HEALING STORIES
"A One-Act Folktale on Keeping the World Healthy"
(Third Draft - 8/7/2004)
by Teatro Dominguez
Class of Spring 2004:
Karen Beck, Tara Carnes, Luis Castaneda,
Genevieve Caton, Kathleen Davis, Lillie Franklin,
Cailin Masters, Margaret Moawad, Lauren Oliver,
Angela Reynolds, and Heather Rollins.
c 2004
Teatro Dominguez
Bill DeLuca
CSU Dominguez Hills Theatre Arts
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Cast of Characters
Mariposa
A Butterfly from Mexico.
She is the storyteller and a Curandera, a woman who heals with the use of
herbs. She is graceful and magical.
A female version of Gandalf.
Her mask has wings on it, but she is robed in an indio blanket
that is magic.
JosŽ
An eight year old boy who is very bright and talkative; he has a tremendous
desire and curiosity to learn how to help his friends feel better.
Jenny
Miss Jenny Jenkins, 8 also, usually very energetic and bubbly; a bit
of a worry-wart, she always thinks it might not be smart to do that.
Roy
A heavy-set 8 year-old boy with an eating disorder; good friend to
JosŽ; but eats without knowing it;
Malik
An African Monkey: humorous, sarcastic, irresponsible, gets lost,
loves music, dancer; sick of being sick;
Eli
An Elephant from Africa: old, wise, slow but patient, likes back scratched,
family lost to poachers; feel compelled to heal his community with his wealth
of knowledge about dietary supplements; he is a walking drugstore of vitamins,
minerals, herbs, amino acids, and metabolites.
Pandava
An Indian leopard skilled in the art of Ayurveda, which emphasizes
the use of the body, mind and spirit in disease prevention and treatment;
very relaxed and smooth talking;
Polly
A Panda from Asia: slow, mystical, but gentle, helps others, knows
remedies, motivated and organized; she specializes in Chinese Qi Gong (pronounced
"chee-GUNG"), which uses movement, meditation and
breathing to enhance the vital energy flow in the body;
Max
A Chinese Dragon: young, naive, rough physically, slow but tough,
doesn't like being sick; suffers from scaly skin;
Scene
A Local School. The Present.
SETTING: A Local School.
AT RISE:
The company gathers offstage left and right, and the
NARRATOR enters and addresses the audience.
NARRATOR (MARIPOSA)
Buenos d”as muchachos. Good
morning! I am Mariposa, and
I am your Storyteller today. I have come here to ........ (name of school)
to tell you some stories about healing, stories about helping other people
to get better and live a healthy life.
I am also known as "la curandera y la mujer de los cuentos."
Does anyone know what that means?
I am a woman who heals people, but I am not a doctor.
Tell me, Have any of you had
the flu?
(She asks questions of the children for about two minutes).
Where did it hurt? Did you miss
school? How did you get better?
Have any of you had a real bad headache?
Miss school? What
helped you? Have any of you
felt really tired and exhausted, so much that you didn't want to go out to
play?
Today, you will meet three children like yourself who are also sick, just
like you were, but they find some new ways to make themselves better.
But first, I also want to welcome you to Teatro Dominguez,
a company of actors from Dominguez Hills, who perform stories from around
the world.
(The cast runs in and sings "Treat in Store For You" - Ensemble.)
Ohhhhh!
We are the Teatro Dominguez Animal Kingdom
With stories to tell you from all around the world
So listen and learn and enjoy the show
As we bring you tales for every boy and girl
We want you to know that learning is great
And lots and lots and lots of fun, too
So clap your hands and stump your feet
We've got a treat in store for you
Now there are different types of animals all throughout the world
And different people all around the world, too
But just like people all around the world have to get along
Animals have to get along, too (that's true)
We're the Teatro Dominguez animal kingdom
Different, but all the same in many ways
We'll teach you about animals near and far away
By bringing them to life in our plays
(Spoken) Sometimes we don't know why animals are the way they are or why
they
do the things they do, like why the rhino is so huge, or the turtle is so
slow, or why some birds fly so high.
So we're going to explain some animal
ways Teatro Dominguez style, with out animal kingdom jokes.
