Characters:
Emperor
Beggar
Servant
Man
Woman
Crowd
SCRIPT:
Scene I – In the Street Outside the Palace
(The Emperor and his servant are getting out of the palace A beggar approaches him. He is holding a pot in his hands)
Emperor: What do you want?
Beggar: Ha, ha, ha… you’re asking me… as if you could fulfill my wish.
Emperor: Ha, ha, ha, of course I can. What is it? Just tell me!
Beggar: You should think it twice before making a promise.
Emperor: I’ll give you anything you want. I am a very powerful emperor! What could you want, that I couldn’t provide?
Beggar: My wish is very simple. Do you see this pot?
Emperor: Yes.
Beggar: Can you fill it with something?
Emperor: (to his servant) Fill the pot with gold coins.
(The servant takes some gold coins from a bag and puts them in the pot. They disappear)
Emperor: Hmmmm…. Put some more.
(The servant puts some more gold coins. They disappear)
Servant: Your majesty. I don’t understand!
Emperor: Just put some more!
(The servant puts some more gold coins. They disappear)
Servant: The pot is empty!
(People gather around them)
Man: Why don’t you try with your jewelry?
(The Emperor takes off his gold rings and precious stones necklaces and puts them in the pot. They disappear)
Woman: Take off your crown!
(The Emperor takes off his crown and puts it in the bowl. It disappears)
Servant: The pot is bottomless!
Emperor: (to the servant) I don’t care if I lose my whole kingdom, but I can not be defeated by this beggar! Go to the palace, and bring me all my jewels!
(The servant bows and leaves)
Emperor: (to the beggar) Are you a magician?
Beggar: No, your majesty.
Emperor: Well, your pot has swallowed my treasures, and it is still empty!
(The servant enters with a jewelry box. The Emperor takes the jewels and puts them in the pot. They disappear)
Emperor: You have defeated me… you won!
Beggar: Your majesty, even if the whole world’s treasure was put into it… it would still remain empty.
Emperor: Why? What is this pot made of?
Beggar: Ha, ha, ha… it is made of the human mind. There is no secret . . . it is simply made of human desires.
Emperor: I understand. We always want to have things, and when we have them, then we want more because we feel empty.
Beggar: Your begging pot is never complete.
Emperor: And we will always remain beggars.
Beggar: It’s a never ending story, your majesty.
Emperor: You have taught me a great lesson… Have a good day.
(The Emperor, his servant, and the crowd leave)
Beggar: Who wants to fill this pot with something?
The End
Author: A Sufi Folktale
Adapted by K I D S I N C O
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