If Wishes Were Frogs…

This is the first one-act play ever published in #worthingflash

Anyone who wishes to perform it, is welcome to do so.

If Wishes Were Frogs…


A Play in One Act

(Which may be performed as either a drama or a comedy)


CAST

In Order of Appearance

A Young Woman

A Young Man


The action takes place on a riverbank in “once upon a time”.


At Rise of Curtain, the WOMAN is kneeling by the river, washing clothes. She times her words to fit in as she works.


WOMAN: I will not be unhappy. I will marry the ugly, old man that my father wants me to marry. I will bake his bread and bear his children. I will not be ungrateful for the chance to live a respectable and useful life. (She sighs.) It’s just that I feel I could do so much better!


The Man enters behind the WOMAN, but stops far enough away that the WOMAN would not be able to hear him. The WOMAN continues her washing.


MAN: There she is! The maiden I have been searching for all my life! Now I must take her away to bake my bread and bear my children. Luckily I have the charm that I bought from the Old Witch of the Woods. She promised me that it would make even the most stubborn maiden fall in love with me instantly, as if I were the handsomest man on earth. We shall see if I have wasted my money.


The MAN snaps his fingers, which the WOMAN reacts to with a small jolt before she returns to her washing. The MAN crosses until the WOMAN can see him. The WOMAN looks up at him.


MAN: Good day to you, young damsel. I have searched far and wide to find the perfect woman to be my wife. And, now, here you are: before my very eyes at last. Tell me that you will leave your father’s house and stay by my side forever.


WOMAN: (shyly) My dear sir, it will give me great honour to be wedded to you. We will plight our troth as soon as may be possible. And, with good fortune, our wedded bliss will last until they lay us side by side in the churchyard. Perhaps you can begin by carrying my washing basket up to my father’s house yonder.


The MAN picks up the washing basket and EXITS.


The WOMAN leans down to the river, holds out her hand, palm upward, lifts it and addresses the hand.


WOMAN: Oh, thank you so much for granting my wish for something better than my sad, expected lot! I know now that I will be happy for the rest of my life!


The WOMAN lowers her palm to the river level, pauses.


WOMAN: Farewell, Mother, I’ll give your regards to my father.


The WOMAN EXITS in the same direction as the MAN, first hopping like a frog and gradually straightening to upright.


CURTAIN







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