The Happy Hikers

(Long Rivers Council 1992)

As the Narrator tells the story and shows the actions, have the audience participate in the actions.

NARRATOR: We're going on a hike. Just do what I do and listen carefully. (Begin walking in place)
Here we go on a hike through the woods and over the mountains. Come along with me. (smile, wave and hike in place)
We're coming to a steep hill. (bend over as if climbing)
Now we're on top. What a lovely view! (shade eyes and look around)
Now, we'll have to go down. (move hand like going down a roller coaster and say "swoosh")
Boy, we're out of breath. (breathe heavily)
Now, we're passing through a meadow. (hike in place)
What's that I see? (stop, look to one side)
It's a rabbit! And a meadowlark. (look up)
And a bumble bee! (run swiftly in place, waving arms as if fighting off a bee)
We're happy hikers. (hike in place)
We're happy because of the beautiful mountains we see, (shade eyes and smile)
and because of all that clean fresh air we are breathing, (breathe heavily)
and especially because we got away from the buzzing bee. (smile, turn head to look behind you and wave "bye" to bee)
Now we're getting tired. (slow pace, walk droopily)
There's what we need! (point)
A cool refreshing drink from the river. (pick up pace, kneel down and scoop water to mouth)
Ahhh, how refreshing. Let's be on our way. (hike in place)
Now let's try to jump over the river without getting our feet wet. (take big step, get feet wet, shake them off)
Oh, well, don't feel too bad about not making it. That was a wide river. At least we have cool toes. (shake feet again)
We'd better stop for lunch. (stop, reach in pocket, bring out sandwich, start eating, take handkerchief from pocket, wipe mouth, replace handkerchief, resume hiking in place)
Mmmmm, that feels better. Look, there's a lovely lake. (point)
Let's swim across. (swim strokes)
That was great! (resume hiking in place)
Look at that crooked trail ahead. (point)
It's nothing but twists and turns. (continue hiking -- twisting and turning)
I'm glad that's over. I was getting dizzy. (stagger)
Looks like we have come to the end of the trail. (stop)
What do we do now? Are you tired? (shake head YES!)
So am I. (sit down, wipe brow.)