1. Why does the Hyena in Africa
laugh so much?
(Audience) I don't know. Why?
Because he eats too many funny bones.
2. Why does the Iguana in Mexico
stick out his tongue all the time?
(Audience) I don't know. Why?
Because his mother never told him, "Stop sticking out your tongue at people.
That's not nice!"
3. Why does the mother Kangaroo
in Australia carry her sons and daughters in
a pouch on her stomach?
(Audience) I don't know. Why?
Because it's hard for her to hop
if she carries her children on her back.
4. Why do the Penguins in the
South Pole waddle when they walk?
(Audience) I don't know. Why?
Because it is so cold in the South Pole, their legs are frozen together.
(Ensemble singing) We want you
to know that learning is great
And lots and lots and lots of fun, too
So clap your hands and stump your feet
We've got a treat in store for you
We've got a treat in store for you
We've got a treat in store for you
Yes, we do!
(The cast exits to get their masks, but JOSƒ goes to MARI, who addresses
the children.)
MARIPOSA
Now, let me introduce you to a very good friend of mine.
This is JosŽ, and JosŽ is also a 2nd grader.
JOSƒ
I'm big for my
age.
Can you guess how old he is?
ThatÕs right, heÕs eight just like you.
JosŽ is a very nice boy whoÕs always ready to help anybody
in need.
JOSƒ
Mari, tell them
about the time I helped Roy and Jenny!
Alright. I think they'd like
that. One time, out on the playground, JosŽ heard something scary going on
with his friends, Roy and Jenny.
(Roy and Jenny come out and start playing tetherball)
MARIPOSA
Roy and Jenny
were playing tetherball together when suddenlyÉ
(Holding his stomach
and bending over with pain)
Ohhh! Ohhh! My stomach!
Are you Ok?
Ohhh- I donÕt think so.
My stomach feels like itÕs burning.
YouÕll be all right; just rest for a couple of minutes.
(Jenny goes back to play, but JosŽ notices Roy and approaches him to offer
help)
JOSƒ
Hey Roy, whatÕs the matter, feeling sick?
ROY
Yes. I donÕt
know whatÕs happening.
My stomach hurts a lot.
You know, if it
continues to hurt after tonight, you should tell your mom to take you to
the doctor. But for now IÕll
take you to the nurse office.
Let me call Jenny so she can come with us.
Hey Jenny- do you want to come with me to take ROY to the nurse
office?
Yes- I want to
come with you.
All right, letÕs
go.
(They exit together with ROY between JOSƒ and JENNY.)
MARIPOSA
Now remember boys and girls, it is very important to visit your nurse or
doctor on a regular basis. They
can give you advice on how to stay healthy.
And of course like ROY, if you are sick, you definitely have
to see your nurse or doctor right away.
(JOSƒ runs in to tell MARIPOSA of his good deed.)
JOSƒ
Mari! Mari!
IÕm back!
I took Roy to the nurseÕs office and the nurse gave him some medicine.
I sure hope he feels better soon.
MARIPOSA
IÕm sure he will. But
hereÉjust to be sure, why donÕt you offer him some of this
herbal remedy?
(JOSƒ looking curiously at the
vial.)
JOSƒ
(With bright eyes) AhÉ
(Pause). What
is it?
MARIPOSA
ItÕs lavender. The lavender
oils will help to relax Roy, since heÕs tense from his stomachaches.
Take it to him, JosŽ.
(Excited to help out as usual.)
JOSƒ
Oh, I will. IÕll do it
right now. (Running out the
door) IÕll be back!
MARIPOSA
Well, I hope that Aromatherapy helps ROY.
(Turning to audience)
Do you know what Aromatherapy is?
ItÕs one way to cure some ailments with the use of oils from
flowers, herbs, and trees. These
oils, with their scents, help to make humans feel better.
Can you say ÒAromatherapy?Ó
Good. OhÉhere
comes JosŽ now. (JOSƒ walks
in a feeling a little down).
How did it go, JosŽ?
JOSƒ
I gave Roy the lavender, and he liked it, but he still seems a little sick.
What else can we do, Mari?
MARIPOSA
Hmmm. I think weÕd better
consult my friend Eli the Elephant.
