BUT I CAN SEE... by Amjad Prawej

Empty Stage. Two narrators, Ravi and Ashok enter and stand centre stage.

Ravi: Welcome friends. My name is Ravi and this is my friend Ashok. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for coming here today in such large number. Ladies and Gentlemen,It is really very encouraging to see people interested in this cause...

Ashok: (Interrupting) Ravi..

Ravi: (With more passion) And with your support I assure you..

Ashok: (Louder this time) Ravi!!

Ravi: (Annoyed) What?

Ashok; The Speech session is tomorrow. They are gathered here today to see our skit.

Ravi: (Embarrassed) Oh! I am really sorry.

Ashok: Let's show them the skit.

Ravi: Alright.

There is a pause. Ashok looks at Ravi. He just shrugs shoulders. There seems to be some confusion. Eventually Ashok breaks the silence.

Ashok: Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to tell you a story. Once upon..

Ravi: Wait! I thought we were going to SHOW them a skit. But you are telling a story instead.

Ashok: Ravi!! This is the skit. We are showing and they are seeing!!

Ravi: Really?

Ramesh: (Almost coming to stage) Oh cut it both of you. Start the skit before the audience runs away. We don't have all day!!

Ashok: Once upon a time in a village called Hamba, there lived a boy called Ramesh. He was from a well to do family. He wore fine clothes and went to a nice school.

Ravi; He ate delicious food everyday and everyone liked him.

Ashok: (Gives him a stare and continues)He had to walk through a small forest to reach the school everyday. One day on his way back from the school something strange happened. He was in the middle of the forest humming and..

Ravi: (Interrupting) Its high time we show them something Ashok. 

 

Ashok: Alright. Let's become trees. Quick.

Ashok and Ravi become trees. Other “Trees” come and stand at random. Ramesh enters humming a tune. He walks between the trees, reaches downstage and stops. He looks left and right. He is unable to decide which way to go. He finally turns around and starts walking. There is a sound. He stops, looks left and right.

Ramesh: Hello! Anyone here?

No one responds. When he is just about to walk, the sound is heard once more. He turns towards the audience and notices something downstage.

Ramesh: Ohhhhh... Look at you! Aren't you beautiful?

He crouches on all four.

Ramesh: Come here. Come here. Oh you are a cute little kitten. Where is your mama? Come here. You are so sweet and gentle. Come I will take you home.

Suddenly we hear a roar. Ramesh screams. The “Trees” scream and run for their lives. Ramesh joins them. He continues screaming. Everyone exits except Ravi and Ashok.

Ravi: It was a Tiger!

Ashok: Wow, you remember your dialogues now!

Ravi: Shhh. Ramesh was lucky. The tiger had just finished his lunch. He was not hungry anymore. And thus, Ramesh's life was saved.

Ashok: But his problem was not over yet. Soon there was another incident. His father bought him a bicycle for his birthday.

Ravi: He was so excited. The next day was a Sunday. After his lunch he rode to the National Highway that was nearby his village. He rode up and down the Highway. He loved it. In his excitement he completely forgot about the time. Suddenly the sun went down and it was dark. He rushed towards his home.

Ashok: He was riding really fast.

Ravi: (Interrupting) I think its time to show them.

Ashok; (Offended) What? No! So, he was riding and then suddenly..

Ravi shuts his mouth from behind and pulls him towards the exit.

Ravi: Oh come on! They are getting bored. It is time for some action.

Ramesh enters on a “bicycle” and starts circling the stage. Enters Ashok and Ravi driving a “Lorry”. Ramesh rides straight towards the lorry. There is frantic honking followed by a screech. Ramesh breaks. The lorry stops a couple of inches away from the bicycle.

Ashok: You fool. Whats wrong with you? You want to kill yourself?

Ramesh: Definitely not! Why do you say that?

Ravi: Because you were riding straight into our Lorry!

Ramesh: A lorry? My God! It IS a Lorry.

