DRAMA- HOW FAR IS THE RIVER Characters  : 1.Mother – Stella          2.Father   _Philip          3.Son       _ John                      4.Wood cutter                       5.Mule dr iver                      6.Shepherd boy                      7.Village gir l

Properties    : 1.Masks             2.Pictures of mountain             3.Cut out of trees            4.Fishes             5.Two blue sarr ies             6.Axe

Scene 1 Boy's house A boy (John) enters looking a picture/ picture of mountain, river, forest, etc. He looks it and says. John

: Oh! how nice is it! I have never seen a river in my life. (He puts his right palm on left side chest. And says.) But it is here. It flows from my heart!! Villagers told me about the river a lot. I want to see the river. I want to touch it personally.

He stands in front of his house and looks at the nature.(soliloquy ) '' Huge mountains..... hills, thick forest ( by pupil ) big trees all are so far away from me.'' ( He looks the picture as well as the nature.) (Mother enters and doing works, washing plates sweeping floor- and enquires her son.) When she John John Amma John Amma John Amma

saw him, he calls her son

: What are you doing there. (Amma) : Mom see this picture, my drawing.... How is it? : Vow....... It's so good, beautiful. Is it our river? : Yes ma, It is that river beyond the hill. : I have gone there many times John. : But is it far away from here? : Yes.... Yes.... But really it is a beautiful river. Pebbles, golden fishes... crystal clear water.

How cold water it is!!! John : I want to see it. I want to touch it personally, Ma..... Please. Amma : No........ No..... It is far away from here. Very difficult to reach too.... Go dear go to sleep

( Stella finishes her work and takes utensils and goes inside. John looks the picture again and fell into a deep sleep.)

Scene 2- In a dream

(John sees mountain, river, thick forest, golden fishes ,birds butterfly etc. John acts playing) Mother Stella enters and searching John. Stella : John where are you? I am here John : I am playing with butterflies........... I am singing with cukoos Stella : Today aii saw are you walking on barefooted ? How many times I told you to wear shoes? John : I like the feel of warm stones and cool grass

( Father Philip enters and calls his wife.)

Philip : Stella...........Stella …..........Stella.......... Stella : I am here Philip : Why don't you get ready get ready fast...Let's move.( Stella goes) John : Where are you going? Philip : We are going to visit our relatives .Don't you come with us? John : Dad, I won't come Philip : Why? John : I have to study a lot.

( Stella enters with a small bag)

Stella : John , my dear son that's good study well... take care OK... bye

(After went the parents, John's soliloquy.)

John : Yes.. This is the right time, to see the river...... “ It is here, it blows from my heart. ''

( he makes some arrangements for a journey.) John : Yah..... it is better to take this loaf of bread.

( He starts to the river)

scene 3 ( At the river) John : (soliloquy) How steep the path is!... It is slippery also... the dizzy and winding path... But what pretty scenery it is!... ( He walks . A wood cutter enters through the other side of the stage. He has an axe and some ropes with him.He has worn a banyan and a half pant.) John : Uncle … uncle …. How far it is to the river? ( wood cutter turns towards john.) Wood Cutter : Why do you want to know? John : I am going to the river? I want to see it and I want to touch it personally. Wood cutter : Alone ?. To the river? John: Of course!.

Wood cutter : But it is too far. It is seven miles from here. It will take three hours to reach there. Again it will take another three hours to come back. By that time, it will be getting dark. Besides it is not an easy road. John : No problem!. I am a good walker!. ( He walks again.) John: ( soliloquy) How steep the path is!... It is slippery also... the dizzy and winding path.... After a while, a girl mowing grass enters. She wears an old frock and blouse. She has a sickle and a basket made of coconut leaves ( Vallam) in her hand. John : Hai.. girl, my friend, How far is the river?. Girl : 20 miles. John : 20 miles!... Ha... Ha.. Ha... ( He knows that the answer told by the girl is wrong. The girl exits. John walks again. John : (Soliloquy. He points to the right side) Oh! There is a trickle of water coming from there. Let me take it and drink!. ( He takes water, as if he was very thirsty.) A boy driving goats enters. The sound of goats can be heard. He wears an old lunky and a banyan. He has a long stick in his hand) John: (smiling) Hey.. friend... How far is the river? The Boy : (Smiles back) Oh! Not far!. Just round the next hill and straight down. ( They both interact and become friends. They sit down. John takes his loaf of bread and shares with the boy. ) John : Are you coming with me to the river? Boy : Sorry dear.... I am busy. .. see my house is very near.... Ok, See you. Bye..bye.. John: See you again... bye ... bye...( He walks again). John : (Soliloquy) I walked for three hours!. Still the river is not seen. I finished my bread also. Here only forest. Everywhere loneliness!.Everywhere silence! No man ..only silence! ( Horror back ground music) It is frightening me. No.. I won't go back.. I will surely see the river!. ( Slowly the the sound of water flow is heard. He listens. Happiness comes on his face.The sound is more and more audible.. it becomes a roaring sound..) (A blue saree is held in the front side the stage. Fishes, frogs , etc. made of chart papers are seen just like in a river. The fishes move. The boy touches the water. He washes the face. He splashes it. He plays) John : My God! How long I have been waiting for you!. At last... ( He gasps) ..at last..I saw the river!...I reached the river! … I touched it... I felt it.. Very cold.. very refreshing ...Vow !!...... (An inspiring back ground song about the river and splashing of water is heard)