|
|
|||
|
by students from International School Manila |
|||
|
. |
|
|
|
|
Deep in the Bush Where People
Rarely Ever Go is a
collection of three tales from West Africa. The story begins in the bush, or
rain forest, where a grandmother and three grandchildren have taken a walk. Cast of Family Members: Grandmother, Grandchild
1, Grandchild 2, Grandchild 3 Grandchild 2: Grandmother, what kind of tree is that? Grandmother: It's a honey tree, my dear. Grandchild 2: Why is it way out here? Grandmother: Because it only grows deep in the bush, where
people rarely ever go. Where people rarely ever go . . . whew! We have walked
far today and I'm tired. Let's sit down for a bit. Grandchild 3: I have some fruit if you'd like some,
Grandmother. Grandmother: Thank you, my dear. Grandchild 1: Give it to me! Grandchild 3: Grandmother first, me second, and you . . . well,
maybe. Grandchild 2: And what about me? Grandchild 1: No, what about me! Grandmother: Children, there is plenty of fruit and no reason to fight. Settle down now. This reminds me of a story about a very selfish Spider and a honey tree -- maybe this very tree. This story happened so very long ago. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
||
|
Cast of Characters: Spider, Young Girl Grandmother: There was once a young girl from a far away
village who had a special talent. She could find the very best food in the
bush. Her oranges were just a little bit sweeter, her plums just a bit
larger, and her bananas had just a little more flavor. Everyone in the
village wondered where she found such rare and delicious fruit. Grandchild 3: Many people must have followed her into the bush
to find those special fruits, right Grandmother? Grandchild 2: That would make her very popular. Grandchild 1: No way! I would keep all that delicious fruit for
myself. Grandchild 3: That's selfish. Grandmother: Actually, it was her secret. One day a lazy
spider decided to ask the young girl to help her find food. The spider was
too lazy to work for himself and was sure he could trick the little girl into
sharing her secrets. Spider: Little girl, you find the best fruits of all.
Won't you take me with you just this once into the bush to find some? Young Girl: I don't know . . . I've never done that before. Spider: I promise not to tell a soul. It would mean so
much to this humble spider if you would show me just this one time. Young Girl: Do you promise to keep my secrets? Spider: You can trust me. Young Girl:
Well . . . Spider: Pull - ease! Young Girl: I suppose I can show you just once. What do you
like to eat? Spider: Well, I like plums, bananas, and especially
honey! Young Girl: I think I can help you. Spider: What luck! We better start now before she has a
chance to change her mind. Young Girl: Now you must follow me deep into the bush, where
people rarely ever go. Spider: No problem! Young Girl: It's quite a long walk, but I think you will find
it worth the effort. We're almost there. Yes, this plum tree does not have
much fruit. Most people completely ignore it. But, its fruit is the sweetest
in all of the bush. Grandmother: Now, Spider was just as greedy as he was lazy. As
soon as the young girl showed him the secret plums on that little tree,
Spider's eyes got very large and his mouth started to water. Then, he pushed
the little girl into the bushes. The spider climbed the plum tree and ate
every one of the plums. He didn't even leave one for the little girl. Young Girl: And, he didn't even say thank you. Spider: (rubbing a very full belly) This is the best day
of my life. I wonder if she is foolish enough to show me more treasures? This
little girl is foolish. Why, if I were in her place, I would never have shown
anyone these hidden treasures. But, I'm not complaining about this -- no, not
at all. As long as she guides me to the food, I will continue to eat
everything. Oh, little girl, is there anything else in
the bush that you would like to share with me? Young Girl: Would you like some bananas now? Spider: Absolutely! And, before she has a chance to
change her mind, I better get over to her. Young Girl: Spider. We really must trot onward. There are
plenty of other places I want to take you before the sun goes down. We just
need to continue a little further down this path, where people rarely ever
go. Spider: Lead the way and I will gladly follow you. Young Girl: It's just a little further this way. Just over
here you will find a patch of the very best bananas. Grandmother: Now you already know what happened. As soon as
the young girl showed Spider the banana plant, Spider's eyes got very large
and his mouth started to water. Then, he pushed the little girl into the
bushes. The spider climbed the banana plant and ate every one of the bananas.
