Water of Life

Production Notes

By Chuck and Lola Wilcox.

Stage and Staging: There are no set pieces. The staging area has the audience sitting on the floor on three sides of a circular staging area along one wall (modified thrust). An aisle runs through the audience to Healwell Castle. The Musician is seated at the far end of the central aisle and the Lady can be positioned there as well.

In the script the Prince takes a road that bends three times at the end of the journey to Castle Healwell. The production company decides how this will happen: this line can be cut, the Prince can improvise with the audience, or a before-performance preparation with the audience creates the “road” at the right moment.

Costumes: Anything from medieval tunics to modern dress with no messaging. Citizens need visual differentiation (colors, headgear, neck scarves). Hunter wears green.

Props: Three different “horses” — two-foot-long 3/8” dowels wrapped in three different colors of tape (e.g., red, black, white) with matching ribbons/fringe along the shaft representing manes, modeled after a Chinese Opera convention. All other props are mime.

Source Materials: Central archetype of a country suffering because the ruler is ill, and a brave soul who undertakes tests to find and bring home the Water of Life as a cure (e.g. Grail legends). Grimm Brothers #97 The Water of Life. Idrias Shah: World Tales.

Author Intentions: Provide a theatre version of a classic story. Remember, review, or introduce the Water of Life archetype. Give audience members a hopeful model of a young person achieving goals by overcoming difficulties and helping numerous others while doing so.

What to Watch: Create character interpretations that are well-rounded, not melodramatic. Maintain good pacing.

Script

Scene 1: Meeting the Old One

(Music. Enter Prince from one direction, Old One from another.)

OLD ONE: Good day, young one. How is it for you in this place where you are?

PRINCE: Good day, Old One. Not well. My father, the King, is very ill. I fear he may die.

OLD ONE: He may die unless he receives the Water of Life.

PRINCE: The Water of Life?

OLD ONE: If your father drinks of the Water of Life he will become well again.

PRINCE: Where is it? How can I find it and give it to him?

OLD ONE: The Water of Life is at the center of Castle Healwell. The Castle Healwell is three countries away from here, in the center of the world. It’s difficult to reach Castle Healwell, harder to get the Water of Life, and hardest to return home.

PRINCE: But you think the Water of Life would cure him?

OLD ONE: I know it would cure him.

PRINCE: Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you?

OLD ONE: Thank you. Few people ask me what they can do for me. I will ask you to be careful.

PRINCE: I will. I’ll go now and tell my family. (Exits before he can really hear Old One’s advice.)

OLD ONE: Better for you if you just tell your father, the King, and start going to Castle Healwell. But… (Shrugging.) …very few people listen to advice. (Exits.)

Scene 2: Telling the King of the Water of Life

(Music. Enter King, coughing slightly. Sees audience and gathers self to speak authoritatively.)

KING: Here we are in my palace gardens. There are tall trees, although many are drooping. Only a few flowers are blooming.

I am the ruler of this land, but I have been ill. Wise people have tried to heal me, but I am a little weaker every day. (Sound of bird.) Listen! A bird singing. (Starts to follow but coughs.) If I felt better, I could follow that bird. If I get much weaker, I won’t be able to come here, and being in the garden makes me happy.

(Enter the three siblings.)

SIBLINGS: Father! King! Where are you?

KING: Here in the garden, my jewels. You’re my pearls, my rubies, my…

PRIDEFUL: Diamond. I’m the diamond, not you, Greedy.

GREEDY: I’d like to be handed real pearls and rubies. How about it, Father!

PRIDEFUL: Speak for yourself, Greedy. I like being your jewel, Dad. I’m already the richest jewel in the land.

GREEDY: Of course that’s what you would say, Prideful.

PRIDEFUL: Well, I hope so! I hope I’m never as greedy as you, Greedy.

GREEDY: And I’ll never be as haughty as you, Prideful.

PRINCE: Stop arguing. You’re forgetting what we want to tell Father.

KING: What is it, my treasures?

PRINCE: I met an Old One outside the castle, who said there is only one way for you to get well. You must drink the Water of Life.

KING: Who was this Old One?

PRIDEFUL: The Prince said the Old One was dressed in raggedy clothes and had a long nose.

GREEDY: And was all bent over.

KING: Why trust a wandering stranger?

PRINCE: I believe the Old One spoke truth. We should find this Water of Life and bring it to you so you can be well.

KING: I’m tired of not feeling well. Where is the Water of Life?

PRINCE: The water is very far away, in a Castle called Healwell at the center of the world, beyond the three neighbor countries.

KING: I’m too weak for such a long journey.

ALL: I’ll go get it and bring it to you!

