Red Hen Ball

Narrator 1
Bernice

Narrator 2
Hedwig

Narrator 3
Wolf

Charlotte

Narrator 1: This was the day of the Red Hen Ball. This was the time when all present must
wear their fanciest outfits and squawk about and at each other.
Narrator 2: The chicken coop was a fury. The hens were pecking, poking, picking, and
primping. Everyone wanted to be in front of the mirror that hung in the hen house. Each hen
wanted the mirror at the same moment.
Charlotte: "Move over, I have to fix my hat."
Bernice:
Hedwig:
Bernice:

"Hold your tail feathers! I'm almost finished with my makeup."

Don't put on too much rouge. Your cheeks will get too red."
"I am a red hen. That means I'm red already. Ha-ha-ha"

Narrator 2: The red hens did not notice the rustle of the nearby brush and the snap of
brittle grasses. These sounds told of the arrival of an unwanted guest. Suddenly a shadow
sprung from the bushes, streaked up the wooden plank and kicked open the door. In a flash
he was inside the hen house.
Wolf:

"Hello my lovely ladies! What have we here? I see a fine meal for me."

Narrator 1: Then he strutted across the floor. He wickedly whirled and pointed around the
room.
Wolf:
"Which one shall I take first? Shall I take YOU in the fancy flowery hat? Or how
about YOU in the dress covered with spots. Maybe I'll take the one that is shivering in the
corner. Or YOU with the scarf."
Narrator 2: he roared. His voice echoed around the room and scared the pinfeathers off
of a few hens.
Wolf:

"So many delightfully dressed delicious choices. Maybe I'll take you all!"

Charlotte: "Mister Wolf, We're getting ready for the finest event of the year. Please
don't eat us."
Narrator 3: Charlotte whimpered as she peeked out from under her wing.
Wolf:

"Event? What might this event be?"

Narrator 1: The wolf asked as he wrinkled his eyebrows and stroked his whiskers.
Charlotte: "It's the Red Hen Ball. It's held every year in the barn."
Wolf:

"Red Hen Ball? Tell me about this!"

Bernice: "Well, there's singing, and strutting and lots of noise. Theres music and
dancing. I can't wait."
Wolf:

"Dancing? What kind of dancing?"

Charlotte: "Yes, dancing. We all get in a circle and we move together. We flap our wings
over our heads, and we wiggle our tail feathers. Then we all laugh and spin about."
Bernice:

"We call it the people dance,"

Charlotte: "The Red Hen Ball is fun. Want to come?"

Wolf:

"Don't be silly. Why would a wolf want to go to the ball?"

Charlotte: "Why wouldn't a wolf want to go to the ball? There will be plenty of chickens
from all over the farm. The biggest hens and the best roosters will be there. You will
have your choice of many a tasty meal."
Narrator 2: The wolf thought for a moment. Then he stood up straight and said,
Wolf:

"Of course, the Red Hen Ball. Splendid idea! I'll go!"

Narrator 3: Then he turned and started out the door.

Hedwig:
Wolf:

"Wait! You can't go like that!"

"What do you mean?"

Hedwig: "You can't go to the ball looking like a wolf. Only red hens and roosters are
allowed inside"
Bernice:
Wolf:

"We'll dress you up. Youll look a big hen."

"You'll make ME look like a hen? How?"

Bernice: "First we need to do something with that tail Here! Put on this corset. We'll tuck
your tail inside."
Wolf:
Bernice:
Wolf:

"Don't hurt me. I'm not so sure about this."

"Relax, you'll be fine!"
"I can barely breathe in this!"

Hedwig:

"I know EXACTLY how you feel."

Bernice:

"A frock for the flock. Here put on this dress. Be careful. Don't rip the hem."

Wolf:

"This is ridiculous."

Charlotte: "Nonsense, You'll be the talk of the ball. Youll be able to spot a fine meal
indeed."
Wolf:

"A fine meal indeed. It's hot in this outfit."