He didn't even leave one for the little girl. Young Girl: And, he didn't even say thank you. Spider: Ummm . . . that was delicious! This is how every
spider in my family should live. Ahh! I just love eating the treasures of the
bush all day. But, the day isn't yet over, so I could eat more. That won't be
a problem either since this girl is so foolish. As long as she guides me, I
will continue to eat all of her food. Oh, little girl, is there anything else in
the bush that you would like to share with me? Young Girl: If you are not too full, I know where we could
find some honey. Spider: I'm coming! I'm coming! -- I'm coming as quick as
I can so she will not change her mind! Besides, I'm never too full for honey.
Hurry up! I haven't got all day! Young Girl: Just follow me a little deeper in the bush, where
people rarely ever go. Spider: Honey, honey, HONEY. I can hardly wait. Young Girl: Well, you don't have to wait any longer. We've
arrived. Over there is a very special tree. Deep inside a small hole is the
most delicious honey you will ever find. I hope the honey pleases you. It's
the best know of. Grandmother: And once again, you already know what happened.
As soon as the young girl mentioned the honey, Spider's eyes got very large
and his mouth started to water. Then, he pushed the little girl into the
bushes. The spider climbed into the honey tree to eat all of the that sweet
golden honey. He didn't save one drop for the little girl. Young Girl: And, he didn't even say thank you. But, go on
right ahead and eat what you want. Of course, you'll be pleased. You love
honey and you're just about to make every part of my plan work. You'll learn
to say thank you and a whole lot more. Just you wait and see. Spider: This is so delicious, a real meal for a Spider
with class -- like me! All this golden honey. Every drop just for me. Why
should I ever share? Young Girl: Everything should be just about ready. Spider: This is how life must be in paradise. With any
luck, she'll show me the way to some more delicious treats of the bush. Now I wonder, oh, little girl, is there
anything else in the bush that you would like to share with me? Young Girl: If you are not too full, I could easily show you
where some more fruit grows. But, you must hurry. I have to go home soon. Spider: Of course I'll hurry. -- I don't want her to
change her mind! I'll be right there. Ahhh, my stomach. I'm
stuck! Help me, little girl, I'm caught in the honey tree! Young Girl: You haven't eaten too much now have you? Come on
down right away, I have to go home soon. Spider: Please, young girl, help me! I have grown too
large. I cannot get out of the tree. You wouldn't want to leave a poor old
helpless Spider stuck in a tree, now would you? Young Girl: You wouldn't be stuck if you hadn't been so
selfish. Now it is time for you to learn a lesson about selfishness. Spider: I'm sorry for what I did! Please call for help!
Pull - ease! Young Girl: You aren't sorry for what you did. You are only
sorry you are caught in the tree. Spider: No, you're wrong (with fingers crossed). How did
she know that? Why don't I learn? All that food was so
good and tasty. Next time, I'll bring all the food home. There I won't get
stuck. That little girl is right. I'm the foolish one and she's not a so
foolish at all. Please call for help. I beg you! I'm
trapped here and we are so deep in the bush where people rarely ever go.
Please do this for me and I promise to be a better spider. Young Girl: Well, okay, are you ready, Spider? Cover your
ears because I'm ready to call for help. Spider: I'm ready! Young Girl: (stage whisper) Help! Help! The foolish spider is
caught inside the honey tree. Somebody come and help this greedy spider. Spider: What? Help me? Nobody can hear your whispers! Help! Young Girl: (still whispering) Somebody help this foolish
spider. Help! Grandmother: Of course, nobody could hear her whispers for
help. And nobody could hear Spider's cries from deep inside the honey tree.
They were too far in the bush, where people rarely ever go. The little girl looked up at Spider and
smiled. It was getting ate and she had to hurry home. However, she did
promise to show the spider the following day where her special oranges grew
if he was interested. Of course, Spider never showed up. Nobody ever heard
from him again. Grandchild 1: Yes, that's the kind of ending I like in a story.
And they don't all live happily ever after! Grandmother: That isn't the only lesson I want you to get from
the story. There is a lot more to learn. Granddaughter, is something wrong? |
|||
