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An easy, flexible, 30-minute musical play for grades 2-6. Comes with the script, audio recording (with both a vocal and instrumental version of each song), and a teacher's guide. No music or drama experience needed! |
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✓ Funny script ✓ Catchy tunes ✓ Flexible casting ✓ Non-singing roles
This Punjabi folktale stars the kind-hearted Wali Dâd, whose simple gift to a princess sets off a chain reaction that leaves everyone in a tizzy. Learn more! |
NewMusicalGr. 2-630 Min.
Musical Play: “Wali Dâd’s Guide to Gifting”
Complete Script & Audio: $45 (other items also available)
We sell wonderful, short, funny plays and musicals for use in your classroom, after-school program, drama club, music class, summer school program, homeschool, and any other place where kids can thrive by participating in theater! If you are not familiar with us or how to use theater to teach, check out our Q&As.
Synopsis
Wali Dâd is a poor grasscutter who enjoys his humble life and wants for nothing more. When he discovers that over the years he has saved a small fortune, he buys a gold bracelet and asks his friends the traveling merchants to give it to the most virtuous lady they know. And so begins a series of increasingly extravagent gifts sent across Punjabi lands, each intended to show appreciation for the last. What will happen when the gifts become so remarkable that the Princess and King of Khaistan feel obligated to find this mysterious Wali Dâd and thank him in person?
This play fulfills heaps of Language Arts standards, but it's equally suited to be a standalone, just-for-fun show.
Preview the script and songs!Key Concepts
What happens when good gifts go bad? Wali Dâd's Guide to Gifting is a hilarious musical take on the Punjabi folktale "Wali Dâd the Simple-Hearted," first published in 1904 in the Brown Fairy Book by Andrew Lang.
In addition to being a great complement to your curriculum resources in language arts, Wali Dâd's Guide to Gifting lends itself naturally to the study of Middle Eastern/world cultures and other components of social studies. The story raises a ton of interesting questions about social status, wealth, personal happiness, and the role of gift-giving, politeness, and customs in 19th century Indian/Pakistani culture (not to mention countless other cultures around the world!).
And, like all of our plays, Wali Dâd's Guide to Gifting can be used to improve reading, vocabulary, reading comprehension, performance and music skills, class camaraderie and teamwork, and numerous social skills (read about it!) -- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!
Aligned with national standards! View the standards and vocabulary.Publication Info
Author: Lisa Adams and John Heath (Book and Lyrics) and Mike Fishell (Music)
ISBN:
978-1-886588-75-2
© 2025
Bad Wolf Press, LLC
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The Show
We want you to know what you're getting, so the cast list and first third of the script are available here! Bad Wolf shows are written for flexibility and can be edited however you like to meet the needs of your actors, school, curriculum, parents, astrological chart, latest whim, etc. If you have questions about the portions of the script not shown, please contact us.
Casting
Flexible casting from 11-40 students. Use as many Neighbors, Horses, Peris, etc. in each scene as desired. Actors can easily play several roles, or a single role can be divided between multiple actors. All parts can be played by any gender.
CHARACTERS:
Merchants (Narrators)
Wali Dâd (pronounced "Wally Dodd")
Neighbors
Princess and Friends
Horses
Prince and Advisors
King
Peris (pronounced "Perries")
and a CHORUS composed of all students who are not playing roles on stage at the time.
Script
This is the first one-third of the script.
Song 1
Listen to
a sample!
CHORUS:
This is the tale
Of a man who without fail
Is humble, kind, and gracious
And happy with his lot.
This is the story
Of a growing inventory
A comedy of manners
That makes everyone distraught.
It's Wali Dâd's guide to gifting
Wali Dâd's guide to thrifting
Wali Dâd's guide to shifting
Horses and camels
And all kinds of mammals
Across Punjabi lands.
Wali Dâd's guide to gifting
Wali Dâd's guide to thrifting
Wali Dâd's guide to shifting
Masses of riches
That cause social glitches
In giant caravans.
He gave a gift that keeps on giving!
He's in a bind he keeps reliving!
He gave a gift that keeps on giving!
