Soloman and the Big Cat

Running Time: One Act (time N/A) | Grade Range: K-3

Touring: Currently not touring

Actors: 4 (2 males, 2 females) 

SOLOMON AND THE BIG CAT that encourages the participation of young audiences in key points in the story about a boy’s concern for the well-being of a leopard that lives near his home.

Solomon is 11 years old and lives with his parents high on a mountainside in Tanzania. Every day he runs 10 kilometers both to and from school and imagines himself participating in the Olympic Games marathon.Solomon is already running late for school when he stops to rescue a leopard cub that has its foot caught in a snare trap set by poachers.   With assistance from the audience, he is able to free the cub and hurries off to school. Solomon’s teacher, Miss Nyambui, has invited National Park Ranger Filbert to come and speak to the class. Ranger Filbert wants all the children to help protect the leopards in the Park by reporting to him or their teacher any jhangiri (poachers) or snare traps that they see.

Once again enlisting the audience’s help, Solomon overcomes Miss Nyambui’s objections and reports his adventure to Ranger Filbert. As reward for his brave actions, Solomon gets to travel around the National Park with the ranger where the two save the big cat once more from a snare trap and deal with the poachers. Soon after, Solomon is thrilled to be appointed a National Park Ranger when he is asked to care for the cubs of the leopard he released earlier from the jhangiris’ snare trap.

Curriculum Connections: Environment | Youth Empowerment | Wildlife Conservation