THIS IS NOT A FREE SCRIPT!

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1 THIS IS NOT A FREE SCRIPT! This script sample is provided for personal reading and evaluation purposes only. Before you give any public reading or performance of this play, you must purchase a licensed copy of the script from The purchase price includes the rights to photocopy the script and perform the play. Why Should I Pay You? I (George Halitzka) am a freelance writer and theatre artist that s how I pay the rent. I depend on earning an income from my creative work. Besides, the law requires that you must have the author s permission to use his/ her writings. (Trust me I m far too nice of a guy to rip off.) When Do I Owe You Money? If you read over this script and it doesn t fit your needs, you owe me nothing! However, if you choose to perform it, whether or not admission is charged, then you owe me a few bucks. What Does the Purchase Price Get Me? In short, you get the rights to perform the script as many times as you would like within the context of one school, church, or nonprofit organization. You may also make as many photocopies as necessary for production purposes (e.g., to distribute to your actors). The fine print follows. BY PURCHASING THIS SCRIPT, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE FOLLOWING TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, CONTACT THE AU WITHIN 24 HOURS OF YOUR PURCHASE AT GEORGE@DRAMABYGEORGE.COM TO REQUEST A REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE, AND DESTROY ALL COPIES OF THE SCRIPT IN YOUR POSSESION. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED UNDER THE PRECEDING, ALL SALES ARE FINAL NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES. As the original purchaser of this script, you are granted a non-exclusive license to use it in the context of one local nonprofit organization, church, or educational institution, for the purpose of live amateur performance only. There is no limit on the number of performances you may give; however, this license is nontransferable. Please do not share copies of the script with anyone outside of your organization. Copying or transmitting the script, in paper or electronic form, is permitted only for production purposes (e.g., you can give copies to actors, directors, and technicians involved in the production). You re welcome to make one video or audio recording of your live performance(s) for archival/ critique purposes. Excepting that single recording, it is unlawful to record, duplicate, or transmit your live performance in any form or by any means, including via the internet. These license terms explicitly do not apply to professional performances (with paid actors) or touring groups (which perform in more than one venue), who must contact the author at george@dramabygeorge.com for information on royalties due. Script copyright 2011 by George Halitzka. All rights reserved. How Do I Send the Money? Visit to pay securely with a major credit card. If you have any questions or prefer to pay by check, please see the fine print below or contact the author at george@dramabygeorge.com. Thanks for your interest in scripts by George Halitzka! To purchase this script, visit where you may pay securely with a major credit card using Paypal. You will be able to download a PDF script (which you may photocopy for production purposes) immediately after payment. If you prefer to pay by check, mail your payment (in the form of a check or money order denominated in United States dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank) to George Halitzka, 1236 Lexington Road # 102, Louisville, KY Your script will be sent via after we receive your check. Please contact the playwright at george@dramabygeorge.com with any questions, or if you need to pay using an international cheque. (There is a surcharge for cheques drawn on non-u.s. banks.) Performance rights are not granted until we acknowledge receipt of your payment.

2 THE GRASSHOPPERS AND THE ANTS By George Halitzka The Grasshoppers and the Ants 2

3 CAST OF CHARACTERS THE GRASSHOPPERS: and THE BIG ANTS: and THE LI L ANTS:, HOLLY, and PAULY SETTING An anthill in your backyard and the grass around it. Part I: A warm day in June. Part II: A cold day in October. DEDICATION This one is for Howard, Will, and Jackie: The original Grasshoppers and the Ants. The Grasshoppers and the Ants 3

4 THE GRASSHOPPERS AND THE ANTS (The GRASSHOPPERS, and, enter to energetic music. They re talking on cell phones to each other and licking ice cream sundaes.) I m tellin you, girl, this is the life! Cell phones, ice cream sundaes... And those Grasshopper guys are dreamy! Some days, it s easy being green. (The GRASSHOPPERS dissolve into giggles. Meanwhile, two BIG ANTS, and, march onstage. They are overseeing HOLLY,, and PAULY LI L ANTS who are marching and carrying giant-sized french fries on their backs.) I don t know but I ve been told I don t know but I ve been told Work keeps me out of the cold! Work keeps me out of the cold! I don t know but it s been said LI L ANTS LI L ANTS ( gets bumped by the fries as they go by.) Hey, watch where you re goin with those french fries! The Grasshoppers and the Ants 4

5 Sorry, Ms. Grasshopper. Can we take an ice cream break? HOLLY ( lets go of the fries and stares wistfully at the GRASSHOPPERS. The other LI L ANTS try to hold on, but eventually drop their load.) Not till all our winter food is ready! Too many picnics to raid. Back to work, Li l Ants. (approaching the ANTS) Awww... look at those poor kids, working all day long. You want some, little buddy? (She holds out her sundae towards, but quickly jerks it back.) Ohhh, no Ants wait till somebody drops it on the sidewalk! Too much work for ice cream! Tomorrow, I m having cookies and cream. I hear chocolate-covered ants are good too. (The GRASSHOPPERS laugh.) We re tired, sir! (to ) PAULY Can we take a break like the Grasshoppers? Winter is coming, Li l Ants! When the snow comes down and the drifts pile up, you ll be glad we stored this food. The Grasshoppers and the Ants 5

