THATS WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

A Childrens Musical


Written by
Gwendolyn Dattage


Music by
Rick Graham
Lyrics by
Jenny McKinney
2
Thats What Friends Are For
SCENE I
(Lights up on Ivy sitting on her bed reading a story before bed)
Ivy
Once upon a time there lived a beautiful princess named Petunia. She lived with her
parents the King and Queen. She wore a princess dress and a sparkly crown. She made
other people happy
(Ivy gets out of bed and sighs)
I wish I were a princess.
(Ivy takes off her glasses and hides them under her bed. She goes back to the mirror and
dances with a smile on her face. While dancing she runs into the bed and falls. She sadly
puts her glasses back on and climbs into bed.)
SONG: I WISH I WERE A PRINCESS
I WISH I WERE A PRINCESS
TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND FAIR
I COULD WEAR A GOWN
I COULD WEAR A CROWN
BUT I WOULDNT HAVE TO WEAR MY GLASSES
I COULD BE A PRINCESS HAVING TEA PARTIES
OR A PRINCESS FIGHTING DRAGONS
I COULD EVEN BE A PRINCESS WHO FOUND TRUE LOVE
YUCK! NEVER MIND.

3
I WISH I WERE A PRINCESS
SOMEONE EVERYONE COULD LOVE
I COULD WEAR SOMETHING PRETTY
OR EVEN NOT SO PRETTY
BUT I WOULDNT HAVE TO WEAR MY GLASSES
I COULD BE A PRINCESS RUNNING BAREFOOT
OR A PRINCESS EATING POPCORN
I COULD EVEN BE A PRINCESS WHO MEETS A PRINCE
WELL, MAYBE LATER.

BUT I GUESS THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN
BECAUSE I HAVE TO WEAR MY GLASSES.
IVY
I guess I wont ever be a princess.
(Ivy begins to cry and pulls the blanket over her head. Lights dim and the animals on the
shelf climb down and create a jungle with the set. The lights come up and Ivy wakes up).
SCENE II
Ivy
Hi Friends!
(Animals add lib Hellos)
Kanga
Well hello there, Ivy
Ivy
4
Hi Kanga! What are you doing?
Kanga
We are playing make believe! I am a ___________________.
Ivy
Oh I would like to play that game. How do you play?
Kanga
You pick something that you want to be and pretend to be it!
Ivy
Can I be a princess?
Kanga
You would make a pretty princess!
Ivy
Ok! Well, my name will be Petunia! Because that is a princess name!
(Peacock enters)
Ivy
Hi Peacock! Do you want to play make believe? I am going to be a princess!
Peacock
I dont know, I dont know what I would be.
Kanga
You could be a teacher, or a princess like Ivy!
Ivy
Yes!
Peacock
5
I dont know. I want to be the best thing ever!
Ivy
What is that?
Peacock
I dont know.
(They head off and Peacock sees Mr. Monkey in the tree)
Peacock
Theres Mr. Monkey! Maybe he has a good idea!
Kanga
He doesnt look very happy today. I wonder whats wrong.
Ivy
You-hoo Mr. Monkey! Youre looking a little sad today.
Mr. Monkey
The other animals dont want to play games with me because my tail keeps getting in the
way. I wish I didnt have a tail!
SONG: PART OF ME
(Soloist: Monkey with Ivy, Kanga, and Peacock joining towards end singing harmony)
I WISH I DID NOT HAVE A LONG, SLENDER TAIL
BUT I KNOW ITS A PART OF ME
IT GETS IN MY WAY WHEN I PLAY WITH MY FRIENDS
THEIR TEASING MAKES ME WEEP

THERE ARE GOOD DAYS, THERE ARE BAD DAYS
6
THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I FEEL BAD
I KNOW THIS IS PART OF WHO I AM

