Benjamin the Hiding Bunny

This short play is perfect for very young children because the narrator cues the actors with their lines. The story tells of a young rabbit, an expert at hiding, who tries to help some chickens whose eggs are being taken by the farmer and his children. The wise farmer recognizes that bunnies will be bunnies and proposes a solution that works for all. About 15 minutes long. 10+ Characters. Cast size and gender breakdown are flexible.

Kathleen Maule Holen has been writing for community theatre since 2015. Her plays have been published by Drama Notebook, Silverbirchington Plays, Lazy Bee Scripts, and Off the Wall Plays. Two of her plays have won awards and several have been performed after being entered in contests and festivals. Her plays for children include Molly’s Adventure on a Flying Swing, The Great Gurgling Blob Bread Monster, Three Cats for Christmas, Broom Book & Cackle, and Mr. Russell’s Gift.

Excerpt from the Play:

CHARACTERS:
GRANDMOTHER/FATHER RABBIT-narrator of the play who cues the actors’ lines
BUNNIES-young bunnies who listen as Grandmother tells the story
BENJAMIN BUNNY-young rabbit who knows all about hiding
BIG DOG-farm dog who loves to chase rabbits
FOX-clever fox who loves to catch rabbits
CHICKENS-noisy group of chickens worried about losing their eggs
FARMER BROWN-farmer who loves to eat eggs
THE KIDS-group of children who want to help Farmer Brown
THE EGGS-all the eggs the chickens laid (can be props or actors)
MAYOR GREEN-mayor of the town who has a good idea

SETTING: a farmyard

(Grandmother Rabbit sits in a rocking chair. A Group of young bunnies sits at her feet.)

GRANDMOTHER:
Thank you for coming to visit me on this beautiful spring day. I’m always glad to see such polite young bunnies. What shall we do today? Do you want to hear a story?

BUNNIES:
Yes, Grandmother!

GRANDMOTHER:
Which story will it be today? The one about Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor?

BUNNIES:
No.

GRANDMOTHER:
The one about the Bunny who cried wolf?

BUNNIES:
No!

GRANDMOTHER:
You always like the one about our Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather Benjamin the hiding rabbit.

BUNNIES:
Yes! Yes! Benjamin the hiding rabbit!

GRANDMOTHER:
Very well. Everyone, sit very still like good bunnies and I’ll tell you the story. Once upon a time, a very long time ago when our Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Benjamin Rabbit was a very young bunny just like you, he lived on a farm, in a field somewhere between the barn and the farmhouse. In the spring, the leaves on the trees were green and beautiful, the bushes all had flowers and the grass grew thick.

(Benjamin enters hopping. Another option is this can be one of the bunnies at her feet who jumps up to take on the role)

GRANDMOTHER:
Benjamin said, “I love Spring!”

BENJAMIN:
I love Spring!

GRANDMOTHER:
Benjamin hopped over to the bushes and smelled the flowers. Benjamin said,” I love flowers.”

BENJAMIN:
I love flowers!

GRANDMOTHER:
Benjamin hopped around until he found a patch of green grass. Benjamin said,” I love to eat grass.”

BENJAMIN:
I love to eat grass!

GRANDMOTHER:
But hopping around in the farmyard wasn’t always safe for young bunnies.

(Big Dog enters and begins sniffing around.)

GRANDMOTHER:
Big Dog lived on the farm too and was always sniffing around looking for bunnies. Big Dog said, “I love to chase bunnies.”

BIG DOG:
I love to chase bunnies.

GRANDMOTHER:
Now Benjamin was afraid of Big Dog. Should Benjamin run?

BUNNIES:
No!

GRANDMOTHER:
Maybe Benjamin could scare Big Dog by yelling BOO!

BUNNIES:
No!

GRANDMOTHER:
Suddenly Benjamin remembered something. Benjamin remembered that Rabbits are very good at hiding. Benjamin said,” I can hide!”

BENJAMIN:
I can hide!

GRANDMOTHER:
When Big Dog wasn’t looking, Benjamin hopped to a big tree in some tall grass. Benjamin lay down in the grass as low as could be. Benjamin’s ears didn’t move. Benjamin’s eyes didn’t move. Benjamin’s tail didn’t move. Only Benjamin’s nose wiggled! Big Dog sniffed all around the tree but never found Benjamin. Big Dog said, “I’ll never find that Bunny!” and gave up and went home.

BIG DOG:
I’ll never find that Bunny!