the strangest things began to happen.

..... jumped out at him and said in a deep voice, "will you stay for dinner?" ..... told
Oscar to shut the door while ..... stared fearfully at him with enormous eyes. At
the sound of the closing door ..... took its feet off ..... which ran circles on the floor
at his feet. ..... invited Oscar to sit in a chair at the table.

He sat beside ..... which was always poking ..... with ..... ..... brought in ..... on a
big silver platter which was set before Oscar. Everyone began to eat ..... and .....
which was placed on the plate. When the waiter brought in a big bowl which
had ..... all fried up Oscar decided that he really wasn't hungry.

He excused himself and nearly tripped over ..... as he left the table. He saw .....
which he thought would make a nice pet if only his mother would let him keep it.
As he went to pick it up ..... hit him across the hand and told him to leave it alone.
Oscar was sorry thatsilver platter which was set before Oscar. Everyone began
to eat ..... and ..... which was placed on the plate. When the waiter brought in a
big bowl which had ..... all fried up Oscar decided that he really wasn't hungry.

He excused himself and nearly tripped over ..... as he left the table. He saw .....
which he thought would make a nice pet if only his mother would let him keep it.
As he went to pick it up ..... hit him across the hand and told him to leave it alone.

Oscar was sorry that he couldn't have a ..... which he sat on because he couldn't
carry it. "Excuse me," he said, as a ..... and a ..... came flying across the room.
Oscar felt that the things here had very rude manners, especially a ..... which
kept wiping its mouth with a ..... With a sudden noise a ..... came running through
the door, followed by a ..... and a .....

Oscar knew that these were the owners of the house as everything suddenly
became very quiet and well behaved. These owners did not say a word, but very
threateningly one of them picked up a ..... Oscar thought he had better leave.

He tried to get to the door but a ..... got in his way and a ..... caught him around
the neck and tried to keep him there. Oscar rushed out the door very frightened.
As he ran to the yellow door in the clif he heard a ..... chasing him. A ..... almost
caught up to him. Upon reaching the door, he caught a last look at a ..... and
a ..... which were right behind him.

Breathlessly he banged the door shut and ran to the stump to sit and catch his
breath. When he next looked at the cliff he saw that the door was gone and he
felt very sleepy.
 Fred's Trip

"....." denotes a space that the listeners fill in. The best way is to give each
a piece of paper with a noun on it (just about any -- the crazier the better)
and at each stop, point to a different person so that they know to read their
paper.

Fred went on a magical trip to see ..... that his travel agent arranged for him.
First, he had to pack ..... and ..... so that he would feel right at home while on his
trip.

The ride on ..... wasn't all too comfortable, as all of a sudden, ..... went up to him
and asked, "Are you feeling all right? You look like ....."

Well, Fred made it all right to his destination, but he was still in for the shock of
his life when, as he tried to hail ..... to take him to his hotel, ..... asked him where
he wanted to go. Fred was so surprised that all he could say was the name of the
hotel he was going to.

At the hotel, ..... asked him for his name and if he had a reservation. Fred just
stared at him, vaguely noticing ..... playing pool in the corner. Finally, he got his
room key and went up to see his room. ..... soon followed with his bags. But
when he got there, he found ..... swimming in his waterbed. Somewhat perturbed,
he asked him to leave his room and find a room of his own.

The next morning, Fred woke up, thinking, "Gee, what a bad dream." But he was
surprised to find he was still in the hotel room. He called room service and asked
for breakfast, not expecting ..... which was on the tray that was brought up and
placed before him. "Well, at least it's not ....."

Fred left the hotel to look at the sights. He saw ....., ....., and had a ride around on
..... Fred was beginning to think that this place was a little strange. Even more so
when he ate ..... of the city for lunch. Later, he found ..... with big, googly eyes
asking him if he would donate money to .....

Late in the afternoon, ..... came up to him and asked, "Are you new around
here?"

Fred said, a little annoyed, "Well, I'm a tourist, if that's what you mean."

He was promptly told, "Take my advice. Most people don't go around carrying .....
The police might get suspicious."

Fred decided that he should. Fortunately, the rest of the day was uneventful,
except for ....., which he passed by that night.
The next morning, Fred called accidentally called ....., thinking that he'd really
called the airport. He'd had enough of his trip and wanted to go home.

Back at home, he exclaimed to his friends, "Next time I go on vacation, I won't

ask my travel agent. Instead I'm going someplace normal, to see .....!"
 Let's Go on a Ghost Hunt

Want to go on a ghost hunt?

