Monologues

• Please prepare and memorize one monologue from the list below

VELVETEEN RABBIT:  I really miss that old Horse.  He used to be such good company.  He said himself he was getting old; but there he was one day with the stuffing all out of him, lying on the floor.  The one they called Nana cleaned it up and took him away.  First the mouse and now him.  I wish he were still here.  He knew so much. He might even be able to tell me what the new season is.  (Generally, to the audience) Do you know?  It’s hot now, and the sun is very shiny.  I’m glad that they leave the window open for the breeze. It’s no fun wearing this velveteen coat all the time.

JAMIE: I’ll never get to sleep. (to the stuffed animal) How about we go on some adventures? (Jamie nods the head of the stuffed animal)  First thing, we dig tunnels!  Rabbits love tunnels! And they can go anywhere! (Jamie “digs” under the sheets) Great digging! You’re a natural! This tunnel will go to Antarctica! And this one to the moon! (Sleepy) Whew! This is tiring. But we’re not tired, are we? (Jamie shakes the toy rabbit’s head) Not one bit. But maybe we’ll just lie down a minute. (Both lie down.) Maybe we can see down the tunnels just by lying down. Maybe we’ll … (falling asleep) go in the tunnel … to the moon … tomorrow …

NARRATOR: Oh, hello there. I was just going to sit down with a favorite story of mine, The Velveteen Rabbit. Velveteen? What in the world is Velveteen, you ask? Well, it’s very soft to hold, like one of your favorite stuffed animals. And rabbit, well, you all know what a rabbit is. But this rabbit is very special. Would you like to hear it? Alright … Once there was a Velveteen Rabbit, and in the beginning, they were really splendid. Their fur was combed perfectly, and they had a ribbon tied on just so. On Christmas morning, they sat wedged in the top of the child’s stocking, with a sprig of holly between their paws, and the effect was charming. Do some of you know what it’s like to meet a new stuffed animal friend? It feels a little like this…

SKIN HORSE:  Mouse, I’ve been here a long time.  You and the Rabbit here are newcomers to the Nursery.  Look at my hide, all worn and shabby from the ten thousand hugs I’ve gotten.  The stuffing in my left ear is coming out through a tiny rip in the seam.  I’ve seen toys far more wonderful than you come and go.  There was a little chirping bird here last year is a silver cage, who could sing when the Boy wound her up.  She would sing and sing, beautiful songs; but one day the Boy would her too far, and she could sing anymore.  His father tried to fix her, but she was…She was broken.