Scene 1
(It is an option for a narrator to read these first three paragraphs. Another option would be to start with Violet and the three sisters walking toward each other.)
(You will have to alter Violet’s description to fit the characteristics of your actress in the second paragraph.)
Narrator: Once upon a time, very long ago, there was a kingdom. In this dominion there was a king and a queen. Their names were King Charlie and Queen Anne. Also in this kingdom were dukes and duchesses, lords and ladies, noblemen and noblewomen, peasant girls and boys, and princesses. Our story today is about a young princess named Violet.
Violet was a lovely twelve year-old European Princess with curly auburn hair that was adorned with a glowing emerald tiara. She normally wore a simple jade green dress with a mauve sash around her waist and braided her hair into a think rope that lined her back to her knees. She had sky blue eyes that sparkled when she laughed. With her bubbly effusive character, Violet was the kind of person who was always joyful and could cheer anyone up, when they were down. She enjoyed climbing tall trees and scaling the rocks in the surrounding countryside near her family’s castle. Violet owned a silky black house cat and had a caring father and mother who wisely ruled their dominion. At night, she often curled up on her bed and lovingly stroked her cat’s glossy fur. Violet was wise and brave. People respected her because she often served the people in need. She was a beautiful, devoted princess who was loved by all in her kingdom.
One sunny fall day as Violet was walking about the countryside near her family’s castle…
(Violet has accidently stumbled upon three raggedy children who look as if they have been crying for some time. Their clothes are torn and their hair is messy.)
Violet: Who are you?
(Violet walks up to Ruth, Eliza, and Cora.)
(Ruth steps forward.)
Ruth: My name is Ruth. This is Cora,
(Ruth points to Cora)
(Cora waves)
Ruth: And this is Eliza.
(Ruth points to Eliza)
Cora: We are sisters and – we – have – no place to live.
(Cora bursts into tears.)
Violet: Why not?
(Cora still cries but she calms down enough to talk but still gasps for breath every once in a while.)
Cora: We have no mother – or father
Violet: How come?
Ruth: Our father was killed in war and our mother died in the earthquake.
(Ruth holds back her tears.)
Violet: Oh, I’m sorry. Will you be ok?
Eliza: We – don’t know. Will you help us?
Violet: I will try. (Then, more to herself than to Eliza) Surely there is something I can that do would help.
Scene 2
(That night Violet and her family sat around a table eating dinner.)
Violet: Mother?
Queen Anne: Yes, my dear.
(Queen Anne tunes to King Charlie)
Queen Anne: How about using stone to rebuild the town? Then it won’t fall down as easily as the wood buildings did. Then maybe the towns would withstand another earthquake.
Violet: Uh. (Violet moans under her breath and puts her and to her head.)
(Her parents had been talking about what to use to rebuild the town ever since the earthquake had destroyed it four months before.)
Violet: Mother, I met three girls in the valley today.
King Charlie: Oh really. Did they walk all the way from Prairie Town?
Violet: I don’t really know, but they said that they don’t have parents, or a home.
(Violet looks to her mother who peers up from a paper filled with numbers and calculations)
Violet: May I help them Mother?
Queen Anne: I don’t see why not.
Violet: I was hoping that I could help them by finding them a loving family for them to live with.
(Violet smiles, then, leans forward to her mother and talks in softer tone now)
Violet: And I think I know the perfect family.
(Violet whispers to her mother and father some words we can’t hear.)
Scene 3
(Violet walks out of the castle through castle gates)
(She shivers in the cold, icy winds that whirl about her. She pulls her thick shawl closely around her and peeks into a wicker basket filled with two loaves of bread, several thick slices of cheese, a small warm cherry pie, and a large flask of cold water)
(Violet takes out part of the pie and eats it. She puts the rest of the pie back for later.)
Scene 4
(A wooded area with two or three places to hide behind. A cave is etched into the side of a large hill with rocks all around. Next to the cave, there is some woods. Near the cave are the remains of a fire form the night before.)
(Cora is sitting on the cave floor and is bored.)
(Violet walks on stage and up to Cora.)
Violet: There you are!
(Violet sets her basket on the ground and folds her shawl neatly on top.)
