The following play is based on an ancient folk tale, its runtime is about 10 minutes and it is ready to be staged:
The Lost Sister
Based on a folktale
By:
Dominic Richardson
Wam’wea: brother
Wachera: sister
Denge: goat (similar to Shrek’s Donkey)
Girl: a surprise acquaintance
Lights up on a young woman standing stage right next to a small hole in the ground used for smoking meat. She is looking at the sunset. Several yards to her left, her old brother, Wam’wea, and his goat, Denge, are concerned with other matters.
Denge
Then I decided to burn it off in the smoking hole.
Wam’wea
What was it this time?
Denge
“Athlete’s Hoof” (While Wam’Wea and Denge continue their discussion, the woman still looks at the sun.)
Wachera
Oh powerful and mighty sun. You shine brightly upon our homestead. A man of wisdom said it would rain today. But we felt nothing moist, only the warmth that you send to the earth. Our land and animals will continue to prosper under your supreme watch.
(Denge notices the sunset.)
Denge
That’s my cue. Time to hit the den.
Wam’wea
Tired?
Denge
Not really, mostly stuffed.
Wam’wea
Want a blanket?
Denge
No, thanks.
Wam’wea
How about some warm milk before you retire?
Denge
No room after dinner (holds stomach)…bowls and bowls of stir fried vegetables and soy-oat surprise, mmmm. Gallons of milk warmed by sun rays along the equator, and barbequed twigs smokey and good. A feast for a king.
Wam’wea
Glad you enjoyed it.
Denge
Enjoy it? Why the flavor was like seeing the gods above.
(Meanwhile, Wam’wea pets Denge for a beat or two).
Wachera
(to sun) I’m worried about my safety tonight. My brother and I have received much good fortune of late, and I fear that something strange will happen when the sky darkens. Mama and Papa are gone now. And brother Wam’wea is more concerned with pleasing the animals than protecting me. Oh divine, please tell the moon to watch over me tonight.
(The sun sets and Wachera goes to the smoking hole and continues to cook.)
Wam’wea
Mama and Papa…
Denge
They are proud of you. You keep your promise. Plant the fields. Tend to us goats, and protect the land. You’re a hero.
(Wachera walks over with a plate of food.)
Wachera
Brother, I noticed the immense feast for the goats. And for your hard work, I too have made a feast for us to eat (hands Wam’wea the plate.)
Wam’wea
Great.
Wachera
This is only the first course. The rest is inside. Come, day has fallen and the hour is right for a nice feast like Mama and Papa were here.
Denge
How wonderful!
Wam’wea
I do miss our family meals, but I can not eat with you tonight. I am traveling down the coast to attend a party.
Wachera
Brother, it took hours to prepare, what shall I do with it all?
Wam’wea
(thinks) I think Denge may be of service.
Wachera
But you musn’t leave me alone tonight, I will be taken away by a stranger and you will never see me again.
Wam’wea
Nonsense. Security will be provided by the walls of this homestead and the hundred goats our parents left behind. Sleep well, sister. (He sets the plate near Denge and exits. Wachera sits on a cot next to Denge’s den.)
Wachera
Something strange will happen when I am without the protection of my brother. I shall sleep next to you tonight, Denge. Just like my brother when he returns from a night of celebration.
Denge
I will protect you.
(Wachera shakes her head and goes to sleep. Two hours later the moon shines brightly on the sleeping girl, drums sound and Denge’s snoring. Wachera’s body is lifted and her unconscious body slowly exits the homestead.
Wam’wea returns the next morning hours after sunrise. He looks around the homestead and finds no trace of Wachera. He goes to the den and awakes Denge)
Wam’wea
Have you seen our sister?
Denge
(waking) Jambo, speak easy, our sister is sleeping in the cot. She requested my attentive eyes to keep her safe though the night.
(He looks at the empty cot, jumps of the den and stars to look around.)
Denge
I don’t know where she could be.
Wam’wea
How could I leave her alone in the night?
Denge
Look over there (points to the ground left of the cot.) There is a trail of food. I’m sure it leads to our sister.
Wam’wea
Then we must save her before she runs out of meats and veggies. Hurry, grab some twigs and barely for rations. No weapons are needed, for I will save our sister with bare hands.
(Denge puts some food into a saddle bag and Wam’wea jumps on top of him. They ride down the trail. On the ninetieth day, an exhausted Wam’wea is carrying Denge on his back.)
Denge
(hallucinating) The blue sky looks like water. Fling me up so that I may drink.
Wam’wea
No, we must continue without delay.
(Several hours go by and the sun is about to set when they approach a little girl next to a large stream.)
Denge
(sees stream) Oh my, THE SKY IS FALLING!
Wam’wea
(shouting to the girl) Sister, is that you? I will kill the witch doctor that shrank you!
(They trot over to the girl.)
Girl
I am not your sister. This is my Mama and Papa’s stream.
(Wam’wea shakes the dirt out of his eyes and Denge stares at the water.)
Wam’wea
Kindly step aside, we are on a journey and don’t have time to squander.
(Wam’wea and Denge attempt to walk across the stream but are blocked by the Girl.)
Girl
Hold it. You don’t have a pass for crossing here, strangers.
Wam’wea
Maybe I wasn’t clear before. Denge and I must cross this stream immediently. And no one is to stop us.
Girl
You don’t have a pass.
Wam’wea
You’re annoying. Denge, prepare to pounce.
Girl
Try me.
Denge
Gladly!
(Denge charges at the Girl but halts when she raises a hand.)
Girl
You two couldn’t cross a baby in a basket. Follow me at once.
(She takes them through the stream and into the largest homestead they had ever seen.)
Denge
Wow, this place is magnificent. The gods are generous to you and your family.
Girl
We have been granted the same blessing as the two of you.
Wam’wea
Where are parents?
Girl
My father is away on the Silk Road, he will return with many treasures. So I can not introduce you to him, but my mother is here.
(The Girl calls to her mother. Wachera enters the room wearing an elegant dress and carrying a plate of food in her hands.)
Wachera
I made an excellent dinner, daughter. Let’s sit down and eat it together.
Wam’wea
Sister, is that you? Denge and I have traveled ninety days in search of you. We saw this little girl at a stream and she brought us here. After weeks of search-
Denge
(pointing to the girl) Is she yours?
Wachera
Yes, she’s my adopted daughter. I now have a family, a stream and five hundred animals as my protection.
Wam’wea
Spectacular, I will call all my friends and tell them to come over and party! We’ll have many smoked meats and fresh veg-
Wachera
You haven’t changed much, but I have. I now have the responsibility to take care of this house, my child, and all the animals of the land. Don’t be disrespectful.
Wam’wea
Forgive me, sister.
Wachera
It is easy to forgive, for I too have made a promise to our parents in the stars. There’s a cot and den out back for you two to sleep in.
(the daughter leads Wam’wea and Denge to the back door.)
Denge
Good night, sister!