Hedwig: "Now how about those ears? We'll hide them with a headdress. No, maybe a hat
would be better."
Bernice:

"Here, try this one."

Narrator 3: said Bernice, bringing out a rather large hat. It had a big pink bow and a
crumpled flower on the brim. She plopped it on the wolf's head.
Wolf:

"I can't see!"

Charlotte: "Don't worry. We'll tell you when to take it off."

Hedwig:

"Now those big hairy feet... Sandals are IN this season."

Bernice: "I think shoes are better. I have the perfect pair. Here try these on. They may
be a little tight, but that's the way I wear them."
Narrator 2: As the wolf stuffed his feet into the shoes he wrinkled his nose and twisted
his face.
Hedwig:
Wolf:
Bernice:
Wolf:

"Walk around a little; you'll get used to them."

"I can't feel my toes!"
"That's good; then you won't feel the blisters."
"Enough of this nonsense. Take me to the ball."

Charlotte: "But we're not finished Mr. Wolf. You need a scarf for your muzzle and some
gloves for your paws. Your outfit has to be complete."
Hedwig: "I have the perfect match. Here you go Mr. Wolf. We'll wrap this fluffy scarf
around you. We'll hide your snout
Narrator 2: Bernice and Charlotte grabbed the ends of the scarf and wrapped it around
the wolf's body. Then they draped it over his long snout. In the meantime Hedwig brought a
pair of evening gloves and slipped them over the wolf's front paws.
Bernice:
Wolf:

"Smile, Mr. Wolf. You're almost ready."

"Now I know how a mummy feels."

Charlotte: "Mummy? Imagine how your tummy feels after a fine feast of red hen.
Wolf:
Bernice:
Wolf:

"A fine meal indeed. Am I ready now?"

"Not yet, you've got to strut," answered Bernice.
"Strut?"

Bernice:

"Yes, strut. Watch and learn."

Narrator 2: The wolf watched as Bernice pranced her feet and wiggled her tailfeathers.
The hen bobbed her head from side to side. She finished by flicking her wings and
fluttering her eyes.
Bernice: "Now your turn. Here watch yourself in the mirror."
Narrator 1: The wolf stood in the middle of the hen house. He stared at his reflection in
the mirror.
Bernice:

"You'll be the talk of the ball. Now walk!"

Narrator 2: The wolf started with a few unsteady steps.

Bernice:
Wolf:

"Now turn around and come back."

"I can do this!"

Charlotte: "Don't forget to strut. SWING THOSE HIPS! Let me see you twirl that scarf!"
Bernice:

"Go Wolfie! Go Wolfie! Go-Go! Go Wolfie Go!

Narrator 1: cheered Bernice. Soon everyone joined in the chorus. The wolf was strutting.
His shoulders were slinking. His feet were prancing. His scarf was twirling. The hen house
was chanting. There were sounds of hoots and whistles. There were even a few catcalls. But
not a one wolf howl. Then all became quiet.
Narrator 2: It seems that a friendly nail was sticking out of the wall. It was just in the
right spot to catch a whirling scarf in mid- flight. The scarf got caught. The wolf pulled
and pulled and the scarf wrapped tighter and tighter around his body. He roared in anger
and fiercely lunged at a nearby chicken. When he fell to the floor the hens knew that the
wolf was trapped. The hens cheered in excitement.
Bernice:

"Come on girls. We've got a ball to go to."

Hedwig:

"He will not bother us anymore."

Charlotte: "Last one there is a rotten egg."

Narrator 1: chuckled Charlotte. The hens went off to the ball. They laughed all evening
and made noise past midnight.
Narrator 2: They all moved together and raised their wings up over their heads. They all
giggled as they danced the people dance.
Narrator 3: After a few hours of embarrassment the wolf left the hen house and returned
to the deep dark forest. He has not been heard from ever since.