Yes, it's Wali Dâd!
It's Wali Dâd's guide to gifting
Wali Dâd's guide to thrifting
Wali Dâd's guide to shifting
Horses and camels
And all kinds of mammals
Across Punjabi lands.
Wali Dâd's guide to gifting
Wali Dâd's guide to thrifting
Wali Dâd's guide to shifting
Masses of riches
That cause social glitches
In giant caravans.
[MERCHANTS enter]
MERCHANT #1: Welcome, welcome! Today we have a story to tell you about a terrific man...
MERCHANT #2: ...who gave a terrific gift...
MERCHANT #3: ...that caused a lot of people terrific discomfort.
MERCHANT #2: Discomfort? More like AGONY.
MERCHANT #3: True. For him—and for us—this agony seemed to last forever.
MERCHANT #1: But for you? It's your lucky day. Only 30 minutes!
MERCHANT #2 (winks): We do love a bargain.
[MERCHANTS exit, NEIGHBORS enter]
NEIGHBOR #1: Did I hear someone talking about Wali Dâd?
NEIGHBOR #2: He's the best neighbor!
NEIGHBOR #3: Always happy to lend you his grass-cutters.
NEIGHBOR #2: Or have you over for onions and dry bread.
NEIGHBOR #1: He'd give you the shirt off his back, if he actually had a shirt.
NEIGHBOR #3: He's the poorest AND happiest man we know!
[Optional: WALI DÂD can enter and act out the song lyrics.]
Song 2
Listen to
a sample!
NEIGHBORS:
Wali Dâd is a simple man
He sleeps on a simple bed
Though he's poor he's a happy man
Just eating his simple bread.
He sells hay for the local stock
It's green jungle grass he's cut
Ev'ry night he takes one small coin
And hides it inside his hut.
Many many years go by
And Wali starts to smile
All those little coins add up
And now it's quite a pile!
Whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do
Now you gotta nice big stash?
Whatcha gonna do?
Better think it through
How you gonna spend your cash?
Oh Wali Dâd
How you gonna spend your cash?
Wali Dâd is a simple man
He's happy with how things are.
He does not want a single thing
There's no need to raise the bar.
Many many days go by
And Wali starts to fret
All those little coins add up
It's making Wali sweat.
NEIGHBORS and CHORUS:
Whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do
Now you gotta nice big stash?
Whatcha gonna do?
Better think it through
How you gonna spend your cash?
Oh Wali Dâd
How you gonna spend your cash?
[NEIGHBORS exit, MERCHANTS enter]
MERCHANT #3: Wali Dâd threw all the coins he'd saved into an old sack and and went to the shop of a jeweler in town.
MERCHANT #1: When he came out, his sack was empty, and he held a beautiful gold bracelet.
MERCHANT #2: Then he came to see us. He was glad to find us in town, since most of the time we are traveling all over the Punjab. (pause) You ARE familiar with the Punjab, right?
MERCHANT #3: NO? Well it is your lucky day. Normally we charge quite a bit for geographical consulting, but for you? FREE.
MERCHANT #2 (refers to map): Our land, the Punjab, is located here, in parts of modern-day India and Pakistan.
MERCHANT #1: As traveling merchants, we know every inch of this land!
[WALI DÂD enters]
WALI DÂD (approaching MERCHANTS): My dear worldly friends. I have a question. Who is the most virtuous lady you have ever met with?
[MERCHANTS exchange glances and nod]
MERCHANT #2: It has to be the Princess of Khaistan.
MERCHANT #3: Oh, yes! She is renowned everywhere for her kindness and generosity.
WALI DÂD: Splendid. The next time you go that way, give the princess this little bracelet.
MERCHANT #1 (shocked): But Wali Dâd...this is your whole life savings!
WALI DÂD: Yes, it is.
MERCHANT #3: But...who should we say the bracelet is from?
WALI DÂD (smiling beatifically): A man who admires virtue far more than he desires wealth.
MERCHANT #2 (slapping leg): That's a good one, Wali Dâd. Hilarious!
WALI DÂD (upset): It's not a joke!