I DO HAVE A LONG AND SLENDER TAIL
AND I KNOW ITS A PART OF ME
Ivy
(trying to climb the tree)
I think your tail is a good thing! But if you want you can play make believe with us!
Ivy
How did you get up there?
Mr. Monkey
I climbed up
(Ivy tries to climb the tree but fails.)
Ivy
Why cant I do it?
Mr. Monkey
Because you dont have a tail to help you climb
Ivy
I thought you didnt want a tail
Mr. Monkey
I guess I wouldnt be able to climb all the way up here
Ivy
Nope! And I bet it helps with other things too
7
Mr. Monkey
Yeah! It helps me balance when I am climbing trees and I can wrap it around branches so
I can hang upside down.
Ivy
Do you have fun doing those things?
Mr. Monkey
Yes!
Ivy
I think your tail is a good thing then.
Mr. Monkey
I guess you are right, I am glad I have a tail
Ivy
Me too! Why dont you come with us! We are figuring out what Peacock can pretend to
be.
Monkey
That sounds like fun. I would love to come! I will be a __________________!
Kanga
Before you come down, can you see Owl from up there? She always has good ideas and
might be able to help Peacock.
Peacock
Oh that would be lovely!
Monkey
Sure! She is over there by the pond.
8
Kanga
Thanks Monkey! That was helpful.
POSSIBLE SONG (Still Needed)
All
Mrs. Owl! Mrs. Owl! We need your help!
Owl
What can I help you with?
Kanga
We are playing make believe and we dont know what Peacock should be.
Ivy
She wants to be the best thing in the world!
Peacock
So we were wondering if you had any ideas. What could I be?
(Peacock sits down dejected and looks sad)
Owl
Everything you need is right here.
(Owl points to her head)
What are some of your favorite things?
Peacock
I dont know.
Owl
Maybe we could make you a costume and you could be something new
Peacock.
9
That sounds like a good idea.
Ivy
Thats a great idea owl!
SONG: EVERYTHING IS RIGHT HERE
(Owl with Peacock)
EVERYTHING IS RIGHT HERE
JUST SIT AND THINK AND THEN YOULL SEE
EVERYTHING IS RIGHT HERE
WE HAVE ALL YOU NEED

STRINGS AND TWIGS AND PINECONES TOO
MAYBE WELL FIND A LEAF OR TOO

EVERYTHING IS RIGHT HERE
COME TAKE A LOOK WITH ME
Kanga
Yes! We can gather things up to make her a make believe costume and Ill carry them in
my pouch!
Ivy
Look, over there is something red and pretty!
(She sees a red scarf partly under a rock).
(All the animals try to push the rock and pull on the scarf but they cant. All sit down in
defeat. Elephants enter)
10
Elephant
Whats going on here? Are we all taking a nap?
Owl
No, we cant move that big rock and we need the scarf that is under it!
Elephant
Here, let me see if I can help
Kanga
Yeah! Your trunk is probably strong enough to lift it!
Elephant
Ill give it a try
(Elephant moves rock and they can get the scarf out)
Ivy
Hooray for Elephant! He did it! Thank you Elephant!
Elephant
I am happy to help! What did you need the scarf for?
Ivy
We are helping peacock make a make believe costume! Do you want to help us?
Elephant
That sounds like a fun game. Count me in! I was just on my way to the pond; maybe frog
is there and wants to help too.
SONG: I CAN HELP
Elephant
I CAN HELP MY FRIENDS ALONG
11
I CAN HELP SING THIS SONG
I CAN HELP WHEN THEY FEEL SAD
I CAN HELP THEM FEEL REAL GLAD
I CAN HELP WHEN THEY NEED ME
I CAN SERVE UNSELFISHLY
Peacock
I CAN SPREAD MY JOY AROUND
AND TURN ANY FROWN UPSIDE DOWN
I CAN HELP WHEN YOU NEED A FRIEND
I WILL HERE TO THE END
IM JUST SO GLAD TO BE MYSELF
All
ALWAYS KNOW THAT I CAN HELP

