Introduction : "The Three Questions" is a short story by Russian author Leo Tolstoy first published in 1885 as part of the collection What Men Live By, and Other Tales. The story takes the form of a parable, and it concerns a king who wants to find the answers to what he considers the three most important questions in life. I am honoured to have given the opportunity of dramatizing the story ‘The Three Questions ’ by Leo Tolstoy .
Tsar - With his formal uniform.
Ministers - With their uniform
Five or six learned men - Looking very gentle and wise . One or two of them have books in their hands.
Two attendants - With their formal uniform.
The hermit - A person of old age with simple cloth.
A wounded man - A middle age bearded man.
Properly decorated like a royal court . A royal chair at the center of the stage . There are also four or more chairs at the right side and also at the left side of the royal chair. The distance of each chair must be in a reasonable manner. Everywhere of the stage should be lighted very brightly.
[ All the characters i.e. Tsar and other ministers are sitting on their own chairs.]
Tsar - Dear ministers , can we start today's court ?
Minister 1 - Of course honorable sir.
( while answering he stands up and after the answer he sits down .)
Tsar - I have a bothering thought in my mind . Can I explain it ?
Minister 2 & 3 - Sure sir , sure sir .
Tsar - I have been thinking from some days if I always know the right time to begin everything , if I know who is the right people to listen to , and whom to avoid , if I know what is the most important thing to do , I will never fail in anything in any matter.
Minister 1 - Great sir , your thinking is great .
Tsar - I have also a plan for that, it will proclaimed throughout the kingdom that I will give a great reward to anyone who will teach me all of the above.
Minister 2 - So, what can we do for you sir ?
Tsar - Declare my wish all over the the state.
Minister 2 - As you wish sir.
[ Lights become slowly down and the stage turned into darkness.]
As same as scene 1 . The Tsar and ministers are siting in the same place .
Minister 1 - Sir , we already announced your will all over the the state and today some wise person wants to meet you for the belonging matter. Can I ask them to enter in the court ?
Tsar - Certainly.
Minister 1 - ( in a loud voice) - respected schoolers , please come into the court.
[ Some wise person ,as mentioned earlier, come into the court.]
Wise man 1 - Long live our king.
Tsar - Thank you.
[ The wise men take their places ]
Do you know about my proclamation ?
Wise man 2 - Of course sir . That's why we are here.
Tsar - Great . Then what is your opinion about my questions ?
Wise man 1- Sir , regarding your first question , to know the right time for every action , one must draw up in advance , a table of days , months and years , and must live strictly according to it. Only thus could everything be done at its proper time.
Wise man 2 - No ,no, no, I am not agreed with you . Sir ( now looking at the Tsar ) it is impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action ; but that , not letting oneself be absorbed in idle past times , one should always attend to all that is going on and then do what is most needfull.
Wise man 3 - Sir , I think it is impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action , but that he should have a council of wise men , who will help to fix the proper time for anything .
Wise man 4 - Sir , I have a different idea .
Tsar - Explain it.
Wise man 4 - There are some things which could not wait to be laid before a council , but about which one have at once to decide whether to undertake them or not . But in order to decide that , one must know beforehand what will going to happen . It is only magicians who know that , and, therefore, in order to know the right time for every action , one must consult magicians.
Tsar - And what about my second question - who is the most important people ?
Wise man 1 - Sir, your councilors are the most important person to you .
Wise man 2 - No, no, it is your priests.
Wise man 3 - I think it is your doctors.
Wise man 4 - Sir, if you ask me , I will mention the warriors are the most necessary people to you.
Tsar - ( thinks a moment nodded this thinkfully ) And what is the most important job ?
Wise man 1 - Sir, the most important job of yours is to develop the world of science and technology.
Wise man 2 - I think to a Tsar , his most important job is skill in warfare.
Wise man 3 - No , no , no , your most important duty is religious worship.
Wise man 4 - I think ..........I think ........it is your ..........
[ Tsar stopped him .]
Tsar - Look my dear and honorable wise persons , I listened all of your answers , but I am not agreed with anyone of you . So I am decided to consult a hermit , widely renowned for his wisdom.
