Here's a simple story with BIG implications!  If you're studying elections or economics this free Readers Theater script, "The Tiny Crooked Crack," will definitely generate some important discussions.  Written as a parable, "The Tiny Crooked Crack" is versatile with many interpretations and character-building lessons.   Complete with annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans, "The Tiny Crooked Crack" is appropriate for grades 5, 6, 7, 8 or high school students. (Note: We also have a simpler version with at a readability of about grade 4 in our free scripts on our home page.)


TIME:  a little over 5 minutes  CAST:  4-6-10+ (optional choruses)   TONE:  serious   READABILITY :  grade 5.3

Here's an excerpt from this four page, cross-curricular Readers Theater script:

The Tiny Crooked Crack (Advanced)
By Carol Montgomery ©2012

Narrator 1:  Once upon a time there was a tiny crooked crack in the ceiling of a big white house.  No one paid much attention to the little crack because it was VERY small and hardly noticeable. 

Narrator 2:  Besides, everything else in the big white house was working and VERY famous people were visiting regularly and commenting...

Famous People:   Oh, I just LOVE your big white house!

Narrator 1:  The owners loved the compliments.  And, the tiny crooked crack was ignored.

Narrator 2:  Over time the crack split just a fraction wider;  however, since new owners lived in the big white house, they didn’t know the little crack was getting bigger.  After all, it was VERY small and hardly noticeable. 

Narrator 1:  And besides, some VERY famous people were still visiting regularly showering the owners with flattery...

Famous People:  Your house is decorated beautifully!  You must have us over again.

Narrator 2: The owners loved the timely flattery because OBVIOUSLY the famous people were more important than a little crack in the ceiling.

Narrator 1:  After a few years, the crack began to show a little more in the ceiling of the big white house.  And the owners would say...

Owners #1 & #2:  Maybe we should check that out? 

Owner #1:  But, it was here when we moved in;  it’s probably been here for years. 

Owner #2:  Besides, some VERY famous people are coming to see us in a few days, so we couldn’t do anything immediately anyway.  Oh, I think they’re here now... 

Famous People:  We’re back!  And, we still LOVE your fantastic house.  What’s for dinner?

Narrator 1:  The owners were hungry, so the little crack in the ceiling of the big white house was soon forgotten.

Narrator 2:  When some new owners moved into the big white house they saw the crack in the ceiling--only now it was bigger.  When they asked the neighbors about it the neighbors replied...

Neighbors:  Oh, that crack has been there for years.  It’s only the ceiling.  We wouldn’t worry about it.  No one looks at the ceiling anyway. 

Narrator 2:  So, the little crack in the ceiling continued to grow gradually with no one paying attention.

Narrator 1:  Several years later the little crack in the ceiling of the big white house began to leak. It’s VERY difficult to ignore a leaky ceiling.  Pots, bowls, buckets, and an old guitar case were set out to catch the drips.
(Continued...)

***Click on the PDF link below to see the full printable version of "The Tiny Crooked Crack (Advanced)"

Download the PDF "The Tiny Crooked Crack (Advanced)," a versatile parable useful for studies on elections, economics, or character building (e.g., procrastination). We do have a version for grades 3-5 in the free script section accessable from our home page.