63911394 the Adarna Bird Script

The Adarna Bird ANNOUNCER:

Hello young friends, your story-hour program today brings you a tale of magic and enchantment that was a favorite of our great great grandfathers – “The Adarna Bird.” I hope you will enjoy it just as they did. MUSIC: Up and under a sad Kumintang song.

STORYTELLER: Once upon a time, in the far away kingdom of Berbania, the king lay ill. His condition was so serious that everyone feared he would die. Doctors, young and old, from places far and near, came to cure the king, but failed. One day the king dreamt the he would well again. Quickly he summoned the queen and his three sons, Don Pedro, Don Diego and Don Juan, to his presence. KING:

My dears, I had a wonderful dream. In my dream a lovely lady appeared, saying over and over again: “if you wish to get well, my dear king, let the Adarna bird come here to sing.”

QUEEN:

Do you mean the Adarna bird of Tabor?

KING:

Yes, the magic Adarna bird of Tabor that is known all over the kingdom.

QUEEN:

But how can we bring the Adarna bird of Tabor here?

KING:

It has to be captured and then brought to the palace. That’s what the lady in the dream said.

DON PEDRO, DON DIEGO, DON JUAN:

We will get the coveted bird, Father.

KING (sadly):

Thanks, my sons, but I cannot allow all of you to leave at the same time.

DON PEDRO:

Being your eldest son, I beg you to let me get the Adarna bird of Tabor.

KING:

I give you permission to go, Pedro. May God bless and guide you on your journey. MUSIC: Bridge

STORYTELLER: Don Pedro rode many days over hills through forests, and he crossed many rivers until he came to Mount Tabor. He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw a tree with sparkling silver leaves. He never suspected that this was the very tree in which the famous bird was accustomed to pass the night. Soon he heard the flapping of wings. A multicolored bird, more beautiful than a rainbow, alighted on a branch of the sparkling tree. It flapped its wings and began t sing the first of its seven songs. MUSIC: Sound of weird music STORYTELLER: Meantime, when Pedro had not returned after a long, long period, the King and the Queen of Berbania became anxious. QUEEN:

I’m worried about our son Pedro. He has been away for a long time.

KING:

Could it be that some harm has befallen him? I have nightmares about Pedro’s misfortune.

QUEEN:

Trust in Divine Providence. Our son will be protected from harm.

KING:

I will never have peace of mind until I see my son Pedro again . . .

DON JUAN:

May I go to Mount Tabor, Father? I’ll look for my brother and catch the Adarna bird.

KING:

No, Juan. You are too young to undertake such a perilous journey.

DON DIEGO:

Then let me go this time, Father. Being the second eldest, I can take care of myself.

QUEEN:

It may be wise to permit Diego.

KING:

You may go, then, with my blessings, Diego. Take good care of yourself, son. MUSIC: Bridge

STORYTELLER: The second son also set out in search of the same bird. He underwent the same vicissitudes and came to exactly the same fate as his brother. He sat under the enchanted tree admiring its glistening silver leaves, when suddenly he heard a flapping of wings. The sight of the many-colored Adarna bird filled him with wonder. After a while the bird began to sing such a sweet, sweet melody that Don Diego was lulled to sleep. Then the Adarna bird allowed its droppings to fall on the sleeping prince, Don Diego. He, too, was turned to stone! In the kingdom of Berbania, there was deep sorrow. The King’s condition became worse each day, and the Queen could neither sleep nor eat, bewailing the fate of her two sons who had not returned. KING:

(very faintly): My Queen, is there no news of Pedro and Diego yet?

QUEEN:

None, my beloved.

KING:

I wonder what has become of the two princes. I should not have given them permission to undertake such a dangerous adventure.

QUEEN:

(sobbing): I have a premonition that both of our sons are dead.

KING:

And I, the King, have sent them to their doom.

DON JUAN:

Please don’t blame yourself, Father. Besides, are we sure that they are no longer living?

QUEEN (sobs):

I can’t endure this uncertainty any longer.

DON JUAN:

I may be young in years, but I am strong, Father. I am hopeful that I’ll find my brothers and bring home the magic Adarna bird, too.

QUEEN:

Our son Don Juan is wise and kind. God will surely protect him.

DON JUAN:

I beg you, Father!

KING (weakly):

Go then, my son. May God guide you and preserve for our kingdom. MUSIC: Bridge

STORYTELLER: Early the next morning Prince Don Juan started on his perilous journey in search of the elusive bird. At the bank of a river at the foot of Mount Tabor, he met a ragged old man who seemingly wanted to cross. DON JUAN:

Greetings, old man. Do you wish to cross the river?

OLD MAN:

Yes, indeed, but my knees are wobbly and my muscles stiff. I cannot cross alone.