[ Lights turned down slowly ]
Scene 3
[ For this scene, the stage will be prepared in such a way that it must looks like a small wood. A little hut will be there at the left side of the stage . We can make trees and plants by using paper and card board.]
Stage lights slowly turned on . The hermit is digging the ground in the middle of the stage . The sound of digging will be added from the background . The hermit looking very tired . Each time he stuck his spade in the stage , he breathed heavily . The Tsar enters into the stage with disguise of an ordinary man . He entered slowly and stands in front of the hermit.
Tsar - I have come to you wise hermit , to ask you to answer three questions : how can I learn to do the right thing at the right time ? Who are the people I most need ? And what affairs are the most important ?
[ The hermit stopped his work, but answered nothing . He just spat on his palm and recommenced digging.]
You are tired , let me take the spade and work awhile for you.
Hermit - Thanks !
[ After giving the spade to the Tsar , he sat down.]
[ The lights are slowly turned - down and then turned-up for three times to show the Tsar digging the ground for a long time.]
Tsar - Now............( stopped his digging and sweeping his sweat) your sheed -beds are ready . Now please tell me the answers of my questions .....
[ Suddenly a man come running to the stage and fall in faint in front of the Tsar and hermit ]
Hermit - Oh , no ! He is wounded , bleeding from his stomach , he needs treatment .
[ The Tsar and the hermit unfastened the man's clothing and tie up a bandage by the handkerchief and a towel .]
Oh ! My God . Blood is not stopping . We should rebandage the wound again and again.
[ Lights slowly turned down. Then the light turn-up and turn down for 2/3 times to show that the hermit and the Tsar both are treating the man for a long time .]
Hermit - Now........ the blood is cheassing.
Tsar - Thank God , may be he will all right soon .
Hermit - I hope so ........
Tsar - But I am very tired , I need rest ........I need a good sleep......
Hermit - Me too , let's sleep here beside the man .
Tsar - Good idea ........ok....good night wise hermit .........
Hermit - Good night .
[ They both started sleeping and the lights slowly turn down . After a few moment, the lights turned on with the sound of of chirping of morning birds. After 5/10 second the wounded man arrived first . He is gazing intently at the Tsar. After a few moment the Tsar also awake . The Tsar and the wounded man both are looking each of themselves.]
The wounded man - ( in a weak voice ) - forgive me ................
Tsar - ( looking surprised ) - I do not know you , and have nothing to forgive you for ,........
The wounded man - You do not know me , but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you , because you executed his brother and seized his property . I know you had gone alone to see the hermit , and I resolved to kill you on your way back . But the day passed and you did not return . So came out from my ambush to find you , and I came upon your body guard , and they recognised me , and wounded me . I escaped from them , but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound . I wished to kill you , and you have saved my life . Now , if I live , and if you wish it , I will serve you as your most faithful slave , and will bid my sons to do the same . Please forgive me !...................................
Tsar - I am very glad to have made peace with a enemy like you so easily and to have gain you as friend and not only I forgive you but I will send my own physicians to attend you and promise you to restore your property.
The wounded man - Thank you ............. thank you very much !
[ The lights slowly turned down .]
[The Tsar and the hermit are sitting in the middle of the stage.]
The Tsar - It is very nice and fortunate that the wounded man saved and he made peace with me . I am very glad . But for what I had come here ........... for the last time I pray you to answer my questions , wise man..........
Hermit - You have already been answered !
Tsar - ( Surprisingly ) Answered ! How ! What do you mean ?
Hermit - Do you not see.........if you not pitied my weakness yesterday , and had not dug those beds for me , but had gone your way , that man would have attacked you , and you would have repented of not having stayed with me . So the most important time was when you were digging the beds and I was the most important man ; and to do me good was your most important business .
Tsar - I do not understand your words completely .
Hermit - Afterwards when that man ran to us , the most important time was when you were attending to him , and what you did for him was your most important business .
Tsar - Wise hermit , please explain it simply to me .
Hermit - There is only one time that is important - NOW ! Because it is the only time when we have any power . The most necessary man is he with whom you are and the most important affair is to do good for him .
Tsar - I completely understand wise hermit . All the most important is present time - people and work .............thank you.