Cora: Have you come to save us?
Violet: Yes I have Cora. Where are Ruth and Eliza?
Cora: Ruth is just outside and Eliza is with her. I’m bored. Will you play with me?
(Cora begins pulling on Violet’s hand impatiently.)
Violet: I need to find your sisters first. Then we will play a game. Did you say that they where outside Cora?
Cora: Yup. They are by the creek. But be quick. Please!
Violet: Ok, I will hurry.
(Violet speedily walks outside. Once outside, Violet scans the surrounding area for Ruth. Seeing her by the trees, she skips up to her.)
Violet: Ruth!
Ruth: (Ruth turns to Violet and puts her fingers to her lips) Shh!
(Violet now notices that Ruth and Eliza are ducking behind some large overgrown bushes.)
Ruth: Get down!
(Ruth pulls on Violet’s skirts.)
(Violet ducks down in between Ruth and Eliza.)
Violet: (Violet now speaks in a whisper like tone.) What is it?
Ruth: (Ruth speaks quietly and urgently.) There are some men on the other side of this bush. They are looking for us. They want to take us to the orphanage. After the earthquake hit, our town took tally of all the orphans in the surrounding villages. There were so many orphaned children that they decided they would send some kids to other orphanages around the country.
Violet: That makes sense.
Ruth: It did at the time, but there was a big problem. When I found out we would be sent to different places, I tried to find out where each of my sisters and I were going. I discovered that they were sending all the children seven and up to an orphanage in Cardmond. I decided that we would have to run away before they came for us or I would be taken away.
Ruth: I couldn’t let that happen. I had promised mother that we would stay together after she died. So we ran away that night. We snuck from our house and traveled only at night. We had just decided it was safe to walk during the day when we found you.
Eliza: We were so hungry and tired that we chose to ask you for help. And I’m glad we did.
(Ruth gives Violet a hopeful smile)
Violet: So, they followed you here without you knowing it?
Ruth: It looks like it.
(Ruth looks over the bush. She sees Norbert Busk and men coming closer to them.) Ruth: (Urgently) Get down quickly and be quiet. The men are coming closer. They must have heard us.
(Norbert Busk and his men have dirty white tunics that were tied with a brown leather belt. Each man carried a bow and a quiver of arrows on their backs.)
Norbert Busk: (Shouting) Come over this way, men. Let’s check the rocks. They might be hiding over there.
(Norbert Busk’s men follow him to the rocks looking for the girls.)
Eliza: Phew! That was close. We were almost caught. I think we’re safe now.
(All at once the girls realize that Cora is still in the cave where Norbert Busk and his men are heading.)
Violet, Ruth, and Eliza: CORA!
Violet: (Urgently and franticly) We left her in the cave. They’ll find her! Come on! We need to help her!
Eliza: (Softly) What will we do?
Violet: (Slowly as if thinking everything through.) Just a moment. Let me think. We’ll need to sneak around them to get to the cave, save Cora, collect all your things, and hide in the woods until they find out we aren’t there. Then, hopefully they will go.
Norbert Busk: (Shouting) Men! I think I heard something in the bushes. Let’s go check it out.
(Norbert Busk and his men run towards the bushes.)
(Violet gasps)
Violet: Oh no. They’re coming for us. (Violet pauses as if to think.) Wait! I have an idea. I’ll stay here and distract them with Eliza. Ruth, can you go and fetch Cora and your things?
Ruth: All right. Do you think it will work?
Violet: I hope so. Quickly now… before they come! Be safe!
Ruth: I will.
(Ruth quickly and quietly runs toward the cave. None of Norbert Busk’s men see her.)
Norbert Busk: Hey you!
(Norbert Busk points in the direction of Violet and Eliza.)
Norbert Busk: Come over here. We have found you. There is nothing you can do.
Eliza: (moaning) Oh dear. What are we going to do?
Violet: (Calmly and trying to sound confident.) First, we will stay calm. Then, we’ll hope that Ruth is almost done.”
Norbert Busk: (shouting) Come out now or we will come and get you ourselves!
(Eliza and Violet emerge from the bushes.)
