Total Timed duration: 13 Mins.
(Scene opens, narrator is standing / seating on right facing the audience)
(1:01) Narrator 1: Our lives as human being are a complex fabric of many factors – our personalities, habits, karma, and family connections among them – in which we can easily become entangled and unable to free our selves. People spend their days fussing and fretting about immediate, minor problems and before they know it, their lives are over.
Human revolution is transforming our actions and behavior to manifest the inherent goodness of our heart. The “heart is infinitely vast and profound. Our innermost heart , the attitude in the depth of our being determines everything. The natural process is for people to grow little by little with the passage of time conquering their own weaknesses . Human revolution is a step beyond that gradual process, propelling us rapidly in a positive direction.
In the following skit presentation we shall see how a young lad Bobby is able to learn the importance of 24 hours of life to bring about a lifetime of change in his attitude by changing his heart. His mother Arundhati practicing Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism perseveres in her determined prayers from her heart for Bobby to be able to manifest his Buddha nature and realise his greater mission.
(0:30) Narrator 2: Bobby is young student of class 11th who is extremely dissatisfied with his life. His behaviour is obnoxiously rude & irresponsible & disposition is that of an untidy wayward. While his parents love him and wants him to sincerely pursue his career, Bobby wants things to come to him easy. He has complaints about everything around him. He blames his environment for his failures and unhappiness which is obvious from his life style.
(Bobby enters from the left side of the stage with earphones plugged in. He has long untidy hair covering his whole face. He is wearing Capri , T shirt and a Big tattoo on his hand. )
(Bobby is seen walking on the street as he finds an old man wanting to cross the street…)
(The Old man call out to Bobby …)
(0:30)Old Man : Listen Beta ..Can you help me crossing the street…
Bobby: Arre Uncle Buncle. Can’t you see I am listening to my favorite song “ Heal the world”… why can’t you stay at home if you can’t walk. .. How can you have expectations from anyone on the street… I am not your servant… Huh…
Old Man (Nods): Heal the world… (waves at him) … Sorry to bother you my dear.. God bless you..
(Old Man walks out of the stage doddering and talking to himself..)
(As Bobby reaches near to his home, his neighbour Seema aunty spots him and calls out …)
(0:25)Seema Aunty : Hey Bobby..You come home late everyday.. Your Mom was worried..
Bobby: Seema Aunty.. aapka naam maine rakha hai..Prying Pain.. you have no other business but to pry on others .. How are you concerned what time I come and go… Mind your own business…
Aunty : Oh.. what a nasty tongue… I was only asking out of concern and look at the way he talks .. No manners ..
( Bobby reaches home….unmindful.. He throws his slippers and swagger ahead… Not able to see he stumbles on the table kept on the way and falls down..)
(1:35)Bobby: Damn it! It is such a small house ..One can’t even walk around freely.. all my friends have big houses..God knows why I was born in such under-achievers family..
Narrator 2: Bobby’s Mother Arundhati is a sober, educated & caring mother. She is practicing Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism and praying earnestly for his sons to become responsible. She knows that the power of Daimoku alone can penetrate a close heart and make some one manifest his Buddha nature. When she sees Bobby stumbling, she rushes to him admonishing gently out of deep concern.
(Arundhati runs into the stage from the right side.)
Arundhati : What Happened Beta !! Oh dear ..How did you not see such a big table..why can’t you put on slippers..
Bobby(Shouts): Mom ..I am hurt and your are worried about table and slippers.. I have never seen such insensitive parents.
Arundhati : But Bobby ..I was only trying to tell you that you got to be careful.. Life is..
Bobby(Shouts): Mom ..Not another lecture please..I am grown up enough to know what is good or bad for me…….Now let me take a selfi of mine..
Arundhati : Tumahara Chehra to dikh nahi raha hai…phir kya picture le rahe ho…
Bobby : Mom….agar mein baal hata kar picture loonga to my friends will not recognise me..Now get me something to eat..and leave me alone ..
(Arundhati gets shocked by the rudeness on her and leaves sobbing)
Arundhati ( to herself): I shall chant more. Sensei says there is no prayer of the votary of lotus sutra that goes unanswered. In the last discussion meeting kalpana had also shared how with daimoku she could change her anger into compassion for her daughter leading to complete transformation of a disharmonious relationship.
(2:00) Narrator 1: Meantime Bobby’s eyes are constantly focussed on his mobile phone..he is simultaneously toggling between Facebook, whats app & other sites..In between the promotional offers sent by different companies keep catching his fancy..he loudly keeps exclaiming and talking to himself.
Bobby: Aah.. chinky has changed his DP… Tobo is posting his pics from Vacations in Australia..
WoW!!! What is this offer ..
** Unlimited fun..Poolside party .. @ Rs. 20000 Mexican, Italian and Turkish Cuisine. For booking pls contact: 99999999
WoW …life is great there is so much to see!! Hey what is this..