He has a tremendous memory about ways to heal children.
Meet me here JosŽ and weÕll see about visiting Eli.
Ok?
JOSƒ
An elephant? All right, if you
say so, Mari. (Determined) IÕll
be hereÉfor sure.
(Exit JOSƒ.)
MARIPOSA
After their classes,
I met los ni–os at the playground.
They were all excited about meeting an elephant.
JOSƒ
Now, I havenÕt
ever seen an elephant around here, Mari.
How are we going to meet one?
MARIPOSA
Well, hop on board!
I'll fly you there right now!
(She spreads her wings wide and motions with her head.)
(The children look at each other in bemusement)
JENNY
UmÉIÕm
not sure that this is a very good idea.
I mean, what if you canÕt hold all of us?
What if one of us falls off?
What if somethingÉ
ROY (Cutting her off)
Jeeennnnyyy, stooooop
it! I donÕt feel good
and standing here isnÕt making me feel any better.
Just get on!
(The kids scramble on. They
fit into slits within MARIPOSA's large magical shawl.)
MARIPOSA
Are you ready?
Hold on! Here
we goooooooo!
JOSƒ, ROY and JENNY (Lifting off)
Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!
JOSƒ
Mari, this is amazing.
We're flying!
MARIPOSA
Just hold on and
enjoy the ride.
JOSƒ
Okay, but where
are we headed?
ROY
Good question.
Where are we going, Mari?
(MARIPOSA smiles.)
JENNY
(In a panicky voice, the children want an answer)
Mariposa, where
are we going?!?
MARIPOSA
Africa.
ROY, JENNY, JOSƒ
Africa?!?
JENNY
That cannot possibly
be a good idea. Have you all
had your vaccinations? ArenÕt
there wild animals there? What
if one of us gets eaten? IÕm
not sure I feel safe inÉ
JOSƒ (Cutting her off)
Jenny, look down!
IsnÕt it beautiful?
(SONG: The four sing ÒOver the OceanÓ)
JENNY: Look; down at the water...
EVERYBODY: Ocean, Ocean, Ooohh... Ocean, Ocean.
Look....Look....Look....Look....
MARI: If you feel a little notion take a ride over the ocean.
EVERYBODY: Ocean, Ocean, Ooohh... Ocean, Ocean
ROY: I know I said "ouch" with my stomach in pain, but looking at the ocean
make me really say HEY.........
EVERYBODY: Ocean, Ocean, Ooohh... Ocean, Ocean
JENNY: I don't know why I'm feeling in fear, but looking at the ocean really
brings me to tears.
EVERYBODY: Ocean, Ocean, Ooohh... Ocean, Ocean
JOSE: I'm glad I got my friends on this wonderful ride, soaring over the
ocean really fills me with pride.
EVERYBODY: Ocean, Ocean, Ooohh... Ocean, Ocean, Ooohh... OCEAN!
MARIPOSA
Look there mis
amigos, Africa!
(They bump down to ground.)
JENNY
Wow!
We made it!
ROY
Look at this amazing
forest!
(MALIK, the monkey, enters, in a hurry.)
MALIK
Out of my way! Out of my way! Please move out of my way. (Pushing his
way through, with hand on the stomach area.) Oh... Geepers, Geepers, Geepers
I don't feel very well. My stomach seems to be doing flip-flops. Oh my...
I can't even dance for my stomach being so upset, and I love ... to dance
see (try, but can't because of his stomach being so upset) OUCH! Forget this
mess I'm on my way to look for Eli.
He'll fix it. Eli can
fix anything.
JOSƒ
Eli! That's where we're headed.
MALIK
You're sick too?
JOSƒ
No, my friend Roy is the one that's sick.
MALIK
(Look over at Roy with a look of discomfort.) I truly understand.
JOSE'
Oh heck, where are my manners? Hi my name is Jose' and these are my
friends Jenny, Mari, and Roy.
MALIK
It's a pleasure to meet you all, I'm Malik.
Would you like to come along with me to Kisumu?
That's the city in Kenya where Eli lives.
He's the greatest healer in all of Africa.
MARIPOSA
Can you lead us to him, Malik?
We would be grateful to you.
