A Diwali Eve

[This is a skit I have written for the Integrity Club in my school.] (when the curtain is raised Arvind is on stage and waiting for someone) Dennis: Hi Arvind, Where are others? Arvind: They might be still writing the exam. How did you come out so early? Dennis: Oh... that is very simple. You know that I am an expert at maths. Last time I was even felicitated for my great score!. Arvind: I didn’t know that... What was that? Dennis: Oh you were not back from the village when I disclosed this to our friends. Arvind: That great day when our maths teacher entered the class with a bundle of answer-sheets, there was a buzz of excitement. Teacher distributed the sheets to most of them and my name was also called out. Then there was a giggling in the class. I stood up. There was a kind of sympathy on the teacher’s face. Finally, she declared the mark commenting that I was the ‘greatest Mathematician’ she has ever seen. Dennis: Really?!!... What was the number? Arvind: it was a big zero man. What to do? I’m afraid of these nubers and calculations. Dennis: Don’t worry, friend. We can try the next time. Arvind: I too thought of this everytime but there was never a chage in the result anytime. Dennis: Hey, don’t be upset. I was also like this before we met. Seeing my desire, my teacher encouraged me and helped me after the class too. I’m not the best but not bad at Maths today. You may also do the same. I don’t think your teacher will be unhappy to help you. Arvind: Okay friend, I will try it. (There comes Payal, Teena and Arman to the stage) Teena: Hey guys... We are back. Payal: What are you discussing so seriously? Arman: Yes, what was that? Dennis: Nothing special friends. Arvind: I shall tell. Its about my performance at Maths. Payal: Is it? Arvind: Yea, as usual I completed the exam within half an hour and started counting the ceiling. Teena: hey, don’t take this to your heart. Arman: Yes, I second her. We shall try again. Arvind: Well, what’s your plan these holidays, buddies? Teena: I would be with my grand parents to celebrate the days. Payal: I may go to Mubai with my parents to visit my uncle. Arman: I’m planning to help my father in his business. Dennis: I’m planning to go for coaching classes for Maths and Science. Teena: Well, what’s your plan, Arvind? Arvind: I..... I have a plan this time. Payal: What’s that? Teena: Yea, is it a secret? Arvind: Don’t you tell us? Arvind: Don’t be excited friends. I shall tell you. I have been thinking about it from last Diwali . Payal: Are you planning to go abroad to your uncle to celebrate this Diwali? Teena: Tell us about it,Arvind. Please..... Arvind: You may laugh if you hear about it. Dennis: Why? You tell first. Thereafter we shall decide about it. Arvind: Last Diwali, we all celebrated well. We had new clothes, fresh sweets, good food, lot of crackers etc. However, we all forgot one thing. Payal: What is that, Arvind? Arvind: Don’t be hurry, Payal. I’m coming to my point. Payal: Sorry. Arvind: Its okay. While I was coming back from the shop with a bag of crackers, I found the houses were illuminated well. That made me happier and gave speed to my legs. Teena: Then what happened? Arvind: I saw then a house without any illumination or sound. There was lantern lighted infront of it. I saw our classmate Atul stading there. I then remembered that it was his home. He was neither in a new dress nor with a joyful face. He was looking at a rich man’s house. I stopped to see what he was looking at. Dennis: Then? Arvind: Then I saw he was watching some children in colourful dressses enjoying with various crackers. Arman: Then? Arvind: Then what? I ran my home to celebrate Diwali. Payal: What is the connection of this story and our holidays, Arvind? Arvind: Yes there is, Payal.... yes there is... Teena: Then tell us about it, Arvind. Arvind: You know, that Diwali night I couldn’t sleep well. Arman: Why? Did mosquitoes disturb you? Arvind: No, Not at all. This was the boy’s face that was troubling my mind. Payal: You mean, our classmate Atul’s face? Arvind: Exactly. We know his father is dead long back and his mother is looking after them doing some works in nearby houses. Arman: Ah, we know it for long. Arvind: yes, we know... we merely know about it. Payal: then, what do you mean, Arvind? Arvind: I mean what I’m going to tell you now. I have to do something for Atul on this Diwali. Payal: What do you want to do? Arvind: I don’t know that but i will do something. Otherwise I won’t be able to celebrate this Diwali joyfully. Dennis: Friends, Arvind is right. I also felt like this many a time in life but I could’t do anything. Arman: Whatever you tell, I will be ready. Payal: I too Teena: I’m already in...!! Arvind: Now, we have to think about it seriously. We don’t have many day’s ahead. Payal: I have an idea but i don’t know how you will respond to it when you hear about it. Teena: Come on Payal. Tell,please. Payal: okay, We shall celebrate this Diwali with Atul. Arman: How can we do it without money? Arvind: We can use our pocket money for it. Dennis: That’s a good idea. Payal & teena: We are ready. Arman: If you all are ready, I have no other opinion. Arvind: We need to present them some clothes and sweets. Arman: There should be some lights which I shall bring from my father’s shop. And, I shall save my pocket money. Dennis: there should be some crackers. That I shall arrange. Arvind: Payal,Teena, let us find the major share of money for clothes. Payal and Teena: We are ready. Arvind: So, from today we are starting our preparations for doing it. Payal: Yes, we are going to do it. Dennis: Otherwise, what is the use of these celebrations of Diwali if the poor in our neighbourhood can not see the light of hope? Teena: Yes, we should have a concern to the poor whoever we become. Payal: Afterall, we are the Young Champions of Ethics!!!. Arvind: (looking at the audience) not only us, you all have to be the young champions of Ethics. All on stage: Yes, We and You are the ‘YOUNG CHAMPIONS OF ETHICS’.