RAY S ROCKIN BIRTHDAY LEVEL N A Reader s Theater Script By Marlene Perez Word Count: 760 Characters: Narrator Rock Climbing Instructor Ray Natalie Chris Ray s Grandmother Narrator: It s Ray s birthday, and he s waiting for his grandmother to arrive with his birthday present. Ray always looks forward to getting presents from his grandmother, but this year she has a very different kind of gift for him. Happy birthday, Ray! I have a big surprise for you. We re going rock climbing for your birthday! A new indoor gym just opened up down the street. Thank you, Grandma. Ray (to himself): Rock climbing. Great. Just great. Ray s Rockin Birthday 1
Narrator: Ray is disappointed. Climbing rocks does not sound like a fun thing to do at all. He wonders if it might be dangerous. Come on, you slow poke. Let s go! Your friends Chris and Natalie are meeting us there. Narrator: Ray s friends are waiting just outside the gym. They both have huge smiles on their faces. Natalie and Chris: Happy birthday, Ray! Are you ready to rock? Rock climbing? Since when have you guys been interested in rock climbing? Chris: I went with my cousin once. Don t worry. It ll be a riot. I was afraid the first time, but now it s fun! Let s go in. The instructor is waiting for us. Ray s Rockin Birthday 2
Narrator: They head inside the gym and Ray looks up. When he sees the three-story tall wall in front of him, he gets a worried look on his face. That s a very tall wall. What s it for? It s a climbing wall, and we re going to the top! We are? Aren t there any shorter walls for beginners? I don t know about this. Welcome to the Just in Climb Gym. Are you all ready to learn to climb? The birthday boy gets to go first, so come on up here. I go first? That s okay. Let Chris or Natalie go first because they ve been rock climbing before. That way they can show me how it s done. What s the matter, Ray? You don t look like you feel well. Ray s Rockin Birthday 3
Ray (whispering to Natalie): I m kinda afraid of falling, but I don t want to disappoint my grandmother. I don t want her to think I don t like her gift. Don t worry. It s not as scary as it looks, I promise. Narrator: Ray isn t convinced, but his grandmother is right there watching. He plasters a smile on his face and decides to try it anyway. Here, let me help you put on this harness. With a harness, even if your hands or feet slip while you re climbing, you ll be safe. Isn t this exciting, Ray? You look like a professional rock climber in all that gear. What are those mats for? Ray s Rockin Birthday 4
They re for bouldering. When you go bouldering, you don t climb up, you climb over. Those mats are the crash pads. Crash pads? Somehow, that doesn t make me feel any better. Don t worry. You ll have fun. Who wants to belay for Ray? Chris: I will! I ve done it before. Wait, what s belay? It means Chris will put the rope your harness is attached to through his harness. This metal device I put on the rope will help Chris keep you from falling. Okay, my harness is on. What do I do first? Ray s Rockin Birthday 5
Look for the closest footholds and pull yourself up. The harness and rope will keep you safe. Narrator: Ray begins to climb up the wall, and soon he loses his worried expression. Hey, this is fun, really fantastic. But it s a long way down. Chris: You can do it, just keep climbing my friend! Ray, you re only few feet from the top. Keep going! I did it! I made it to the top Mt. Everest, here I come. This is the best birthday present ever! Well done, Ray. You did great! Though you might want to practice a few more times before you try climbing Mt. Everest, it s slightly taller than these walls. Ray s Rockin Birthday 6
Chris: That looked like fun! Do you mind if I take a turn now? Go ahead and get your harness on, Chris. I ll belay for you. This is fun. I didn t think I would like rock climbing, but I found out that it s cool. I like it too, but I want to do bouldering next. Want to come along? Yes, but I can t wait to try the climbing wall again. Grandma, this was the best birthday present ever. Grandma? Where did she go? She s over there. Ray s Rockin Birthday 7
Narrator: Ray points to his grandmother across the room. She gives them a big wave with one hand while she hangs off the bouldering wall with the other. She s bouldering, too cool! Let s try it with her. Chris: Wait for me! I want to try it, too. Ray s Grandma: Ray, I like to rock climb, and I m pleased that you do, too. Grandma, thank you so much for making my birthday ROCK! Ray s Rockin Birthday 8