KING: You can’t all go. I might get worse while you’re gone.

PRIDEFUL: I’m oldest.

GREEDY: I’m the best fighter.

PRINCE: I don’t care who goes. We need Father to have the Water of Life and be well.

PRIDEFUL: As the oldest it’s my right to go.

KING: Such a journey will be dangerous. In the three countries on the way to the center of the world there is war and poverty and hunger. (To audience.) Should I let one of them go through all that just for a chance of healing for me? What do you think? Yes or no?

(Greedy and Prideful lobby the audience; Prince waits. Enough ‘yes’ opinions are acknowledged by the King to lead to the following dialogue.)

KING: If the Water of Life will cure me, we’ll try. (To Prideful.) You will go because you’re the oldest.

PRIDEFUL: Oh, thank you, Father. You won’t be disappointed. (Aside.) Besides, if I save the King’s life, he’ll choose me to be the next ruler of this land.

GREEDY: (Aside.) If Prideful never comes back, I’ll inherit everything! Bad luck to Greedy! (Exits.)

PRINCE: Here’s your horse, Prideful. (Gives him a stick ‘horse’.) I hope you have a safe journey. (Exits.)

KING: Good-bye, Prideful. May your journey be speedy. (Exits.)

PRIDEFUL: (Mounting ‘horse’.) I shall not fail. And I’ll be back before you know it.

Scene 3: Prideful’s Journey to Castle Healwell

(Prideful gallops, crossing a number of obstacles such as leaping over a log, to musical accompaniment. These obstacles are the same for the next characters as well.)

PRIDEFUL: I’m heading through the Weak Kingdom.

(Weak Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: Where are you going in such a hurry?

PRIDEFUL: It’s none of your business.

CITIZEN: There is weakness in this land. Can you help?

PRIDEFUL: Your kingdom’s weakness means nothing to me.

(Prideful ignores Citizen and rides on.)

PRIDEFUL: So far, no difficulty. Now I’m riding through the Poor Kingdom.

(Poor Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: Where are you going in such a hurry?

PRIDEFUL: It’s none of your business.

CITIZEN: There is poverty in this land. Can you help?

PRIDEFUL: Your kingdom’s poverty means nothing to me.

(Prideful ignores Citizen and rides on. Exit Citizen.)

PRIDEFUL: So far, no difficulty. I’m riding west through the Hungry Kingdom.

(Hungry Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: Where are you going in such a hurry?

PRIDEFUL: It’s none of your business.

CITIZEN: There is hunger in this land. Can you help?

PRIDEFUL: Your kingdom’s hunger means nothing to me.

(Prideful ignores the Citizen and rides on. Exit Citizen.)

PRIDEFUL: So far, no difficulty. I’m almost there! I’ve been riding and riding. Now I should be near Castle Healwell, and the Water of Life. I wonder where it could be? (Music out.) I think I’ll just stretch and rest a little under this big tree.

(Dismounts and has an audience member hold the ‘horse’. Enter the Old One.)

OLD ONE: Where are you going that it tires you so, young one?

PRIDEFUL: What business is it of yours? Move along, Old One.

OLD ONE: Perhaps I can help you.

PRIDEFUL: I don’t need your help.

OLD ONE: I’m offering…

PRIDEFUL: Stop offering and leave me alone. (Gets ‘horse’ and starts to leave.)

OLD ONE: That’s not very friendly, young one. I think you need to slow down a little and visit the Stuckfast Swamp. (Makes a noise and taps the Prideful’s horse.) Perhaps you will learn to be a little kinder to those you meet. (Exits.)

PRIDEFUL: (Exiting as ‘horse’ bucks and rears.) Help! I don’t want to go into this swamp. Help me! Help me! (From off stage.) I’m stuck in some sort of sticky stuff! I can’t get out! Help, help! (Exits while spinning.)

Scene 4: Greedy Decides to go to Castle Healwell

(Enter two remaining siblings.)

PRINCE: Our Prideful has been gone a long time. I hope nothing has happened.

GREEDY: (Aside.) If it has, then I’m the oldest now and I will be king when Father dies.

PRINCE: What did you say? I didn’t understand you.

(Enter King, coughing.)

KING: Ah, there you two are. I’m worried. I think Prideful should have been to the Castle Healwell and back by now.

PRINCE: Yes, it’s not hopeful that we haven’t heard anything.

KING: (Coughs.) And I’m feeling very weak.

GREEDY: Since I’m the oldest one now, I will go get the Water of Life for you.

KING: Maybe something has happened to Prideful, and if you go that same thing might happen to you.

