The Jungle Book Adapted Reader's Theater Script | Based on Kipling's Story

This Jungle Book Stories Adapted Reader's Theater Script is based on Rudyard Kipling’s enduring classic tale. Spanning 14 acts, this 13,000-word script follows Mowgli, a bold man-cub raised by wolves, alongside Kotick the determined white seal, Rikki-tikki-tavi the fearless mongoose, Little Toomai the curious elephant boy, and a lively cast of camp animals, as they face danger and discovery across jungles, icy seas, and muddy plains.

With 68 vibrant characters—including the fierce Shere Khan, wise Bagheera, loyal Akela, cunning Kaa, and even a chatty troop-horse, this dialogue-driven script brings wild adventures to life, captivating students with its rich storytelling.

• Character Roles: Adjust roles to fit the number of students by combining or splitting character lines.
• Act-by-Act Character Roles: Since this script has so many characters, you may want to reassign character roles every few acts to give students a better chance at reading lines during each class period.
• Small Groups: It is also possible to divide students into small groups and ask them to rotate through each Act and reassign roles often.

What's included?

1) Teacher's Guide & Answer Key

• Standards Alignment (CCSS Grade 5, CCRA)
• Teacher Tips
• Answer Keys for all worksheet sections
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Format: DOCX (8 pages)

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~68 Characters, 13,000 words,
• Format: Google Doc & PDF (46 pages) (Can be downloaded to DOCX, etc)

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script.
• 3 Reflection Questions
• Format: Google Slides (20 Slides) (Can be downloaded to PDF, etc)

Will this work for my classroom?
Download this similar FREE Peter Pan Adapted RT Script

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about a 4~5 class periods depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra time should be planned for practice/rehearsal, discussion and worksheet activities.

Script Summary:

(Note: Each act covers a chapter from the original 1894 version by Rudyard Kipling)

• Act 1: Mowgli’s Brothers: Father and Mother Wolf adopt a fearless man-cub, Mowgli, defying Shere Khan’s claim, and the Pack accepts him with Baloo and Bagheera’s help, though trouble brews as he grows.
• Act 2: Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack: The Wolf Pack sings of their dawn hunt, celebrating their unity and skill as they chase prey through the Seeonee hills.
• Act 3: Kaa’s Hunting: Baloo teaches Mowgli jungle laws, but the lawless Bandar-log kidnap him, prompting a rescue by Bagheera and Kaa in the Cold Lairs.
• Act 4: Road-Song of the Bandar-Log: The Monkey People chant about their wild, carefree life in the treetops, boasting of grand plans that never come to be.
• Act 5: Tiger! Tiger!: Mowgli leaves the jungle, lives briefly with villagers, and lures Shere Khan into a buffalo trap, returning to the wolves after rejection by men.
• Act 6: Mowgli’s Song: Mowgli dances on Shere Khan’s hide, singing of his victory and mixed feelings about leaving both Pack and village behind.
• Act 7: The White Seal: Kotick, a rare white seal, searches the seas for a safe haven from sealers, leading his kind to a hidden beach after years of exploration.
• Act 8: Lukannon: The seals of Novastoshnah lament their lost paradise, singing of a time before men’s slaughter darkened their beaches.
• Act 9: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi: Rikki, a mongoose, protects Teddy’s family from cobras Nag and Nagaina, defeating them through cunning and bravery in a garden showdown.
• Act 10: Darzee’s Chant: Darzee the tailorbird sings Rikki’s praises after the cobra fight, honoring his heroism with a joyful tune cut short by Rikki’s impatience.
• Act 11: Toomai of the Elephants: Little Toomai follows Kala Nag to witness a secret elephant dance in the forest, earning the title “Toomai of the Elephants” from awed hunters.
• Act 12: Shiv and the Grasshopper: Toomai’s mother sings a lullaby about Shiv’s creation, weaving a tale of divine care from tigers to grasshoppers under Kala Nag’s shadow.
• Act 13: Her Majesty’s Servants: Soldier Tompkins and Little Vixen overhear camp animals debate their war roles during a rainy night, culminating in a grand parade for the Viceroy and Amir.
• Act 14: Parade Song of the Camp Animals: The camp beasts sing of their service, from elephants to camels, marching in unison under Her Majesty’s command across Rawal Pindi’s plain.