The New Passover
ENTER first Boy carrying a sack on his shoulder from which a large bundle is suspended.)
FIRST BOY—Phew! this is warm work, tho’! I’m glad father didn't forget to give me his old kerchief with his old bundle! (Takes large red bandanna from his pocket and wipes his face.)
(Enter Second Boy.)
2ND Boy —Hello, Israel! Where are you going all of a sudden?
1ST BOY—All of a sudden! Why, I've been going from place to place ever since I can remember!
2ND BOY—Well, where are you going, now?
1ST BOY (Giving his bundle a determined hitch)—Going to Zion?
2ND BOY—What! Going back to Palestine?
1ST Boy —Who's going back? I'm going forward. The world's round, you know!
2ND Boy—Oh, so you are one of those Zionists, are you!
1ST BOY—Of course, I'm only one of them! But there are a few more!
2ND BOY—Whose bundle are you carrying?
1st Boy (Proudly)—My father’s. He said to me: ‘I’ve been carrying this heavy burden for a long, long time through many lands and struggles till I’ve become old and feeble; and now that you are growing up, take it up, my boy, and bear it as I have borne it, without faltering or yielding!” So, you bet, I’m just going to carry it to a finish.
2ND BOY—I wonder did my father ever carry this burden!
1ST Boy—Of course he did! All real Jews did, my father said. And do you know how long the Jewish People have struggled with it?
2ND BOY—How long is it?
1ST BOY—Long before we were born! (2nd Boy whistles) Longer than any war ever carried on! And (gives his bundle another determined hitch) we haven't given up yet!
1st Boy—Glad you remind me! (Lets bundle down on the floor and kneels to untie it; 2nd Boy, kneels curiously, likewise) I only half know what’s in it, myself. Father said when I'll be old enough to carry the Jewish burden I'll learn what's in it (feels inside the bag.) Let's see, what's this? (finds a brick) A brick! No wonder this load is so heavy !
2ND BOY—What does that mean?
1ST BOY—That's what they throw at the Jewish people in some countries (finds a lot of pebbles). Pebbles!
2ND BOY—What are they for?
1ST BOY—For the little Jews! I suppose! (Feels around in the bundle.) What's this I wonder! (Pulls out a cat.)
2ND BOY—A cat!
1ST BOY—Guess that means, never say die! (cat runs away) You see, this is a wonderful bundle! What's this? (pulls out a prayer-shawl in a slip-cover) This is the pillow for the Jew to rest his head upon. Now then (pulls out a Hebrew Bible) The Bible! Father says this is worth carrying everywhere, even though the stones go with it! (Feels around in the bundle) There is something there yet. Ah, this is what I've been looking for! (snatching out a Jewish flag he waves it triumphantly) Hooray!
2ND BOY—Where are you going with it, Israel?
1st Bor—I’m going to Jerusalem with it and I won't stop until it waves again. upon Mount Zion. (Hastily packs up his bundle again) The cat’s run away, I see. Well, we don’t need it any more. Father Says our real mascot is the Lion: of Judah! (Stands up ready to go) Well,. old stick-in-the-mud! I’ve got to be going onward! Sorry I must leave you behind.
2nd Boy—(Advancing) Wait a moment, I say! I want to go along with you! Don't you think this burden will be lighter if we carry it together?
(1ST BOY —Now you're talking! (They shake hands) Here, take hold of your end! (Inserts the stick through the knot of the bundle, each taking hold of one end) Come on! We've got a glorious road: before us! (Exeunt, whistling.)