Nigerian+Folk+Tale

Nigerian Folk tale

Group Members: Jackie, Athena, Curtis, Jozelle, Gabby

Roles: Master Man 1 - Jackie Wife of Master Man 1 - Curtis Master Man 2 - Gabby Wife of Master Man 2 - Athena Master Man 3 - Curtis "Side-of-the-road people" - Athena & Jackie Master Man 2's baby - Jozelle Narrator - Jozelle

//The set will have a table and two chairs. One to the side and the other placed neatly next to the table. With an empty bucket placed next to the table as well.//


 * SCENE ONE**

//Jozelle walks on stage - stage right. Occasional flash of the lights (indicating lightening) while she talks. Curtis will be on stage sitting next to the table, FROZEN. Jozelle may roam on stage while she says her lines.//


 * Narrator**: (said with intensity) Imagine a man who can lift you all at once. A man who can gobble you up in the time it takes to count your toes. Well, this is Master Man. Theres always imposters in this corrupt world of ours, always those who think they are better than everyone else, either stronger, smarter, or richer. But theres always one person who is better than most, and you know this, because they will keep it a secret.

//Jozelle exits stage left. Thunder sounds. Flash of lights (indicating lightening) continues for 10 seconds. Jackie enters through audience doors and slams the door. LIGHTS STOP FLICKERING WHEN SHE SLAMS THE DOOR. Lights up - scene begins.//

//Jackie starts to pull up shirt...// //Jozelle sticks her head out of the curtains furiously while saying her lines.//
 * MM1**- Just look at these muscles. I MUST be the strongest man in the world. It's obvious that no one comes near my abilities... From now on, just call me Master Man. //Jackie sits in chair and relaxes.//
 * WifeMM1**- Yes, yes you ARE so strong baby! Look at your beautiful toned muscles! //Curtis gets up and starts to massage Jackie's shoulders.//
 * MM1**- Oh please... don't flatter me too much... but go on.
 * WifeMM1**- Why don't you flex those muscles for me Shadusa. //Curtis crawls up Jackie's arms with his fingers.//
 * Narrator**- EXCUSE ME! There are children here!
 * MM1**- RIGHT, sorry... where was I, okay, sorry Narrator... Yes, I would fancy a cup of water right now, dear Shettu
 * WifeMM1**- //Curtis looks into empty bucket// There's no water left! I had better go to the well, I wouldn't want my love to get thirsty, now would I!?
 * MM1**- Obviously not...

//Curtis exits stage right with empty bucket as Jackie sits back and relaxes, placing her feet on the table and dozing off. Lights fade out - blackout.//


 * SCENE TWO**

//Lights dim, crew will remove table and place 4 chairs facing inwards as the well. Bucket will be in the well with a bottle of water inside the bucket. Curtis is at the well trying to get his bucket, he pulls but it does not come up. Lights come up. Curtis tugs on the bucket but it will not budge -- continuously pull on bucket and get frustrated. Athena walks on stage right with Jozelle "strapped" on her back walking behind her. (Jozelle can be making baby noises in this scene)//

//Together they tug but still the bucket will not budge.// //Athena unstraps Jozelle from her back and places her down next to the well.// //Jozelle sits up and tugs on the bucket. It comes up.// //Athena straps Jozelle back onto her back and they proceed to exit stage left together.// //Jozelle waves goodbye to Curtis// //Curtis takes the bucket of water and proceeds home, exiting stage right.//
 * WifeMM2**- Hello!
 * WifeMM1**- Oh, hello there! You'll get no water here today, the bucket wont come up.
 * WifeMM2**- Is that so? Well, two is better than one... Let's try to pull the bucket together!
 * WifeMM1&2**-1,2,3
 * WifeMM1**- I told you so, the bucket will NOT BUDGE! I don't understand! My husband needs his water!
 * WifeMM2**- Please, don't get so upset... Wait a moment, I think...I think I have an idea!
 * WifeMM2**- Darling...
 * Baby**- Yes, mama?
 * WifeMM2**- We need you to pull up the bucket, pull up the bucket for mama!
 * Baby**- There mama. I did good! //Jozelle claps her hands.//
 * WifeMM1**- What the.......
 * WifeMM2**- //Interrupts Curtis// I know, it's miraculous, after all, my husband is Master Man. No big deal...
 * Baby**- NBD, NBD! Daddy IS Master Man! //Jozelle claps her hands and giggles.//
 * WifeMM1**- Your husband is Master Man? Well, thats odd...well, thank you for the water...
 * WifeMM2**- No problem, come on now baby.
 * Baby**- Okay mama!