MALIK
Sure.
MARIPOSA
Do you need to check with your folks first?
MALIK (stumped)
I É don't know É. where they are.
(Suddenly there is the sound of large steps.
They bounce with each one.)
MARIPOSA
Oh my goodness, I know the sound of those large steps anywhere.
MALIK
Look out everyone! Eli's a comin'!
(ELI enters, as they all fall down from his loudest steps.)
MARIPOSA
Eli!
ELI
Mari, Mari, Mari, it is so good to see you again.
MARI
Oh Eli, I am so glad to see you again too, these are my friends Jose', Jenny,
Roy, and my new friend, Malik, who I believe you already know.
ELI
What are you guys doing here?
JOSƒ
We're here because our friend Roy hasn't been feeling very well lately.
He seems to keep having this upset stomach.
MALIK
Me too Eli, my stomach has been terribly, terribly upset and I, I mean
Roy and I need your help. Can you tell us how to make our stomachs feel better?
ELI
Well, there are many wonderful ways to heal, but the trick is to respect
your body and stay healthy through good nutrition and exercise. Have any
of you guys ever seen an Elephant break dance?
EVERYONE
No, not me, me neither, never.
(Eli begins to break dance.
They applaud at the end).
MALIK
WOW! Eli that was awesome.
ELI
Thank you. Now Malik I've noticed that you haven't been dancing lately.
MALIK
Well, I haven't been feeling up to it, with the upset stomach and all.
ELI
Malik are you sure that's the reason, because I've noticed since your family
has been lost you have been looking really sad.
MALIK
OK Eli you have figured me out, but I do have an upset stomach.
ELI
It's very likely, because I have also noticed that you have not been eating
any bananas lately. I'm going to give you a dietary banana supplement, it's
rich in potassium and you have a choice of five different ways you can
take it. Tablet, capsule, gelcap, liquid, or powder.
MALIK
Can't I just have a banana?
ELI (Thinking)
Well, sure, that's makes more sense.
MALIK
OK, OK.
(Malik takes a banana and then breaks into a dance).
ROY
Excuse me Eli, you think I can try it too?
ELI
Why certainly.
(Eli gives Roy a banana)
ELI
Now Roy, you and Malik need to remember!
Take good care of your body, ...
JENNY, MARI AND JOSƒ
And it will take good care of you!
ROY
OK Eli I will! hey thanks, thank
you for everything.
ELI
You're welcome Roy. Malik, I
think this is the perfect time to go out and look for your family.
MALIK
You know what Eli, I think it is too so lets go!
(MALIK and ELI exit while waving good-bye.)
MARIPOSA
Thank you for your help, Eli.
Good luck, Malik!
JENNY
Ohhh, Ohhhhhh
(JOSƒ pauses and sees Jenny sitting with her head in her hands and motions
to MARIPOSA and ROY)
JENNY
OHHH!
JOSƒ
Jenny, what's wrong? Why are you squeezing your head like that?
JENNY
So it won't burst open!
JOSƒ
Burst open??!!
JENNY
Yeah, it feels like it could burst open like a too ripe watermelon!
MARIPOSA
Oh poor Jenny....your headache must be terrible, but your head won't actually
split open.
JENNY
I know, but it sure feels like it.
ROY
I had a headache like that once too Jenny. It's no fun.
JOSƒ
Mari, there must be something we can do for her.
(MARI, JOSƒ and ROY look puzzled for a moment)
MARIPOSA
I know just the person, my friend Polly the Panda who lives in China is an
expert in Qi Gong (chee - gong').
JOSƒ
Qi whaaaa??
MARIPOSA
Qi Gong, it's an ancient Chinese form of healing and Polly has helped many
people in her land by using movements for the body that help it to get better.
ROY
Well, there are millions of people in her land and everyone has a headache
at sometime, so she probably has lots of experience.
JOSƒ
Let's go!
MARIPOSA
Of course we'll go to get help for Jenny, but my wings are soooo tired from
our flight to Africa, could we make one little stop. I have a friend
Pandava, a temple dancer in India and she has a lotion to rub on achy, tired
muscles.
JOSƒ
What's a temple and why do they have dancers?