GREEDY: I’m the best fighter of all. Nothing will happen to me, and while I’m out there I could look for Prideful. (Aside.) And if I don’t happen to find Prideful, well…

KING: But such a journey might be dangerous. But now we also need to know what happened to Prideful. Be careful.

GREEDY: You won’t be disappointed in me, Father.

PRINCE: Here’s your horse. (A different colored Chinese Opera horse.) Be safe. Come back quickly. (Exits.)

KING: Good-bye, Greedy, may your journey be speedy.

GREEDY: (Mounting ‘horse’.) I shall not fail. And I’ll be back before you know it. (Greedy begins journey. Music.)

Scene 5: Greedy’s Journey to Castle Healwell

(Greedy gallops his ‘horse’ over the same obstacles Prideful crossed, to musical accompaniment.)

GREEDY: I’m heading through the Weak Kingdom.

(Weak Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: Where are you going in such a hurry!

GREEDY: It’s none of your business.

CITIZEN: There is weakness in this land. Can you help?

GREEDY: Your kingdom’s weakness means nothing to me.

(Greedy rides on, over the same obstacles Prideful crossed.)

GREEDY: So far, no difficulty. Now I’m riding through the Poor Kingdom.

(Poor Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: Where are you going in such a hurry!

GREEDY: It’s none of your business.

CITIZEN: There is poverty in this land. Can you help?

GREEDY: Your kingdom’s poverty means nothing to me.

(Greedy rides on. Exit Citizen.)

GREEDY: So far, no difficulty. I’m riding west through the Hungry Kingdom.

(Hungry Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: Where are you going in such a hurry!

GREEDY: It’s none of your business.

CITIZEN: There is hunger in this land. Can you help?

GREEDY: Your kingdom’s hunger means nothing to me.

(Greedy ignores the Citizen and rides on. Exit Citizen.)

GREEDY: So far, no difficulty. I’m almost there! I’ve been riding and riding. I should be near Castle Healwell, and the Water of Life. (Music out.) I think I’ll just stretch and rest a little under this big tree.

(Dismounts and has an audience member hold the ‘horse’. Enter the Old One.)

OLD ONE: Where are you going that tires you so, young one?

GREEDY: What business is it of yours? Move along, Old One.

OLD ONE: But I’m only trying to…

GREEDY: Why I’m here has nothing to do with you, so leave me alone.

OLD ONE: I’m offering…

GREEDY: Stop offering and leave me alone. (Gets ‘horse’ and starts to leave.)

OLD ONE: That’s not very friendly, young one. I think you need to slow down a little and visit the Stuckfast Swamp. (Makes a noise and taps Greedy’s horse.) Perhaps you will learn to be a little kinder to those you meet. (Exits.)

GREEDY: (Exiting as ‘horse’ bucks and rears.) Help! I don’t want to go into this swamp. Help me! Help me! (From off stage.) I’m stuck in some sort of sticky stuff! I can’t get out! Help, help! (Exits while spinning.)

Scene 6: Prince Decides to Go to Castle Healwell

(Enter Prince and King.)

PRINCE: We have heard nothing from either my Greedy or my Prideful for a long time.

KING: (Coughs.) I’m afraid that something’s happened to both my children.

PRINCE: I think it is my turn to go for the Water of Life.

KING: What? I don’t want to lose you too. (Coughs.)

PRINCE: But Father, you need the Water of Life. Only by drinking it can you become well.

KING: But the journey to find it must be dangerous. Two of my children haven’t returned. Why risk having three lost children?

PRINCE: What choice do we have? I love and respect you. The best thing I can do for you is to find the Water of Life and bring it to you. And I may find out what happened to Greedy and Prideful.

KING: You would do this even if it seems very dangerous?

PRINCE: Of course, you need the Water of Life to be well.

KING: Very well, take your horse and go. (Coughs as Prince fetches third Chinese Opera stick horse.) Bring Greedy and Prideful home safely! (Exits.)

PRINCE: Good-bye, Father, I’ll bring the Water of Life as soon as I can. And I intend to find Greedy and Prideful as well.

Scene 7: Prince’s Journey to Castle Healwell

(Travels over the same obstacles Prideful and Greedy crossed.)

PRINCE: I’m heading through the Weak Kingdom.

(Weak Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: I am a Citizen of the Weak Kingdom. Where are you going in such a hurry!

PRINCE: I’m going to get the Water of Life for my father.

CITIZEN: There is weakness in this land. How will we stop any attacking enemy?

PRINCE: I can’t answer that question. Hopefully no one will attack you. But I can help you move that big box to your wagon. (Dismounts. Helps the Citizen carry a big box, positions it.) I have nothing more with which to help you now. But on the journey I may find something to help your kingdom, and, if so, I will bring it to you on the way back.

