The Sniddles

A young Sniddle loves playing at the beach, building sandcastles and enjoying the waves. However, when older Sniddles discourage these activities, saying that "big Sniddles don’t play," the little Sniddle gives up the things they love in an effort to fit in.

As time passes, the little Sniddle grows up into a big Sniddle and no longer plays at the beach. Yet, despite finally becoming "big," something feels missing. One day, while walking along the shore, the now-grown Sniddle sees a small Sniddle joyfully playing in the sand. Just as they are about to discourage the little one, the small Sniddle invites them to play.

This script can be used as a sidecoach narrative in which participants hear the story for the first time as they create movement spontaneously. The story can also be used as narration for a practiced, rehearsed mime piece.

Run-time and Cast Number for The Sniddles

• Run-time: Approximately 5–7 minutes, depending on pacing, movement, and interpretation of the mime or sidecoaching elements.
• Cast: 2+ performers (Minimum 2 for the Little Sniddle and Big Sniddle, but additional performers can enhance movement, narration, and atmosphere).
• Biblical Reference: Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
  "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

The script allows for flexibility—more actors can participate as background Sniddles or movement elements, such as the waves and sand.

Sample Script: The Sniddles

(A narrative mime or side-coached movement piece)

Narrator:
Once, a group of Sniddles lived near the beach. One little Sniddle loved to play in the sand, building castles of all sorts. Itsy-bitsy castles could take hours to create, while gigantic castles could take just minutes. Each play session filled the little Sniddle with joy.

One day, while the little Sniddle was playing in the sand, a big Sniddle came by.

(The little Sniddle looks up and smiles, full of admiration.)

For all little Sniddles want to grow up to be like big Sniddles.

Big Sniddle: (disapprovingly)
"Why are you wasting your time? Big Sniddles don’t play in the sand."

(The big Sniddle walks away. The little Sniddle looks down, gathers up buckets and shovels, and shuffles behind the big Sniddle, muttering to themself.)

Little Sniddle: (softly, disappointed)
"I’d better stop making sand castles..."

The next day, the little Sniddle decided to play in the waves instead. Running into the water, the little Sniddle jumped over and dove through the wonderful waves, playing happily.

One day, as the little Sniddle was frolicking in the waves, a big Sniddle came bustling down the beach.

(The little Sniddle waves excitedly.)

Big Sniddle: (calling out, dismissively)
"Why are you wasting your time in those waves? Big Sniddles don’t play in the waves."

(The big Sniddle hurries down the beach. The little Sniddle, now uncertain, gathers up goggles and flippers and follows, thinking to themself.)

Little Sniddle:
"If I can’t play with the sand or the waves, maybe I can play with the big Sniddles."

Well, the little Sniddle grew up to be a big Sniddle and didn’t play at the beach anymore—for the little Sniddle was no longer little.

At last, the little Sniddle had become a big Sniddle and was glad to be big. But something about being big wasn’t as wonderful as everyone had said it would be. The not-so-little Sniddle felt like something was missing in the big Sniddle world.

Time passed.

One day, while walking along the beach, far from the wonderful waves and super sand, the once-little Sniddle noticed a dot in the distance. The dot bounced up and down, dancing back and forth.

(The once-little Sniddle pauses, watching curiously.)

The movement seemed... familiar.

As the once-little Sniddle moved closer, the dot took shape—it was a small Sniddle, jumping around the beach and playing in the sand.

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.