Ashok: What do you mean “It IS a lorry”? Of course it's a lorry!

Ramesh: Yes, I can see that now. But from a distance, I couldn't really make out. I thought there were two motor bikes and I would go straight in between!

Ravi: You would have gone straight UP. Now get out of the way.

Ashok: Ride slow and keep to the side of the road.

Ramesh: Alright. Thank you.

Ramesh and the “Lorry” exit.

Ravi: Once more Ramesh was lucky. He went home and told about the incident to his parents. They asked him to be careful next time and that was that.

Ashok: (To the audience) I am sure by now you must have figured out his real problem. Yes you are right. He was.. (looks at Ravi.. gives the cue again) He was..

Ravi: Slow.

Ashok: Sorry?

Ravi: He was a little slow. Think about it, who wouldn't know the difference between a tiger and a cat? He was slow alright. I am sorry to say this but its a fact you know. I feel bad ,but you have to state the...

Ashok: That was not the problem.

Ravi: Yes that was not THE problem. The real problem was that he was ( he clasps his fingers and pulls) you know (pulls again)

Ashok: Partially sighted.

Ravi: Exactly. He was partially sighted (does the action again)

Ashok: Ramesh knew it. There were a couple of incidents in the school as well. But Ramesh never disclosed this problem to any of his friends.

Ravi: (Remembering his dialogue) Not even to his own best friend! (smiles) But how long can you keep a secret from your friends? Especially when you spend most of your time with them. It is tough you know.

Ashok: He was confronted by his friends. Ramesh had no choice but to reveal the truth. He also revealed the reason for keeping it a secret. It was...

Ravi: (Interrupting) Time to show again. (pulls him out)

Ramesh enters in school uniform. He is trying to read from a page. He is holding it so close to his face that he doesn't notice a friend passing him.

Friend: Hi Ramesh.

Ramesh: (loosing his composure) Hi.. Hi Vivek.

Friend: (Offended) I am Sunil. You are crazy dude! (Exits)

Ramesh: (helplessly) God! Everyone looks the same in the uniform.

Ravi and Ashok enter. They are in the similar uniforms.

Ravi: Hi Ramesh

Ramesh: Hi Ku..(stops)

Ravi: Ku? (makes bird's sound)

Ashok: Ramesh, we want to talk to you.

Ramesh: Sure. What is it about?

Ravi: Its about.. (Makes the bird sound again)

Ashok: Cut it Ravi. Lets go sit over there.

They sit downstage centre.

Ashok: Ramesh, is there anything you want to tell us?

Ramesh: Yes, I.. I got only 40 out of 100 in Maths.

Ravi: Is there anything else you want to tell us?

Ramesh: No. It's getting late. (stands to leave)

Ravi: (sits him down) Listen Ramesh! We want to help you. But we can help you only if you want to be helped.

Ashok: We are your friends, Ramesh. And what are friends for? To share your happiness and your problems.

Ramesh: That's true. But why are you telling all these to me?

Ravi: Because we know you have a problem and you are hiding it from us.

Ramesh: What problem? I don't have any problem.

Ashok: You can't see things properly. You are partially sighted. You have been facing lot of difficulties because of this. It is high time you admit it.

Ramesh: But.. But I can see...

Ravi: Really? Alright. How many people are seated in the audience?

Ramesh: Many.

Ravi: Smart. How many exactly do you see in the first row?

Ramesh: There are.. there are (breaks down and starts sobbing) I am sorry. I've been hiding this from you guys for so long. I can't see.. I can't see..

Ashok: Hey, calm down. It's alright. You've told us now. Don't worry, everything will be fine.

Ramesh: I don't know. I face a lot of problems. I can't read the text books, I can't see the black board, I can't write properly, I can't commute and I also face problem with my computer. There are too many problems. And I don't know the solutions.

Ashok: Don't worry. My uncle is born blind. And he manages to read, write, commute and operate computer better than me. Of course you'll have to work harder initially. You'll have to learn Braille and you should start using a White Cane.

