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THE EMPTY POT

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  The 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!.

(Crowd 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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