6 Winter, shminter! Feel the sun! There s plenty of time to work later. Why don t you girls make like a bee and buzz off? Do you know what the Pink Panther said when he stepped on a bug? and (to the tune of the Pink Panther theme) Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant Dead Ant Dead Ant Dead Ant Dead Ant... ( and laugh and high-five until they notice the BIG ANTS pushing up their sleeves, getting ready to kick some Grasshopper butt.) (nervously) Is it just me, or is it gettin hot in here? It s just you. (stepping towards them threateningly) (The GRASSHOPPERS begin to hop offstage, singing.) These boots were made for hoppin, And that s just what they ll do. But one of these days these boots Are gonna hop all over you! and (Once they re out of range, the GRASSHOPPERS stick out their tongues. The BIG ANTS ignore them and turn back to their charges, who are staring longingly after the ice cream.) Now, Li l Ants, I know how appealing a Grasshopper s life looks. But they won t be eating ice cream when winter comes! The Grasshoppers and the Ants 6

7 (taking PAULY by the shoulders) Do you know what happens to Grasshoppers in the cold? They turn into green popsicles! (PAULY rudely shakes him off.) Is that what you want to be a green popsicle? It s only the Ants hard work that saves us winter after winter! Am I right? Darned tootin! (The LI L ANTS, sensing a lecture coming, sit down and begin to paint their nails, read magazines, listen to music, and otherwise ignore the BIG ANTS.) Last winter it was so cold, the spiders were dropping like flies. But the Ants were safe underground, enjoying the food we stored all summer. And do you know why? Because Hard work pays off! and ( clears his throat.) Hard work pays off. LI L ANTS (dutifully, with much eye-rolling) Two years ago a snot-nosed little brat stomped all over our Anthill. He crushed half the colony, but did we give up? Probably not. (sigh) HOLLY The Grasshoppers and the Ants 7

8 That s right: We came out and bit that kid s toes till he went cryin home to Mama! And then do you know what we did? Rebuilt the Anthill? PAULY No... first, we got fried by his magnifying glass. But then we rebuilt the Anthill! And do you know why? (sarcastically) Because wood frame construction was too expensive. No! Because Hard work pays off! You young Ants have it so easy! and (PAULY rolls his eyes and yawns; calls for a huddle with the other LI L ANTS. They slowly begin to sneak offstage. The BIG ANTS are so absorbed by their lecture that they don t even notice.) Back in my day, we used to carry twelve times our own body weight, two miles uphill both ways, with only a hot aphid in our pockets to stay warm. And we liked it! You know why? (as she exits) Because hard work pays off? (reluctantly) No... because we were idiots. The Grasshoppers and the Ants 8

9 Year after year, the Mighty Ant triumphs over all odds! Neither rain, nor snow, nor spray of insecticide, nor size ten of sneakers, shall keep this Anthill from invading picnics everywhere! And do you know why? Because Hard work pays off! and Now, let s get these french fries home. Back to work, Li l Ants! (The BIG ANTS look around and realize their charges have flown the coop!) Li l Ants? Where d those kids go? I knew they were gonna be trouble. They ll be sorry when winter comes! Help me with these. (They struggle to pick up the french fries.) These must be ten times my body weight. Maybe twenty. Twenty? Hmm... Wait till the Queen sees this! We still got it. (Chortling to themselves, and exit into the Anthill with the french fries. Blackout. The lights return a moment later and as they do, we hear a cold winter wind blowing. The GRASSHOPPER and LI L ANTS enter, shivering.) So then the Worker says to the Drone, If it s okay with the Queen, it s okay with me! The Grasshoppers and the Ants 9

10 ( and crack up, but the LI L ANTS groan.) We re cold, Ms. Grasshopper. What sa matter, you eat too much ice cream? Don t worry, little buddy. Once in a while it gets cold at night. It ll be better tomorrow. But it s two in the afternoon! And I m hungry. PAULY HOLLY Yeah, good eatin got harder when the soft-serve stands closed. Both my stomachs are empty! HOLLY Don t worry, guys we ll just look for an Ant Farm! (Once again, the GRASSHOPPERS laugh and the LI L ANTS groan.) I miss the Anthill. But we had to work every day! Yeah, and we got to eat every day. PAULY Don t you think about those Drones! There s always food if you know where to look. Up in the trees The leaves fell a month ago, Michelle. The Grasshoppers and the Ants 10

11 Okay, the picnics Gone till May. But the fields Mmm... frozen dirt. I m cold! And tired! And hungry! HOLLY We never should have left the Anthill. It s like the Big Ants always said Hard work pays off! Hey, I have an idea! (together) LI L ANTS It better involve ice cream. What s our chances of three hots and a cot at the Anthill? (The LI L ANTS laugh.) Yeah, right! After what we did? Not a chance! Uh, guys... what ve we got to lose? PAULY HOLLY The Grasshoppers and the Ants 11

