The Gingerbread Man

The Gingerbread Man

Characters (10):  Narrator, Old Woman, Boy, Gingerbread Man, 2 Men, Cat, Dog, Cow, Fox

Narrator: In a beautiful village that was shrouded in greenery, there live an old man, an old woman and a little boy. Though unrelated, they lived together, helping one another in doing small and big jobs.

Old Woman: Let us have a little feast today. Young lad, why don’t you lend me a hand with the kitchen work today? Let us do some baking today while the old man keeps himself busy in the garden.

Boy: Baking! That sounds good. I can already smell the vanilla.

Old Woman: Then let’s get started. There’s plenty of baking to do. If you work hard with me, I’ll make something special for you.

Boy: Okay. I’m ready to roll.

Old Woman: Well, you could begin by assembling all the ingredients and dishes I need to get started. Get the rolling pin, baking tins, flour, sugar, eggs and butter.

Boy: I guess I can even roll out some pastries for you.

Old Women: Very well then. Go ahead. But make sure you roll out perfect rounds!

Narrator: The two of them worked hard. Within no time they had baked a big pile of pies, cakes and other goodies.

Boy: Wow! This is surely a feast. What a variety of yummy eats we have – rich cakes with creamy icing, chocolate covered buns, tarts filled with delicious strawberry jam and a whole lot of sweets!

Old Woman: And now for the special something that I promised you. Go ahead. Look into my cookery book and tell me what you wish me to bake for you.

Boy: Yippee! I’ve found something special. Will you make me the biggest Gingerbread Man in the world?

Old Woman: Sure. Bring me the largest baking tin that will fit into our oven.

Boy: Let me also cut out my Gingerbread Man’s shape. I’m so excited. Give me some currants for his eyes and the buttons of his shirt. Let me use this slice of lemon peel for his mouth. There, now my big man is ready to get into your oven.

Old Woman: In he goes, into his tin, and the oven. But make sure you keep a watch over the oven so that he does not get burnt.

Narrator: As the boy and old woman stood waiting for the Gingerbread Man to get baked, they suddenly heard strange noises coming from the oven. First, they heard tapping sounds. These were followed by a bang and then a knock. Then all at once, to their utter surprise and disbelief, the oven door burst open and out jumped the Gingerbread Man.

Boy: Oh, look at him – this rogue. He is running away from the kitchen. Hey, stop, you fellow. Don’t go out of our gate!

Narrator: The boy, old man and old woman chased the Gingerbread Man who speedily ran out of the gate. The Gingerbread Man laughed loudly and stopped to see the chasing trio.

Gingerbread Man:  Come, chase me. But you cannot catch me. I am the Gingerbread Man! I am now free and strong because I am the great Gingerbread Man. No one can catch me.

Narrator: The Gingerbread Man guffawed happily and kept running. On the way, he passed some men resting under the shade of a tree.

Gingerbread Man: You can’t catch me. (he said to the resting men)

The Men: You can’t continue to run because it’s so hot. But watch out. If you come any closer, we will gobble you up for our dinner

Gingerbread Man: Hee Hee. I am free. I am free. I can now do whatever I want, whatever I like.

Narrator: The Gingerbread Man was now so happy and full of mischievous thoughts. He wondered what next he could do, who he could play a prank on. He then spied a black cat, fast asleep. He pulled her whiskers as he ran past her. The cat became angry on being rudely woken up. She chased Gingerbread Man

Cat: Hey, who are you? Why did you pull my prized whisker which makes me look so chic and stylish!

Gingerbread Man: Run kitty, run as fast as you can. You’ll not be able to catch me, for I’m the mighty Gingerbread Man.

Narrator: The cat gave a long chase and tired, but she was not able to catch him. Gingerbread Man continued to run hard when he heard a dog bark. The dog was startled by the big man that he jumped over the gate and ran after the Gingerbread Man. He snarled and growled at the Gingerbread Man and tried to pull his trouser with his sharp teeth. But Gingerbread Man laughed loudly and yelled.

Gingerbread Man: Come on, run after me. But you can’t catch me for I am the Gingerbread Man.

Narrator: The dog also tired after a long and hard chase. Gingerbread Man continued to run. He came upon a field of cows grazing grass. He stopped and climbed up on the fence and shouted at the top of his voice.

Gingerbread Man: Catch me, catch me. I am the Gingerbread Man.

One of the cows: I don’t need to run after you. I can reach you from here.

Narrator: The cow was so big that she almost swallowed the Gingerbread Man in a single bite. Gingerbread Man fell off the fence in fright. He picked himself up and cried.

Gingerbread Man: Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me for I’m the Gingerbread Man.

Narrator: The cow was not interested. She kept munching the lush green grass. The Gingerbread Man kept running till he came to a river. He rested a while on its bank and felt pleased with himself. He spoke aloud to himself:

Gingerbread Man: It must be true that I am strong and no one can catch me. The young boy, the old man and woman, the men resting under the tree, the vain cat, the dumb dog, the crazy cow – none of them could catch me! I am really the most wonderful Gingerbread Man in the world!

Narrator: A crafty fox that was hiding in a bush nearby, heard every word that the Gingerbread Man spoke. He smacked his lips. He emerged from his hiding and addressed the Gingerbread Man.

Fox: What a fine looking fellow you are.

Gingerbread Man: Thank you sir, it’s kind of you. But try to catch me. Run as fast as you can, but you will not be able to catch me for I am the Gingerbread Man.

Fox: I wouldn’t even dream of chasing you. But tell me Gingerbread Man, how are you going to cross this river? Can you swim?

Narrator: Gingerbread Man’s face fell. He was dismayed because he did not know to swim.

Gingerbread Man: I can jump, hop, skip, and even stand on one leg. I can even do handstands. But, yes, you are right. I cannot swim!

Fox: Oh! But that should not be a problem because I can swim very well. If you will balance yourself on my tail, I will take you across the river.

Gingerbread Man: This is so kind of you sir. I will perch on your tail.

Narrator: Gingerbread Man hopped on to the fox’s tail. When they were close to mid river, the fox’s tail began to get wet.

Fox: Hop on to my back so that you will be safe from the water.

Narrator: Gingerbread Man did as the fox told him. But when they reached mid river, the fox’s back too became wet.

Fox: Jump on to my head; else you will get wet.

Narrator: Once again Gingerbread Man did as suggested by the fox. As the fox went deeper into the river, its head began to sink under the water.

Fox: Climb on to my nose or else you will drown.

Gingerbread Man: Thank you. You are indeed very kind, sir.

Narrator: The Gingerbread Man climbed on top of the fox’s nose. The fox opened his mouth wide. With a single snap, he gobbled up Gingerbread Man in one single bite! And thus ended Gingerbread Man’s glory.