Puppet show prep

It's that time of year, when I suddenly realize that I've promised a new puppet show for the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, and I'm not ready. As I've mentioned before, I rarely do puppet shows with a stage. Every year TSCPL calls and asks for a show in the summer. Every year I say yes.

I've agreed to do The goat in the chili patch. It's a simple story from Mexico about a goat who won't get out of the garden. Many animals try to get him out, but only the little red ant is able to do it, as she sneakily climbs up on the goat's ear and bites him.

A few years ago I made a goat puppet for a tiny show of Bill Grogan's goat. Digging around in the puppet closet, I turned up a red pepper plant, a man, a pig, a chick, a dog and a lion. No, the original has no lion, but it might be amusing. I'm wondering if the lion can take the place of the bull. We could get into a big discussion of how much artistic license I can take, but I don't have time right now. I've got to get cracking on the show.

I'm missing the essential character, the red ant. On this rainy day, I'll dig out the felt and googly eyes and see what I can create. Maybe I can also work on a bull.

The show is June 25 at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., in case you're in the area.