Frog
Hi everyone!
Elephant
Hi Frog! We are helping Peacock make a make believe costume. Do you have anything
that we could use?
Frog
Hmm I dont know
Ivy
What is that shiny thing out on the lily pad?
12
Frog
I dont know, but it looks pretty!
Kanga
Too bad we cant get out there to get it. Its too far into the pond!
Frog
I can get it! Its just a few hops!
(He hops across the lily pads and retrieves a piece of tinfoil)
Peacock
What is it?
Ivy
Thats tinfoil! My mom uses it to make dinner. We could use it for a costume for sure!
Owl
Wonderful. This will be the best costume ever!
Kanga
Thanks Frog! We couldnt have found this without you.
Frog
It was fun!
(Flowers and Bees enter)
Bee 1
Did you see Mr. Skunk? He stinks! Pe-U!
Bee 2
I know, I wouldnt want to be him spraying everyone all the time with his stink
Flowers
13
All laughing
(Except one, who feels bad for Skunk)
SONG: DON'T LAUGH AT ME
(Skunk, Sad Flower, Bee 2)
Skunk
WHY DO THEY LAUGH AT ME
DONT THEY KNOW IT MAKES ME SAD
FLOWER
LETS NOT LAUGH AT SKUNK, MY FRIENDS
Bee
BUT HE STINKS SO BAD
Skunk
THEY CAN GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE
Flower
(GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE)
Skunk
I CAN BE A GOOD FRIEND
Flower
(MAYBE HES A GOOD FRIEND)
Skunk
BUT THEY JUST LAUGH AT ME
IM ON MY OWN YET AGAIN
(Skunk comes out from behind a rock when the flowers and bees leave)
14
Mr. Skunk
Hi Ivy
Ivy
Hi Mr. Skunk. Why are you hiding behind that rock?
Mr. Skunk
So that the bees and flowers wont see me and make fun of me anymore
Ivy
But why would they do that?
Mr. Skunk
Because I always smell bad and I wish I didnt
(All the flowers and bees run on being chased by a big tiger)
Tiger
Rawr!
Ivy
Oh no!
(Skunk jumps down and sprays them with squirt bottles- the tiger runs away and all the
bees and flowers are so surprised)
Flowers
You saved us!
Mr. Skunk
I guess I did, I just wanted him to stay away from you, but I can leave you alone now.
Bee 1
No, we are sorry we were so mean; we shouldnt have said those things.
15
Bee 2
Yeah, maybe you can come with us, we are playing make believe! Do you want to come?
Mr. Skunk
I would like that.
Ivy
Thats where we are going too! Do you want to come?
Bees, flowers, and Skunk
Yes!
(Bats fly in)
Bat
What are you guys doing?
Flower
We are getting ready for the costume ball!
Bat
Well thats boring. What are you going to be anyway?
Bee
Ivy is a princess and we are looking for a costume for Peacock and I am going to be
Bat
A princess? Ivy cant be a princess because Princesses dont wear glasses.
Owl
That wasnt very nice.
Bat
hahahaha
16
(They fly away and everyone looks off that way)
Frog
Look up on that wall, there is something we might be able to use! It looks like string!
Owl
Frog can you jump and get it?
Frog
I dont think I can jump that high!
Kanga
Do you think you can climb and get it?
Monkey
I dont think I can climb it; there isnt anything for my tail to grab on to
Elephant
What are we going to do?
SONG: TOGETHER
Kanga
LETS WORK TOGETHER, EVERYONE
LETS WORK TOGETHER, EVERYONE
LETS USE THE GIFTS THAT WE ALL HAVE
TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT
Frog
I CAN JUMP
Monkey
I CAN SWING
17
ELEPHANT
I CAN LIFT MOST ANYTHING
Owl
I CAN FLY AND I CAN SOAR
Kanga
I CAN BOUNCE OFF THE FLOOR
Ivy
OH, HO! THE GIFTS WE HOLD!
All
OH, HO! THE GIFTS WE HOLD!
WELL WORK TOGETHER, EVERYONE
WELL WORK TOGETHER, GET THIS DONE
WELL USE THE GIFTS WE ALL HAVE TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT
TOGETHER
(Kanga, Ivy, Frog, Monkey, Elephant, Owl sing while the others stand towards the back,
as if they are walking behind the rest of them a bit)
(Flamingos enter)
Frog
Flamingo! He can do it! He can do it!
Flamingo
Do what?
Kanga
We need help reaching that string up there.
