Rory and Stripes

Characters:

• Rory, a small dog
• Stripes, a big tiger

Scene: A sunny jungle clearing.

(Scene opens with Rory sniffing around a tall tree. Stripes is napping nearby.)

Rory: (Sniffs loudly) Hello? Is anyone there?

Stripes: (Grumbling, opens one eye) Who's making all that noise?

Rory: Oh! I'm Rory. I didn't see you there. Are you a... a big cat?

Stripes: (Stretches) I am Stripes, the tiger. What are you, little dog?

Rory: I'm a dog! I like to play and fetch sticks. Do you like sticks?

Stripes: (Yawns) Sticks? Tigers like naps and chasing butterflies.

Rory: Butterflies! I like to chase butterflies too!

Stripes: (Surprised) You do?

Rory: Yes! Let's chase one together! (Rory wags his tail and runs after a butterfly.)

Stripes: (Chuckles and follows Rory) Alright, little dog. Let's see if we can catch it.

(Rory and Stripes chase the butterfly around the clearing, laughing. Stripes stumbles a bit because he is so big.)

Rory: Be careful, Stripes!

Stripes: (Smiling) I'm trying! This is more fun than napping!

(The butterfly lands on a flower.)

Rory: It stopped! Now what?

Stripes: (Carefully approaches the flower) We can watch it. Butterflies are pretty.

Rory: (Sits next to Stripes) They are. I like the colors.

Stripes: (Nods) Me too.

(Rory and Stripes sit quietly, watching the butterfly. After a moment, Rory speaks.)

Rory: Stripes?

Stripes: Yes, Rory?

Rory: Can we be friends?

Stripes: (Smiles warmly) I think we already are, little dog.

(Rory wags his tail happily. Stripes gently nudges Rory with his big head. They both watch the butterfly together, now the best of friends.)