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| If it is a fairy, where are its wings? |
SCENE: the kitchen: a table surrounded by three chairs is upstage left, there is a stove with a pot on it downstage right. Hanina and Ella stand center, Hanina is holding a basket
ELLA (confused)
But… I’m just a little confused, Hanina. Where did you say it (pause) came from?
HANINA
(not looking up from the basket) The market place! An old man sold him to me.
*Ella looks to the audience, unsteady expression on her face*
ELLA
And you… you paid for it?
HANINA
Yes, a thousand gold pieces.
ELLA
A THOUSAN…
HANINA (cuts her off)
Ella, enough. Back to cooking. I am famished and I’m sure (motions to basket) he is too
Ella walks downstage right and pretends to cook while Hanina goes on about the frog
HANINA
You were not there, I am telling Ella, this frog is going to bring us amazing virtues.
ELLA (turns to look at her husband, stirring)
And how is the amphibian supposed to do that?
HANINA
(clearly upset) you will just have to see won’t you! You were not there; you have no idea what you are talking about. This man was old, clearly wise beyond either of our years. He said that this is not an ordinary frog, it has special gifts and will bring us…
ELLA
…Amazing virtues?
HANINA
Yes!
ELLA
You already said that.
Hanina slams self down into one of the kitchen chairs. Ella comes over with the pot and two bowls stacked on top of one another. She spoons some of what is in the pot into one of the bowls and sets it down in front of Hanina. She then spoons some into the other bowl and puts it in front of one of the seats. Hanina moves it to the other seat. Confused, Ella moves around to the other chair and tries to sit. As she pulls the chair out, Hanina sets the basket containing the frog in the chair.
HANINA
Well don’t be silly, Ella. You’re allowed to eat with us!
Ella glares at him, and then walks across the room to get another bowl before coming back to sit down. As she is doing this, Hanina starts talking.
HANINA
I wonder what amazing things he was speaking of when he said that.
ELLA
He? Scoots closer to the table
HANINA
The old man of course!
ELLA
Oh, yes, of course.
Silence
HANINA
I one time read this story about a fairy frog who brought a man and his wife all of these herbs that could cure diseases and things as a thank you for their graciousness. Maybe ours…
While Hanina talks, Ella is looking into the basket, back up at her husband, and then back down at the basket. She looks concerned.
ELLA
Excuse me…
HANINA
Do not interrupt me! Anyway…
ELLA
Closes her eyes as if about to say something terrible The frog is dead, Hanina
Silence
HANINA
Excuse me what?
ELLA
The man sold you a dead frog
Ella holds the basket up and Hanina peers in.
HANINA
Oh. Looks up at his wife. Well...that's disturbing. Get rid of it, would you?
Scene.
AUTHORS NOTE: This story was inspired by the old Jewish fairy tale "The Fairy Frog" which was written in the early 1900s
BIBLIOGRAPHY: The Fairy Frog by Gertrude Landa, 1919
This was an interesting story if a bit odd. I also think it's pretty cool that you decided to put it into the format of a play script. There were a few formatting errors though. The picture of the frog pushes the words off center so the picture would probably look better in a different position. Part way through you also stopped putting the parenthesis around the italicized portions. The parenthesis made reading easier by setting the directions off from the dialog. As for the story itself I thought it was interesting in that the ending didn't really explain the rest of the story it just made Hanina look a bit mad. I kind of like those kind of stories though.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed a lot reading this story. I love how you completely changed this fairy tale into a funny one. It is very funny how the frog was actually dead and she did not notice this whole time. You have a very creative way of writing. Thanks for sharing this story and I am looking forward to read more of your stories.
ReplyDeleteHannah, I enjoyed reading your twist to a classic story. I found it super humorous and I also liked the heavy use of dialogue. I struggle myself with including it in my stories. However, I felt like your use of it gives the story great personality and an extra dimension to which to connect with the story. All in all, I really like the unique setup to the story and is a style I may try in the future. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to more of your posts in the future.
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