[ Lights turned into very low and slowly the curtain down .]
OUTPUT OF THE PROJECT
Characters
Tsar - With his formal uniform.
Ministers - With their uniform
Five or six learned men - Looking very gentle and wise . One or two of them have books in their hands.
Two attendants - With their formal uniform.
The hermit - A person of old age with simple cloth.
A wounded man - A middle age bearded man.
SCENE 1
Stage Preparation
Properly decorated like a royal court . A royal chair at the center of the stage . There are also four or more chairs at the right side and also at the left side of the royal chair. The distance of each chair must be in a reasonable manner. Everywhere of the stage should be lighted very brightly.
[ All the characters i.e. Tsar and other ministers are sitting on their own chairs.]
Tsar - Dear ministers , can we start today's court ?
Minister 1 - Of course honorable sir.
( while answering he stands up and after the answer he sits down .)
Tsar - I have a bothering thought in my mind . Can I explain it ?
Minister 2 & 3 - Sure sir , sure sir .
Tsar - I have been thinking from some days if I always know the right time to begin everything , if I know who is the right people to listen to , and whom to avoid , if I know what is the most important thing to do , I will never fail in anything in any matter.
Minister 1 - Great sir , your thinking is great .
Tsar - I have also a plan for that, it will proclaimed throughout the kingdom that I will give a great reward to anyone who will teach me all of the above.
Minister 2 - So, what can we do for you sir ?
Tsar - Declare my wish all over the the state.
Minister 2 - As you wish sir.
[ Lights become slowly down and the stage turned into darkness.]
SCENE 2
As same as scene 1 . The Tsar and ministers are siting in the same place .
Minister 1 - Sir , we already announced your will all over the the state and today some wise person wants to meet you for the belonging matter. Can I ask them to enter in the court ?
Tsar - Certainly.
Minister 1 - ( in a loud voice) - respected schoolers , please come into the court.
[ Some wise person ,as mentioned earlier, come into the court.]
Wise man 1 - Long live our king.
Tsar - Thank you.
[ The wise men take their places ]
Do you know about my proclamation ?
Wise man 2 - Of course sir . That's why we are here.
Tsar - Great . Then what is your opinion about my questions ?
Wise man 1- Sir , regarding your first question , to know the right time for every action , one must draw up in advance , a table of days , months and years , and must live strictly according to it. Only thus could everything be done at its proper time.
Wise man 2 - No ,no, no, I am not agreed with you . Sir ( now looking at the Tsar ) it is impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action ; but that , not letting oneself be absorbed in idle past times , one should always attend to all that is going on and then do what is most needfull.
Wise man 3 - Sir , I think it is impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action , but that he should have a council of wise men , who will help to fix the proper time for anything .
Wise man 4 - Sir , I have a different idea .
Tsar - Explain it.
Wise man 4 - There are some things which could not wait to be laid before a council , but about which one have at once to decide whether to undertake them or not . But in order to decide that , one must know beforehand what will going to happen . It is only magicians who know that , and, therefore, in order to know the right time for every action , one must consult magicians.
Tsar - And what about my second question - who is the most important people ?
Wise man 1 - Sir, your councilors are the most important person to you .
Wise man 2 - No, no, it is your priests.
Wise man 3 - I think it is your doctors.
Wise man 4 - Sir, if you ask me , I will mention the warriors are the most necessary people to you.
Tsar - ( thinks a moment nodded this thinkfully ) And what is the most important job ?
Wise man 1 - Sir, the most important job of yours is to develop the world of science and technology.
Wise man 2 - I think to a Tsar , his most important job is skill in warfare.
Wise man 3 - No , no , no , your most important duty is religious worship.
Wise man 4 - I think ..........I think ........it is your ..........
[ Tsar stopped him .]
Tsar - Look my dear and honorable wise persons , I listened all of your answers , but I am not agreed with anyone of you . So I am decided to consult a hermit , widely renowned for his wisdom.
[ Lights turned down slowly ]
Scene 3
Stage Preparation
[ For this scene, the stage will be prepared in such a way that it must looks like a small wood. A little hut will be there at the left side of the stage . We can make trees and plants by using paper and card board.]
