Wind and Sun

THE WIND AND THE SUN

CHARACTERS

WIND Jagged, trailing edges on a costume of blues,
greens, whites, and greys. Veils, gloves, and
make-up of the same colour.
SUN A costume of golds, yellows, oranges, and
reds. Head possibly surrounded by
a vertical halo with raying points. A semi-
circular cloak could also be attached
under his arms and to his back.
TRAVELLER Medieval, or if wished swagman; with a
long, tatty cloak.
NARRATOR as wished.

SCENE NOTES

A sky-blue backdrop with platform and stairs of
similar colour for the sun.
Stage right (audience left) a tree stump.
The wind can be accompanied by a suitable wind
instrument eg panpipes, bamboo flute
The sun by acoustic guitar, harp etc.

SCENE By a deserted roadside

(Narrator enters)

NARRATOR

Now thousands of years ago, there lived an old,
Greek storyteller, wise in the ways of the world,
Who wove his wisdom into the tales he told.
His name was ?sop and his tales are called
?sop's fables- our story here is one;
It's known as the tale of the Wind and the Sun.

Once it happened that the wind and the sun
Decided to hold a trial to see which one
Was stronger. Well, the wind used all his force,
But brother sun pursued a different course.

(Narrator exits)

(Enter the Wind. He whirls around the stage.)

WIND

Now I am the wind with my body of air,
Now I am the wind and I rush everywhere.

Yes, I am the wind and I roll through the sky,
All the leaves shake and tremble as I whirl on by.
When I come from the ocean I bring with me rain,
Then I come from the desert with dryness again.

And I drive the white clouds through the sky as I fly,
And I flap the wet clothes that were hung out to dry,
And I twirl all the fallen, dry leaves with my swirling,
And I raise the dry dust with my hurrying whirling.

And I ripple long grasses in waves as I pass
And I bend all the trees with my furious blast.
And when I am friendly the birds ride on me,
As they glide through the blue sky so light and so free,
But when I am angry, I rage and I roar
And I break off the branches and rattle the door.

Now I am the wind and I blow and I blow
Wherever I go, yes, wherever I go.

(The Wind rushes up to the front of the stage and whirls
past the audience)

WIND

Whirr, whirr, whirrr, whirrrrrr !

(The Wind goes back to whirling around the stage)

WIND

Yes, I am the wind and I blow and I blow
Wherever I go, oh, wherever I go.

And I pull people's coats and I ruffle their hair,
For I am the wind with my body of air,
For I am the wind and I rush everywhere,
Everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere....

(On the last everywhere the Wind whirls out)

(Enter the Sun. He starts to make a radiating gesture)

SUN

I am the sun; I fill the world with warmth and light;
I am the sun; I chase away the dark of night.

The golden flowers unfold their petals towards my ray,
I bring the bright and shining colours of the day.
I warm the sleeping seeds within the winter earth,
I rise in shining dawn and bring the day to birth.

At dusk I sink down in the west with golden flame
That singes sunset clouds; and yet I come again
To pour life-giving light and warmth on everything
And wake bright butterflies, and birds that fly and sing.

I shine and give my fire ever faithfully,
I glow upon the land, I sparkle on the sea.

Green grass and tall, tall trees grow upward towards my light,
I give the feathered, scaled, or furry creatures sight.
I build the solid wood that later burns with flame,
I lift the water from deep seas that later falls as rain.

I am the sun; I gleam and glow and ray and shine,
And flood the world with pure light whenever it is fine.

(The Sun moves centre back and rays on the audience)

SUN

I shine, I shine, I shine, I shine, I shine, I shine !

I am the sun; my bright face makes the dark sky blue,
I am the sun: the shining radiance so true;
I am the sun; I shine on you and you and you.

(The Wind enters. He whirls up to the Sun)

WIND

Good day to you, good brother Sun. Now tell me, how
Is everything with you, my fair lord Shining-Power?

SUN

Now all is fine with me, my little, brother Wind.

WIND (flustering)

Oooooh, there you go again.

SUN

Are you upset?

WIND

I am ruffled and restless and fitfully fret.
You're always answering
With little brother Wind.
But vast is my might and far I can fly;
Why do you call me little? Why?
Do you think that I'm weaker than you are?