Ramesh: What's a White Cane? Is it like Sugarcane?

Ravi: No! It is not something to eat. Its a stick that blind and visually impaired people use to commute in an effective manner.

Ramesh: Wow. I'd like to start using one right now.

Ashok: (Giving him a white cane) Here you go then. Of course you'll have to learn how to use it properly. My uncle can help you with that. In fact I borrowed this one from him.

Ramesh: I feel so happy already.

Ravi: Ramesh, this will not only help you find your way easily, It will also tell others that you have problem with your sight.

Ramesh: Oh!

Ashok: That's a good thing Ramesh. Imagine you want to cross a busy road with no Zebra crossing. If people see your White Cane they will stop their vehicles to let you cross.

Ramesh: I see.

Ravi: There is one more thing you have to do. You'll have to tell your parents.

Ramesh: They know already.

Pause. Ravi and Ashok look at each other

Ashok: They.. know already?

Ramesh: Actually they are the ones who had forbidden me from telling anyone about this problem. They are... ashamed.

There is Pause.

Ramesh: When they first noticed about my problem, they took me to a doctor. He told the problem was incurable and I had to live with this. They asked me not to mentioned about it to anyone.

Ashok: But you have a serious problem. You need to learn some basic things. It will be really difficult at later stage in your life.

Ramesh: I know. But my parents, they don't see...

Ravi: Your parents don't see.. Are they blind?

Ramesh: No no, they are not blind. But they don't see that I don't see, you see.

Ravi: I am all confused now. Who is blind and who can't see?

Ashok: Forget it Ravi. Ramesh, we need to talk to your parents.

Ramesh: The principal had called my Dad to talk about my low performance this year. He is actually with the Principal right now.

Ashok: Great. Let's go talk to him.

As soon as they get up, the father enters looking for Ramesh.

Father: There you are. I've been looking for you all over the place. I am getting late for my meeting. (Noticing White Cane) What's that?

Ravi: It's a White Cane uncle.

Father: And who are you?

Ravi: My name is Ravi and he is Ashok.

Ashok: We are Ramesh's classmates.

Father: Good. Let's go Ramesh.

Ravi: Uncle, actually we wanted to talk to you.

Father: About what?

Ravi: About Ramesh and his eye-sight problem.

Father: You told them? (angry) I had forbidden you.

Ashok: We forced him uncle. It is not his fault..

Father: Stay away from my son. He is fine. He does not need any help.

Ashok: Uncle I think he does. Especially from you. He needs to learn basic skills

like braille and the use of White Cane.

Father: Shut up! He is not blind. (snatches and throws the White Cane) And he doesn't need this. You disobeyed me. I am ashamed of you.

Ramesh: You were never proud of me dad.

The father just looks at him, not knowing what to say.

Ravi: Uncle, he is partially sighted. Its true. But he is also partially blind.

Father: You want him to go around with that stick. People will laugh at him. They will make fun of him. I am not OK with that.

Ashok: But you are OK with the same people calling him stupid, useless and incapable for the rest of his life?

There is Silence

Ravi: See you later Ramesh.

Ashok: Bye uncle.

They exit. Pause. The father slowly picks the White Cane and hands it to Ramesh.

Father: I am sorry my son. I had been blind all these days.

He hugs Ramesh. The school bell rings. They exit.

The End.

ENP4YQ4B26UB

THE CAUSE by Amjad Prawej

Bare stage. Enter two Aliens. They are in strange costumes and they wear funny masks.

Alien1: 

(looking around) I told you. See for yourself. You believe me now, don't you?

Alien2:

Yes, I do. (looking around). But.. But wait.. I... I still can't believe this.

Alien1:

(surprised) You still don't believe me? After seeing this, right in front of your eyes?

Alien2:

I didn't mean that. Of course I believe you. But I can't believe what I see.

Alien1:

Seeing is believing my friend. And there is no doubt that this has actually happened.

