CAST: Rip Van (see below)
Boy
Reporter
President
Astronaut
Scientist
(Additional characters can be easily worked in if needed)
PROPS: Tree
Long white beard
“Press” badge
Paper and pencil
Stack of papers for President
Notebook and pencil for scientist
Helmet for astronaut
COSTUMES & MAKE-UP: Characters may wear appropriate costumes or signs identifying them. To age
Rip, powder hair with talcum powder, and draw facial wrinkles with an eyebrow pencil
RIP: (Comes on stage wearing Cub uniform. He lays down under a tree.)
Someday, I’m really going to do things … be important …
(He dozes off to sleep)
(House lights off. President, Astronaut, Scientist, and Reporter come on stage. The first
three stand apart from each other. A flashlight is shined on the reporter as he talks with each
character.
REPORTER: (To President)
Mr. President, you’re the youngest man to ever hold office. You’ve solved the
unemployment problem. The United States is at peace with the rest of the world. You’ve
done so much for us. I’ll bet your parents are really proud of you!
(President looks pleased with himself. He shuffles through his papers.)
REPORTER: (To Astronaut)
Colonel, you’ve been the first to fly to Mars. You’ve discovered a new planet; a new race
of people and learned to communicate with them. What’s next?
(Astronaut holds helmet, looks proud.)
REPORTER: (To Scientist)
Dr., you’ve discovered a fertilizer that has solved the world‘s food shortage. You have
helped solve the world’s energy crisis. We understand that you have just won the Nobel
Prize for scientific achievement.
(Dr. writes busily in a notebook.)
(Flashlight is turned off. Boys leave the stage. While the reporter was interviewing the others,
Rip has been aged and his beard is added.)
BOY: Rip Van (use boy’s last name)! You’ve just dreamed your life away. While you were
asleep, the world really got itself into trouble. You never even got your Wolf (or Bear)
badge in Cub Scouting. Great deeds need a lot of work and they start with small ones!
Let’s get busy. It’s not too late!