SUN (beaming broadly)

Yes, brother Wind, I think that's true.

WIND

Who's really the stronger one,
My boastful, brother Sun?

(The Wind whirls around)

I whirl around and rustle all the leaves,
I bend and sway the proud, strong trees;
So who's the stronger one, fair, brother Sun?
No one but I, I am the mighty one.

I am the wind, the breath of the heavens, and I
Roam all the vast, blue reaches of the sky.
My influence is everywhere;
My realm is all the restless air.

My influence is felt in every place:
From the gentle ripples on a lake's calm face,
And the tremble of a dewy leaf at dawn,
To the lashing, wild rain of a growling, howling storm,
And the rage of a hurricane thrashing the land. Yes, I,
The roving wind that roams the reaches of the sky,
I am the strongest of us all.

SUN (beaming on him warmly)

Now, now my hasty, boasting brother, you know
Are you certain now that that is so?
For first you should think of my warming power.
I fire with life the fair and gentle flower,
My dazzling radiance fills all the vastness;
My rising blaze defeats the cold night's darkness.
I spin the seasons with their changeless course:
I summon life-rousing spring with fiery force,
I ripen life-giving crops with summer warmth.
Now surely you'll agree that it is I,
Far-shining from the blue and boundless sky,
Who shows the strongest, truest power of all?

WIND

Enough of all this idle chatter.
How shall we decide this matter?

SUN (gazing out into the distance)

Now gazing from the heights of sky,
Far in the distance I can spy
A weary traveller trudging past.
His steps stir tiny clouds of dust,
Upon the dry and lonely road.
And, as my beams upon him glowed,
I noticed something else of note:
He wears an old and tattered cloak.
Here is our chance, dear brother. Now
We'll see who wields the greater power.
This is the test I have to trade:
We shall find out who can persuade,
Just as a little, harmless joke,
That traveller to take off his cloak.
As I am surely the stronger power,
You, brother wind, may try first now.
Let's see your mighty power displayed.
I shall withdraw behind clouds' shade.

WIND

All right, good brother Sun, we'll see
Who really works more powerfully.

(The Sun moves to the side, possibly covering his face
with his arms. The traveller enters)

TRAVELLER (with a sigh of weariness)

Ah, I've walked such a long, long way since the dawn of
the day. I think I'll just sit here a while and rest my aching
feet. Today it is so dry and dusty on this long and winding
road- phew! there's not the slightest breath of wind.

(The Traveller sits down on an old tree stump)

(The Wind starts to move very gently)

WIND (with a whisper)

Over lakes, over streams,
Through the sun's gentle beams,
Past the woods, past the trees,
Past the branches and leaves,
Come, oh come light and murmuring breeze.
Come softly, softly brushing by,
Caress the flitting butterfly,
And whisper to the forest trees,
And stir and sway their many leaves,
And shake the daisies as you pass,
And bow the stalks of spreading grass...
Come from the broad sky, blue and clear,
And cool the brow of this traveller here.

(The Wind touches the Traveller lightly)

(The Traveller reacts slightly to the touch- of
course, he doesn't see the Wind)

TRAVELLER

Oh, now there's a bit of a breeze picking up. H'mm-
just a touch of chill in it too. Well, well, it's lucky that I'm
wearing my cloak.

(The Wind starts to move more energetically)

WIND (with more intensity)

From the wide, spreading reaches of ocean and sea,
Come and summon a salty, strong breeze here for me-
Tipping the waves with bright flecks of white foam,
Rolling the grasses in waves with your going,
Starting to make all the forest trees moan,
Creaking their branches with brisk, gusty blowing.

Circle this traveller, brush by his face,
Let him now feel the wind's growing race.
Give him a taste of my possible course,
Let him now feel just the threat of my force.

(The Wind circles around the Traveller, brushing him
lightly with his hands as he passes by)

TRAVELLER (drawing his cloak more closely about
himself)

This wind is really getting a little bit chilly. It's just as
well that I've got my trusty cloak with me, to pull
about me and protect me.

WIND (moving and speaking quite energetically)

From high mountains, breaking free,
Blow a stronger wind to me.
Shake the forest as you go,
Push the drifting clouds along,
Dance the dead leaves to your song,
Stir up dry dust where you blow.