DON JUAN:

I’ll help you, grandpa. Now . . . get on my back. (pause) Ah here we are now, on the opposite shore, Grandpa.

OLD MAN:

Thank you, son.

DON JUAN:

But you look tired and hungry. There is some bread and cheese in my bag. Let’s share my poor fare under this shady tree.

OLD MAN:

Thank you very much. I am weak from hunger. MUSIC: Bridge

STORYTELLER: The beggar shared Don Juan’s scantly food. He was impressed by the virtues and good manners of the young prince, and knowing the mission on which he had embarked, he put Don Juan on his guard against the treachery, intrigue, and cunning of the famous bird. The old man spoke. OLD MAN:

One good turn deserves another. I know where you are going, son. However, your task is difficult, and you need help. When you arrive at the top of the next mountain, look for a little stone hut where lives a hermit. He will tell you what to do.

DON JUAN:

Thank you very much, Grandpa. I cannot tarry much longer.

OLD MAN:

Good luck, and may God be with you! MUSIC: Bridge

STORY TELLER: Just as the old man said, Don Juan saw the stone hut. There an old hermit greeted him cordially as if he had been expecting Don Juan. HERMIT:

Welcome, son. Your coming has been expected, so I have prepared a meal for you. We must dine before you start on your journey.

DON JUAN:

Thank you. I am almost famished MUSIC: Bridge

STORYTELLER: it took them some time to finish their meal. After eating, the hermit gave Prince Don Juan full instructions. HERMIT:

Listen, son. Yonder you’ll find a tree with silver leaves. That’s where the Adarna bird stays all night. The bird will sing seven times, and with each song it will change the colors of its plumage. After singing the last melody, it will go to sleep. That’s just exact time to catch the magic bird. But it cannot be caught with your bare hands alone. Here is a golden cord to bind the bird’s legs. No other cord can serve the purpose.

DON JUAN:

Thank you so much, good hermit. With God’s help and yours, I am ready to go.

HERMIT:

No . . . not yet. The Adarna’s song has a magic spell. It lulls the hearer to sleep. Be sure to keep wide awake, for if the droppings of the bird fall on you, you will turn into stone.

DON JUAN:

I’ll try very hard not to sleep.

HERMIT:

Take these seven small lemons and this knife with you. Then after each song, make a cut on your arm and squeeze the lemon juice over the wound. The pain will keep you awake. Avoid any droppings that may fall from the bird.

DON JUAN:

Thank you for your advice. . The Adarna bird will never find me napping.

HERMIT:

You may go now, son. But wait . . . here is a dipper. Beside the tree you will find a well. Fill this dipper with water and pour it over the two big stones under the silver tree. Your petrified brothers will be brought back to life.

DON JUAN:

May God bless you and keep you safe on your journey home. Thank you very muchm kind hermit. Goodbye. MUSIC: Bridge

STORYTELLER: Prince Don Juan climbed the Tabor mountain. Eagerly, under the silver tree, he waited for the Adarna bird. Soon he heard the flapping of wings. Looking up, he saw the lovely Adarna bird, which at once began to sing. How sweet its song was! Don Juan could hardly keep his eyes open as he listened. Remembering the hermit’s advice, however, he quickly made a cut on his arm, and then squeezed the juice of a lemon over the wound. The pain kept him wide awake. When the song ended, the bird flapped its wings, and its colors changed while it sang. Seven times Don Juan made a small cut on his arm, and in the way he managed to keep awake the while night. Just as the hermit had told him, the Adarna bird allowed its droppings to fall after the seventh song, and then it closed its eyes and went to sleep. Stealthily, Prince Don Juan climbed the silver tree and bound the bird’s legs with the golden cord. Carrying the bird, he filled his dipper with water from the little well and poured it over the two big stones under the tree. In an instant, the two stones began to move and assumed human forms. Don Juan recognized his two long-lost brothers, Prince Don Pedro and Prince Don Diego, standing before him. He could hardly believe his eyes until they spoke. DON DIEGO:

Why are you here, Juan? And you, too, Pedro?

DON PEDRO:

I fell asleep.

DON DIEGO:

So did I, I woke up just now . . . But look! What are you carrying Juan?

DON JUAN:

It’s the Adarna bird!

DON DIEGO:

Indeed it is! When and how did you catch it, Juan?

DON JUAN:

Let’s hurry home, my brothers. The King and the Queen, our parents, are greatly worried about you.

DON DIEGO:

Had I not fallen asleep, I would have caught that bird.

DON PEDRO:

I would have caught the Adarna bird, too.

DON JUAN:

Come, let’s tarry no longer.

STORYTELLER: The three brothers were soon on their way to the kindom of Berbania, but Don Diego and Don Pedro were envious of their youngest brother’s success. Don Pedro had a plan, and what an evil plan it was! DON PEDRO (Whispering):

Listen, Diego . . . Let our Juan go ahead. I’ve a secret to tell you.