CITIZEN: The Water of Life is in Castle Healwell at the center of the world, and two kingdoms away. The castle is enchanted, with fierce guardians at the door.

PRINCE: Thank you! The castle may be enchanted, and have fierce guardians, but my father needs the Water of Life.

(Prince rides on, over the same obstacles Prideful and Greedy crossed.)

PRINCE: So far, no difficulty. I hope I find something to help the Weak Kingdom. (Rides on.) Now I’m riding through the Poor Kingdom.

(Poor Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: I am a Citizen of the Poor Kingdom. Where are you going in such a hurry!

PRINCE: I’m going to get the Water of Life for my father, who is sick and may die.

CITIZEN: There is poverty in this land. Can you help?

PRINCE: I have a few coins in my pocket now and I’ll gladly share but it won’t go far. (Does so.) On my journey, I may find something to help your kingdom, and, if so, I will bring it to you on the way back home.

CITIZEN: The Water of Life is in Castle Healwell at the center of the world, and one kingdom away. In the heart of the castle is the well with the Water of Life. It will be very difficult to get to the well.

PRINCE: Thank you! Difficult or not, my father needs the Water of Life.

(Prince rides on, over the same obstacles Prideful and Greedy crossed.)

PRINCE: So far, no difficulty. I hope I find something to help the Poor Kingdom. (Rides on.) Now I’m riding through the Hungry Kingdom.

(Hungry Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: I am a Citizen of the Hungry Kingdom. Where are you going in such a hurry!

PRINCE: I’m going to get the Water of Life for my father.

CITIZEN: There is hunger in this land. Can you help?

PRINCE: I can share what little I have with me now. (Does so.) I have nothing more with which to help you now. But on the journey, I may find something to help your kingdom, and, if so, I will bring it to you on the way back.

CITIZEN: The Water of Life is in Castle Healwell at the center of the world, on the other side of this kingdom. There is a Lady at the well of the Water of Life. She may choose to give you the Water of Life — or not.

PRINCE: Thank you. I hope the Lady may choose me because my father needs the Water of Life.

(Prince rides on, over the same obstacles Prideful and Greedy crossed.)

PRINCE: So far, no difficulty. I’m almost there! I’ve been riding and riding. Now I should be near Castle Healwell, and the Water of Life. I wonder where it could be? (Music out.) I think I’ll just stretch and rest a little under this big tree.

(Dismounts and has an audience member hold the ‘horse’. Enter the Old One.)

OLD ONE: Where are you going in such a hurry, young one?

PRINCE: Well met, Old One. I’m going where you suggested — to find the Water of Life to cure my Father.

OLD ONE: It pleases me that you followed my advice!

PRINCE: You told me the Water of Life was in Castle Healwell. It is three countries from our own, in the center of the world. I’ve come all that long distance. I think we are near the castle.

OLD ONE: Have you learned anything on the journey?

PRINCE: I’ve learned that Castle Healwell is enchanted and guarded, and that the Water of Life is in a well, and the Lady near the well may choose to give it to me or not. Can you help me?

OLD ONE: Well, you are not rude like some other people I know. And you are wise enough to listen and learn and ask for help when you need it. I will help you.

PRINCE: Thank you, Old One.

OLD ONE: You’re welcome, young one. Castle Healwell is this way. (Points in opposite direction from StuckFast Swamp.) You can see the towers of the castle right there, over the tree line. It takes three bends in the road to get there.

PRINCE: Oh, thank you. (Starts to leave, pauses.) Do you have more advice?

OLD ONE: Yes. Here is an iron rod and two loaves of bread. (Mimed, indicating size and weight.) Strike the castle’s iron door three times with the iron rod and the door will open. Inside you will find two hungry lions. Throw a loaf of bread to each of them and you will pass them safely.

PRINCE: Iron rod to strike the iron door, and loaves of bread to feed the lions. (Prince puts the mimed items where he can get them.) Thank you. (Starts to leave, pauses.) Do you have any advice about the Lady at the well?

OLD ONE: No. But once in Castle Healwell you must hurry, Prince, because if you stay too long, the iron door will close shut and it may be impossible to escape.

PRINCE: Thank you for your help, Old One. Remember I will help you if you ask.

OLD ONE: You are helping me. Go with my blessing.

PRINCE: Thank you for these gifts. I’ll use them as you told me. And thank you for your blessing. (Old One exits.)

I am on the road with the three bends that takes me to Castle Healwell. This is Bend number one… (Can ask audience for help finding the road.) Bend number two… Bend number three… there it is! Castle Healwell, just as the Old One described.