12 (For a long moment, the INSECTS look at each other. Then suddenly, they begin shoving to make the other species go first.) Okay, Ants first! Age before beauty! Pearls before swine! You re taller! Wrong species! But Ants love Grasshoppers! Yeah, frozen on a stick! PAULY HOLLY (The INSECTS get into a free-for-all shoving and shouting match. Finally, shouts above the din.) STOP! (The INSECTS all freeze and look at her.) Rock-paper-scissors? ( and play. loses. She reluctantly advances towards the Anthill and knocks. All of the other INSECTS make themselves as small as possible.) This better work... We don t want any! (from inside the Anthill) The Grasshoppers and the Ants 12

13 ( reluctantly knocks again. finally comes to the door.) (cont d) This better be good... well, well, well. Look what the cockroach dragged in! Sir, we re very cold and hungry. HOLLY We d really like to come home to the Anthill. Pretty please with sugar on top? I warned you what happens to Li l Ants who play with Grasshoppers all summer. If you don t work, you don t eat! ( is about to disappear inside the Anthill. and jump forward.) Wait; you don t understand! We were blinded by ice cream but we ve seen the error of our ways. This Grasshopping sinner will repent from her sins! Turn from her laziness! Walk the straight and narrow! Because we have learned that hard work pays off! ( elbows, and they repeat the Ants mantra together.) Hard work pays off! and (A short pause.) Have you really learned your lesson? Yessir! (with a clumsy salute) The Grasshoppers and the Ants 13

14 Well... come inside and I ll see what I can do. Have I told you how much I love Ants? This is going to mean work. I m allergic to that Hard work! Did I mention my back problems? (We go to blackout as Hawaiian music begins to play. This time, when the lights return, and are lying on beach towels and wearing sunglasses. The GRASSHOPPERS are fanning with palm branches; the LI L ANTS are standing by to feed grapes.) Grasshoppers, I can t feel that. (The GRASSHOPPERS don t look very happy, but they fan harder.) I told you, I only want the juicy ones, Li l Ants. (eating a grape) So, why are you kids doing this again? So we don t freeze and starve, sir. And why do we get to relax? (mockingly) Because you worked all summer. The Grasshoppers and the Ants 14

15 Because I worked all summer WHAT? Because you worked all summer, SIR. That s right. And why did we work all summer? (grudgingly) Because hard work pays off. I can t hear you! Hard work pays off! Louder! Hard work pays off! Fan harder! Hard work pays off! More grapes! and LI L ANTS and GRASSHOPPERS LI L ANTS and GRASSHOPPERS LI L ANTS and GRASSHOPPERS Hard work pays off! Hard work pays off! Hard work pays off! (The GRASSHOPPERS and LI L ANTS continue repeating the mantra as the BIG ANTS gloat. The music swells as we go to a final blackout.) The Grasshoppers and the Ants 15

16 THIS IS A SAMPLE SCRIPT. It is provided for personal reading and evaluation purposes only. You may not perform this play until you have purchased a licensed copy of the script from Copyright 2011 George Halitzka. All rights reserved. The Grasshoppers and the Ants 16

17 PRODUCTION NOTES Synopsis: In this hilarious retelling of Aesop's Fable, three Li l Ants are tired of working to store food for the winter. When they see the Grasshoppers' easy life, they sneak away from the Anthill. But as soon as the winter winds begin to blow, our friends come back to beg for help! Character Education Connections: Perseverance, delayed gratification, the value of hard work. Running Time: 12 minutes. Cast: 3 males, 4 females (the gender of all roles can be changed). Staging Requirements: Bare stage. Lighting & Sound Requirements: If you can, dim the lights where indicated in the script to show the passage of time. You ll need some energetic music to open the play, Caribbean or Hawaiian music to close it, and a winter wind sound effect for the transition between summer and fall. Costumes: The BIG ANTS and LI L ANTS wear all black; the GRASSHOPPERS wear all green. The actors each need an extra pair of legs (to give them a total of six) these are made from opaque pantyhose or tights stuffed with fiber-fill, safety-pinned to the waistband of the actor, and attached with fishing line to his/ her wrists. That way, the legs move along with the actor s real arms. Each character also wears a headband with antennas on it, made from pipe cleaners with fuzzy poms hot-glued onto the tops. You can buy all of the supplies you need at a craft store. Naturally, the ANTS legs and antennas should be black, while the GRASSHOPPERS should be green. Props: Cell phones, artificial ice cream sundaes, spoons, palm leaves ( and ); several yellow foam pool noodles to serve as giant-sized french fries, artificial grape bunches (all LI L ANTS); bottle of nail polish (); teen magazine (HOLLY); MP3 player with headphones (PAULY); beach towels ( and ). The Grasshoppers and the Ants 17