The Tale of Rooster's Comb and Why Rooster Now Lives with Man
Plays for Children
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_The Tale of the Rooster's Comb and Why Rooster Now Lives with Man.
Note: a Griot (Gree - oh) is a tradirtional African story teller.
Griot
1. There was once a time in the forest when it was not Rooster who feared Lion
but rather Lion who feared
Rooster.
Griot
2: Rooster with his great plumes, (drum) Rooster with his crowing, (drum) Rooster with the great red comb upon his head who made all the
laws.(Longer drum) For all the animals believed that Rooster's red comb was a comb of fire. ( drum punctuation,)
Rooster:
Bow down, bow down, For the red comb upon my head is a comb of fire.
Griot
1: Rooster even made the laws for lion. Indeed, every time Lion went out to hunt, it
was the law of the Rooster that lion
should also bring back a great number of fat and juicy bugs for Rooster to eat.Griot
2: Rooster did not like the meat from lion's hunt.He let lion keep the meet from the hunt for himself.Rooster only liked fat, sweet bugs.
Rooster:
Lion, I see that you are going hunting. When you have killed your prey, you may
keep the meat for
yourself.But, while you are out in the
great grassland, do not forget to also
return with a great many fat and juicy
bugs that I may eat for my supper.Lion:
I will not forget sir Rooster. I will have my great kill, but you shall have
your bugs.Rooster:
Be sure then not to forget or you will know the heat of the burning flame upon
my head.
Griot
1: Now Rooster had tricked Lion and all the other animals of the forest into
thinking that the bright red comb upon
his head was indeed a flickering flame.Lion:
(returning from the hunt) Behold Rooster, I have made my kill, I have
caught me a deer. But I have
also brought you your fat and juicy bugs. For I would not have you burn me with
that flickering flame upon your head.Rooster:
You are wise Lion and it is good that you know your place.That you know that I am ruler, and
you are my servant.Griot
1; Yes, my friends. In those days it was Rooster who was king and Lion was his
servant,Griot
2 : But, Oh, how foolish was Lion! How
sly was Rooster. Griot
1: And that was the way of many long years ago.Griot
2: But, now one day it happened that Lion and his mate were in their lodge.Griot
1: And on that day, Lion and his mate and their little cub had no fire.Lioness:
Look husband, our fire has gone out. How now shall we make a new one?Lion:
Perhaps I must go to man, and steal it in the night. For surely he will not
give it on his own.Lioness:
No, my husband. I fear that might be a great danger. Man is a clever thing and
might catch you in his trap
and kill you with his spear.Lion:
Where then shall we find fire, wife?Cub:
Perhaps father, we might ask Rooster?Lioness:
Rooster?Cub:
I would bring a sprig of short dry grass and ask that I might touch it to the
flickering flame above his head.Lion:
Do you think Rooster would grant this?Lioness:
You have always been a good servant to him husband and we would not take away
his flame, but only ask to light a
spark.Lion:
But here, take with you some fat and juicy bugs to sweeten his generosity.Griot
1: And so the young cub took the bugs and went to Rooster’s hut. But when he
came to the door….Cub:
Rooster, good Rooster are you at home? I have brought you bugs both fat and
juicy.Griot
2: But Rooster made no answer.Griot
1: And so Cub took a step inside the door.Cub:
Rooster, good Rooster, are you at home? I have brought you bugs both fat and
juicy.Griot
2: But Rooster did not answer for he was fast asleep and snoring loudly with a
mighty full belly from all the
grubs he had eater that noon.Cub:
Rooster, good Rooster, awake from your sleep for I have brought you bugs both
fat and juicy.Griot
1: But Rooster did not stir but snored all the louder.Cub:
Perhaps, if I touch my sprigs of dry grass to the flickering flame upon his
head I will have my fire
without having to ask.Griot
2: So Cub went softly by to Rooster’s comb and set the grass against the
brilliant red that glowed on
Rooster's head.Griot
1; But the grass, of course, did not light. Then said the lion cub.Cub:
Perhaps, if I blow gently upon it.Griot
2: And Cub blew gently but still it did not light.Cub:
What strange fire is this that does not burn?Griot
1: And then with great daring…..Cub:
Let me touch it with my paw.Griot
2: And so he touched Rooster’s comb.Cub:
This is no fire. This is no flame. What is this trick that Rooster has played.Griot
1: And so Cub went home to his father.Cub:
Father, father, come see what I have found. Rooster has no flame upon his head
but only a fluttering red ruff with
which he has tricked us.Griot
2: So Lion went with Cub and they found Rooster still fast asleep.Cub:
Look father ( Cub touches the comb) There is no flame.Lion:
Rooster, Rooster, awake from your sleep. What is this trick you have played?Rooster:
Who wakes me from my lazy sleep. Ah, Lion ! Beware, or I will scorch you with
this fire that glows upon my head.Lion:
Your trick is done Rooster. You have no fire. You have no flame. But only a
fluttering red ruff upon your
head. Rooster:
Who told you this? Beware!Griot
1: Then Lion grabbed Rooster by the comb upon his head.Lion:
Now, Rooster, no more will we bring bugs for you, but you will become for every
lion, his evening meal: a tasty treat!Griot
2: And this is why…Griot
1: To this very day….Griot
2. That Rooster lives with man…Griot
1: Where he will have protection from Lion and his cubs.