A Quid of Sirih, A Bowl of Water

Stage Manager : Farhana
Teachers in Charge : Pn. Norani and Pn. Sarahwati
Props and Costumes : Asyikin, Najwa, Maryah
Audio : Sandra =)

Written by Farhana Ikmal Hisham for SMKS9 Drama Competition 2008
An adaptation from A Quid of Sirih, A Bowl of Water by Khadijah Hashim

Farid - Reuel
Mak Limah (mak) - Syaza
Pak Seman (abah) - Muhafiz
Zainab - Najwa
Anwar - Sharif
Fatimah - Maryah
Mak Zabedah - Syrrul
Amira - Zulaikha
Cikgu Ali - Dinnesh
Nyonya - Sandra =)

Scene 1
Location : porch
Props : old bicycle, bowl of water
BGM : Rooster crowing / Early morning kampong sounds.

[rooster crows]

Farid : (comes on stage hastily with bicycle) Maaakkk!!! (drops bicycle)

Mak Limah : There you are! Where are the chickens I asked for?

Farid : I couldn't get any! Pak Long said he just sold them.

Mak Limah : Surely he hasn't sold ALL his chickens right?

Farid : Of course not but he needs the roosters for breeding and the hens for laying eggs. He's so mean!!

Mak Limah : Hish! Don't say that about your uncle. I'm sure he had his reasons. Oh well, I know how much you wanted your favourite fried chicken. (sigh)

Farid : What kind of kampong is this?! No chicken?!

Mak Limah : Our kampong has just gotten over the chicken flu epidemic Farid. There's no use getting worked up over it, it won't make a chicken fall at your feet. Tomorrow I'll go to your Tok Mek's house in Ulu. The epidemic didn't strike there. Today you'll just have to settle for my delicious daging rebung, almost better than fried chicken!!

Zainab : (enters stage bringing a bowl of water) Oh mak, ignore him. He's only been back for 4 days and already he's complained about everything here. I don't know what else he's going to find to be angry at.

Farid : Hey, I'm your big brother! Don't wait until I-

Mak Limah : Farid! Don't talk like that! Go pick up that bicycle and put it back against the wall.

Zainab : Don't worry mother. I'll do it. You know that if you ask him to do it, it won't be done until the sky falls down. (Farid threatens Zainab)

Mak Limah : Urrghh! Stop it already you two. Zainab! Where are you going with that water?

Zainab : Abah needs it in the living room. It's the incantation water for Cikgu Ali. (zainab exits stage)

Farid : Cikgu Ali? What's he doing here?!

Mak Limah : I believe his son's sick. He's been very worried this past week. I guess he came here as a last resort.

Farid : (snorts in contempt) Stupid Teacher! Last time it was him who made fun of me. (mock) Son of Pak Seman, the water seller. Now look at what he's doing. Talk about pot calling the kettle black! Personally, to me, the pawangs are all QUACKS! I may be a pawang's son but I refuse to believe in all this mumbo jumbo.

Mak Limah : Enough! Go change your clothes and get ready for dinner. I'll call you when the food is ready. (both exit stage)

Scene 2
Location : Living Room
Props : bowl of water, pipe, tray of food
BGM : crickets chirping

Pak Seman : (says some incantations) I've blessed this water for you Ali. Wet his face and body with this water. If he wants to drink it, let him.

Cikgu Ali : I still don't know what's wrong with him Seman. I've taken him to 3 different hospitals, he's been taking 3 different medications but the pills just don't work!

Pak Seman : Insya Allah he will get better in a few weeks time. (they shake hands. Cikgu Ali gives Pak Seman some money.)

Cikgu Ali : (bumps into Farid halfway exiting stage) Eh, Farid! (Farid salam Cikgu Ali) It's good to see you again! I've heard great things about you in the past couple of years!

Farid : Likewise, Cikgu Ali. Might I ask the diagnosis of the doctors? I'm a medical student. I might be able to help you.

Cikgu Ali : Ah! Don't worry yourself about it. All we can do is pray and hope for the best.

Farid : Well, its unlikely that blessed water will cure him if even hospitals failed.

