The Jungle King’s Crown

By Luc Boulanger

Summary

The Old Lion, once the unquestioned master of the jungle, can no longer hunt. He must therefore relinquish his crown. A Royal Assembly is convened, and all the animals gather to choose a new king. Although tradition dictates that the eldest son should inherit the crown, a new question arises—one aimed at bringing greater representation and diversity to this long-standing institution.

A script designed for beginners. The narration can be read by an adult or an older child. It guides the performers throughout the story, telling them when to speak their lines and perform their actions.

Production details

  • Style/Theme : Diversity and representation
  • Setting : The jungle
  • Number of actors : 15 to 27
  • Duration : 15 min. (9 pages)
  • Age : Ages 5 to 8, Ages 8 to 13
  • Level : Beginner, Intermediate

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Théâtre Animagination

Excerpt from the play

The Jungle King’s Crown

This easy-to-perform play was written for beginners.

In the heart of the jungle, the Old Lion, King for many seasons, must give up his crown. A Royal Assembly is called to choose his successor. But when the Prince takes the stage, not everyone agrees that the crown should automatically go to a lion. What follows is a lively debate between elephants, snakes, giraffes, and bees — until a new kind of ruler is chosen…

A script designed for beginners. The narration can be read by an adult or an older child. It guides the performers throughout the story, telling them when to speak their lines and perform their actions.

Characters: 15 to 27 actors

Narrator
Old Lion
Wise Monkey
Parrot One
Parrot Two
Elephants
Snakes
Giraffes
Bees
Queen Bee
Prince

The number of characters can range from 15 to 27. The elephant, snake, giraffe, and bee delegations can include 2 to 5 participants each, depending on your needs.

To portray the animals, there is no need to use elaborate costumes for each performer. Matching makeup and clothing in the animal’s colors are more than enough.

This easy-to-perform play is protected by copyright law. Before reproducing it (photocopying), performing it publicly, or publishing it in print or electronic form, make sure you have the required permissions. 

 

Scene 1 – The End of a Reign

Narrator: The story we’re about to tell takes place deep in the jungle, far from human eyes. The jungle has its own laws, and one of them says that when the king can no longer hunt, he must give up his crown.

The Old Lion enters, wearing his crown on his head.

Narrator: The Old Lion, who had ruled for many, many moons—well over a hundred—could no longer run.

Old Lion: Ah! My old bones ache. My hunting days are over.

He takes off his crown and looks at it thoughtfully.

Old Lion: It’s time to choose a new king. Send for the Wise Monkey.

Narrator: The Wise Monkey is the guardian of the jungle law. He makes sure it’s followed and respected.

The Wise Monkey enters.

Wise Monkey: You sent for me, my king?

Old Lion: The time has come, my friend. A younger, stronger ruler must follow in my footsteps.

Wise Monkey with a sad look : I understand… I’ll call for a Royal Assembly right away.

Narrator: To choose a new king, all the animal species must come together.
This meeting is called the Royal Assembly.
To spread the news across the entire jungle, they call upon the parrots.

Two parrots fly in, flapping their wings.

Parrot One: Attention, everyone in the jungle!

Parrot Two: Attention, everyone in the jungle!

Parrot One: We won’t repeat this message!

Parrot Two: We won’t repeat this message!

Parrot One: A Royal Assembly will be held in the Clearing of Peace!

Parrot Two: A Clearing of Peace will be held in the Royal Assembly!

Parrot One turning to his partner : No, that’s not it!

Parrot Two: No, that’s not it!

Parrot One: Stop repeating everything I say!

Parrot Two: Stop repeating everything I say!

Parrot One: Ah! Come on! We still have work to do!

Parrot Two: Ah! Come on! We still have work to do!

Both parrots flap their wings and exit.


Scene 2 of this easy-to-perform play  – The Arrival of the Guests

Narrator: Despite a few communication problems, every animal species sent representatives to the Clearing of Peace. It’s a wide, open space where hunting and fighting are forbidden — a calm place to talk and make decisions. The Wise Monkey and the Old Lion welcome the guests.

