Carol Knarr - Storyteller and Drama Specialist

Choose three audience members to be the father and the two sons. Of course, girls can play male roles! The three actors simply follow the story line adding action and humor.

 

How Spider Got a Thin Waist (African)

Papa spider loved to eat more than anything else. On this day he had two banquets to attend at the same time. This would not be possible!

 

Papa spider called his two sons to him. “I have a plan. I will tie a rope around my waist. Both of you grab an end and go to the banquet. When the meal is ready, tug on the rope and I will come eat with you. I will eat at both banquets today!”

 

As the sons left, Papa spider sat in the road waiting and waiting. Then suddenly the rope tugged to his left and then to his right and then at the same time! The sons were pulling so hard that the rope became too tight; papa lost his breath and fainted in the road.

 

When the sons returned fat from the banquets, they found their papa. “What happened? Why didn’t you come to the banquet?” Papa explained and from that day on, spiders have had thin waists.

 

Adding a bit of drama to a story is fun for the audience and the teller. Feel free to take liberties with the story and allow the actors’ actions to change your story a bit as you tell. The fun is in the give-and-take of the teller and player.

 

Arkhurst, Joyce Cooper. The Adventures of Spider. New York: Scholastic, 1964.