Cikgu Ali : We'll just wait and see. (Cikgu Ali exits stage, Fatimah, Anwar, Zainab enter stage and bump into Farid)

Farid : WOI! Watch where you're going!!

Fatimah : Why didn't you go somewhere else? Standing there like a big lump of rock and blocking everyone.. then you want to blame us?!

Anwar : (hurries over to Pak Seman) Abah! I need twenty cents to buy wrapping paper for my books!

fatimah : I want twenty cents too! I need it for a book and a pencil.

Zainab : .... and twenty for me. I need to pay for yesterday's newspaper.

Pak Seman : (gives out money) Well Farid, don't you want twenty cents too?

Farid : You think I'm impressed by a measly twenty cents?

Fatimah : Well you used to be a couple of years ago. Fighting with along all the time. (everyone giggles, Farid tried to show anger but giggles anyway.)

Anwar : Kak Zainab! Let's go! If we don't hurry, the wrapper that I want might finish!

Zainab : Okay okay. Abah, I'll take them to the shops. We'll be back before dinner. (Zainab, Fatimah, and Anwar exit stage)

Farid : Abah, I want to have a little talk with you.

Pak Seman : Oh. Well sit down then. (takes out his pipe to smoke)

Farid : It's just that.. well I'm a medical student and I expect to be a doctor one day.

Pak Seman : I don't understand.

Farid : Think a little, abah. What will people say. I want to be a doctor and here you are a pawang! Doesn't the conflict between your wold and mine bother you at all?

Pak Seman : (pause) So you are ashamed to have a pawang for a father?

Farid : (looks away) It isn't a matter of shame, father. We are living in the age of science and technology, not of magic and spells. Today, we have hospitals, doctors, all kinds of medicine! You can't go on prescribing cold water anymore. Can't you see the logic in all this?

Pak Seman : You are quite right my boy. I am not disagreeing with you.

Farid : If I am right, why must you go on with all this nonsense?

Pak Seman : I didn't want to be a pawang. But people insist on coming to me for help. So what do I do? Give whatever help I can! Isn't that our way in the kampong? Always helping one another?

Farid : You call this helping? Father! It is your old fashioned attitude that is preventing our kampong people from accepting changes! The government has set up so many clinics, but you still go on with your mumbo jumbo. It's ridiculous!!

Pak Seman : I didn't ask them to see me Farid.

Farid : It's true that you didn't ask them to come but why encourage their superstition? Why go on with this incantation rubbish? (points at father)

Pak Seman : (angry) Don't you dare point at me Farid! I only want to help where I can. What is the right way then to help people? Why is being a pawang wrong? I don't cheat people nor do I deny the oneness of God. I know you're trying to humiliate me but this is not the way! You are still a boy and you've got a lot to learn. But how arrogant you are! You don't understand so stop accusing me blindly. Do you really think I'm proud of what I'm doing? Do you know what will make me feel proud? To see you one day become a doctor. I'm doing all this to see you succeed.

Mak Limah : (enters stage bringing tray of food) What are you two arguing about? The food's already laid out. We'll wait until Fatimah, Anway and Zainab come back and then we'll eat. [crickets chirping]

Anwar : (Zainab, Fatimah and Anwar enter stage) Sorry we're late. We met Mak Bedah on our way back. She told us to tell Mak that she will be stopping by with her daughter for her mandi bunga appointment.

Mak Limah : Okay. Wash your hands quickly. Your Father's hungry.

Farid : I don't think I'm in the mood. I just lost my appetite. (exits stage)

Mak Limah : Alah.. Bang, what is going on with our son? He seems so moody since he came home for his visit.

Pak Seman : (sigh) Just leave him be. He is preoccupied with a lot of things.

Zainab : I'm finished eating. I think I'll go do the rest of my homework. Thanks for dinner Mak. (exit stage)

Fatimah : yeah. Thanks Mak! Hey Anwar, lets go finish that drawing! (fatimah and anwar exit stage)

Pak Seman : (sigh) I think I'll go get some rest. I have a lot to do tomorrow. Goodnight dear.