Wise Monkey: All creatures of the jungle are invited. We await you and wish you welcome!

Narrator: Suddenly, the ground begins to shake.

The Old Lion and the Wise Monkey tremble a little, looking worried.

Narrator: Is it an earthquake? No — it’s the elephants, shaking the ground and the trees with their heavy steps.

The Elephants enter with their slow, majestic walk.

Elephant 1: Greetings, O my king!

Old Lion: My time as king is coming to an end.

Elephant 2: Until a new ruler is chosen, you are still our king!

Elephant 3: If I’m not mistaken, it’s been a remarkable reign — eighteen rainy seasons!

Wise Monkey: Very precise! Elephants truly have excellent memories.

The Elephants bow before the king and take their place in a circle like an agora.
Reassured, the Old Lion gently puts his crown back on his head.

Narrator: The next delegation makes no noise at all, yet they are feared as much as the elephants — perhaps even more. It’s the snakes.

With slithering movements, the Snakes glide forward to greet the king.

Snake 1: Our respects, O my king.

Snake 2: The snakes are your loyal allies. We crawl at your feet.

Old Lion: Valuable allies indeed — snakes can slip anywhere and know everything.

Snake 1: Your strength and wisdom have always charmed us.

The Snakes bow and move to their place in the agora.

Narrator: The giraffes are the tallest animals on land — it’s hard for them to go unnoticed, especially in a crowd. Everyone admires their graceful walk.

The Giraffes enter with slow, elegant movements and approach the king.

Giraffe 1: We bow before you, Your Majesty.

Wise Monkey: What a fine compliment coming from creatures so tall!

Giraffe 1: The greatness of the heart matters even more.

Giraffe 2: We know how to make ourselves small when we need to.

The Giraffes bow and take their place in the agora.

Narrator: The next group forms what we call a swarm, because they’re made up of bees. Even if you can’t see them coming from far away, you can certainly hear their buzzing!

From backstage, we first hear the buzzing of bees. Then they fly in, spinning and circling, and finally approach the king.

Queen Bee: As queen of the bees, I’d like to offer Your Majesty a gift as a sign of our loyalty.

Old Lion: I always feel like a cub again when I get a present — you’ve sparked my curiosity!

Bee 1: Our workers gathered nectar from flower to flower to make their very best honey.

The Bee hands the gift to the Wise Monkey, who accepts it on behalf of the king.

Wise Monkey: What a delightful surprise!

Bee 2: It’s the fruit of hard work.

The Bees bow to the king and buzz over to their place in the agora.

Narrator: And just like that, the bees made quite a buzz in the jungle!

 

Scene 3 – The Prince’s Entrance

Narrator: Of course, many other animals had come to greet the king.
We’ve just met the main characters of the story that follows.
No one was missing — not even the turtles, who had wisely decided to leave very early.

Seeing that all eyes are on him, the Wise Monkey steps forward to speak.

Wise Monkey: I declare this meeting open. I suggest that we first listen to the king.

All the animals nod in agreement.

Old Lion: Dear subjects, ruling the jungle has been a great honor. But as you know, I must now give up my throne.

Wise Monkey: We are all saddened, Your Majesty.

The crowd murmurs softly. A feeling of sadness spreads among the animals.

Old Lion: According to tradition, I would like to name my successor — my eldest son, the Prince.

Narrator: The king expected cheers and applause, but the crowd remained strangely silent. Some animals even exchanged doubtful glances. And at that very moment, the Prince made his entrance…

The Prince enters, full of confidence — maybe a little too much.

Prince: How delighted I am to speak to you, my future fans!

Narrator: This time, a low murmur of discontent rises among the crowd.

Prince: I appreciate your calm and respectful silence. But let me remind you — choosing me as your king means choosing determination and strength!

The Prince raises his arms to show off his muscles. Some animals sigh. The Old Lion starts to look worried about the crowd’s reaction.

