CLARA CATERPILLAR 

(From the book, Clara Caterpillar by Pamela Duncan Edwards)

Characters :
Narrator 1
Narrator 2         
Momma butterfly
Clara
The Crow
 
Crowd of Caterpillars
 
Caterpillar 1
Caterpillar 2
Catisha
Cornelius 
 
Narrator 1:  One day Momma butterfly laid an egg on a cabbage leaf.
 
Momma Butterfly:  Grow up to be courageous and contented, Clara.
 
Narrator 1: Clara lay curled in the egg case for a considerable time. 
Eventually a crowd of caterpillars clustered around her.
 
Caterpillar 1:  She’s incredibly late coming out.
 
Caterpillar 2:  She’s very cautious.
 
Narrator 2:  A curious caterpillar knocked on Clara’s egg case.
 
Cornelius:  This is Cornelius, Come on out!
 
Clara:  But I’m comfortable in here!
 
Catisha:  Who cares if she comes out?  It’s clear she’ll only be a cabbage 
  caterpillar.  Cabbage caterpillars are so common.
 
Cornelius:  Don’t be cruel, Catisha.  Cabbage caterpillars are cute.

Clara:  Did you say cabbage?  Cabbage sounds scrumptious! 

 
Narrator 2:  So Clara cut a hole in her egg case and clambered out.
 
Clara:  I’m a lucky caterpillar.  Cornelius!  Come and share this delectable cabbage!             
Narrator 1:  Clara and Cornelius climbed and crawled and capered about.  They 
                had carefree caterpillar fun. 

Narrator 2:  They crammed themselves with cabbage, carrot, and cauliflower

                leaves. They grew into colossal caterpillars.
Cornelius:  Clara, come and make your chrysalis.

Catisha:  Don’t encourage her.  She’s only going to become a common cabbage butterfly.           

Clara:  Why is Catisha being catty?

 
Cornelius:  Catisha is conceited.  She knows she’ll become an attractive crimson-colored butterfly. 
               
Narrator 1:  Then Clara, Cornelius, and the other caterpillars caught on to the 
                cabbage, carrot, and cauliflower plants with cottony threads.  
 
Narrator 2:  They crinkled and discarded their skins and cuddled down inside
                their chrysalises.

Caterpillar 1:  I’m CRUSHED in here!

 
Caterpillar 2:  I hate being COOPED up!
 
Cornelius:  I’m CRAMPED!
 
Catisha:  I’m CRUMPLED!
 
Clara:  I’m CREASED!
 
Caterpillar 1:  I’m COILED like a corkscrew!
 
Caterpillar 2:  It’s making me CRANKY!
 
Catisha:  I can’t COPE!
 
Cornelius:  I can’t SCRATCH!
 
Clara:  My back TICKLES!
 
Cornelius:  Coo-ey!  Are you comfortable?
 
Clara:  Actually, I’m very cozy.
 
Narrator 1:  Then, one morning, the chrysalises began to crack, and out climbed  
                 delicate creatures!
 
Clara:  COOOOL!  You all look captivating!  Cornelius!  You’re a terrific copper color!
 
Catisha:  Why is that scruffy creature conversing with us?
 
Clara:  Catisha!  You are SPECTACULAR!
 
Catisha:  Of course I am.  And YOU, Clara, are so CREAM!
 
Cornelius:  I think cream is cute.
 
Catisha:  Cute!  Don’t be ridiculous, Cornelius!
 
Narrator 2:  Then Catisha climbed toward the clouds on her scaly cobweb
                 wings.  Suddenly a crow cawed and scared everyone!
 
The Crow:  Snack time! 
 
Narrator 1:  The crow caught sight of the crimson-colored Catisha.  The 
                butterflies panicked and frantically scattered in all directions.
 
The Crow:  You can’t escape! 
 
Clara:  Catisha!  I’m coming to the rescue!
 
Cornelius:  Clara, be careful!
 
Narrator 2:  Clara flicked her wings at the crow.
 
Clara:  Catch me if you can, you scalawag!
 
Narrator 2:  Then Clara curved down and ducked into a camellia bush.
 
Narrator 1:  The crow became confused and forgot about Catisha.  He cocked  
                 his head and pecked in the petals.
 
Narrator 2:  But…Clara, the cream-colored butterfly, lay camouflaged behind a 
               curtain of cream-colored camellias.

The Crow:  That’s curious.  I was confident I could capture a succulent snack.

Cornelius:  The coast is clear!  The crisis is over!

Caterpillars 1 & 2:  CONGRATULATIONS CLARA!

 
Catisha:  Clara, you’re so clever.  I could never camouflage myself like you.  I’m  
             too colorful.  I was crazy to scoff at your cream color.  It’s incredible.

Cornelius:  And cute, too!

 
Narrator 1:  Cornelius clapped his wings.
 
Cornelius:  Listen carefully!  That crow is a scoundrel!  Let’s cling close to Clara.  
                 She can stop him from catching us.  Clara is so capable and courageous.

Catisha: Clara is lucky to be cream colored.

 
Clara:  And I’m a completely contented butterfly.