(Harsh music cue.) There’s the big iron door. (Dismounts and gives horse to audience member.) I will knock three times. (Does so.) Listen! The door is opening. I’ll step through.

There are the two hungry lions. What was I supposed to do? (Audience responds.) Yes, give them bread. (Mimes feeding.) There, fed and happy.

Look! A big hallway with statues, some standing, some sitting. (To another part of audience.) No, wait, they’re real people, frozen in a trance! (Touches one.) Cold as ice! They have rings on their fingers. I know a use for these in the Poor Kingdom. Should I take them? (Gets audience response and takes them.)

And there’s a table with a sword and a big sack of seeds. The sword says “I will defeat any enemy who attacks.” I’ll take both sword and seed bag. I know who can use them. (Music ends.) But where’s the courtyard with the well of the Water of Life? (He walks a little, stops, looks about him.) There is a well!

Scene 8: Castle Healwell and the Lady

(Music. Enter the Lady, singing.)

LADY: Many there are who have come here, Some with courage and some with fear. Young, old, wise, foolish, weak or strong For Castle Healwell’s Water of Life they long. Who is here today? Fa, la, doodle, de, say. For a true heart we pray. Fa, la, doodle, de, way.

PRINCE: You are no statue! You are not in that trance. (She walks up to him, and he bows.) My lady!

LADY: My lord. (She does a deep curtsey with her head up, looking at Prince. He takes her hand to help her rise.) Welcome to Castle Healwell.

PRINCE/LADY: What are you doing in this enchanted castle?

PRINCE: I am Prince, the third child of an ill Father who may die. I hope the Water of Life may heal him.

LADY: I am the Lady of Castle Healwell and hope to free it from its spell. The statues are others who came to this castle and made choices for the wrong reasons.

PRINCE: I followed the Old One’s advice for the door and the lions.

LADY: I see you have taken the rings, the bag of seeds, and the sword from the hall of statues.

PRINCE: I have a use for each of these things in the Kingdoms of the Poor, the Hungry, and the Weak.

LADY: You have chosen wisely.

PRINCE: Why did I not become a stone statue too?

LADY: Because your desire for the rings, the seed, the sword, and the Water of Life is for others, not for yourself. You are the first person to enter the courtyard and see the well of the Water of Life.

PRINCE: Then, Lady, will you tell me if I might have some of the Water of Life for my father?

LADY: Yes. (Pause. She takes a jar from her pocket.) Fill this little blue jar with the Water of Life and take it to him. (Gives him pantomime jar.)

PRINCE: (He bows as he takes the jar.) How can I help you free the castle from the spell?

LADY: By taking the Water of Life out of Castle Healwell and letting it heal your father. Then the spell will be broken by you, Prince, because you have a true heart.

PRINCE: I would like to come back to you once I’ve taken the Water of Life to my father. Provided, of course, you’d like me to return.

LADY: I would like you to come to me in a year and a day. I will make a Golden Road for you to ride to this castle and me, Prince.

PRINCE: Is there something else I can do to help before I go?

LADY: Prince True Heart, be warned. Once you have the water you must go quickly, for when the clock strikes twelve, the iron gate will swing shut and you’ll become a statue like the others.

PRINCE: I’ll go at once. Thank you for the warning, Lady. In a year and a day I’ll come because my work too will be done. I will ride on the Golden Road. I will speak to you of marriage.

LADY: I will hear you when you speak to me.

BOTH: Farewell for a year and a day. (Lady exits.)

PRINCE: My mission is almost done. I’ll just sit here and rest for a minute. I’m very tired. Maybe I’ll just stretch out here by the well and rest a moment. (Lies down, goes to sleep. Silence. Then the clock strikes a note.)

Optional intermission here. When the audience returns the Lady will be standing by Prince, who is still sleeping. The clock strikes a note.

Option One: If the audience wakes Prince up, he runs to the front gate just in time. Option One Prince’s line is “Oh, thank you! I made it with very little time to spare.”

Option Two: If audience doesn’t wake him, he wakes to the last few strikes and rushes to the gate too late. Option Two Prince’s line is: “Oh, the gate’s closed. What can I do now?” He then solicits audience for ideas about how to get out of the castle.

Option Three: Prince wonders “What would happen if I touched these statues with this water? Will they come to life? No. Not for me. But look, there’s the rod I used to open the gate coming into the castle. I wonder if it will open the door from this side.” (Three strikes.) “Ah, it’s opening.” (Prince exits.)

Scene 9: Returning Home

(Prince collects horse and thanks the holder. He starts to ride.)

PRINCE: I’m riding west through the Hungry Kingdom.

