Franklin and the Puppet Play

Franklin and Beaver at the library when Rabbit's brother Bunny comes along. They ask him if he wants to hear a story and Bunny does. So they use puppets to perform "Little Miss Muffet." Mrs. Goose, who was watching their impromptu performance, asks them if they'd like to put on a performance in the Reading Nook. They agree and Mrs. Goose schedules them for Saturday. As they walk home, Beaver says that she wants to make it the best play ever. Franklin suggests having Bear and Goose help out. Beaver agrees as they're going to need all the help they can get. Preparations begin for the play and Beaver immediately tries to show who's in charge by taking command of the meeting. But nobody will let her complete a sentence and they keep shouting out their own ideas. They decide to do the play "Little Red Riding Hood." As preparations continue, Beaver becomes even more and more bossy. She gets annoyed when the puppets that Goose bring are in disrepair and makes her fix them. She then assigns parts - not only giving herself the role of Little Red Riding Hood, but also assigning everyone else's parts without considering what parts they'd actually be good for. They complain, but Beaver makes them stick with it. When Beaver leaves, Goose comments that she thinks Beaver would make a good Wolf. The next day, a practice is being held and Beaver is still being bossy. When she leaves for a minute, Franklin, Beaver and Goose start imitating her behind her back. They don't realize it, but Beaver returns and overhears their imitations of her. Then, Bear and Goose notice her, but Franklin keeps going. When Franklin realize that Bear and Goose aren't saying anything anymore, he looks up. Hurt and angry, Beaver leaves. The next day, Beaver is by herself. Using the puppets she enacts a scene in which she's the wolf. "Everyone knows that." Then, from over the fence, she sees the other puppets. It's Franklin, Goose and Bear, apologizing for making Beaver feel bad. Beaver apologizes too, for b