Cheer Up Cat
Cast of Characters:
COW, an aspiring moon-jumper.
CAT, a famous fiddler.
LITTLE DOG, an easily-amused canine.
Props: Bench set at Center Stage.
Scene: An exterior, park-like setting.
(CAT is sitting alone on a bench. He looks glum. COW enters in a huff. She is very upset about something
that has just happened Off-stage.)
COW: (On a mission. She looks for CAT as she enters.) Cat? Cat! Oh, there you are. I need your help, Cat!
You have got to do something about Little Dog. He is driving me crazy!
CAT: (Very depressed. Doesn't look up as he talks to COW.) Oh. Hi, Cow.
COW: Cat? Did you hear me? You have to do something about Little Dog. He won't listen to me, and it's
got to stop!
CAT: What is it, Cow? (Hysterical laughter is heard Off-stage.)
COW: Do you see what I mean? It's terrible, and he won't stop laughing! (LITTLE DOG enters, holding his
sides and laughing loudly. He points at COW who stands with hands on hips, scowling at him. CAT
slowly looks up at them. It is obvious that he doesn't care about their argument.)
LITTLE DOG: (Can barely talk.) Oh, Cat, you've got to come watch this with me. It's hysterical. She's doing
Zumba and yoga, running laps, and practicing her splits. (Imitates COW's activities.) It's the
funniest thing I've ever seen!
COW: I'm in training, Little Dog, and I will not let you or anyone else discourage me from reaching my
goals. Now, go find something useful to do and leave me alone. I've got to be in top shape for
tonight.
LITTLE DOG: (Laughing again) Did you hear that, Cat? Do you know what she's training for? Moonjumping! Moon-jumping! It's so ridiculous. Who ever heard of a cow jumping over the moon? It's
not natural! I have one word for you, Cat – gravity! Am I right?
CAT: (Sadly) Right, Little Dog, gravity. But why don't you let Cow get back to her training? Find something
else to do. (LITTLE DOG and COW look at each other, forgetting their own argument for the time
being. They are now concerned about CAT's sadness.)
COW: Cat? Cat, what's wrong? You look so sad. Has something happened?
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LITTLE DOG: You can tell us, Cat. We're your friends. Maybe we can help. (CAT looks up at them sadly.
COW and LITTLE DOG sit on either side of CAT)
CAT: Oh, thanks. You're such good friends. But there's really nothing you can do to help. It's too late.
COW: Too late for what, Cat? Did something happen to your fiddle?
CAT: No. It's not my fiddle.
LITTLE DOG: Didn't you get your usual dish of warm milk for breakfast?
CAT: Oh! (Starts to cry out loud. LITTLE DOG has apparently hit a nerve.)
COW: Oh, dear! Was the milk sour? I can get some fresh for you if you like.
CAT: No, I'm sorry. It's not the milk. (Sniffles.) It's Dish.
LITTLE DOG: Dish? What happened to Dish? (Expecting the worse) Did she ... break?
CAT: (Stands and breaks away from. them.) No, no. I'm sorry. Don't worry, I'll get over it. (Sniffling some
more) It's not important.
COW: Not important? Cat, if something is upsetting you this much, it must be important. Please tell us
about it. (CAT sits down again.)
CAT: Well, you remember last night at the party?
LITTLE DOG and COW: (Ad-lib) Oh, yes. It was a wonderful party!
CAT: I was playing my fiddle and everyone was dancing and laughing.
LITTLE DOG: I could have danced all night!
CAT: Well, while we were all having fun at the party, something terrible happened!
LITTLE DOG and COW: (Ad-lib) Oh, no! What happened?
CAT: (Gathers his strength and speaks slowly and deliberately.) Dish ...
LITTLE DOG and COW: (Together, urging CAT to tell more) Dish...
CAT: Ran away ...
LITTLE DOG and COW: (Together, urging CAT to tell even more) Dish ran away ...
CAT: (Finally spills it.) With Spoon!
COW: No!
LITTLE DOG: I don't believe it!
COW: Dish ran away with Spoon? Oh, my. No wonder you're so upset!
CAT: Yes. My very own little Dish! Running away with that delinquent, Spoon! He's always getting into
hot water and stirring things up. Dish is so fragile! And Spoon is practically unbreakable. I'm so
worried about her. (Sniffs.) She didn't even say good-bye.
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LITTLE DOG: (Trying to see the bright side) I'm so sorry, Cat. But, you know, they do have quite a bit in
common. They both come from the china cabinet.
COW: That's true, Cat. And they both work in the food service industry.
CAT: (Still sniffling) You're right. They do have a lot in common. I just hope she'll be OK. Oh, I'm just going
to miss her so much!
COW: (Comforting CAT) We know, Cat. But she may come back.
LITTLE DOG: That's right, Cat. She may come back and serve your milk again. We'll just have to wait and
see. In the meantime, I've got something that will cheer you up! Let's go watch Cow work out.
It's a hoot! (Starts to laugh at the thought.)
COW: Oh, Little Dog! You'll never stop, will you? Come on, Cat. Let's go stare at the beautiful moon for
a while. By the way, can you play Zumba music on that fiddle of yours? (ALL exit together.)
THE END
Reference — Nursery Rhyme:
"Hey, diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport And the dish ran away with the spoon."
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