(Hungry Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: There is hunger in this land. Can you help?

PRINCE: Here is a sack of seeds I took from Castle Healwell. Plant it, harvest it, and let it feed your people. Take new seeds from the grain, and plant them again. Soon you will call yourselves the Kingdom of Plenty.

(Prince gives the sack of seeds to the Citizen and rides on.)

I’m glad I was able to help. Now I’m riding through the Poor Kingdom.

(Poor Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: There is poverty in this land. Can you help?

PRINCE: Here are rings I took from Castle Healwell. Give them to the people to pay their debts. Invest the rest in the future. Call yourselves the Kingdom of the Rich.

(Prince gives the rings to the Citizen and rides on.)

I’m glad I was able to help. Now I’m riding through the Weak Kingdom.

(Weak Kingdom Citizen enters.)

CITIZEN: There is weakness in this land. Can you help us defend ourselves?

PRINCE: Here’s a sword I took from Castle Healwell that will defeat any attacking enemy. Call yourselves the Kingdom of the Strong.

(Prince gives the Citizen the sword and rides on.)

PRINCE: I’m glad I was able to help. I am almost home.

(Enter Old One.)

OLD ONE: Those two in the Stuckfast Swamp… being stuck that way isn’t teaching them to be any less rude. It’s about time for their Greedy Prince to get back from the Castle Healwell. (Sees Prince.) Ah, there you are.

PRINCE: (Dismounts.) Hello, Old One. Much thanks for your good advice. It has kept me alive.

OLD ONE: Well met, Prince True Heart. I see you have the Water of Life.

PRINCE: Yes, it was in the castle just as you told me. But there was more at that castle than you said. (Gives horse to audience person.) There was a room full of people like statues.

OLD ONE: Where you took the sack of seeds, the rings, and a sword for the three kingdoms who need them.

PRINCE: Yes! Then I met the Lady. I will ride to her at the end of the year.

OLD ONE: You’ve done much since I last saw you.

PRINCE: But all the time I kept remembering my ill Father. He needs the Water of Life and I must get it to him quickly.

OLD ONE: That’s surely as you say.

PRINCE: So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll hurry on to my Father.

OLD ONE: (As Prince starts to exit…) It’s wise to hurry to your father.

PRINCE: (Turning back.) Oh, I want to ask you something. Have you seen Greedy and Prideful who also set off to find the Water of Life?

OLD ONE: They came toward Castle Healwell before you did. They didn’t ask for help and were very rude besides. They ended up in the Stuckfast Swamp.

PRINCE: Where is Stuckfast Swamp?

OLD ONE: Well, sometimes it’s near Castle Healwell, but right now it’s just over there.

PRINCE: Oh, I see it. Oh, I see them! They’re truly stuck. How can I free them?

OLD ONE: Free them? I don’t think that’s such a wise idea. You should leave them stuck in the swamp. (To audience.) Don’t you think?

PRINCE: But they’re my family.

OLD ONE: Offering advice about them is against my better judgment. They have unpure hearts and closed minds.

PRINCE: If I return to my father without Greedy and Prideful, he will be well but very sad.

OLD ONE: Very well. (Gestures.) They are now free, but I fear you’ll be sorry.

(Enter Siblings as Old One exits.)

BOTH: That nasty Old One, daring to send me to that swamp.

(Both collect ‘horses’ from audience person they gave them to hold.)

PRIDEFUL: Prince! What are you doing here?

PRINCE: I asked the Old One to free you from StuckFast Swamp. Now we can all take the Water of Life to our Father.

GREEDY: What do you mean that you freed us?

PRIDEFUL: You, instead of me, found the Water of Life?

BOTH: How did you do that?

PRINCE: I’ll tell you as we go along. (They mount and ride. Music.) I met up with the Old One and was given good advice. I found the water in the castle just where it was supposed to be. Look, here it is. (Shows them.)

PRIDEFUL: The Old One told you the way? The same Old One who stuck me in the swamp?

PRINCE: I don’t know how you got stuck in the swamp. At the Castle Healwell, I met a beautiful lady.

GREEDY: Was she also wealthy?

PRINCE: It’s her castle. After we give the Water of Life to our Father, and he is cured, the spell on Castle Healwell is broken. We agreed to wait a year and a day before I ride to her. We’re getting close to home. Soon we’ll see Father. Let’s hurry!

GREEDY: How lucky for you. I want to rest first.

PRIDEFUL: Yes, let’s look rested when we first see our father.

PRINCE: We can rest under this tree. Will you hold my horse? (Asks audience person, lies down, and sleeps.)

