HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLE PAGES FROM THE PLAY:
"The Gooseneck Barnacle's Dilemma"
Middle or Primary Grades
THE GOOSENECK BARNACLE'S DILEMMA
(or Pollicipes Polymerus Gets Caught In A Pounding Pickle!)
A Science comedy play - one act - by Bernie Griff ©1996 Revised
This play can also be done as a Science musical-comedy.
****************************************
Characters:
Polli - A Gooseneck Barnacle
Stella - A Starfish
Linda - A Limpet
Herman - A Hermit Crab
Suzie - A Sand Dollar
Sally - A Sea Anemone
Billy - A Beach Hopper
Sam - A Sea Urchin
Charley - A Chiton (or Sea Cradle)
Brian - A Blenny (A tidepool Eel-like creature)
Anne - An Octopus
******************************************************
1
THE GOOSENECK BARNACLE'S DILEMMA
Setting: The seashore backdrop shows the upper tide zone on one side; the
lower tide zones on the other side. The record or CD Environments or some
ocean sound effects playing in the background will create the mood of the
seashore.
At Rise: Polli and Stella are talking in excited tones.
********************************************************************************************
Act One - The Gooseneck Barnacle's Dilemma
Scene One - The Spray Zone
Stella: Listen Pollicipes, you've been on these rocks all your life! Just
when are you going to give up this way of life?
Polli: What can I do Stella? This is it This is the way I live. I Can't
help it.!
Stella: Wait a minute Polli - do you want to be free like me or not? Do
you like letting the waves pound you and pound you all day long
in the spray zone?
Polli: No Stella, to tell you the truth - I'm getting sick of it. I
really want to travel like you do, but how will I do it?
Stella: I'll tell you. Start thinking - thinking real hard and when the
next big wave comes and hits you real hard, just tug and pull -
pull with all your might!
Polli: Yes, I'll pull, pull, pull and then - then Stella, I'll be free like
you! (Linda Limpet walks over towards Polli and Stella)
2
The Gooseneck Barnacle's Dilemma
Stella: That's the way to talk Polli. Oh! Hello Linda Limpet - Polli
has decided to leave the rocks and be free like me!
Linda: (Looking disturbed with hands on hips) Oh, has she Stella
(Turning to Polli) Polli, you don't have to go and leave the
rocks. Rocks are for barnacles.
Polli: They are, are they! How about my cousins who get to ride all
over the world on ship bottoms?
Stella: That's the way to talk Polli.
Linda: Yes Polli, but think of the chances they take.
Polli: Oh, chances - gaspin' gastropods how about my second cousins
that get to ride on whales - free rides - what fun!
Stella: (With an excited voice) HERE COMES A BIG WAVE POLLI - A
BIG ONE! (Sound effects of a wave crashing on the shore)
Polli: Oh, now I'll be free Stella. Just wait and see! I'll pull real
hard. (Sounds of huffing and puffing as Polli tugs)
Linda: She's doing it She's pulling herself .....
Polli: I'm free! I'm free! Let's go Stella!
Stella: You're too fast for me Polli - I'll meet you later. (Linda and
Stella exit)
**********************************
3
The Gooseneck Barnacle's Dilemma
Scene Two - The Lower Tide Zone
Suzie: (On the Lower Tide Zone part of the backdrop) What are you doing
in the Lower Tide Zone Barnacle? You belong in the Spray Zone.
Polli: My name's Polli. I'm a Gooseneck Barnacle and who are you?
Suzie: I'm Suzie Sand Dollar, and as I was saying what are you doing
in the lower tide zone?
Polli: I know I'm not supposed to be here Suzie Sand Dollar, but I
want to try something different for a change. I was getting
bored hanging on a rock all day.
Suzie: Well, if you are going to be here in the lower tide zone, I
better warn you about a close relative of mine.
Polli: Who is it? What does he look like? (With worry in her voice)
Tell me Suzie!
Suzie: Well, his name is Sam Sea Urchin. He has long red spines that
can hurt.
Polli: Uh Oh!...that can hurt! I'll look out for him! (Herman Hermit
Crab enters just about to claim a new shell house)
************************
(Here is a good spot to sing Herman's song: "The Phylum Arthropoda"
This is optional but will add a lot of "spice" to the play.)
Herman: (He finishes his song and reaches out a claw) Watch out
where you are going - that's my new shell!
*If interested, see "Forms" at Main Menu. or click on Feedback.
to order the play.