Alien2:

Yes, I guess. You know I was here last week. And everything seemed so normal.

Alien1:

(surprised again) You were here last week? You came here without me? That's really.... wait a minute. You were here with Liena!! You traitor!! You..

Alien2:

Oh come on! She wanted a little stroll, thats all. We are just good friends.

Alien1:

(sarcastic) Yeah right. And I am Superman!!

Alien2:

No!! Really, we are just friends. And you know, I just dont miss any opportunity to visit Planet Earth. This is the most beautiful Planet in our Galaxy.

Allien1:

(Quickly) Was

Alien2:

What?

Alien1:

The Earth WAS the most beautiful planet. (Gestures around)

Alien2:

Ah yes. Of course.. Was.. This is strange. Just look around. There is nothing left. Everything is changed into.. into... I don't know... Dust!!... It's all black and white.. Where are the colors?

Alien1:

I see a little Grey over there.

Alien2:

Yes, but it's not very different from black and white. (Searching) Where are the Blues and Greens and Yellows and Reds?

Alien1:

(Thinks) I think they are all buried below these Blacks and Whites. It seems a long way before this planet sees any other color again.

Alien2:

(Disappointed) What a pity!! I liked this planet a lot you know. The entire civilization is gone. Vanished! Buried! What a pity!!

Alien1:

Yes it's sad.(Pause) Hey, how long do you think will it take for life to reappear on this planet?

Alien2:

I don't know. May be a couple of Million years.

Alien1:

Wow! And then human beings would evolve and they would learn to make fire all over again! They'd discover different things. They would dig and... (getting happy) And they would discover all the colors!! Yes, they would discover Red!

Alien2:

Not really. How'd they know its Red?

Alien1:

What do you mean? They'd see and they would know its Red.

Alien2:

Yes they would see. But they wouldn't know a Red is a Red.

Alien1:

They wouldn't know a Red is a Red? I am confused.

Alien2:

Listen. We know a Red is a Red because we call it "Red". They wouldn't know what to call it. They might not even know color.

Alien1:

(Realizing) Ah.... Of course.. Silly of me... How would they know?... They would have to learn sounds, alphabets, language and only then they'd decide how to refer to something that was "Red". Wow!

Alien2:

Yes. Red might actually become Rub or Glub or God knows what.

Alien1:

God knows what... (starts laughing) They wouldn't know "God".

Alien2:

Do you? Do you know  "God"?

Alien1:

Of course I do.. He's.... She's... It is... I don't know. But I at least know what "God Knows what" means..(Laughs) They wouldn't.

Alien2:

True.

Alien1:

They wouldn't know 1, 2, 3. They wouldn't know A, B, C. They wouldn't know "Sky".. They wouldn't know "Earth". They wouldn't know "Family". They wouldn't know "Love"... They wouldn't know.. to be short, they wouldn't know anything! They will have to learn everyhting from the scratch. From Zero: They wouldn't know "Zero", would they?

Alien2:

I am afraid not.

Alien1:

This is funny.

Alien2:

No, it's not funny. It's a shame. All the knowledge, wisdom, discoveries and inventions are destroyed forever.

Alien1:

Yes it's a shame. All the hard works of thousands of years are gone for a toss.

Alien2:

I still don't understand. How is it possible to destroy a complete planet in merely one week?

Alien1:

It's simple.

Alien2:

Really?

Alien1:

Yes. All you need is human beings.

Alien2:

(Smiles) I see. I get the point. Thank God, they were not living on our planet.

Alien1:

I'd say we were lucky.

Alien2:

I am still wondering what exactly happened here... One week?

Alien1:

To be honest, it was more than that. It was a result of a very long period.

Alien2:

(surprised) You actually know what happened here?

Alien1:

I overheard our wise men.

Alien2:

Tell me quick. I am dying of curiosity.

Alien1:

Faulty and leaky water taps.

Alien2:

Water taps? You are saying this planet turned into dust because of faulty and leaky water taps.