//Lights fade out - blackout.//


 * SCENE THREE**

//Lights dim - crew will clear set and place table and chairs back in original spots. Jackie is relaxing (can be sleeping) on the chair with her feet up. Curtis walks in stage left with bucket (water bottle inside of bucket) and sets it on the table awakening Jackie. Jackie sits upright and smiles.//

//Curtis takes water bottle out of the bucket and hands it to Jackie// //Jackie once again relaxes and places feet on the table while Curtis begins to tell her about what had happened.//
 * MM1**- Ah, my wife is home with my water! What took you so long?!
 * WifeMM1**- I'm sorry hun...
 * WifeMM1**- but you'll never believe what happened at the well, darling! Drink your water and I will tell you what I witnessed...
 * MM1**- Entertain me then, woman...

// (We can have him talking in gibberish, we can have them fake talking or we can have him paraphrase what happened) //

//Jackie squirts water into Curtis' face. Curtis is shocked.// //Jackie flexes her muscles and cracks her knuckles// //Jackie pushes the bucket off the table// //Jackie looks into the distance (the audience)// //Curtis looks out into the audience mocking&trying to see what Jackie is looking at.//
 * WifeMM1**-...and she said her husband's name was
 * MM1**- ...was?
 * WifeMM1**- Was...
 * MM1**- ...was?!
 * WifeMM1**- Was...
 * Narrator-** JUST GET TO THE POINT!
 * WifeMM1**- yes, and she said her husband's name was... "Master Man".
 * MM1**- MASTER WHO?! He CANNOT go around calling himself that! I'M MASTER MAN. Seems as though, I'll have to teach that fool a little lesson...
 * WifeMM1**- Honey, //Curtis wipes the water off his face in disgust// don't be foolish.... //Curtis begins to clean water off the table// You ARE the strongest man that I KNOW, but we musn't risk your perfect physique... ;)
 * MM1**- Don't YOU be foolish! I can take this guy on, with NO PROBLEM...
 * WifeMM1**- //Curtis begins to get angry// IF THE BABY IS THAT STRONG, shouldn't the father be MUCH, MUCH, MUCH STRONGER?! You will get yourself killed, and leave me with no lover...
 * MM1**- WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

//Lights fade out - Blackout.// //Lights dim - crew will clear stage.//


 * SCENE FOUR**

//Lights dim - crew will set stage with 4 chairs facing inwards representing the well again. Jackie will be at the well FROZEN with her hands on the bucket inside the well.//

//Blackout (we can do the flickering lights and thunder noises again here); Jozelle enters through middle curtains - Jozelle can roam the stage as she talks.//


 * Narrator**- The next morning Shadusa set out bright and early to go to the well. If a baby could pull the bucket from the well, then so could Shadusa. Or so he thought... As Shadusa tugged and tugged at the rope, trying to lift the bucket, he saw that it did not budge. Just as he was about to give up, the women from the morning before returned once more carrying her baby.

//Jozelle exits stage right. Athena enters stage left with Jozelle "strapped" on her back. Jackie slams chair - frustrated - lights stop flickering. Lights up.//

//Athena unstraps Jozelle from her back// //Jozelle pulls up the bucket with no hassle// //Athena leads the way with Jozelle walking behind her "strapped" exiting stage right while Jackie follows cracking her knuckles.//
 * MM1**- //Sitting back frustrated and defeated// There's no use in trying to get any water today, the bucket won't come up!
 * WifeMM2**- Is that so?
 * WifeMM2**- You know what to do for mama!
 * Baby**- Yes mama! Daddy will be so proud of me again!
 * MM1**- //Stunned// Oh my Lord!
 * WifeMM2**- Oh my Master Man's baby... you mean.
 * MM1**- //Ignoring what Athena said// HOW DID SHE DO THAT?! She's just a little baby, petite and ... wait what did you say?
 * WifeMM2**- Well, I was EMPHASIZING that this is not that hard when your father is Master Man.
 * MM1**- Master...man? HAH.
 * WifeMM2**- It's quite true... //Athena begins to strap Jozelle back.//
 * MM1**- I want to meet this fellow so I can show him who the REAL Master Man is!
 * WifeMM2**- That's not a very good idea, he devours men like you, but if you insist.

//Light fades - Lights dim, crew will clear stage.//


 * SCENE FIVE**

//Blackout while Jozelle talks.//


 * Narrator**- To the woman's house, they headed. When they got there, Shadusa saw a pile of huge bones...

//Jozelle stays stage right. Light come up with Jackie and Athena center stage.//


 * MM1**- What's that?
 * WifeMM2**- Remains.
 * MM1**- ... remains?
 * WifeMM2**- Yes, of elephants - Our hut is much too small for my husband to eat his food in there...


