U4W3: La Culebra

Characters: JORGE, the narrator; MARTINA, a woman; ELBA, a neighbor

Scene 1

(JORGE sits at the side of the stage and opens a large book.)

1 JORGE: There was a Mexican village where an extremely kind woman named Martina lived. She always helped her neighbors.

(MARTINA walks out of her house. ELBA walks by carrying her wheelbarrow.)

2 MARTINA (with a smile): How are you doing today, Elba?

3 ELBA (sadly): I’m not doing well, Martina.

4 MARTINA: What’s wrong?

5 ELBA: It’s my wheelbarrow! The wheel is broken.

6 MARTINA (looks concerned): Let me see how I can help.

(MARTINA takes the wheelbarrow and repairs it.)

7 ELBA: You fixed it! How can I thank you, Martina?

8 MARTINA: I’m just glad that I could help.

9 JORGE: Martina always did things like that for her neighbors. But one day, Martina needed help herself.

(MARTINA stands in front of her house.)

10 MARTINA: My last chicken is gone. How am I supposed to get eggs?

(ELBA and the other neighbors come to MARTINA.)

11 ELBA: You always help us, Martina. Now it’s our turn to help you.

(ELBA and the neighbors give MARTINA a chicken.)

12 ELBA: Martina, this is our way of saying thank you for being a caring neighbor.

13 JORGE: Martina and her neighbors hugged because they knew they were looking out for each other.

(JORGE closes the large book.)