Baucis+and+Philomon

=Baucis and Philomon=

media type="file" key="baucis.mp3" SCENE ONE BEGINNING MUSIC NARRATOR: In the small town of Phrygia, there stood a miraculous tree. From one trunk grew two different types, one oak and the other linden. The story of how these two trees became one began with Jupiter and Mercury growing restless up in their grand home on Mount Olympus. TRANSITION MUSIC || SNORING JUPITER: Wake up, Mercury. SNORING ENDS MERCURY: (SLEEPILY) What? JUPITER: While you’ve been sleeping the day away, I have been observing the rude townspeople of Phrygia. MERCURY: What are you talking about? I’m tired; give me five more minutes. JUPITER: (FORCEFUL) No, these people need to learn a lesson. Let’s go have some fun. TING MERCURY: An adventure? Okay, I’m up, I’m up! NARRATOR: In order to go down to the town to beg hospitality from the townspeople, they disguised themselves as peasants. TRANSITION MUSIC SCENE THREE MERCURY: Which way should we go first? That house looks welcoming. JUPITER: Yes, let’s go that way. FOOTSTEPS KNOCKING DOOR CREAKING OPEN PERSON 1: (RUDELY) What do you want? JUPITER: Please, sir. We’ve been traveling for days. Could we rest our tired legs by your fire? PERSON 1: No, go away. I’m busy. Find somewhere else to stay. DOOR SLAM JUPITER: That was rude! MERCURY: Let’s try the next house. FOOTSTEPS KNOCKING DOOR CREAKING OPEN PERSON 2: Hello… MERCURY: Good day. My friend and I are tired and hungry. Will you please provide us with some hot tea and bread? PERSON 2: I’m sorry, but I’ve just cleaned the house. I wouldn’t want your dirty rags to ruin that. DOOR SLAM NARRATOR: This process went on for hours. Mercury and Jupiter went from door to door looking for food and shelter. The insensitive people proved to be very inhospitable. PERSON 3: No! DOOR SLAM PERSON 4: Go away! DOOR SLAM PERSON 5: Leave us alone! DOOR SLAM PERSON 6: (DISGUSTED) Ew! DOOR SLAM SCENE FOUR JUPITER: Mercury, I told you that the people in this town needed to be taught a lesson. MERCURY: Let’s just try this one last house. JUPITER: You really think that that shack would have people who would provide us with food and shelter? MERCURY: Last one Jupiter; I promise. NARRATOR: Mercury and Jupiter had arrived at the house of Baucis and Philemon, two poor but content townspeople. KNOCKING DOOR OPEN BAUCIS: (MERRILY) Good evening…Oh, you poor souls! Come in and rest your tired feet. JUPITER: Why thank you, M’am. How gracious of you. FOOT STEPS DOOR CLOSE BACKGROUND MUSIC SCENE FIVE NARRATOR: When Jupiter and Mercury entered the house, they were greeted by a friendly old man by the name of Philemon. He was ushered his guests to sit down while Baucis made tea. PHILEMON: We may not have much, but that does not stop us from helping those in need. Despite our lack of luxuries, happiness is all we need. MERCURY: We are so grateful you have given us a place to rest. The other people in the town were not so welcoming. NARRATOR: Baucis and Philemon busied themselves with preparing dinner with the finest foods they had, fanning the fire, and tending to Mercury and Jupiter’s needs. SCENE SIX TRANSITION MUSIC CLANKING OF SILVERWARE NARRATOR: Philemon had prepared the meal with fine cabbage, bacon, radishes, olives, eggs, and diluted wine. JUPITER: Thank you for this lovely meal that you have prepared for us. BAUCIS: Of course! We are happy to entertain company. Would you like some more wine? POURING WATER GASP PHILEMON: (WHISPER) Have you noticed that the wine isn’t running out? BAUCIS: (WHISPERS BACK) Hmm, there is something strange about our guests. NARRATOR: They looked at each other in terror as they realized the true identity of their guests. PHILEMON: I’m sorry about the poor quality of our dinner. We must have something we can offer you… BAUCIS: Our goose! PHILEMON: Let me go fetch it! || GOOSE QUACKS CHUCKLING PANTING ||  ||  ||   || MERCURY: (TO JUPITER) I think that these poor folks have suffered enough. JUPITER: (TO MERCURY) They have been good to us. We must now punish the unwelcoming people of this town. (TO BAUCIS AND PHILEMON) Your hospitality will not go unrewarded. ||  || GASPING ||   || JUPITER: You have been so kind to us while all other townspeople shut their doors; you welcomed us in.. For you kindness, we are granting you this one wish. BAUCIS: No! You have done so much for us already. MERCURY: Really, you deserve this. What do you desire most? PHILEMON: (HESITANTLY) Well there is this one thing…we wish to never live without each other. SCENE NINE NARRATOR: The gods were pleased with the noble wish of the happy couple. When Baucis and Philemon died, their wish was granted as they remained forever in the town of Phrygia as a linden and oak tree joined by one trunk. THE END ||
 * [[image:http://faculty.polytechnic.org/lholmgren/binder0708/radio/mythpics/baucis1.jpg width="300" height="235" caption="Baucis & Philomen"]]
 * [[image:http://faculty.polytechnic.org/lholmgren/binder0708/images/smbb.gif width="18" height="18" caption="Audio Version" link="http://faculty.polytechnic.org/lholmgren/binder0708/radio/audio0607/baucis.mp3"]] || Audio Version of the Program ||  ||   ||   ||
 * SCENE TWO
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 * RAPID FOOTSTEPS
 * SCENE SEVEN
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 * [[image:http://faculty.polytechnic.org/lholmgren/pages07/radiomyths/mythpics/baucis3.jpg width="260" height="185" caption="Baucis 3"]] ||  || NARRATOR: They go outside to find their town engulfed by a lake excluding the house of Baucis and Philemon. Tears of sadness were heard from the old couple, even though the people of the town had not been kind to them, they cried for their loss. Their cries stopped as they turned to see their lowly shack transformed into a magnificent temple with a golden roof.
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