Irritate this traveller now,
Let him feel your windy power.
Let the whirling dust arise,
Ruffle his hair and sting his eyes.
Tease his cloak now with your breath,
Tempt him now to take it off!

(The Wind races around the Traveller, nipping at his
cloak)

TRAVELLER (Drawing in the cloak even more closely)

Dear me, this wind is certainly picking up now.
Brrr ! But never mind, this good, old cloak of mine
will keep the worst of it off.

WIND (raging)

You stubborn fool, you stubborn fool!
Now I will make you really cool.

(The Wind whirls out in a fury, to gather his
strength)

WIND (As he speaks the light grows dimmer, and there
are increasing sounds of howling wind from offstage,
mixed with thunder)

Arise, you raging winds of storm,
From freezing quarters where you're born !
Howl down from the mountains high,
Tear across cloud-whirling sky.
Bring the whipping rain with you,
Bring the storming fury too !
Rattle the windows in the town;
Break the branches, tear them down !
From the fields of mountain snow,
Bring the icy blast and blow and blow!

(The Wind tears around the Traveller, pulling out his
cloak behind him)

WIND

Buffet this traveller with your blast,
And tear this cloak here from his grasp!

(The Traveller snatches back the cloak from the Wind
and ties it up more firmly)

TRAVELLER

Heavens above! How suddenly the weather is
changing today. It's completely ridiculous! One minute
it's all calm and sunny and the very next it's blowing
with such rage! I'd better tie up my cloak really
tightly or it'll be blown right away.

WIND (In an utter fury)

Blow, oh blow winds with a powerful fury!
Tell dull earth's hearing your mighty story!
Grow, oh grow storm to your strongest stage;
Rouse your greatest power; roar your rage!

(Sounds of storm and wind increase. Occasional
crashes. Lights dim. Thunder and lightning)
(The Wind whirls around the Traveller in a fury,
tearing and ripping at his cloak)

WIND

Howl and rage around this place,
Blast this traveller in his face!
Hit him with great icy gusts and rip
His cloak right from his puny grip!

(The Traveller wraps his cloak right around himself,
and gripping it firmly, crouches down in a bundle)

TRAVELLER

Heaven knows where all this wind's come from!
It's an absolute hurricane! I'm so, so glad that I brought
my good, old trusty cloak with me- otherwise I'd be frozen
to the bone.

WIND (giving up in disgust)

Phew, I'm completely out of breath,
And he's still got his cursed cloak left.
I'm defeated, I give up!
My brother Sun, come try your luck!

(The Sun appears)

WIND

Your turn to try it now;
It seems beyond my power!

(The Wind retreats to side back and stays moving
gently)
(The light comes up a little more brightly)

(The Sun, smiling, takes centre stage)

SUN

You've used your force in vain, I see.
So watch while I use harmony
And gentle, beneficial power
To solve this puzzling problem now.

(The Traveller stands up)

TRAVELLER

Thank heavens, that terrible wind has gone at last.

(The Traveller starts dusting himself down)
(The Sun starts to ray with arms half-raised)

SUN (softly)

Now everything must change and turn: the night
Gives way to day, the darkness to the light.
When dark storm clouds have watered all around,
They start to part and light once more is found.
A few, first sunbeams struggle through the greys,
And touch the earth with gentle, calming rays.

(With greater warmth)

Come, first sunbeams, touch the earth,
Bring the cheerful light to birth.
Touch the leaves and grass so lightly,
Make the raindrops sparkle brightly.

TRAVELLER (With a sigh of relief)

Ah, that's better. How everything looks brighter
now!

(The Sun starts to ray outward fully. Lights increase)

SUN

Come beams of light from the heights of space,
And shine and ray upon this place.
Come chase the coldness from the air,
Bring warmth and heat to everywhere!
With your wise and fiery blaze
Disperse the clouds on which you gaze.

Let the sky shine blue once more,
Vast and boundless as before.
Shine upon the storm-wet leaves,
Let the birds sing in the trees.

(Offstage a faint sound of bird song)

Shine upon this traveller here,
And dissolve his heart's cold fear;
Shine with friendly cheer on him,
And dry and warm his trembling limbs.

TRAVELLER (Stretching his arms and legs)

Oh, that's good. Here comes the sun. It's out and
the cloud's starting to go. Oh, I feel much better
already. How fresh and beautiful everything
looks in the sunlight after a storm has cleared.
Well, I think I'll just sit here for a while to
get over that awful storm.

