Here's a breakdown of what could be considered the rising action:
* The boy's initial excitement: The story begins with the boy enthusiastically anticipating the school play. He practices his lines, gets his costume, and is eager to perform. This sets up the reader's expectation of a positive and exciting experience.
* The boy's nervousness: As the play day approaches, the boy's excitement starts to give way to nervousness. He worries about his performance and the possibility of forgetting his lines. This adds a layer of suspense.
* The boy's frustration with his mother: The boy's mother refuses to take him to a barber to get a haircut before the play, causing him further anxiety. This highlights his growing tension and discomfort.
* The boy's "performance" on stage: The boy's anxiety culminates in his "performance" on stage. He doesn't actually forget his lines but instead delivers them with such a lack of confidence and conviction that he essentially "forgets" the play's purpose.
These events contribute to the climax of the story, which is the boy's realization that his mother's lack of enthusiasm for the play had a significant impact on his performance.
It's important to note that "The School Play" is a short story with a minimalist plot. Instead of focusing on traditional plot structure, it uses the boy's internal struggles and emotions to create a sense of rising action.