Then repeat everything I say and do.

All right?

Let's go!
(Begin to walk in place while slapping thighs with hands. Keep this up during the
following chant.)

Oh look!
There a bridge!
Can't go 'round it.
Can't go under it.
Better go over it.

All right?
Let's go!
(Beat your chest to make a thumping sound for crossing the bridge. When you
read the other side, begin walking again.)

Oh look!
There's a field.
Can't go round it.
Can't go under it.
Better go through it.

All right?
Let's go!
(Make motions of parting grass and tiptoeing through, making swish...Swish"
sounds. After having crossed the field, begin walking again.)

Oh look!
There's a swamp!
Can't go round it.
Can't go under it.
Better wade in it.

All right?
Let's go!
(Pretend your hands are boots: pick them up one by one and make sucking
noises with your mouth as you wade across the swamp. When you reach the
other side, start walking again.)
Oh look!
There's a stream!
Can't go 'round it.
Can't go under it.
Better swim through it.

All right?
Let's go!
(Making swimming motions with your arms: after you have crossed the stream,
begin walking again.)

Oh look!
There's a tree!
Can't go 'round it.
Can't go under it.
Better climb up it.

All right?
Let's go!
(Make motions of climbing a tree. When you are at the top, put hand to brow and
look out one way.)

Ooooooooohhhhhhhh!
(Look other way)

Ooooooooohhhhhhhh!
I see a house!
It looks like a haunted house.

All right?
Let's go!
(Make motions of climbing down a tree. When you are at the bottom, continue
walking very softly and cautiously as you enter the haunted house.)

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!
It's DARK in here!
I see some stairs.
Better go up them.
(Walk upstairs cautiously.)

I see a dark, dark door.

Better open it.
(Open door with one hand, making screeching noise.)

Oh NO!
(Reach out with your hand as if feeling something.)

I feel something.
(Put your hand to your ear.)

I hear something.

It sounds like a GHOST.

(Cup hands around your eyes and look ahead.)

I see something.
It looks like a GHOST.
IT IS A GHOST!!!
(Jump in the air.)

LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!!

(Retrace your steps as rapidly as possible doing all the motions.)

Out the door...

Down the steps...
Up the tree...
Down the tree...
Across the stream...
Through the swamp...
Across the field...
Over the bridge...
Back home and
SLAM THE DOOR!
 Johnny fixes it good!
York-Adams Area Council

Here is an Audience Participation skit for the theme. The characters and their
sounds are:

Johnny: "I can fix it!"

dad: ""Be careful, son."
wrench: "Oh Nuts!"
screwdriver: "Straight or Phillips?"
bike: "Drrrinnngggg, Drrrinnngggg"
pliers: "Hold me tight!"

Johnny had a problem. His bike was broken. Now Johnny and his dog, Ralph,
could not ride to the park to play with his friends. But Johnny, being a very smart
Cub Scout, knew how to fix the bike. However, he needed a box-end wrench, a
pair of pliers, and a screwdriver. So he asked his dad if he could borrow a box-
end wrench, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver. His dad said "Sure, but make
sure you take care of the box-end wrench, pliers, and screwdriver and return
them as soon as you’re finished. "I will dad," said Johnny. So Johnny and Ralph
went into the back yard to fix his bike with the box-end wrench, pliers, and
screwdriver. Since Johnny knew how to use a box-end wrench, a pair of pliers,
and a screwdriver, bike was soon fixed and ready to ride. Ralph helped all he
could. Johnny took a quick spin to make sure everything was alright and then he
called Ralph to go with him to the park. "Oh," said Johnny. "I’d better return these
tools to dad before we go." But when he reached for the tools, the pliers and
screwdriver were there but the pliers were missing. "Oh no! What would dad
think?" said Johnny. He looked all around for the pliers. He looked in the bushes,
but no pliers! He looked all over the yard, but no pliers! Finally, he noticed Ralph
digging in the garden. Johnny went over to Ralph and there were the pliers in his
bone hole. So the pliers were found. And Johnny was able to return the box-end
wrench, the pliers, and the screwdriver to his dad. Everyone was happy the bike
was all fixed—except Ralph!

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

My friend Don B. sent this to me. He saw Pack 2 in Haverhill, MA do this.

Divide the audience into left and right and have them stand up and sit down
when they heard their word. You could also divide the audience into left, right
and Wright.