Wise Monkey (trying to help) : The Prince has received an excellent education — supervised by your humble servant, of course.

He bows politely.

Prince: I’ve been waiting for this day with great excitement, and I’m sure you’re all as happy as I am. Let’s celebrate with joy and cheerfulness!

 

Scene 4 of this easy-to-perform play – The Challenge

Narrator: The tension in the clearing was growing. No one dared to speak, but it was clear that the Prince was not everyone’s favorite choice. Then, a small bee finally found the courage to speak first.

Bee: Does the king have to be a lion?

For the complete story, please purchase the full play.

 

Character and scene line chart of this easy-to-perform play

I work for a school in Quebec

Public and private schools under the Ministry of Education of Quebec can obtain theater scripts free of charge through a reprography rights program managed by Copibec.

An official email address from a school service center or a private school is required to benefit from this program. Students cannot directly request a script.

The number of plays you are entitled to annually may be limited.

Each request is analyzed and verified. We aim to respond within two business days.

I want to understand copyright

First, it is important to understand that copyright is multifaceted.

Reproduction Rights

When distributing a text to actors, whether in print or electronically, you must obtain the author’s permission and pay royalties. By purchasing a text on our Animagination website, you automatically obtain permission and rights, but these are for a single project only. The project must be carried out in an amateur or school setting. For professional use, an agreement must be reached directly with the author.

Please note that the procedure is different for schools in Quebec. Refer to the section I work for a Quebec school.

Performance Rights

Whether performances are free or an admission fee is charged, you must acquire performance rights to comply with copyright law. There are only two types of exceptions: in an educational setting where the audience consists solely of students (no parents), and within a family unit where no outside guests are invited.

On the Animagination website, you can acquire performance rights when purchasing the text or return later once the performance dates are determined. It is strongly advised to obtain these rights before the performances.

Please remember that royalties are the author’s sole income. This enables them to continue writing wonderful stories for young people.

Moral Rights

The author has the right to respect for their work. It cannot be modified or adapted without their consent. However, for texts from the Animagination website, you do not need authorization for the following modifications: changing a place name, altering a character’s gender, or changing an expression that is not common in the location where the play is presented. As soon as you completely transform a line of dialogue, you must contact the author.

For more details, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of each page in the Theatre Texts section.

This text is heavily inspired by an information leaflet from the Société québécoise des auteurs et autrices dramatiques (SoQAD).

Excerpt from the play

The Jungle King’s Crown

This easy-to-perform play was written for beginners.

In the heart of the jungle, the Old Lion, King for many seasons, must give up his crown. A Royal Assembly is called to choose his successor. But when the Prince takes the stage, not everyone agrees that the crown should automatically go to a lion. What follows is a lively debate between elephants, snakes, giraffes, and bees — until a new kind of ruler is chosen…

A script designed for beginners. The narration can be read by an adult or an older child. It guides the performers throughout the story, telling them when to speak their lines and perform their actions.

Characters: 15 to 27 actors

Narrator
Old Lion
Wise Monkey
Parrot One
Parrot Two
Elephants
Snakes
Giraffes
Bees
Queen Bee
Prince

The number of characters can range from 15 to 27. The elephant, snake, giraffe, and bee delegations can include 2 to 5 participants each, depending on your needs.

To portray the animals, there is no need to use elaborate costumes for each performer. Matching makeup and clothing in the animal’s colors are more than enough.

This easy-to-perform play is protected by copyright law. Before reproducing it (photocopying), performing it publicly, or publishing it in print or electronic form, make sure you have the required permissions. 

 

Scene 1 – The End of a Reign

Narrator: The story we’re about to tell takes place deep in the jungle, far from human eyes. The jungle has its own laws, and one of them says that when the king can no longer hunt, he must give up his crown.

The Old Lion enters, wearing his crown on his head.

Narrator: The Old Lion, who had ruled for many, many moons—well over a hundred—could no longer run.

Old Lion: Ah! My old bones ache. My hunting days are over.

