Brer Rabbit and Sister Swan’s Daughter

Brer Rabbit and Sister Swan’s Daughter is an original tale by Malcolm Henty. The day the Swan family took up residence near Brer Turtle’s pool it caused quite a stir amongst the animals in the Wildwood. Brer Swan was a keen gardener and grew the finest roses, but it was Sister Swan’s daughter who was the star of the show. She was a radiant beauty, and all the menfolk sought her hand in marriage. Brer Rabbit watched enviously as suitors arrived with fine gifts for her. Because he was only a poor rabbit, he would need a cunning plan. So, he stroked his ears and began thinking.

Malcolm Henty is retired and living in East Devon in the United Kingdom. His theatre experience comes from writing and directing plays and pantomimes for the local children’s theatre group of which he is chairman. He also has the great fortune of working alongside his granddaughter Beth who is a primary school teacher. In addition to staging productions, the group also runs a very successful Drama Club for which he has written various plays. Happiness Stan and A Man for All Seasons, are about a raggedy old scarecrow and are both available on Drama Notebook. Hairgel and Hairgel 2 (Karma Chameleon) are full-length musicals. Hitler’s Ear is a play based on a true story of a boy who was evacuated three times in WW2, and All Hell at Allhallows is a murder mystery. Malcom is also the co-author along with Kent playwright Paul Sherman, of a new play based on Cornish folklore which is awaiting its premiere.

More Brer Rabbit plays:

Brer Rabbit Tricks Brer Fox
Brer Rabbit Meets Brer Lion
Mr. Man and the Candy Store, a Brer Rabbit Tale
Brer Rabbit and the Day of Learning
Brer Rabbit’s Christmas

Excerpt from the Play:

CHARACTERS
Narrator 1
Narrator 2
Brer Rabbit
Brer Fox
Brer Bear
Brer Lion
Brer Swan
*Brer means brother or an informal title before someone’s name.

(Setting: In the wildwood near a pond where the swans and other animals reside.)

Narrator 1:
Now some things, they stay the same. And some things, they change. And change they most certainly did the day Brer Swan and Sister Swan took up residence close to Brer Turtle’s pool. Not that their taking up residence was such a big deal, no, what changed things around the wildwood was the fact that Sister Swan had a daughter. And this daughter was the most beautiful trumpeter swan that you ever saw. She was elegant and adorable, and none of the animals in the wildwood had ever seen such beauty before.

Narrator 2:
All the menfolk wanted to walk out with Sister Swan’s daughter and wished that she would become their bride. Brer Swan was very protective of his daughter but even more so of his prize-winning red roses, which he grew in his secret garden out of sight from inquisitive eyes. One day early in the fall Brer Rabbit was lurking suspiciously around on the edge of the wildwood when he spotted Brer Fox coming along the path all dressed up.

Brer Rabbit:
A fine good morning to you Brer Fox. You are looking mighty dapper today. Are you off to the races?

Brer Fox:
Oh no not today. Today I am going courting with Sister Swan’s daughter. I am hoping that she might do me the honour of becoming Mrs. Brer Fox.

Brer Rabbit:
Well Brer Fox I do hope that you have a nice present for her. She sure is a beautiful creature and someone like that deserves only the best.

Brer Fox:
I have a big box of the finest chocolates for her.

Brer Rabbit:
Chocolates are all very well, Brer Fox, but the true way to win a lady’s heart is with red roses.

Brer Fox:
Roses? But I have no money left after buying these chocolates. Where can I get red roses?

Brer Rabbit:
Well, my friend, it just so happens that if you let me have a taste of those chocolates, I may be able to help you.

Brer Fox:
Oh, Brer Rabbit, would you do that for me? Here, take the whole box. Just tell me where I can get some red roses.

Narrator 1:
Brer Fox handed over the box of chocolates and Brer Rabbit led him to a garden where the most beautiful red roses were growing. Brer Fox commenced picking himself a fine bunch. Brer Rabbit waved goodbye to his friend and then raced as fast as he could and knocked on Brer Swan’s door so loudly that the tiles on the roof began shaking.

(Brer Swan opens his door. Brer Rabbit is standing there gasping.)

Brer Rabbit:
Come quick Brer Swan! Please hurry!

Brer Swan:
Oh, it’s you Brer Rabbit. I thought we were having an earthquake. Whatever brings you here in such a hurry?

Brer Rabbit:
It’s Brer Fox, sir. He’s in the middle of your prize-winning roses and he’s busy cutting them to pieces.

Brer Swan:
Is he really? I will teach him a lesson. No one touches my prize roses.