18
Flamingo
Oh, I think I can reach it. (He reaches up with his long neck and gets it)
Flower
Wow Flamingo, you have a really long neck! Thanks for your help
(Flower hands string to Ivy who puts it in Kangas pouch with her glasses)
Flamingo
What do you need the string for?
Frog
We are making a make believe costume for Peacock!
Flamingo
What is she going to be?
Peacock
I dont know, we are just gathering items.
Flamingo
Bear doesnt live far; lets go ask him if he has anything.
Skunk
Yes, he always has random things.
(They go and knock on Bears cave)
Bear
What do you want?
Bee
Why are you so angry?
Bear
19
I was taking a nap!
Ivy
We are sorry; we were just helping Peacock make a make believe costume. (Pointed
away from Bear)
Bear
Im over here!
Ivy
Oh sorry
(turns around)
Owl
Where are your glasses Ivy?
Ivy
(Shrugs)
I dont know.
Owl
We had better find those so you can see.
Flamigo
Bear do you have anything we can use?
Bear
Hmm let me go look
(He runs off and comes back with an umbrella)
Skunk
Thats perfect!
20
Elephant
Why do you have an umbrella?
Bear
It gets hot and it makes great shade
Elephant
Oh, I guess that makes sense
Owl
I think maybe we have enough items, Kanga what do you have?
Kanga
(Pulling things out of pouch)
We have a scarf, tinfoil, string, and what is this
(Holding glasses)
AND I have Ivys glasses!
Frog
Oh good, now Ivy can see.
(Kanga hands Ivy glasses but she doesnt put them on.)
Ivy
Thanks
Owl
Ivy, whats wrong?
Skunk
Why don't you want to wear your glasses?
Ivy
21
Well, it's because Princesses don't wear glasses.
REPRISE OF I WANT TO BE A PRINCESS
Kanga
Who says?
Ivy
Bat said so.
Elephant
You shouldnt listen to everything people say.
Skunk
What does a Princess wear?
Ivy
They are these very beautiful people who get to live with princes and Kings and Queens.
They wear princess dresses and crowns and make other people happy.
Skunk
What's a prince?
Ivy
They are very brave men-
Skunk
Like your dad? He's brave. Is he a prince?
Ivy
He is brave!
Skunk
And if he's brave like a prince, and you are beautiful like a princess, then you must be a
22
princess! So apparently Princesses DO wear glasses.
Ivy
(Puts on her glasses)
I can be a princess. Thank you for making me feel better
Mr. Monkey
You always make us feel better! We all have things that are different about us! Elephant
has a big trunk.
Elephant
Ah, I hate my trunk; it always gets in the way.
Mr. Monkey
But you helped us move that big rock with it. Without it we wouldnt have been able to
get the scarf. And Skunk, you saved us from the Tiger, and Kanga was able to hold all
our stuff in her pouch.
Owl
And frog got our string with his long legs and Flamingo got the string with her long neck.
Ivy
I guess our differences make us special. My glasses make me special because they help
me see all of you really well.
Peacock
And all of you are such great friends for helping me look for a make believe costume.
Ivy
About that costume
(She picks up the items).
23
I think that the most beautiful costume you could wear is your feathers! Make them fan
up all pretty like Ive seen you do.
(Peacock fans her feathers all out really big)
Monkey
Oh! That is pretty! Why would you cover it up? I think youre beautiful!
Peacock
Thank you Monkey. I guess I will play make believe, but be myself!
SONG: THE WAY I AM
(Ensemble with solo by Peacock)
Peacock
THE WAY I AM IS REALLY GRAND
All
WE ARE DIFFERENT, EVERY ONE OF US
THE WAY I AM IS JUST FINE
YOU HAVE YOUR GIFTS
I HAVE MINE
Solo
FROG CAN JUMP REAL HIGH
Solo
OWL CAN FLY IN THE SKY
Solo
MONKEY CAN SWING ON TREES
Solo
24
IVY LOVES US TENDERLY
Ivy
THE WAY I AM IS REALLY GREAT
WE ARE DIFFERENT
WE ARE WONDERFUL
All
THE WAY I AM IS JUST GRAND
IM PERFECT THE WAY I AM

Curtain