DON DIEGO:

What’s on your mind, Pedro?

DON PEDRO:

How can we face the King and the Queen? We have failed, and it is the youngest who succeeded. What a shame for both of us! Something must be done to save our honor.

DON DIEGO:

What are we going to do?

DON PEDRO:

We must put Juan to death and take the bird home ourselves.

DON DIEGO:

Kill our own brother? That’s too brutal.

DON PEDRO:

That’s the only way to get rid of him and redeem ourselves.

DON DIEGO:

We can’t stain our hands with our brother’s blood. Why don’t we beat him up and break a few of his bones? Then we can leave him here.

DON PEDRO:

That’s a better plan. Come on, let’s go after him.

SOUND:

Galloping of horses, a man’s screaming and groaning as in pain.

STORYTELLER: Don Diego and Don Pedro beat Prince Don Juan because of envy. After getting the Adarna bird from their unconscious brother, they rode back to the palace, where the King and the Queen anxiously awaited them. MUSIC: Bridge QUEEN:

My sons! We are glad you have returned.

KING:

But where is Juan? He went to look for you!

DON DIEGO:

we haven’t seen our youngest brother.

DON PEDRO:

I know nothing about Juan.

QUEEN:

Is it possible that some misfortune has befallen him?

KING:

Poor Juan! I shouldn’t have allowed him to go. He is too young. (sobs)

DON DIEGO:

Father, be of good cheer! My brother Pedro and I have brought the Adarna bird, which has the power of making you well.

DON PEDRO:

Let us forget Juan and listen to the song of the Adarna bird.

DON DIEGO:

Sing at once, Adarna bird, and bring the king back to health.

DON PEDRO:

I command you to sing, Adarna bird. The King is waiting for your sweet song.

KING:

I have my doubts that you have brought the Adarna bird.

DON DIEGO:

Of course this is the Adarna bird, Father.

DON PEDRO:

This is the Adarna bird from Mount Tabor.

KING:

My sons, this bird doesn’t look so pretty as the bird I saw in my dream.

DON DIEGO & DON PEDRO:

In your dream? A beautiful bird sang in your dream?

QUEEN:

Hush! The Adarna bird is speaking.

ADARNA BIRD: Your majesty, I am the Adarna bird of Tabor. But I feel so miserable that my heart is almost breaking. That’s why I refuse to sing. KING:

Why do you feel sad, my dear Adarna bird?

ADARNA BIRD: Because your son who captured me now lies unconscious and helpless on the road. KING:

Which son, Adarna bird? The Prince Don Juan?

QUEEN:

Our youngest son captured you?

ADARNA BIRD: Yes, your brave and kind son, the Prince Don Juan, succeeded where Don Pedro and Don Diego failed. And these two wicked princes would have been dead, by Don Juan they both were saved. DON DIEGO:

That’s not true. We have not seen our brother Juan.

KING:

What have you done to your youngest brother? Tell me the truth!

QUEEN:

What has become of Juan?

DON DIEGO:

I know nothing.

DON PEDRO:

I haven’t seen our brother since I left the kingdom for Mount Tabor.

ADARNA BIRD: They are liars – your elder sons – O king! For they beat Prince Don Juan and abandoned him bleeding in the lonely field. KING (Angrily):

How could you do such an evil thing to your own brother! You shall be punished for this misdeed. Soldiers, bind them and take them out of my sight.

QUEEN:

SOUND: Galloping of horses. But who comes here? Our son Juan! . . . Poor boy, you aren’t hurt, are you?

DON JUAN:

I have returned, Father. I have returned safe and sound to your kingdom.

KING:

Welcome home, Juan. Divine Providence must have brought you safely home. Those two brothers of yours would have been punished hadn’t you arrived in time.

ADARNA BIRD: Your majesty, I told you nothing but the truth. I should ask Don Juan if I were you. KING:

Speak up, my son. What have your elder brothers done?

DON JUAN(sadly): They beat me until my bones were nearly broken. I owe my life to the old hermit of Tabor whom I befriended and who revived me with magic herbs. DON PEDRO & DON DIEGO:

Forgive us, Father. Forgive us, brother Juan.

KING(angrily):

Miserable wretches! How can I ever forgive you two?

QUEEN:

O King, have mercy on your erring sons.

DON JUAN:

Father, I beg you to spare my two brothers. After all, the Adarna bird is here and I have come back safe and sound. Let bygones be bygones. ADARNA BIRD: And now, your majesties. I will sing very sweetly to cure the king of his strange malady. MUSIC: A bird’s song – up and down STORYTELLER: As in the dream, the king was cured by the song of the Adarna bird. And the bird endeared itself to everyone in the palace, and once again peace and merriment reigned in the kingdom! -Retold