Alien1:

Yes. I guess I'll have to tell you everything in detail.

Alien2:

Go ahead. I am all ears. There is nothing left of this place to see any way. I might as well know the details of what actually led to this.

Alien1:

Alright. Did you know the country called Idina?

Alien2:

O yes. One of my favourites. What diversities it had. Both cultural and geographical.

Alien1:

Good. There was a serious problem with the people of this country.

Alien2:

And what was that?

Alien1:

They worried about problems that were trivial and ignored the ones that would pose a real threat in the long run.

Alien2:

Like?

Alien1:

Faulty and leaky water taps! They never repaired them.

Alien2:

Now that's stupidity. Why would people not repair their taps?

Alien1:

There are many reasons. Laziness, ignorance and mostly the lack of awareness. They simply didn't know the importance of water. I must mention here, that country relied heavily on the underground water for their needs. They never took Rain-water Harvesting seriously. They were just misusing the generosity of nature. Besides, they were losing thousands of gallons of water everyday through those faulty and leaky taps. As a result, the underground water level went so down that it was impossible to set up bore wells or hand pumps. At some places they were rendered useless because of pollution. The situation got worse day by day. Soon there came a time when there was no water left. People started panicking. The government tried to import water to cope with the situation. But there was a problem. Not everyone could afford to buy water. People started stealing water from their neighbors. They took to the streets. They were demanding free water. The Government didn't know what to do.

Alien2:

Governments never know what to do. So what happened next?

Alien1:

We all believe the Governments don't do anything. But that's not true. They are always busy doing one thing - enhancing their Military Power; buying missiles, nuclear weapons and fighter planes. The Idinan Government had done the same. They were extremely powerful.

Alien2:

(Impatient) Yes yes I know that. Just tell me how did the entire planet vaporize?

Alien1:

You are too impatient. I'll come to the point. Do you remember the country Kanla that was situated on the south-east of Idina?

Alien2:

Ah yes, that beautiful small country.

Alien1:

Yes. The situations were quite different there. They had invested a lot in natural resources.

Alien2:

And they had no problems like Idina!

Alien1:

Exactly. So Idina started bullying them to supply water. Kanla refused for obvious reasons. And that's when Idina declared war against Kanla.

Alien2:

A war for drinking water!

Alien1:

Right. Though Kanla was small and not so powerful, it had alliances with other countries equipped with nuclearware. They came forward to defend Kanla. And the ones that were facing similar problems like Idina stood by them. Soon the entire planet was divided into two groups. Ultra powerful nations like Caremia, Glanden, Sisura, Mengary and Paskitna were involved. They were ready to destroy each other.

Alien2:

And they did! In the process of destroying each other they destroyed the entire planet!

Alien1:

Bingo! You have it now. It was called The Water War! And it was worse than WW1 and WW2. Once they were into full fledged war, it took exactly 2 hours, 23 minutes and 35 Seconds to destroy everything!

They are silent.

Alien2:

If only they had repaired those faulty and leaky taps they....

Stops abruptly seeing the audience. Stares at them with amazement. Goes to Alien1 and turns his face towards the audience. Both of them watch the audience with surprise.

Alien2:

They look like human beings. What do you think?

Alien1:

Yes they do.

Alien2:

Two hands... two legs.. One nose.. And only one head.... My God, they ARE human beings. They are not extinct.

Alien1:

Of course we are not extinct. (Taking off his mask) This is just a skit.

Alien2:

Oh! (embarrassed laughter) I was so into my character that I..(taking off his mask) I thought I WAS an Alien!

They are silent.

Alien1:

(In a dead serious voice) We are not Aliens. That was fiction. And we are not extinct yet. That was fiction too. But what you heard and saw is not far from the reality.

Alien2:

Save water. Repair your taps. Preserve natural resources. Harvest rain water.

Alien1:

And if you don't..... There will be no colors.

They put on their masks

A1&A2:

Except Black and White.

They turn around and exit

The End