GREEDY: (Aside to Prideful.) So our brother found the Water of Life…

PRIDEFUL: …while we were stuck in Stuckfast Swamp. He will get all the praise.

GREEDY: And our Father will be so grateful, he’ll make our brother the next ruler of this land.

BOTH: Why should our brother be the one?

PRIDEFUL: If no one will help us, we will help ourselves. I have an empty bottle in my pocket. Pour the Water of Life into my empty jar. When we get home, we’ll have the real Water of Life.

GREEDY: Then we’ll pour some of my drinking water into our brother’s bottle and add a little salt. He’ll never know the difference. When we get home, we’ll be the ones who have the real Water of Life.

(Note: if audience tries to warn Prince, he should awaken slowly to allow his siblings time to finish the water exchange.)

PRINCE: I can’t sleep any more. I’m so anxious to see Father.

PRIDEFUL: I am too!

GREEDY: I am too.

Scene 10: At Home

(The King enters, very feeble, coughing. He sees his children riding towards him.)

KING: My children, my children! You’ve all returned.

(The three greet him.)

PRINCE: I’ve found the Water of Life, and I’ve brought it so you can become well. It’s here, in this blue jar. (Offers jar.)

KING: I’m grateful to you, my son. (Drinks. Spits it out.) Phtah, that tastes awful! (Coughs. Starts to collapse.) I feel even worse than I did before.

PRIDEFUL: Here, try this. It’s the real Water of Life. (Offers jar with Water of Life.)

KING: (Drinks.) Yes, this tastes wonderful. (Slight cough; stronger immediately.) I feel almost well.

PRINCE: I’m glad you’re better, father. (Pulling siblings aside.) How did you come by the Water of Life I took from the well at Castle Healwell?

GREEDY: We took it from you while you were asleep.

PRIDEFUL: You should have been sharper and kept your eyes open.

GREEDY: (Loudly, so King can hear.) Why did you try to pass off salt water as the Water of Life? You traitor! You were trying to poison our father.

PRIDEFUL: Banish Prince for his treachery. Isn’t that right?

KING: Well, I suppose… (King is still sipping from the blue jar.)

GREEDY: No, it’s not harsh enough. No punishment is too harsh for someone who tries to kill you, Father.

PRINCE: Now just a minute. I…

PRIDEFUL: Death to all traitors! Isn’t that what you taught us, Father?

KING: Yes, I did. But death is a bit too harsh, I think… The Water of Life has made me well. Banishment is punishment enough.

GREEDY: I’ll just be sure our Prince doesn’t come back. I’ll get the Hunter. (Exits.)

PRIDEFUL: (Aside.) We’ll make sure our brother can never come back. Father must never learn who really found the Water of Life.

HUNTER: (Entering and bowing.) You sent for me?

PRIDEFUL: Yes, Hunter. Escort this traitor, once our brother, to the border of our country.

HUNTER: By whose authority am I to do this?

KING: It’s by my authority, Hunter. Although it makes me very sad. (Exits.)

PRIDEFUL: Now hurry up about it! Don’t waste time!

HUNTER: Yes, I will hurry.

PRIDEFUL: And, Hunter, to make sure he never comes back, take your sword and stab him two or three times.

HUNTER: Stab him?

PRIDEFUL: And bring me back his bloody coat so I’ll know you’ve obeyed my orders. Now go! (Exits.)

HUNTER: Yes, we’ll go. (To Prince who has been to one side trying to figure out what happened…) Follow me!

(They walk for a short time.)

PRINCE: I think a mistake has happened and a bigger mistake is about to happen.

HUNTER: How’s that, Prince?

PRINCE: First, I was warned that freeing Greedy and Prideful from the Stuckfast Swamp would be a mistake. Killing me now will be the second mistake.

HUNTER: Frankly, sir, the King said you were banished, not that you needed punishment by death.

PRINCE: Then, Hunter, let me live. I promise I’ll never come back to this country again.

HUNTER: I’m supposed to show your bloody coat as proof of your death. Take it off and give it to me. I’ll stain it and take it to them.

PRINCE: Good — they will think you followed your orders, and they won’t send someone else after me. Thank you, kind Hunter. I won’t forget you. (Exits.)

HUNTER: Now I’ll go get some blood to stain his coat. (Exits.)

(Enter King and Prideful.)

KING: It’s been almost a year since I sent Prince away. (Asks audience.) I was a little hasty with my orders, don’t you think?

PRIDEFUL: (Listens to a few responses.) I don’t think so. Remember his lie about being the one who found the Water of Life? He tried to poison you with that salty water.

(Enter Hunter with Greedy.)

GREEDY: Father, there are three wagons just outside the castle. One is full of gold and precious stones, one of rich grain, and the third of rich ore to make weapons or plows or any such thing.