Mak Limah : Mmm.. I'll just clean this up then and keep some for Farid. (Pak Seman and Mak Limah exit stage)

Scene 3
Mandi Bunga
Props : Shower curtain, broom, flower petals
BGM : Rooster crowing / Early morning kampong sounds, Ulek Mayang

[rooster crows]

(Mak Limah sweeping the floor)

Mak Zabedah : Limah! (two women salam) I was hoping you would be free today. I know it's very last minute but my daughter cannot wait anymore! (laughs) Youngsters these days.

Mak Limah : It's not like I'm doing anything else today Bedah. Where is your daughter?

Mak Zabedah : Amira! Come in and salam Mak Limah.

Mak Limah : (Amira salam Mak Limah) Oh so you're Bedah's daughter! You're very pretty. Why is it so hard to find a husband?

Amira : I'm not sure but I just never seem to find a connection with any of them.

Mak Limah : I thin I know what you mean. We'll just see what happens after this mandi bunga. Pray for the best! Oh! How old are you? It's so forgetful of me. I forgot to ask!

Amira : I'm 21 mak cik.

(Mak Limah starts leading Amira and Mak Zabedah away)

Farid : (runs in) Maaaak!! Have you seen today's newspaper... (notices Amira)

Mak Limah : Farid?! (Farid looks in Amira's direction) Farid! I'm right here what are you looking at? Can't you see this is a woman's conversation. Faster go back inside!! Go..! (Farid exits stage, Mak Limah goes back to Mak Zabedah and Amira ) Sorry about that! That was my son Farid.

Mak Zabedah : Oh it's okay! (exit stage)

[Ulek Mayang plays]

(Mak Limah sets up the mandi bunga place with Mak Zabedah while Amira changes)

(Mak Limah showers Amira with flower petals)

Mak Limah : There! Just dry yourself up with the towel and we're done.

Amira : Thank you.

Mak Zabedah : Thank you Limah! Here's the payment. I'll see you next week! (both exit stage)

(Mak Limah exits stage)

Scene 4
Location : Living Room
Props : Marbles, Old bicycle
BGM : -

(Fatimah and Anwar are playing marbles on the floor)

Mak : Timah! Nuar! I'm going out okay? You two take care...

Farid : Maaaak, who was that girl who just left?

Mak Limah : (laughs) Why? Your roving her noticed her?

Farid : Well it's difficult not to notice her. She's beautiful!

Mak Limah : That's Mak Bedah's daughter, Amira. She's 21. She came for her mandi bunga because she has been in and out of so many relationships. her mother became worried.

Farid : Is there any way I could meet her?

Mak Limah : (giggles) Come here! (pinches Farid) Cet! Go do your chores first before you ask about people's daughter. I'm going to your grandfather's house for some chicken. You still haven't gotten that fried chicken you've been looking forward to. (exits stage)

Farid : (shouts) Timah! Nuar! Tha's enough! Stop playing now! Go and read your books!!

Fatimah : My homework's already finished!

Anwar : Mine too!. Beside, Mak said we could play.

Farid : (kicks marbles) I said go study! Fine, don't listen to me. If you fail your exams you can always become a pawang. Just like abah. I'm so ashamed. if my friends found out they'd make fun of me. (Fatimah and Anwar exit stage)

Zainab : (enters stage) What's to be ashamed of? pawangs can still be useful lah bang!

Farid : Oh yeah? How?

Zainab : wasn't it a pawang who blessed the university hall?

Farid : Thats different!

Zainab : What's the difference? he was a pawang wasn't he? But a big one, not like out poor father. If our father were famous I'm sure you too would be proud of him.

Farid : What a stupid thing to be. A pawang!

Zainab : The only reason you're educated is because of father's job. What's there to be ashamed of? Father doesn't cheat people. They're only giving him alms. There's no sin in that.

Farid : You're so determined to protect the old man. Don't you see him for what he is? This water nonsense, you don't call that cheating?

Zainab : Why are you so worried about what abah does? When you become a doctor and finish your contract with the government, we'll build our own clinic! Just imagine this. Father will run his own clinic next to yours. Those you can't cure will turn to him and those he can't heal with his charms will turn to you. That would be fair, won't it? ...