(Norbert stands with his hands on his hips glaring at the girls.)
Norbert Busk: (pointing at Violet.) Who are you?
Violet: My name is Violet.
Norbert Busk: Are you an orphan too? Of course you are. – Why am I asking?
Violet: (Violet is upset with Norbert Busk.) Excuse me, sir. May I ask who you are and who gave you the right to just take orphans off of the street? Also, I’m not an –
Norbert Busk: (cutting Violet short) My name is Norbert Busk and I work for the orphanage here in Prairie Town, Carmond, and Greenville. Now, I’ll ask you a question. What makes you think you are so high and mighty Miss Violet? We don’t like people who talk back to their elders.
Violet: (sarcastically) I’m so sorry sir.
(Ruth runs out off the cave with Cora at her heals.)
Ruth: Ok! I’m ready.
(Ruth sees Norbert Busk’s men.)
Ruth: Oh, dear!
Norbert Busk: (shouting) There are the other two girls!
(Norbert Busk waves his hand at Ruth and Cora.)
Violet: (talking loud enough so that Ruth and Cora can hear.) Ok. New plan. RUN!
(All four girls race into the wooded area near the cave. They stop for a minute.)
(Norbert Busk and his men are confused and stay where they are for a moment.)
Violet: So, the hill should be small enough at its base to run around so we can go back to the other side of the cave. It’s a good place to hide out. Plus, they won’t think about near the rocks again.
(Violet looks at Cora.)
Violet: Can you climb on my back? That way we will be able to go faster.
(Cora nods and climbs onto Violet’s back.)
Cora: Violet, let’s go!
(All girls start running across the stage.)
(Norbert Busk and his men start to follow them.)
(Eliza, who is getting tired, starts to fall behind Violet and Ruth. She keeps tripping on roots and tree branches that are on the forest floor.)
(Norbert Busk and his men are getting closer to Eliza.)
Ruth: (shouting) Come on, Eliza, or you’ll get left behind!
(Violet runs behind some bushes, lets Cora of her back and motions for her to be silent.)
(Ruth and Eliza see what she has done and also run behind the bushes.)
Eliza: (urgently) What are we to do?
Violet: (also urgently) Shh! Wait for Norbert and his men to pass.
(Norbert Busk and his men don’t see the girls go hide in the bushes.)
Norbert Busk: (shouting) Where did they go? Keep looking. We will return to Prairie Town in about an hour. You must find them before then.
(Norbert Busk and his men go off stage looking for the girls.)
Ruth: How far do you think we are from the mouth of the cave, Violet?
Violet: I believe we are about half way around the rock mass. If we stay here until Norbert and his men leave to Prairie Town we can then walk around to the entrance.
(Al the girls exit the stage.)
Scene 5
(All the girls enter from the opposite side of the stage that they exited. They are almost to the entrance to the cave. It is night. Cora is ridding on Violet’s back again.)
Cora: (in a complaining voice) I’m hungry.
Violet: (soothingly) I know Cora. We will be there soon and eat some of the bread and cheese that my mother gave me. We might also have some pie if you are good.
Cora: (sniffling) Ok. I will be good. What kind of pie is it?
Violet: (jokingly) We will have to find out, won’t we, Cora.
Ruth: I see the mouth of the cave!
(Ruth points to the cave.)
Ruth: Eliza, Cora, Violet, we’re almost there!
(All the girls walk to the cave and Violet lets Cora off her back.)
Eliza: Look. The fire went out. I’ll go and get some wood to kindle it again.
Ruth: Thank you, Eliza. It is cold in here.
(Ruth lays a quilt/blanket on the floor.)
(Eliza goes off stage to get some firewood.)
(Violet and Ruth sit down on the quilt/blanket.)
Violet: Cora, would you like some bread and cheese? I also have some water if you want some. You’ll have to cup your hands as I pour the water into them.
Cora: Ok. I am thirsty.
(Violet unpacks the water, bread, and cheese.)
(Cora sits down on the quilt.)
(Violet gives Cora and Ruth some bread and cheese. She also give Cora some water.)
Ruth: Thank you Violet.
Violet: You are welcome.