Johnny Wright was very excited as he talked to his parents. "I want to become
a Cub Scout," he said. "I am the only boy left in the neighborhood that isn't one.
Peter invited me to his Blue & Gold banquet tonight to see if scouting is right for
me. Can we go?"
Mr. Wright called Peter's dad to get directions. When he got off the phone he
told everyone, "It's at First Baptist Church. We go south on 125, take a left on
Cherry St. then our first left into the parking lot…let's go! Johnny ran right out and
got into the car. At the church they went in and had a great time. The Cub Scouts
got great awards, put on skits, sang songs and had a ball. The Cubmaster came
over and talked to Johnny. "Why do you want to be a Cub Scout…"Because at
school all the kids talk about the fun they have here, and I feel left out, and my
friend left his Cub Scout cap at my house, right on my desk so I tried it on, I look
cool in it." Johnny replied. One of the leaders looked at Johnny's parents. "Would
you like to help out? It's fun and rewarding". Mr. Wright looked at Mrs. Wright
they both fidgeted nervously…"We thought parents brought their boys, then left.
We didn't know we had to help." "Oh, you don't have to" explained one of the
leaders, "but if no one is willing to give of their time, soon there will be no
scouting left. The more parents that help…the less work for us all. You could be
den leaders and help boys to stay on the right track, or you could be on the
committee and attend a meeting once a month to help make the right decisions
for our Pack. There are many positions with different levels of time commitment,
I'm sure we could find one that's just right for you…I hope I haven't left out any
information…so, would you like to help?"

Right on, exclaimed Johnny's folks. Johnny just beamed. He knew he had
made the right decision by coming to the Blue & Gold.
 The Litter Bug
Simon Kenton Council

PAPER Crackle, crackle

CANS Clatter, clatter
TRASH Dump, dump
LITTER BUG Toss and Throw

God put bugs in this world for many reasons,

He made them to live in every kind of season.
But the pesky LITTER BUG, with his PAPER and CANS
Was made through neglected TRASH by the foolish man.

To keep our land beautiful, get rid of that LITTER BUG,

So beach goers can again lounge on a clean, sand rug.
Because of this pest, we must walk around
in PAPER and CANS and TRASH on the ground.

Just who are the LITTER BUGS who mess up our land? Do you really ever see
them toss that PAPER or CAN?
And in dumping his TRASH he is very sly.

So most of the time it just appears there,

As if it had dropped right out of thin air.
Could it be we are so used to throwing things there,
That we dump PAPER AND CANS without being aware?

Without even thinking when we toss TRASH and waste,

We could be a LITTER BUG in all of our haste.
So when you unwrap that gum or candy,
Don't throw down the PAPER just because it is handy.

Next time stop and think when it's pop CANS you toss,
'Cause if you're a LITTER BUG it's also your loss
If every single person would take note of his habit
That pesky LITTER BUG we could certainly nab it.

Then that terrible bug we could surely stamp it out,

With no more PAPER or CANS or TRASH about
TO KEEP OUR LAND BEAUTIFUL WE MUST ALL DO OUR PART,
By taking care of our TRASH properly from the start.
 Wouldn't And Shouldn't
Simon Kent Council

WOULDN'T No, No, No

SHOULDN'T Never, Never, Never

Once there was a trash pick-up company who had two people that worked for
them that were always causing trouble. One of them was named WOULDN'T and
the other was named SHOULDN'T.

WOULDN'T would never drive his garbage route the same way twice and so he
missed picking up some of the people's trash. SHOULDN'T would drive around
his route so early that half the people had not even put out the garbage when he
came around. No matter what the supervisor told them it made no difference.
WOULDN'T would start on a different street, and SHOULDN'T would start before
light. Complaints were being phoned into the trash pick-up company all the time.
Finally a lady told SHOULDN'T how much she appreciated him and the trash
pick-up company.

She told him how horrible her property would be if it were not for the garbage
disposal. A man thanked WOULDN'T for getting out of his truck and picking up
some of the garbage that had fallen onto the road.

That had been the trouble all along. SHOULDN'T was embarrassed to be driving
a trash pick-up truck. When he realized how necessary his job was, he stopped
going so early so that no one would see him and all the people on his route were
happy.

WOULDN'T didn't feel that what he did was important. From that day on, he still
started on a different street every week but he never missed a house.

So now the trash pick-up company is happy and so are WOULDN'T and
SHOULDN'T.