He takes off his crown and looks at it thoughtfully.

Old Lion: It’s time to choose a new king. Send for the Wise Monkey.

Narrator: The Wise Monkey is the guardian of the jungle law. He makes sure it’s followed and respected.

The Wise Monkey enters.

Wise Monkey: You sent for me, my king?

Old Lion: The time has come, my friend. A younger, stronger ruler must follow in my footsteps.

Wise Monkey with a sad look : I understand… I’ll call for a Royal Assembly right away.

Narrator: To choose a new king, all the animal species must come together.
This meeting is called the Royal Assembly.
To spread the news across the entire jungle, they call upon the parrots.

Two parrots fly in, flapping their wings.

Parrot One: Attention, everyone in the jungle!

Parrot Two: Attention, everyone in the jungle!

Parrot One: We won’t repeat this message!

Parrot Two: We won’t repeat this message!

Parrot One: A Royal Assembly will be held in the Clearing of Peace!

Parrot Two: A Clearing of Peace will be held in the Royal Assembly!

Parrot One turning to his partner : No, that’s not it!

Parrot Two: No, that’s not it!

Parrot One: Stop repeating everything I say!

Parrot Two: Stop repeating everything I say!

Parrot One: Ah! Come on! We still have work to do!

Parrot Two: Ah! Come on! We still have work to do!

Both parrots flap their wings and exit.


Scene 2 of this easy-to-perform play  – The Arrival of the Guests

Narrator: Despite a few communication problems, every animal species sent representatives to the Clearing of Peace. It’s a wide, open space where hunting and fighting are forbidden — a calm place to talk and make decisions. The Wise Monkey and the Old Lion welcome the guests.

Wise Monkey: All creatures of the jungle are invited. We await you and wish you welcome!

Narrator: Suddenly, the ground begins to shake.

The Old Lion and the Wise Monkey tremble a little, looking worried.

Narrator: Is it an earthquake? No — it’s the elephants, shaking the ground and the trees with their heavy steps.

The Elephants enter with their slow, majestic walk.

Elephant 1: Greetings, O my king!

Old Lion: My time as king is coming to an end.

Elephant 2: Until a new ruler is chosen, you are still our king!

Elephant 3: If I’m not mistaken, it’s been a remarkable reign — eighteen rainy seasons!

Wise Monkey: Very precise! Elephants truly have excellent memories.

The Elephants bow before the king and take their place in a circle like an agora.
Reassured, the Old Lion gently puts his crown back on his head.

Narrator: The next delegation makes no noise at all, yet they are feared as much as the elephants — perhaps even more. It’s the snakes.

With slithering movements, the Snakes glide forward to greet the king.

Snake 1: Our respects, O my king.

Snake 2: The snakes are your loyal allies. We crawl at your feet.

Old Lion: Valuable allies indeed — snakes can slip anywhere and know everything.

Snake 1: Your strength and wisdom have always charmed us.

The Snakes bow and move to their place in the agora.

Narrator: The giraffes are the tallest animals on land — it’s hard for them to go unnoticed, especially in a crowd. Everyone admires their graceful walk.

The Giraffes enter with slow, elegant movements and approach the king.

Giraffe 1: We bow before you, Your Majesty.

Wise Monkey: What a fine compliment coming from creatures so tall!

Giraffe 1: The greatness of the heart matters even more.

Giraffe 2: We know how to make ourselves small when we need to.

The Giraffes bow and take their place in the agora.

Narrator: The next group forms what we call a swarm, because they’re made up of bees. Even if you can’t see them coming from far away, you can certainly hear their buzzing!

From backstage, we first hear the buzzing of bees. Then they fly in, spinning and circling, and finally approach the king.

Queen Bee: As queen of the bees, I’d like to offer Your Majesty a gift as a sign of our loyalty.

Old Lion: I always feel like a cub again when I get a present — you’ve sparked my curiosity!

Bee 1: Our workers gathered nectar from flower to flower to make their very best honey.