 * Narrator**- Just then, there was a sudden ROAR louder than anything Shadusa had ever heard. Then the ground began to shake and Shadusa fell to the ground...

//Jozelle exits stage right. Crew starts to hit stair rails with sticks.//

//MM1 Comes out of hiding and runs away//
 * MM1**- *Shouting* WHAT IS THAT?
 * WifeMM2**- *Shouting* THAT'S MASTER MAN.
 * MM1**- That's him.... that, that huge sound... is him? I have to get out of here, LIKE RIGHT NOW!
 * WifeMM2**- It's too late to leave now!
 * MM1-** WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
 * WifeMM2**: //Looks at audience// OBVIOUSLY THIS MAN IS SLOW. //Looks back at Jackie// Yes, too late... he will be here before you're able to take 10 steps, I'll have to hide you. Come along, we'll hid you in this barrel....
 * MM1**- Okay, okay! ANYTHING, he must be 5 elephants big! //Jumps into the barrel and peaks out the top//
 * MM2**- Honey, I, Master Man am home.
 * WifeMM2**- How was your day, dear?
 * MM2**- It was fine... I'm quite forgetful though... I forgot my arrows at home, there I was with only a bow... So, I decided to kill it with my bare hands, obviously. What good would a bow do me, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Killing an elephant with a bow, who has heard of such a thing.
 * WifeMM2**- Hahaha, yes - you're quite right. As long as you made the kill.
 * MM2**- Overall it was quite pleasing, same old - same... old... smell? What is that? ...WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!
 * WifeMM2**- ...I have no clue of what you're talking about, husband...
 * MM2**- WIFE! I smell a man!
 * WifeMM2**- ahaha, oh husband - that smell? Yes, a man passed by while you were out.
 * MM2**- Oh, that's really too bad... he would have been tasty... ah, i feel kind of tired now...
 * WifeMM2**- oh, husband - go to sleep then.. here's a blanket.
 * MM2**- okay... goodnight wife.
 * WifeMM2**- *Runs over to MM1* Quick! You must leave right now!


 * SCENE SIX**


 * MM2**- *Running after MM1* ROOOOAAAAARRRRR I smell the blood of a scared little man!


 * Villager1-** Whats your hurry?
 * MM1**- Masterman is after me!
 * MM2**- *From a distance* Roooaarrrr
 * Villager1-** What was that?
 * MM1**- That was Masterman!
 * Villager1**- Then you better keep on running!
 * MM1+Villager**- *Run away*

//MM1 and Villager1 run as fast as they can (across the stage)//

MM1 and Villager1 run untill they come across a group of farmers hoeing a feild
 * MM2-** ROARS from a distance

//Farmers all drop their hoes and covered their ears.// //Farmers fled across the field (stage)//
 * Farmer1-** What’s your hurry?
 * MM1-** Master man is after me!
 * Farmer2-** Take it easy,we won’t let him hurt you.
 * MM1-** ROARS //(from the distance)//
 * Farmer1-** What was that?
 * MM1-** I told you, it's Master Man!
 * Farmer1**- Well then, I'd advise you keep running!

//MM1 runs until ne meets ten porters carrying bundles.// //The the ground shakes; the porters all jump in the air. All their bundles fall.// //The porters bolt down a path (stage)//
 * Porter-** What’s your hurry?
 * MM1-** Master Man is after me!
 * Porter-** Relax, No one can fight us all
 * Porter-** What was that?
 * MM1**//-// That was Master Man! (annoyed)
 * Porter**//-// Then run for your life!

//MM1 runs until he notices a stranger on his path with a huge pile of bones beside him.//

//MM1 hears another roar behind him and bounces into the air. MM3 caught him in one hand as MM2 approches.// //MM2 tosses MM1 into a tree. MM2 and MM3 wrap them themselves around each other and wrestle across the ground.//
 * MM3-** What’s your hurry?
 * MM1-** Master Man is after me!
 * MM3-** You better not say so—’cause //I’m// Master Man
 * MM2-** Let me have him!
 * MM3-** Come and get him!


 * Narrator-**The noise of the battle nearly deafened Shadusa. The dust choked him. The trembling of the tree nearly shook him down. As Shadusa watched, the two men struggled to their feet, still clutching each another. Then each gave a mighty leap, and together they rose into the air. Higher and higher they went, till they passed through a cloud and out of sight. Shadusa waited and waited, but the men never came back down. At last he climbed carefully from the tree, then ran and ran and never stopped till he got home safe and sound. And he never called himself Master Man again. As for those other two, they’re still in the clouds, where they battle on to this day. Of course, they rest whenever they’re both worn out. But sooner or later they start up again, and what a noise they make! Some people call that noise thunder. But now you know what it //really// is—two fools fighting forever to see which one is Master Man.