"The Lost Treasure of Maplewood" Characters: Emma: A curious and brave girl. Jake: Emma’s best friend, who loves solving puzzles. Mr. Thompson: The wise old librarian. Captain Flint: A ghostly pirate (friendly). Scene 1: The Library (Emma and Jake are sitting at a table in the library, looking at an old map.) Emma: (excited) Jake, look at this! This map was inside the old book we found. It says, “The Lost Treasure of Maplewood.” Jake: (leaning closer) Wow! Do you think it’s real? Maybe it’s just a story. Emma: (determined) Only one way to find out. Let’s follow the clues! (Mr. Thompson walks over, holding a stack of books.) Mr. Thompson: (smiling) What have you two found there? Ah, the Maplewood map! Many have tried to find the treasure, but no one has succeeded. Jake: (curious) Do you think it’s still out there, Mr. Thompson? Mr. Thompson: (mysterious) The treasure is real, but only those with courage and cleverness can find it. Are you up for the challenge? Emma and Jake: (together) Yes! Scene 2: The Forest (Emma and Jake are in the forest, following the map. They hear a rustling sound.) Jake: (nervous) Did you hear that? Emma: (brave) It’s probably just the wind. Let’s keep going. (Suddenly, Captain Flint’s ghost appears.) Captain Flint: (booming voice) Who dares to seek my treasure? Jake: (startled) It’s a ghost! Emma: (calm) We’re not afraid. We’re here to solve the mystery. Captain Flint: (smiling) Brave and clever, just like the map said. Answer this riddle, and the treasure is yours: “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?” Jake: (thinking) Hmm… Is it an echo? Captain Flint: (laughing) Correct! The treasure is yours. (Captain Flint disappears, and a chest appears.) Emma: (excited) We did it! Scene 3: Back at the Library (Emma and Jake show Mr. Thompson the treasure chest.) Mr. Thompson: (proud) Well done! You’ve proven that courage and cleverness can solve any mystery. Emma: (smiling) And we couldn’t have done it without teamwork. Jake: (grinning) And a little help from a ghost! (They all laugh as the curtain falls.) Comprehension Questions 1. Literal Questions (to check understanding of the text): o What did Emma and Jake find inside the old book? o Who is Captain Flint? o What was the riddle Captain Flint asked? 2. Inferential Questions (to encourage deeper thinking): o Why do you think Mr. Thompson said only those with courage and cleverness could find the treasure? o How did Emma and Jake show teamwork in the story? o What does the riddle tell us about Captain Flint’s character? 3. Evaluative Questions (to encourage personal response): o Do you think Emma and Jake were brave? Why or why not? o If you were in the story, what would you have done differently? What lesson do you think the play is trying to teach? 4. Language and Vocabulary Questions: o o Find a word in the script that means “feeling or showing curiosity.” o What does the word “mysterious” mean? Can you use it in a sentence? o Why do you think the author used the word “booming” to describe Captain Flint’s voice?