A couch-back puppet show
The Moon Parade
The gentle parade that walks the moon up the sky, and the room into bedtime.
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Tonight’s cast & their voices
The Lantern Carrierthe any puppet · any puppet can play this partleft hand
Voice: Warm and chest-deep, steady as a slow walk — the leader of the line.
The Song Hummerthe any puppet · any puppet can play this partright hand
Voice: One low, round note for everything — hum first, words after, quieter every time.
The Star Counterthe any puppet · any puppet can play this part
Voice: Bright and high, slow with wonder — counts like each number is brand new.
The Wish Keeperthe any puppet · any puppet can play this part
Voice: The softest voice in the show — barely above a breath.
Props (raid the kitchen)
- A lantern — a torch, a phone light, or a cup held high (optional)
- A white plate or paper circle (the moon, raised at the hill) (optional)
- Low lights in the room, if you can (optional)
Scene 1
The Gathering
🎭 Lamplight low if you can. The parade gathers at one end of the room; the couch arm is the hill where the moon comes up. Any four puppets — announce who’s who as they arrive.
Action
Announce each puppet’s job as it pops up: the Lantern Carrier, the Song Hummer, the Star Counter, the Wish Keeper.
The Lantern Carrier
Friends! The sun has gone to bed and forgotten to put the moon up. Again.
The Song Hummer(on one low note)
Hmmmm. It does that every single night.
The Star Counter
That’s why there’s us. The Moon Parade!
The Wish Keeper(almost a whisper)
The moon won’t rise for noise. Only for parades. Small, slow ones.
The Lantern Carrier
Then let’s line up. Lantern first — that’s me.
Action
The puppets shuffle into a line, bumping gently, sorting themselves out.
The Song Hummer
Hummer second. Hmmmm.
The Star Counter
Counter third. One… two… three of us. Wait. Four. Good — I’m warmed up.
The Wish Keeper
And the Wish Keeper walks last, to catch what falls.
The Lantern Carrier
Everyone here is in the parade too. Parade rules: slow feet, soft voices. And one refrain.
🎉 Everyone together
Learn the parade’s refrain, soft as you can: “Step by step, hush by hush, the moon will rise.”
The Lantern Carrier
Exactly like that. And quieter every time we say it.
🎉 Everyone together
Now get your slow feet ready — march in place, quiet as socks. That’s parade speed.
The Lantern Carrier
Lantern up! Parade… begin.
Scene 2
Walking the Moon Up
🎭 The parade actually walks: once around the room, slow as you can bear, ending at the couch-arm hill. The moon rises as you go.
Action
Walk the puppets in a slow line around the room. The audience marches in place, or joins the line behind.
The Song Hummer(the parade song — low and round, like a lullaby rolling downhill)
Hmmmm… hm-hm… hmmmm…
The Lantern Carrier
Higher, lantern. The moon watches for us, you know. It’s a little shy.
The Star Counter
Star check! I see one star… there.
🎉 Everyone together
Help the Star Counter — point at the ceiling and count, slow and soft: ONE… TWO… THREE.
The Star Counter
Three stars, counted beautifully. All in position. The sky is nearly ready.
The Song Hummer(quieter than before)
Hmmm… step by step, hush by hush…
The Wish Keeper(very soft)
Wish collection. Everyone think of one small wish for tomorrow.
🎉 Everyone together
Whisper your wish to the Wish Keeper as the puppet comes past — or into your own hands, and hold it tight.
Action
Walk the Wish Keeper slowly past each child. Pause at every whisper. Nod gravely. This cannot be rushed.
The Wish Keeper
Mm. I felt each one arrive. Lovely ones tonight. Heavy with good.
The Song Hummer(quieter still)
Hmmmm… the hill is close… hush by hush…
Action
The parade arrives at the couch arm. Raise the moon — the plate, or pure imagination — slowly over the hill. The whole room looks up together.
The Lantern Carrier
There. Do you see? The moon heard the parade.
The Star Counter
Right on time. Round and white like a… hm. Like the moon. Nothing else is quite it.
The Lantern Carrier
One thank-you each, for something good today. Mine’s this parade.
The Wish Keeper
And your wishes are tucked under the moon for the night. Safest place there is.
The Song Hummer(half-asleep)
Hmmmm… thank you, quiet room…
The Lantern Carrier
Lantern down, low and warm. Parade… complete.
Action
The lantern lowers. The hum fades to nothing. The puppets settle, one against the next, still.
The Lantern Carrier(a gentle whisper)
Step by step… hush by hush… the moon has risen.
The Lantern Carrier
Goodnight, moon-walkers. Wave — slow as the moon.
🎉 Everyone together
The slowest wave in the world… goodnight, parade. Goodnight, moon.
Action
The puppets wave back, slower and slower, until they’re asleep on the hill.
Want one written for YOUR puppets?
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