Farid : Don't talk drivel!

Zainab : ... and I'll be the cashier. (laughs) Besides, if it weren't for his job, you wouldn't have met Amira! (tease) It's so obvious you like here.

Farid : Shut up! Go read your book. Don't you try to be smart with me! I'm going out. (takes bicycle and exits stage)

Zainab : Bad tempered cow...Timah! Nuar! Come abck and play! I'll play with you guys!! (runs after Fatimah and Anwar)

Scene 5
Location : Living Room
Props : Basin, dishes, suitcase, pulut and chicken, RM20
BGM : Secret song

(Mak Limah is washing the dishes in the basin, Farid walks past her with suitcase)

Mak Limah : Farid! Where were you yesterday? I left got your grandfather's house and when I came back you weren't there. And why are you dressed and packed? I thought you said you had another week!

Farid : Mak, I'd rather not -

Nyonya : Erm... is Pak Seman home?

Mak Limah : Nyonya! What are you doing here so early? Come in come in!

Nyonya : (salam with Mak Limah) I'm looking for Seman.

Mak Limah : Oh, one moment. (shouts) Baaanng!! Nyonya's here!!

Nyonya : (gives Mak Limah plastic bad) I've brought you some pulut.

Mak Limah : Oh thank you!

Pak Seman : (enters stage) Nyonya!

Nyonya : Ah, Seman! Tumin has been accepted by the army! maybe it is the blessing of your water!

Pak Seman : How wonderful! Thank you for the gift Nyonya!

Nyonya : Ah, your welcome! I know how much you and your family love eating pulut! I also heard that you were looking for fried chicken so I added some to the dish! I have to run now, I need to prepare for Tumin's kenduri! You should come if you have the time!

Pak Seman : Okay, I will.

Nyonya : Enjoy the pulut! Bye! (exit stage)

Zainab : What are we waiting for? let's clean it up!! (looks at Farid) Abah's mumbo jumbo conjured that up!

Mak Limah : Timah, Nuar, Nab! Wait for you father!!

Pak Seman : I don't want any. You go ahead. Well Farid, what are you waiting for? You've been wanting fried chicken for days, haven't you? Today's your lucky day!

(Farid sulkily walk over to eat, the family chats together while eating)

Farid : (after eating) Mak, Abah, I'm leaving now.

Pak Seman : Not so soon Farid.

(Farid stands up and walks away, one by one the sibling exit stage)

Mak Limah : Give the boy some money for his fare. (pause) Baaang! The boy wants to go back, he needs some money for his fare!

Pak Seman : Here! Here's twenty ringgit, take it. (Farid takes the money) My mumbo jumbo conjured that up if you want to know.

(Farid stops mid-step, realizes fault and salam Pak Seman as well as hug him)

[Secret song]

Scene 6
Location : Bus Stop
Props : Suitcase, Bicycle, Bus stop stand
BGM : Riding Bicycle from Secret OST

[Riding Bicycle song]

(Amira is waiting at bus stop, Farid riding the bicycles notices her and sits next to her)

Amira : Hello Stranger

Farid : H-hhi. I don't think we've been properly introduced! My name is-

Amira : Farid. I saw you at your house. I thought you were staying for another two weeks.

Farid : Ah! Thing's weren't going too well at home. I had some.. misunderstandings with my father.

Amira : You father is a good man. Give him a break. Try to see things from his point of view.

Farid : I know that now. You can never tell where there may be a blessing in disguise.

Amira : Well I hope to see you back again soon.

[Nervously glance at each other, Amira gets up and leave, music slows down]

-The End-


It's a really boring drama lah! ..but the music and some scenes are really touching... and the whole idea is to do something serious cos last year when we did comedy.. we lost marks... because no moral values/meaningless etc etc...

Competition is next Monday... I'm nervous... we still aren't very good... let's just hope the other schools are even more unprepared...

p.s I got 100% for my Modern Maths test!!!! 100%!!!! WEEEEE~~~ and 88% for Additional Maths... WEEE~~~~

Too BAD mummy!! You can't punish me... Neh Neh Neh Boo Boo! =P *goes watch more TW Dramas*