MARIPOSA
A temple is a very, very sacred place and temple dancers do special dances
for ritual ceremonies. Anyway, you'll like Pandava when you meet her.
JENNY
Ohhhh, I don't know my head really may burst open before we get to Polly!!
JOSƒ and ROY
Jenny!!!!!
MARIPOSA (soothingly)
Not to worry Jenny, just stay calm and take a few deep breaths.
Since we can't fly, why don't we take a camel ride to India?
A camel??
ROY AND JENNY
Sounds like fun, let's do it!
(Actors set up the camel, while MARIPOSA speaks.)
MARIPOSA
Well, it wasn't easy getting from Africa to India.
Do you know what we had to do to convince a camel to take
us there? We had to give him
Lakers tickets. (to the camel)
Yes, they are front and centerÉright next to where Jack
Nicholson sits.
JOSƒ
Mari, I was wonderingÉhow come there are so many different medicines?
MARIPOSA
What do you mean, dear?
I mean, when people get sick, they usually take aspirin, or other pills to
get betterÉbut now, I am learning that there are other ways, like
aromatherapy, banana flavored dietary supplements, chiropractics, lotions,
etcÉ
MARIPOSA
Well, Jose, humans are realizing now what animals have always knownÉ
JOSƒ (excitedly curious)
What?!
MARIPOSA
That one must stay in touch with nature and their own bodies to remain healthy.
I told you that if you followed the advice of the animals that you would
be able to make your friends get better.
JOSƒ
I guess if you spend all your time in nature, youÕre bound to find
things you never thought you would.
(A leopard approaches, PANDAVA, dancing slowly)
MARIPOSA
Pandava! It's me, Mariposa.
PANDAVA
Mariposa. How nice to see you.
MARIPOSA
Are you dancing at the temple tonight?
PANDAVA
You know I am, as always. The
temple will be packed tonight, so I have to do a good job.
MARIPOSA
Pandava, I'm so stiff from flying over the ocean with my friends.
Do you have any of your magic lotions?
PANDAVA
HereÉhave some ÒlyptusÓ lotion, MariÉit feels
so good!!
(MARIPOSA rubs lotion on, as does PANDAVA.
JOSƒ watches them dance.)
MARIPOSA
I Love Being Healthy!!! This lotion makes all my aches and pains just disappear!
(SONG - The Joy of Healing)
Healthy, healthy, healthy
Healthy as can be
We will all be healthy
Stronger than a tree
Healthy, healthy, healthy
Healthy everyday
WeÕll do well in school
And have lots of fun at play
Drinking lots of water
And getting exercise
Eating good nutrition
Makes us strong and wise
Going to bed early
And getting lots of rest
Will keep us wide awake at school
And help us do our best
Healthy, healthy, healthy
Both inside and out
Eating good nutrition
Is what health is all about
Healthy, healthy, healthy
Healthy as a bug
We all can be healthy
Come give me a hug
Healthy, healthy, healthy
At school and at play
Listen to the animals
And have good health today!
Mari, that was wonderful. But
we do have to help Jenny. Her
headache is getting worse. (JENNY
groaning)
PANDAVA
You should take her to see Polly!
JOSƒ
Yes, that's what we're doing.
I'm Jose, and these are my friends.
PANDAVA
I would take you there myself, but I must go to the temple now to purify myselt.
But if Mari is with you, you'll figure it out.
So long, all you friends of JosŽ!
Have a good journey!
(PANDAVA exits. JOSƒ huddles with JENNY and ROY.)
JOSƒ
But how can we get to China?
MARIPOSA
Now Jose, Jenny and Roy had
to think of a way to get from India to China.
But you can't take a camel across, or a car or a truck.
And I can't even do it.
Do you know why? Do you
know what stands between India and China?
(They all stand and stare up, saying "Woooowwww!")
JOSƒ
The Himalayas - the largest mountains in the world!
MARIPOSA
That's right!
JENNY
Well, if Mari can't take us, and we can't drive or ride the camel, then how
can we get over these mountains?
ROY
Let's take the Goodyear Blimp!
(General agreement)
MARIPOSA
So they did just that. They
got on board the famous blimp that lives right here in Carson.