(Cora quickly eats her bread and cheese)
(Eliza comes back onstage with firewood.)
Eliza: Here is the firewood. I’ll just put it on the ground.
(Eliza puts the firewood on the ground.)
Eliza: May I have some food too Violet?
Violet: Of course you may Eliza.
(Violet hands Eliza bread and cheese.)
Cora: May I have some pie now?
(Violet, Ruth, and Eliza giggle.)
Violet: You may have some pie now Cora. Then you should probably go to bed. You look very tired.
Cora: Oh, all right, as long as I can have some pie.
(Cora gives Violet a big hug.)
(Violet gives everyone some pie.)
(Cora and Eliza lay down in the back with quilts/blankets as if to go to eat their pie and go to sleep.)
(Violet packs the rest of the food away.)
(Ruth starts to cry.)
Violet: What’s wrong Ruth? Are you ok?
(Violet puts her arm around Ruth.)
Ruth: (still sobbing) I miss my mother a lot. I miss our old house. I miss my old bed. I know it sounds silly, but I miss not having to worry about how I’m going to take care of Eliza and Cora.
(Ruth and Violet look at each other for a moment in silence.)
Violet: Um, Ruth. I was wondering if I could help you, Eliza, and Cora find a loving family that could take care of you and your sisters.
(Violet pauses looking to see Ruth’s reaction.)
Violet: You see the night before I left I had asked my parents to let me look for you. They thought it was a great idea and they offered to adopt the three of you into our family. Do you think you would like to come home with me?
(Ruth is stunned)
Ruth: (almost in unbelief) You don’t really mean it, do you?
Violet: (Smiling) Of course I do, Ruth. My family said you all could if you wanted. Then you’d never have to worry about Norbert and his bad men. You don’t have to answer now. Think about it. I’d love to have you be my sisters.
(Violet also goes to sleep in the back.)
(After a little while Ruth also lies down.)
(Lights go down.)
Scene 6
(Lights go back up to signal that morning has arrived.)
(Cora wakes up and sits on Violet’s hips. In her excitement Cora is also bouncing up and down.)
Cora: Violet! Violet! It’s morning! It’s morning! Come on! It’s time to get up!
Violet: Ok. Ok. I’m getting up now.
(Violet gently pushes Cora of her and gets up of the ground. Then she picks Cora up and gives her a big hug.)
Violet: Did you sleep well last night?
Cora: (enthusiastically) I sure did! I slept great!
(Ruth and Eliza wake up and get out of bed.)
Eliza: I slept ok, but the ground was so hard and bumpy.
Cora: (Complainingly) Eliza, Violet was talking to me, not you!
(Violet looks to Cora.)
Violet: (gently) I was talking to everyone, Cora.
(Violet looks to Ruth.)
Violet: Did you sleep well, Ruth?
Ruth: Yes, I did. Thank you.
(Ruth leans toward Violet and speaks quieter.)
Ruth: Could I talk to you after breakfast?
Violet: Of course, I’d love to.
Ruth:(Talk so that Cora and Eliza can hear.) Now, let’s get something to eat!
Cora: Alright! Bread and cheese, here I come!
(Cora runs off stage.)
(Violet, Ruth, and Eliza laugh at Cora.)
(Eliza runs off stage after Cora.)
Scene 7
(Violet and Ruth are in the cave and are sitting down. Breakfast is finished and put away.)
Ruth: (smiling) Thank you for your offer, Violet. It is very kind of you.
(Ruth starts to cry again.)
Ruth: Thank you so much, Violet, for all you have done. I’d love to come and be your sister!
(Violet smiles and gets teary eyed. She hugs Ruth)
Violet: That’s great! Should we go and break the news to Cora and Eliza?
Ruth: Oh, yes! Cora will be jumping off the walls like crazy! Come on! I think I know where they are!
(Ruth and Violet smile then walk off stage.)
Scene 8
(All the girls are in the cave. Violet and Ruth have already told Eliza and Cora. Violet and Ruth are packing up their food and quilts/blankets)
Eliza: Are we really going to the castle, Violet?
Cora: (excitedly/astonished) We’re going to the castle?
(Violet looks up from her work to look at Cora.)
