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In the hustle and bustle of a city street, an elderly woman, hungry and destitute, receives an unexpected gift from an old man—a simple piece of bread. Grateful but still yearning for more, she ventures into a nearby restaurant, only to be shunned by the stern Manager. Undeterred, she sneaks into the kitchen, where the aroma of simmering soup beckons her. Caught in the act by the Manager, she finds herself at the police station, accused of stealing a mere whiff of the savory soup.

Enter the wise Policeman, who cleverly orchestrates a resolution. In a twist of justice, he uses the sound of money to pay for the supposed theft, leaving the Manager to ponder the true cost of his greed. The Old Lady, now armed with a handful of coins, departs with a warm bowl of soup and a restored faith in humanity. “Whiffs of Compassion” is a delightful tale that explores the potency of empathy, the unexpected turns of fate, and the transformative power of a kind gesture in the face of adversity.

WHIFFS OF COMPASSION

CHARACTERS:

OLD LADY

OLD MAN

MANAGER

POLICEMAN

SCRIPT:

[The stage is set on a bustling street. The Old Lady, frail and hungry, is begging for food. The Old Man, a compassionate soul, approaches and offers her a piece of bread.]

OLD MAN: I don’t have money, but I have this piece of bread. Do you want it?

OLD LADY: Yes, please. I am very hungry.

[The Old Man gives her the bread.]

OLD LADY: Thank you for your kindness. May God bless you!

[The Old Man exits, leaving the Old Lady alone. She examines the bread and takes a small bite.]

OLD LADY: Oh, I wish I had something to put on it.

[Across the street, a tantalizing aroma wafts from a restaurant. The Old Lady, driven by hunger, crosses the street and enters. The Manager spots her and promptly escorts her out.]

MANAGER: This is not a place for you, old lady!

OLD LADY: Help me, please. I have this piece of bread, but nothing to put on it.

MANAGER: Go away, and I don’t want to see you near my restaurant ever again!

[Undeterred, the Old Lady eyes the restaurant and, with determination, sneaks into the kitchen. There, she finds a pot of soup cooking over the fire.]

OLD LADY: It smells good in here.

[She hovers her bread over the steaming pot, hoping to capture some flavor. The Manager enters abruptly.]

MANAGER: How did you manage to get inside?

OLD LADY: Oh!

MANAGER: You’re stealing the soup!

OLD LADY: No, I am not! I am only smelling the vapor.

MANAGER: Then you must pay for the smell!

OLD LADY: No, please, I have no money. I only have this piece of bread.

MANAGER: I don’t care! You will have to pay! Let’s go!

[The Manager drags the Old Lady to the police station, where the Policeman listens to their dispute.]

POLICEMAN: So, you want this old lady to pay for the smell of your soup?

MANAGER: Yes.

POLICEMAN: Have you noticed that she doesn’t have any money?

MANAGER: That is not my problem. I want my money; that’s all I want!

[The Policeman takes out a handful of coins and shows them to the Manager.]

POLICEMAN: I will pay you myself.

MANAGER: Why should you? I want her money!

[Policeman rings the coins together loudly.]

POLICEMAN: Did you hear the coins ring?

MANAGER: Yes, I did. Why?

POLICEMAN: I will pay you for the smell of your soup, with the sound of money. Get out of here!

[The Manager exits the stage.]

OLD LADY: Oh, thank you.

POLICEMAN: Take these coins and buy yourself a hot bowl of soup.

[The Old Lady takes the coins and leaves the police station.]

THE END

AUTHOR: POPULAR FOLKTALE

ADAPTED BY: K I D S I N C O

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