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For Hilda
© July 2009, LD McKenzie
Cast:
Prodigal son (Ralph), Teresa the farmer’s wife, Francis the leader pig, pigs, piglets, rooster, chickens, cow, Hildegard
the swallow, other barn swallows
Props:
Rake, corn husks (or wide newspaper strips to represent husks), walking stick, water trough
(Cast and props taken from Durer’s woodcut of Prodigal Son amid the Swine. Where possible connections have been made to script for Part 2 of the story, Prodigal Party, found here. )
Scene begins with animals moving about barnyard, eating, drinking, flying, tweeting, etc.
Ralph (raking husks into a pile in farmyard):
Oh woe is me. I’m so hungry. At least the pigs get these corn husks to eat. I’m so hungry I could almost eat these
husks myself.
Pigs and piglets:
Chorus of snorting, grunting and chomping.
Francis the pig:
Dude, it’s just corn husks. It’s not like we’re, ahem, living high on the hog or anything.
Pigs and piglets:
Snorts of agreement.
Ralph:
I know I know.
Teresa the farmer’s wife crosses farmyard.
Ralph to Teresa:
Good lady, have you a spare crust of bread from dinner last night?
Teresa:
I’m so sorry Ralph. You know there’s a famine going on around here. There’s no food to spare. Our cow is
so skinny (Cow: moo) and the rooster is scrawny (Rooster: Cock a doodle doo). Keep saying your prayers, and the Lord will
provide.
Ralph (to self): I know, but it’s hard to hear your prayers when you’re tummy is growling so loudly.
Ralph (out loud):
Well, Lady, I’m very thankful that you’ve given me this job and shelter from the wind and rain.
Teresa:
You’re welcome Ralph. It’s not much, but hopefully it helps. (Teresa continues on her way. Ralph goes back to
raking).
Ralph (out loud to animal friends):
You guys are great, but sometimes it feels nice talking to other human beings.
Barnyard animals:
Great chorus of mooing, clucking, soo-eee ing, etc, slightly insulted.
Ralph: You know, my father has a big farm and a lot of farm hands. I bet none of them are as hungry as me.
Hildegard the barn swallow:
You could always go back.
Ralph:
No way. My dad would be so disappointed. He was so great, and gave me my inheritance ahead of time, and I blew it. I completely
blew it on video games, and big screen tvs and chips and pop for parties for my friends. I can’t go back.
Hildegard:
Yes, you can. Just tell him you’re sorry. And promise it won’t happen again. You’ve got to really mean it,
though, and try to live your life better from now on.
Ralph:
Well, I really am sorry. But what if he doesn’t believe me?
Hildegard:
He will. He’s your dad. He loved you when you were a baby. He still loves you now. When you love somebody it’s
easy to forgive. That’s how forgiveness works.
Francis the pig:
She’s right. You just made a mistake, that’s all. We love you, man, and we’ll miss you. But you don’t
belong down here in the muck with us. You should pick yourself up and go home.
Ralph:
You guys really think so?
All animals:
Chorus of snorts and tweets of agreement.
Ralph (tossing rake aside and picking up his walking stick):
All right everybody. You’ve talked me into it. I’m going to get up and go back to my father. I’ll tell him
I made a mistake, and I’m sorry, and I want to come back. I sure hope this works.
You guys are so grounded. Thanks for everything. I’ll never forget you, I promise. I’ll put you in my prayers
every day. Bye!
Animals:
Snorts, tweets, moos and clucks of goodbye.
Click here to return to the Prodigal Son Lesson Set.
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