Celebrate Winter

It’s the very first winter for two bunnies. Uncertain of what to do when the weather changes, they look to other creatures for guidance. Should they fly south? Maybe gather nuts? How about hibernation? The bunnies learn to trust their instincts, embrace nature, and CELEBRATE the changing of the seasons.

About the Author…

Jennifer Reif has enjoyed more than 25 years in theatre and arts education in the Seattle area. She holds her BA in theatre from Morningside College and also studied at Oxford University in England. She is the co-founder of both Clay and Play, a summer arts program for youth, and SecondStory Repertory Theatre. Her time performing with The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis inspired much of her teaching and writing. Jennifer is also a frequent contributor to Drama Notebook. She is a member of AATE (American Alliance for Theatre and Education) and loves to spend time in the woods.

Excerpt from the play…

CHARACTERS:

BUNNY 1 (the wise one)
BUNNY 2 (the goofy one)
MAPLE TREE (older and perhaps grumpy)
CEDAR TREE (kind and wise)
SQUIRREL 1 (the boss)
SQUIRREL 2 (silly and loves to eat)
BIRD 1 (explorer, adventurer, traveler)
BIRD 2
FROG 1
FROG 2
BEAR 1 (tired and ready to hibernate)
BEAR 2
NARRATOR (Teacher or older student provides leading narration)

At Rise: Two trees, played by actors, are on stage. They might be frozen like statues, or they might be aware of their surroundings. The bunnies hop on and are having a wonderful time playing and chasing. Consider using instrumental music to set the tone of a crisp fall day. You can either use the leading narration or omit it.)

NARRATOR It’s a beautiful, crisp fall day. Two bunnies are having a splendid time. They are hopping, chasing, and playing. Suddenly a leaf falls from a tree.

(The Maple tree drops a leaf.)

BUNNY 1 Did you see that?

BUNNY 2 See what?

BUNNY 1 (Pointing at the leaf on the ground) This leaf. It just fell from that tree.

BUNNY 2 That’s not a leaf. Leaves are green. Don’t you know anything?

BUNNY 1 I know what I saw, and this leaf fell from that tree.

BUNNY 2 (Picks up the leaf and examines it.) Hm…let me see. It looks like a leaf. It smells
like a leaf. It tastes like a leaf…But I’m sure it’s not a leaf.

BUNNY 1 Well, I’m sure it is.

NARRATOR Suddenly, a wind blows through the field. (We see the trees and the bunnies

react as the wind blows. Consider having ensemble actors blow on with fabric or ribbons to represent the wind, then exit.)

BUNNY 1 Brr. (shivers) I just felt a little chill. It’s getting cold, don’t you think?

BUNNY 2 You’re right. It is a little breezy.

BUNNY 1 Hey, do this. (wiggles to fluff fur)

BUNNY 2 That looks funny.

BUNNY 1 It might look funny, but it makes you warmer.

BUNNY 2 (fluffs fur too) You’re right.

(They have fun fluffing fur.)

BUNNY 1 I don’t know why, but everything seems just a little different today.

MAPLE More new bunnies! Every year, it’s the same thing. “Oh! It’s a leaf! Oh! It’s getting colder”…same old, same old…

CEDAR I know, but it’s exciting! This is their very first autumn and their very first winter.

BUNNY 2 (Perking up) Winter? I love winter! Winter, winter, winter…What’s winter?

CEDAR Well, do you see how things are starting to change around here?

(Bunnies look around and nod in agreement) It’s all part of fall.

BUNNY 2 Fall? I can fall. (Bunny 2 falls)

CEDAR Not that kind of fall. Fall is another name for autumn.

MAPLE Maybe they call it fall because leaves fall from branches.

BUNNY 1 See, I told you it was a leaf.

BUNNY 2 But what is winter?

CEDAR Winter is a very special time of year filled with magic.

BUNNY 2 Oh, I love magic.

MAPLE When winter comes, the days will grow shorter and shorter.

BUNNY 1 Oh no!

MAPLE In fact, pretty soon, everything will fall asleep for winter.

BUNNY 2 Sleep? Not me. No siree, I won’t sleep.

CEDAR Well, not everything goes to sleep. All living things do something different.

BUNNY 1 But why do things have to change? Why do leaves turn color? Why do we have to go to sleep?

CEDAR Be patient. It’s all part of the cycle.

MAPLE The changing of the seasons.

BUNNY 2 Do bunnies change?

MAPLE Oh, just you wait.

BUNNY 1 But we don’t know what to do.

CEDAR That’s the magic! You will know what to do.

Squirrels enter collecting nuts into little baskets. SQUIRREL 1 is very serious about collecting

nuts. SQUIRREL 2 is just enjoying the day, happily eating a few nuts. Consider using

instrumental music as Squirrels enter and Bunnies observe for a while.

SQUIRREL 1 (To Squirrel 2) Hey, what are you doing?

SQUIRREL 2 (They can’t talk because their mouth is full of nuts.)

SQUIRREL 1 How many nuts do you have there?

SQUIRREL 2 (gulps) Uh…2 walnuts, three hazelnuts and uh…I guess I ate the acorns.

SQUIRREL 1 The idea is to save them. Save them! Remember?

SQUIRREL 2 Save them…Why?

SQUIRREL 1 For winter!

SQUIRREL 2 Oh, right. Winter. Don’t worry. I’ll just gather a few more. (Goes toward the tree to gather nuts.)

SQUIRREL 1 (noticing bunnies) Don’t you love this time of year? The crisp air, the autumnal smells.

BUNNY 1 Actually, this is our first winter. We don’t really know what to do yet.

SQUIRREL 1 That’s easy. You climb trees, collect nuts, bury them, and make sure you remember where you put them. (Discovering Squirrel 2 is eating nuts again.) Hey, what are you eating?

SQUIRREL 2 Oh yeah, right. Winter.

BUNNY 2 Well, maybe that’s what we should do, too. Let’s give it a try.