Stage lights slowly turned on . The hermit is digging the ground in the middle of the stage . The sound of digging will be added from the background . The hermit looking very tired . Each time he stuck his spade in the stage , he breathed heavily . The Tsar enters into the stage with disguise of an ordinary man . He entered slowly and stands in front of the hermit.
Tsar - I have come to you wise hermit , to ask you to answer three questions : how can I learn to do the right thing at the right time ? Who are the people I most need ? And what affairs are the most important ?
[ The hermit stopped his work, but answered nothing . He just spat on his palm and recommenced digging.]
You are tired , let me take the spade and work awhile for you.
Hermit - Thanks !
[ After giving the spade to the Tsar , he sat down.]
[ The lights are slowly turned - down and then turned-up for three times to show the Tsar digging the ground for a long time.]
Tsar - Now............( stopped his digging and sweeping his sweat) your sheed -beds are ready . Now please tell me the answers of my questions .....
[ Suddenly a man come running to the stage and fall in faint in front of the Tsar and hermit ]
Hermit - Oh , no ! He is wounded , bleeding from his stomach , he needs treatment .
[ The Tsar and the hermit unfastened the man's clothing and tie up a bandage by the handkerchief and a towel .]
Oh ! My God . Blood is not stopping . We should rebandage the wound again and again.
[ Lights slowly turned down. Then the light turn-up and turn down for 2/3 times to show that the hermit and the Tsar both are treating the man for a long time .]
Hermit - Now........ the blood is cheassing.
Tsar - Thank God , may be he will all right soon .
Hermit - I hope so ........
Tsar - But I am very tired , I need rest ........I need a good sleep......
Hermit - Me too , let's sleep here beside the man .
Tsar - Good idea ........ok....good night wise hermit .........
Hermit - Good night .
[ They both started sleeping and the lights slowly turn down . After a few moment, the lights turned on with the sound of of chirping of morning birds. After 5/10 second the wounded man arrived first . He is gazing intently at the Tsar. After a few moment the Tsar also awake . The Tsar and the wounded man both are looking each of themselves.]
The wounded man - ( in a weak voice ) - forgive me ................
Tsar - ( looking surprised ) - I do not know you , and have nothing to forgive you for ,........
The wounded man - You do not know me , but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you , because you executed his brother and seized his property . I know you had gone alone to see the hermit , and I resolved to kill you on your way back . But the day passed and you did not return . So came out from my ambush to find you , and I came upon your body guard , and they recognised me , and wounded me . I escaped from them , but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound . I wished to kill you , and you have saved my life . Now , if I live , and if you wish it , I will serve you as your most faithful slave , and will bid my sons to do the same . Please forgive me !...................................
Tsar - I am very glad to have made peace with a enemy like you so easily and to have gain you as friend and not only I forgive you but I will send my own physicians to attend you and promise you to restore your property.
The wounded man - Thank you ............. thank you very much !
[ The lights slowly turned down .]
Scene 4
[The Tsar and the hermit are sitting in the middle of the stage.]
The Tsar - It is very nice and fortunate that the wounded man saved and he made peace with me . I am very glad . But for what I had come here ........... for the last time I pray you to answer my questions , wise man..........
Hermit - You have already been answered !
Tsar - ( Surprisingly ) Answered ! How ! What do you mean ?
Hermit - Do you not see.........if you not pitied my weakness yesterday , and had not dug those beds for me , but had gone your way , that man would have attacked you , and you would have repented of not having stayed with me . So the most important time was when you were digging the beds and I was the most important man ; and to do me good was your most important business .
Tsar - I do not understand your words completely .
Hermit - Afterwards when that man ran to us , the most important time was when you were attending to him , and what you did for him was your most important business .
Tsar - Wise hermit , please explain it simply to me .
Hermit - There is only one time that is important - NOW ! Because it is the only time when we have any power . The most necessary man is he with whom you are and the most important affair is to do good for him .
Tsar - I completely understand wise hermit . All the most important is present time - people and work .............thank you.
[ Lights turned into very low and slowly the curtain down .]
No comments:
Post a Comment