KING: What? Why?

HUNTER: They’re for your son, Prince. It seems on the way back here he helped the three neighbor kingdoms and these wagons are sent to him in thanks.

GREEDY: But since he’s not here, I think you should accept them for him. Let’s divide them with one wagon for you, one for Prideful, and one for me.

KING: Hunter, go and get my son.

HUNTER: I was told to kill him, your majesty, and bring back his bloody coat. (Holds it out.)

KING: What! I told you banish him! (Greedy and Prideful exit stealthily.) Who told you to kill him! If only he were still alive…

HUNTER: Your majesty, he is still alive. I followed your orders, and stained this coat to show to the ones who told me to kill him.

KING: He’s still alive? (Turning to where Prideful was.) Then why did you accuse him? Where did he go?

(To audience.) What really happened? Who found the Water of Life? (Listens and summarizes.)

Hunter, take a message of thanks to the three kingdoms. Look for Prince. When you find him, ask him if he will forgive me. Ask him if he will come back home.

HUNTER: Yes, your majesty. (Exits.)

KING: (Exits.)

Scene 11: Riding the Golden Road

PRIDEFUL: (Enters riding.) Prince has ruined my life! I’m going where that Lady is and ruin his life. What’s this? This road looks like it’s made of pure gold. (Dismounts.) It is! (Gets on knees.) Oh, I’ll be the envy of everyone!

(Enter Old One.)

OLD ONE: Well, hello, there. What have you found?

PRIDEFUL: What are you doing here, Old One? Get out of my way! Move along or I’ll… (Old One touches the horse, which carries Prideful into the swamp again.) No, don’t…I don’t want to get stuck in the swamp again! Aarghhh… (Exit Prideful and Old One.)

GREEDY: (Enters riding.) I’m going to the Lady, and I’m going to get there first and marry her myself. (Rides a little.) What’s this? This road looks like it’s made of pure gold. (Dismounts.) It is! (Gets on knees.) Oh, I want to break it up and take it with me. I’ll be rich forever.

OLD ONE: Well, hello, there. What have you found?

GREEDY: What are you doing here, Old One? Get out of my way! Move along or I’ll… (Old One touches the horse, which carries Greedy into the swamp again.) No, don’t…I don’t want to get stuck in the swamp again! Aarghhh… (Exit Greedy and Old One.)

PRINCE: (Enters riding.)

OLD ONE: Well met, Prince True Heart.

PRINCE: Well met, indeed, Old One. It’s been a year and a day since I first met the Lady of Castle Healwell. It’s time to go to her as I promised.

OLD ONE: The spell on Castle Healwell is broken, and the Lady waits for you. Ride on the Golden Road she made for you.

PRINCE: How can I thank you for all the help you gave me?

OLD ONE: Invite me to the wedding. I’ll give you both a blessing. Go.

(Prince begins riding on the golden road.) I remember how she came singing. Fa la, Fa la… Fa la something. I remember…

(Lady enters at end of the Golden Road.)

PRINCE: Lady, I remember you! The year and a day is over.

LADY: Prince True Heart! Castle Healwell is free. I built the Golden Road.

PRINCE: And I rode down the center of the Golden Road to you.

LADY: Greedy and Prideful tried to come here before you. Their hearts are not true, and they’re back in Stuckfast Swamp.

PRINCE: I learned that they care only for themselves. Perhaps it’s better if they learn how to get out of the swamp on their own.

LADY: Very well. Next I’ll tell you that your Father sent a message. He knows that you are the one who found the Water of Life. He is well now and asks your forgiveness.

PRINCE: If we marry, we could invite him to the wedding.

LADY: I gladly will marry you.

BOTH: And together we will drink of the Water of Life.

(All exit.)

THE END

Facilitator Notes

This play works beautifully for younger audiences (K–6). The repetition structure — three siblings making the same journey with different results — builds anticipation and invites the audience to participate enthusiastically on the Prince’s journey.

Debrief Prompts:

• What made the Prince different from his siblings on the journey? What choices did he make?
• Why did the Old One help the Prince and not the others?
• The Prince freed Greedy and Prideful even when he was warned not to. Was that the right choice? What would you have done?
• What does the Water of Life represent? Why is it kept in a place that’s hard to reach?
• After the show, ask Players: what was the hardest moment to play? What surprised you about the audience’s responses?

After the Performance: Children often recreate this play in their own games. The stick ‘horses’ are particularly memorable props. If possible, provide drawing materials — children love to draw Castle Healwell, the Stuckfast Swamp, and the Golden Road in their own imaginations.