Reader’s Theater

Title: The King of the Jungle

Narrator Jane’s father Tantor (elephant)
Characters: Tarzan Tank Dinky (monkey, the bully)
Jane Kala Mama

Scene 1
(Play jungle sound effects in the background)

Narrator: In the heart of the jungle, lived a boy named Tarzan. He was not like other boys. He swung through trees and talked to animals!

All (chorus): Tarzan, Tarzan. King of the jungle, king of the jungle.

Narrator: Tarzan is the king of the jungle. Tank is his best friend.

Tarzan: (yelling with joy) Hey, Tank! Follow me. Let’s get some food to eat.

Tank: Good idea! Let’s go!

All (chorus): Go get some food. Go get some food.

(Tarzan and Tank getting some food.)

Dinky: Ha! Look who it is. It’s Tarzan!

Tank: Leave him alone. We’re just here to get some food.

Narrator: Dinky often teased Tarzan that he doesn’t belong to the jungle. It made Tarzan feel sad.

Dinky: Why don’t you go back to the city? You don’t belong here.

Tarzan: (Sighs) Maybe they're right, Terk. Maybe I don't belong here.

Tank: Don’t say that Tarzan.

Tantor: (Nods in agreement) Terk's right! You're one of us, Tarzan. We wouldn't trade you for all the bananas in the jungle!

Tank: Let’s just go to the beach.

Narrator: Tarzan, Tank, and Tantor go to the beach and see a boat.
 Tantor: What’s that?

Tarzan: I don’t know (scratching his head). Let’s take a look.

Narrator: They see a girl and a man.

Jane: Who are you?

Tarzan: I’m Tarzan. Who are you? Where are you from?

Jane: I’m Jane and this is my father. We’re from the USA.

Tarzan: (confused) The USA?

Jane’s father: Yes, the USA.

Jane: We’re lost and hungry.

All (chorus): Lost and hungry. They’re lost and hungry.

Tank: Would you like some bananas?

Jane: Yes, please.

Jane’s father: Thank you very much.

Narrator: Jane and her father eat some bananas.

All (chorus): They’re not hungry now. They’re not hungry now.

Scene 2
(Play beach wave sound effects in the background)

Narrator: Three days later, Jane and her father are going back to the USA.

Jane’s father: Good news! The boat is ready! We can go home.

 All (chorus): The boat is ready.

They can go home. They can go home.

Jane: Tarzan, do you want to come with us?

Tank and Tantor: Tarzan don’t go! Please stay!

Dinky: No! Let him go! Tarzan, this place is not for you. (laughing)

Kala Mama: Dinky! Stop it.

Tarzan, go for a new life. You can come back any time. The jungle is your home forever.

Tarzan: Thank you, Kala Mama. Maybe, Dinky’s right. Maybe, I don’t belong here.

Tank: Tarzan, this is your home. You are welcome any time.

Tarzan: Thank you, Tank. I love you all. Goodbye.

Kala Mama, Tank, (crying)

Tantor: Goodbye, Tarzan!

All (chorus): Goodbye. Goodbye.

Go for a new life.

You can come back any time.

Scene 3
(Play city sound effects in the background)

Narrator: Tarzan lives with jane and her father.

He gets up at six o’clock in the morning.

Tarzan: Jane, wake up. It’s already six o’clock.

Jane: (yawning, checks the clock/watch)

Oh, it’s still early. You’re an early bird.

Narrator: Now, it’s seven o’clock. Tarzan, Jane, and Jane’s father are going out for breakfast.

Jane: It’s cold outside. Put on the gloves.

Tarzan: Whose gloves are they?

Jane’s father: They’re your gloves. They’re for you.

Tarzan: Thank you.

Narrator: It’s snowing. They’re walking on the street.

Tarzan: It’s so cold. I don’t like cold weather.

Jane’s father: It’s cold in winter here.

Tarzan: I like hot weather. I want to go back to the jungle.

All (chorus): Tarzan wants to go back to the jungle. He wants to go back to the jungle.

Jane: Dad, can I go with Tarzan?

Jane’s father: My dear, go for a new life. You can come back any time. The city is your home forever.

Narrator: Jane and Tarzan go back to the jungle. Tank, Tantor, and Kala Mama are happy.

All (chorus): (singing)

Tarzan, Tarzan.

King of the jungle.

He gets up early.

He swings in the trees.

That’s the way he lives in the jungle.