The Bee hands the gift to the Wise Monkey, who accepts it on behalf of the king.

Wise Monkey: What a delightful surprise!

Bee 2: It’s the fruit of hard work.

The Bees bow to the king and buzz over to their place in the agora.

Narrator: And just like that, the bees made quite a buzz in the jungle!

 

Scene 3 – The Prince’s Entrance

Narrator: Of course, many other animals had come to greet the king.
We’ve just met the main characters of the story that follows.
No one was missing — not even the turtles, who had wisely decided to leave very early.

Seeing that all eyes are on him, the Wise Monkey steps forward to speak.

Wise Monkey: I declare this meeting open. I suggest that we first listen to the king.

All the animals nod in agreement.

Old Lion: Dear subjects, ruling the jungle has been a great honor. But as you know, I must now give up my throne.

Wise Monkey: We are all saddened, Your Majesty.

The crowd murmurs softly. A feeling of sadness spreads among the animals.

Old Lion: According to tradition, I would like to name my successor — my eldest son, the Prince.

Narrator: The king expected cheers and applause, but the crowd remained strangely silent. Some animals even exchanged doubtful glances. And at that very moment, the Prince made his entrance…

The Prince enters, full of confidence — maybe a little too much.

Prince: How delighted I am to speak to you, my future fans!

Narrator: This time, a low murmur of discontent rises among the crowd.

Prince: I appreciate your calm and respectful silence. But let me remind you — choosing me as your king means choosing determination and strength!

The Prince raises his arms to show off his muscles. Some animals sigh. The Old Lion starts to look worried about the crowd’s reaction.

Wise Monkey (trying to help) : The Prince has received an excellent education — supervised by your humble servant, of course.

He bows politely.

Prince: I’ve been waiting for this day with great excitement, and I’m sure you’re all as happy as I am. Let’s celebrate with joy and cheerfulness!

 

Scene 4 of this easy-to-perform play – The Challenge

Narrator: The tension in the clearing was growing. No one dared to speak, but it was clear that the Prince was not everyone’s favorite choice. Then, a small bee finally found the courage to speak first.

Bee: Does the king have to be a lion?

For the complete story, please purchase the full play.

 

Character and scene line chart of this easy-to-perform play

I work for a school in Quebec

Public and private schools under the Ministry of Education of Quebec can obtain theater scripts free of charge through a reprography rights program managed by Copibec.

An official email address from a school service center or a private school is required to benefit from this program. Students cannot directly request a script.

The number of plays you are entitled to annually may be limited.

Each request is analyzed and verified. We aim to respond within two business days.

I want to understand copyright

First, it is important to understand that copyright is multifaceted.

Reproduction Rights

When distributing a text to actors, whether in print or electronically, you must obtain the author’s permission and pay royalties. By purchasing a text on our Animagination website, you automatically obtain permission and rights, but these are for a single project only. The project must be carried out in an amateur or school setting. For professional use, an agreement must be reached directly with the author.

Please note that the procedure is different for schools in Quebec. Refer to the section I work for a Quebec school.

Performance Rights

Whether performances are free or an admission fee is charged, you must acquire performance rights to comply with copyright law. There are only two types of exceptions: in an educational setting where the audience consists solely of students (no parents), and within a family unit where no outside guests are invited.

On the Animagination website, you can acquire performance rights when purchasing the text or return later once the performance dates are determined. It is strongly advised to obtain these rights before the performances.

Please remember that royalties are the author’s sole income. This enables them to continue writing wonderful stories for young people.

Moral Rights

The author has the right to respect for their work. It cannot be modified or adapted without their consent. However, for texts from the Animagination website, you do not need authorization for the following modifications: changing a place name, altering a character’s gender, or changing an expression that is not common in the location where the play is presented. As soon as you completely transform a line of dialogue, you must contact the author.

For more details, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of each page in the Theatre Texts section.

This text is heavily inspired by an information leaflet from the Société québécoise des auteurs et autrices dramatiques (SoQAD).

Théâtre Animagination
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