A couch-back puppet show
The Elephant and the Sock
A giant elephant, one tiny sock, and three brave breaths.
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Tonight’s cast & their voices
Wilburthe elephantleft hand
Voice: Extra low, like the words sit at the bottom of a laundry basket; the volume shrinks whenever the sock is mentioned.
Tansythe cat · any puppet can play this partright hand
Voice: Very slow, like each word is placed on a couch cushion; never a flicker of surprise.
Props (raid the kitchen)
- A real sock
- A couch arm, or a chair, for the sock to sit on
Scene 1
The Thing on the Couch
🎭 Place the sock on one couch arm. Bring Wilbur up beside the opposite arm, with room between them.
Action
Wilbur rises, spots the sock, and jolts backward.
Wilbur(booming)
Prrr-PAH! Room for Wilbur.
Wilbur
Except beside that sock. That space is unavailable.
Action
Wilbur’s trunk curls tightly under his chin.
Wilbur(in a whisper)
I am afraid of that sock.
Action
Tansy enters from behind a cushion and sits neatly.
Tansy
Tip-tap. Tansy has arrived.
Tansy(flatly)
I fear nothing. I checked twice.
Wilbur
It is a real sock, Tansy.
Tansy(gravely)
I feared a cucumber once. It apologized.
Action
Tansy faces Wilbur. The sock is now behind her.
Wilbur
It’s behind you.
Tansy
Socks do not sneak.
Action
Tansy pivots. Quietly slide the sock behind her again.
Wilbur
It’s behind you.
Tansy(dryly)
That seems statistically unlikely.
Action
Tansy finally faces the sock and narrows her eyes.
Tansy
Go away, sock.
Action
Wait. The sock does absolutely nothing.
Wilbur
It has rejected diplomacy.
Tansy
Then I shall pounce.
Action
Tansy pounces. Flip the sock onto her head.
Action
Tansy freezes, then slowly turns to look at the audience.
Tansy(dryly)
Is it behind me now?
Wilbur
Technically, it is above you.
Action
Tansy lowers her head. The sock slips onto the couch arm.
Tansy
I remain entirely unafraid.
Wilbur
Your whiskers disagree.
Scene 2
Three Brave Breaths
🎭 Leave the sock on the couch arm. Rest Tansy visibly on a cushion while Wilbur faces the audience.
Action
Wilbur looks at the audience and slowly uncurls his trunk.
Wilbur(hopefully)
We need Brave Breathers. That is your job.
🎉 Everyone together
Brave Breathers, practise: in through the nose like sniffing honey, out like cooling soup.
Wilbur
That breath made my knees remember standing.
Tansy
I shall supervise from this dignified cushion.
Action
Tansy rests. Wilbur looks at the audience and curls his trunk.
🎉 Everyone together
Brave Breathers, first step: in through the nose like sniffing honey, out like cooling soup.
Wilbur
Your breath found my first foot.
Action
Wilbur takes one step toward the sock.
Wilbur
One step closer. Breathe.
Action
Wilbur looks at the audience and curls his trunk again.
🎉 Everyone together
Brave Breathers, second step: in through the nose like sniffing honey, out like cooling soup.
Wilbur
That breath steadied my second foot.
Action
Wilbur takes another step. His ears slowly lift.
Wilbur
One step closer. Breathe.
Tansy
The sock appears concerned.
Action
Wilbur looks at the audience. His whole body leans forward.
🎉 Everyone together
Brave Breathers, lean forward. Third step: in through the nose like sniffing honey, out like cooling soup.
Wilbur
Your brave breath reached all the way to my trunk.
Action
Wilbur takes the third step. His trunk hovers over the sock.
Wilbur
One step closer. Breathe.
Action
Wilbur lifts the sock with his trunk and holds it still.
Wilbur(with quiet wonder)
It is only a sock.
Wilbur
One fear smaller. Breathe.
Action
Wilbur settles the sock over his head like a floppy hat.
Tansy
A formidable hat.
Wilbur
It smells faintly of feet.
Tansy
All great hats have history.
Action
Both puppets face the audience, bow slowly, and settle low.
Wilbur(softly)
One fear smaller. Breathe.
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