MERCHANT #2 (sheepish): Oh! Oh, right. It's so confusing when people don't want to be rich.
MERCHANT #1: We'll just pack up our lovely merch and be on our way.
[WALI DÂD exits. MERCHANTS can either exit or take part in SONG 3.]
Song 3
Listen to
a sample!
CHORUS:
Merch, merch, you can't besmirch
The lovely merch, merch, lovely merch
So they loaded up the camels and they traveled the land
Visiting the cities and promoting their brand
When the merchants come to your town you don't have to search
For the items you've been craving ‘cause they brought you the merch.
Merch, merch, you can't besmirch
The lovely merch, merch, lovely merch
So just bring along your money and your bargaining skills
Making a good deal is the greatest of thrills
When the merchants come to your town you don't have to search
For the items you've been craving ‘cause they brought you the merch.
Merch, merch, you can't besmirch
The lovely merch, merch, lovely merch
The lovely merch!
[PRINCESS and FRIENDS enter]
FRIEND #1: Princess, where DID you get that adorable little bracelet?
PRINCESS: Oh, this? Well, it's rather strange. Some traveling merchants brought it, saying it was a gift from someone who admires virtue.
FRIEND #1: What's that supposed to mean?
FRIEND #2: Duh! It means that he LIKES her.
PRINCESS: It does not! It was just a kind gesture.
FRIEND #2: Mm-hmm. A kind gesture from an ADMIRER.
FRIEND #1: A SECRET admirer.
PRINCESS: You really think so?
Song 4
Listen to
a sample!
PRINCESS and FRIENDS:
Who could it be?
Who could it be?
A secret admirer admiring me
Gave me a gift so fair to see
Oh, I gotta know
Who could it be?
PRINCESSS:
Oh maybe it's a prince, so rich they say
That now he just gives stuff away.
Or maybe he is wise and loves to think
And does the crossword all in ink.
Perhaps a genie who will grant a wish!
FRIENDS:
Just hope it's not the bore
Who lives next door
And always smells like fish
Pee-ew!
He always smells like fish.
PRINCESS and FRIENDS:
Who could it be?
Who could it be?
A secret admirer admiring me
Gave me a gift so fair to see
Oh, I gotta know
Who could it be?
PRINCESS:
Oh maybe he's a thief, so brave and smart
Who gives it up to steal my heart.
Or maybe he's refined—a perfect gent
Whose penmanship is excellent.
Or maybe he's a king who's good at math!
FRIENDS:
Just hope it's not the guy
Who lives nearby
And never takes a bath
Oh no!
He never takes a bath.
PRINCESS, FRIENDS, and CHORUS:
Who could it be?
Who could it be?
A secret admirer admiring me
Gave me a gift so fair to see
Oh, I gotta know
Who could it be?
Who could it be?
(This concludes the first one-third of the script.)
The Songs
Click on any song to listen to a snippet. Click the cart icon to purchase any track for $1.
Standards
Common Core and Other National Standards
Language Arts
- Common Core Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
- Common Core Reading Standards for Literature - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
- Common Core Reading Standards: Foundational Skills:
- Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration -2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
- Common Core Standard 10: Range, Quality & Complexity:
History/Social Studies
National Core Arts Standards
- Music - Anchor Standards 4-6
- Theater - Anchor Standards 3-6
- Dance - Anchor Standards 1-6
Vocabulary
General Vocabulary-Building
| inventory | distraught | Punjab/i | caravan |
| gift (v.) | thrift (v.) | glitch | "merch" |
| hefty | upgrade | embody | doting |
| besmirch | refined | luxurious | bargain (v.) |
| custom | dictate | crave | insight |
| pantomime | veranda | acquaintance | dread |
| laden | extravagent | political | blackmail |
| turnover | escalate | staggering | shady |
| scimitar | pomp | memoirs | Peri |
| endorsement | bounty | standing ovation | |
| "eau du" (something) | "over the top" | ||
| "comedy of manners" | "Man of Mystery" | ||
| promote a brand | "raise the bar" | ||
| terrific (multiple meanings) | "gift that keeps on giving" | ||
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