(The Traveller sits again)

SUN (Raying outwards. The Lights come up higher)

Come, oh power of gentle sunbeams, come.
Warm the wet earth where the tempest played;
Kiss the bright flowers with your soothing rays,
Light the long grass by the wayside here.

Shine from the far sky, boundless, blue and clear;
Summon small, grey lizards from beneath brown leaves;
Let the many birds fly from the trees
Into the vastness of the air
To wing on warm and rising currents there.
Surround the world with cheerful lightness,
Awaken every colour's brightness.

Glow upon this traveller now,
Let him feel my warming power.
Glow upon his heavy clothes,
Let him feel the warmth of those.

(The Traveller starts untying his cloak)

TRAVELLER

It's really getting quite hot here in the sun. I
think I'd better just untie this old cloak a bit. Phew,
that's better.

SUN (With more energy)

Oh, shine and shine, my warming blaze,
And beam and beam your burning rays;
Change clear air to a shimmering haze,
And bring my fire to the old earth now.

Bright, flitting butterflies abound;
They dance from flower to glowing flower.
And busy bees buzz all around,
To seek the sweetest nectar there,
Through all the drowsy, heavy air.

Oh, shower of light's intensity,
Come, glow and glitter on the sea;
Come radiate upon the land,
And spread your healing heat on every hand.

Beam upon the traveller there,
Surround him with the sunny air;
Surround him with your shimmering haze,
Warm and warm him with your rays!

(The Traveller slips his cloak behind his shoulders)

TRAVELLER

Heavens above, it's getting so hot. I've never
known such a day for changes of the weather.
First off it's cold and windy, then it changes
to hot and sunny. At first the sky is grey and
cloudy, now it is blue without a cloud in sight. It
grew so dark and wet and stormy, then just as
suddenly it is replaced by sunshine, warmth
and shining colours. Oh well, I'd better slip
back this cloak a bit. I don't really need it now.

SUN (Raying outwards with all his power. Lights go up
to full)

Burn, oh burn, my brilliant beams,
Dry up the lakes and sparkling streams.
Ray, oh ray, fill all the day
With my fire's bright display.
Pass across the earth like flame,
Heat up the stones and ripen the grain.
Make the air feel like a furnace, heat
The very earth beneath men's feet.
Flood the world with dazzling colour, light
The sea and land with blazing might.

Blaze upon the traveller there,
Surround him with the fiery air,
Make little beads of salty sweat
Go trickling down his face and neck.

TRAVELLER

Heavens, it's so terribly hot. Suddenly on this
crazy day it decides to have a heatwave! Phew,
I'll have to seek some shade. Where's my cloth?
I must mop my brow.

(The Traveller mops his brow)

Well, well, it's unbelievable...all this heat!

(The Traveller stands up)

There's nothing else for it; I must take off this
hot and heavy cloak. I certainly don't need it in
all this heat !

(The Traveller takes off his cloak and drapes it over
his arm)

There, that's better! Now I'd better get off and see if I can find
some shade somewhere to rest for a while out of the sun.

(The Traveller exits, mopping his brow and carrying
his cloak)

(The Sun calls across to the Wind, who has been
watching, fluttering in the corner)

SUN

Come Wind, my friend, now come and see
How warmth and gentle harmony
And giving beneficial power
Have made him take his cloak off now.

(The Wind circles over to the Sun)

SUN

See, little brother Wind, you must agree-
This time, no doubt, the prize must go to me.

WIND

I must admit that it is true:
You are the more powerful of us two.
But I shall run off now and blow
Somewhere where you can never go;
For I can never rest, so now I'll race away
To lands where you are not, where sister Night holds sway.

(The Wind whirls off)

SUN

But I shall shine on faithfully
And give my light for all to see-
A constant power I send my ray
To show my path throughout the day.
So farewell, Wind, and fare well on your way.

(The Sun remains, raying over the world)

(Enter Narrator)

NARRATOR

And so our little tale has ended.
No doubt you see the truth intended:
The coaxing sun, with warmth and persuasion,
Succeeded well on this occasion;
While the wind, with his raging and furious course,
Completely failed by using anger's force.

THE END