Here's a simple story with BIG implications! If you're studying elections or economics this free Readers Theater script, "The Tiny Crooked Crack," will definitely generate some important discussions. Written as a parable, "The Tiny Crooked Crack" is versatile with many interpretations and character-building lessons. Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "The Tiny Crooked Crack" is appropriate for grades 5, 6, 7, 8 or high school students. (Note: We also have a simpler version with at a readability of about grade 4 in our free scripts on our home page.)
TIME: a little over 5 minutes
CAST: 4-6-10+ (optional choruses)
TONE: serious
READABILITY : grade 5.3
Here's an excerpt from this four page, cross-curricular Readers Theater script:
The Tiny Crooked Crack (Advanced)
By Carol Montgomery ©2012
Narrator 1: Once upon a time there was a tiny crooked crack in the ceiling of a big white house. No one paid much attention to the little crack because it was VERY small and hardly noticeable.
Narrator 2: Besides, everything else in the big white house was working and VERY famous people were visiting regularly and commenting...
Famous People: Oh, I just LOVE your big white house!
Narrator 1: The owners loved the compliments. And, the tiny crooked crack was ignored.
Narrator 2: Over time the crack split just a fraction wider; however, since new owners lived in the big white house, they didn’t know the little crack was getting bigger. After all, it was VERY small and hardly noticeable.
Narrator 1: And besides, some VERY famous people were still visiting regularly showering the owners with flattery...
Famous People: Your house is decorated beautifully! You must have us over again.
Narrator 2: The owners loved the timely flattery because OBVIOUSLY the famous people were more important than a little crack in the ceiling.
Narrator 1: After a few years, the crack began to show a little more in the ceiling of the big white house. And the owners would say...
Owners #1 & #2: Maybe we should check that out?
Owner #1: But, it was here when we moved in; it’s probably been here for years.
Owner #2: Besides, some VERY famous people are coming to see us in a few days, so we couldn’t do anything immediately anyway. Oh, I think they’re here now...
Famous People: We’re back! And, we still LOVE your fantastic house. What’s for dinner?
Narrator 1: The owners were hungry, so the little crack in the ceiling of the big white house was soon forgotten.
Narrator 2: When some new owners moved into the big white house they saw the crack in the ceiling--only now it was bigger. When they asked the neighbors about it the neighbors replied...
Neighbors: Oh, that crack has been there for years. It’s only the ceiling. We wouldn’t worry about it. No one looks at the ceiling anyway.
Narrator 2: So, the little crack in the ceiling continued to grow gradually with no one paying attention.
Narrator 1: Several years later the little crack in the ceiling of the big white house began to leak. It’s VERY difficult to ignore a leaky ceiling. Pots, bowls, buckets, and an old guitar case were set out to catch the drips.
(Continued...)
***Click on the arrow below to download the full printable version of "The Tiny Crooked Crack (Advanced)" | Readability = grade 5.3
We do have a version for grades 3-5 in the free script section accessible from our home page by clicking on the magnifying glass at the top of the page.