Violet: Yes, of course we are going to the castle. That’s my home.
(Cora races around the cave in excitement)
Cora: That’s your home? I’m going to live in a castle. I’m going to live in a castle. Wait – I’m really going to live in a castle! Whoopee!
Ruth: (smiling) I told you she’d be excited.
(Violet smiles back.)
Violet: (shouting so that she can be heard over Cora.) Ok everyone. We are almost done packing. Then we will need to leave.
(Ruth looks at Violet and taps her on the shoulder.)
(Violet looks at Ruth.)
Ruth: Do you think we can get to your castle in time? We walk a lot slower than you do.
Violet: I just hope we can. There isn’t a lot of places to spend the night, and I don’t have enough food for another meal.
Scene 9
(All the girls are on the road to Violet’s family’s castle. Every one is walking.)
Eliza: (pointing) Look! I see the castle in the distance!
Cora: I see it, too!
Violet: (excitedly) It’s only about half a mile away!
(All the girls hold hands and start running for the castle. All of a sudden Cora stops.)
Cora: (panting) Wait – a moment – everyone.
(Cora sits down on the ground.)
Cora: I – am – tired.
Eliza: (irritated) Come on Cora.
Violet: (sympathetically) Here Cora, let me carry you.
(Cora gets on Violet’s back.)
(All the girls walk off the stage.)
Scene 10
(All the girls walk on stage with Cora ridding on Violet’s back. They are right in front of the castle.)
(Queen Anne and King Charlie are at the front door.)
(As the girls neared the castle Violet lets Cora of her back. She is so excited to see her mother and father and runs to Queen Anne.)
Violet: Mother!
(Violet hugs Queen Anne.)
Violet: Mother, Father, this is Ruth,
(Violet points at Ruth.)
Violet: Eliza,
(Violet points at Eliza.)
Violet: and Cora.
(Violet points at Cora.)
Queen Anne: (smiling) Welcome girls. We’re glad you’re here! Come on inside.
(Everyone walks through a door off stage)
Scene 11
(A few minutes later everyone in in Cora’s new room. There is a pretty bed and a rug on the floor. Cora is jumping around and having fun. King Charlie and Queen Anne are sitting on the bed. Violet, Ruth, and Eliza are sitting on the rug.)
Cora: I love my room! I love my room! I really, really love my room!
(Cora sits down next to Violet.)
Cora: I love it! I love it! Thank you so much, Violet!
(Cora all of a sudden becomes calm and looks at Violet.)
Cora: Are we all sisters now, Violet?
Violet: (smiling) Of course we are, Cora!
Cora: Then, it’s time for an official sister group hug!
(All the girls give each other a group hug.)
(Violet, Ruth, and Eliza sit down again.)
(Cora goes and sits in between King Charlie and Queen Anne.)
King Charlie: (looking at Cora.) You know, you four girls were very brave. I will make sure that we find Norbert Busk and his men.
(Violet looks at King Charlie.)
Violet: Thank you, Father.
Cora: Daddy,
(Every one looks at Cora and King Charie.)
King Charlie: Yes, Cora dear.
(Cora pauses to think about how she wants to say)
Cora: Can you make sure all the orphaned brothers and sisters get to stay together? I don’t think Violet has enough time to save all of them.
(Every one else laughs.)
King Charlie: I’ll try Cora, but I can’t promise I can help everyone.
Cora: Ok Daddy.
(Cora gives King Charlie a hug.)
Cora: Daddy, I love you.
King Charlie: I love you to honey.
(Every one walks off stage.)
(This section is optional.)
Narrator: All the girls thought that it was adorable how quickly Cora had started to trust King Charlie and Queen Anne. She adored the king and soon came to call him Daddy. Cora followed him everywhere, from his private study to his courtroom. The king loved it and let her follow him as much as she liked.
Violet, Ruth, and Eliza also got to know each other more. They all liked to play outside and explore. Their favorite thing to do together was telling stories. The stories they made up ranged from knights fighting dragons to farmers finding out they were really royalty. But two things that always remained constant in their stories where that the bad guy was named Norbert Busk and the good guys always won.
-The End