** Own your dream home at zero down payment …zero interest at Manesar . For booking contact : Hawai Kila Properties..
( Father Deven enters the stage from right side with a briefcase in his hand..his walks with a tired lingering pace..)
Deven : Bobby.. Your Mom was crying.. You should respect her…she remains so much worried about you…why can’t you talk to her nicely..Go away … I don’t want to see your face.
Bobby(Shouts): Pop.. It is not like your times.. Please do not preach… You don’t understand how the world has changed…and as for seeing the face… my funky hairstyle anyway covers it.. Happy.. By the way I want I-phone 6 and Rs. 20, 000 for the poolside party… All my friends are going..
Deven : Nothing doing… you think money grows on trees.. we work so hard…
Bobby(Shouts): No big deal pop…all parents do that…I wish you had worked hard in your youth to become something today so I would not have to beg for money..
Deven : I would have worked hard… look at yourself..anyway pointless to talk to you…
( Deven slams the table and leaves..)
Bobby: Oh …Middle class mentality…
( Bobby’s sister Dimple walks in with project file ..)
Dimple: Bhaiya, you had promised me you will help me in my project homework.
Bobby: Really!! My dearest sister..One blind person cannot lead another…I don’t have time for such useless things..
Dimple: It was AGAIN my mistake to trust you..I shall now be scolded tomorrow in class…
Dimple throws the project file and walks out of the stage angrily)
(1:00) ( Deven Again looks at the phone )
Everything is available on SMS ..Cant take my eyes off.. Here is another …
** Buy one and Get one…Shop at junkyard.com ..for every purchase of Rs. 15000 get exciting gifts and a 3G SIM . For registered users offer valid for
** life time
( Extend his hand towards the audience showing off mobile )
Wow life time offer !!
** Hi Sagittarious : Astro for today: The stars are telling, you will make losses in share market & profits in stocks. You may have serious health problems & You will not live for more than
** 24 Hours..
Bobby ( taken aback): 24 Hours … I shall live only for 24 hours…what is Astro.Com saying…Can’t be true… Can Astro.com make a mistake..No!! Its not a trial version now.. ever since I became their registered member all their predictions have been true… I have only 24 hours to live???.
(Bobby collapses on the bed, sits up , wipe his forehead lie down again , again sits up and finally raise his both hands in despair and falls into sleep )
(1:00) Narrator 1: Bobby is a classic example of the youth taking the virtual world as real world. While we may laugh at his lopsided view of life..we must remember that the time these young children spent on internet everyday left little room for them to explore & understand the real world…a world where friendships are not a click away, Offers do not come on SMSs and Identities cannot be faked ..They live their life in a virtual world where information is unlimited, contacts unlimited, entertainment unlimited and with no privacy, no boundaries and no inhibitions..
Narrator 2: While sleeping, Bobby sees a dream in which he goes to the doctor who tells him that he has seen his reports and unfortunately he has no more than 24 Hours to live.. The dream is very intense and next day morning Bobby gets up with a deep hangover …He almost believes that he will live for only 24 hours.. Astro.com and then this dream,, makes his young mind believe that his life was going to end..
(Bobby gets up late next day morning …scared and shaken ..He talks to himself…)
(1:20) Bobby ( Thoughtful): I always thought it would not happen to me…
(Bobby overhear the conversation between her mother, sister and seema aunty..)
Seems aunt: Arundhati…he behaves badly with all…
Dimple: I love him but he is very uncaring…
Arundhati: Seema and Dimple ..listen …I also used to think like you an year before but ever since I started chanting, my perspective changed. …..His life is calling out to me and I have to persever to do my human revolution to help him manifest his Buddha nature..He has a golden heart …
In our last study meeting we discussed Sensei’s guidance. Sensei refers to the famous work Emile of the French writer Jean Jacques Rousseau in 17th Century who portrays a boy who has reached puberty: “. A change of temper, frequent outbreaks of anger, a perpetual stirring of the mind, make the child almost ungovernable. He becomes deaf to the voice he used to obey; he is a lion in fever; he distrusts his keeper and refuses to be controlled” .
“ Do they have good “doctors” who can cure their “fever” at home and at school? This “fever” is peculiar to adolescents who have tremendous emotional ups and downs; are they being led toward a healthy course which leads to mature growth?” ..Indeed, children are the clear mirrors which reflect their parents and society at large.”
This guidance Seema, made me think about the actions I need to take to bring out the best in him.
(Bobby gets up and moves towards center stage facing audience)
(2:35) Bobby : Mom is talking in my favour.. She says I have a golden heart… How could she know everytime I misbehave, I berate myself and feel unhappy… and yet she is the only one who is always caring and gentle with me.. she never complains..
I had been so unmindful and self centred.. What can I do now to make her happy..I have only 24 hours ..
( Arundhati enters the stage from left side with Tea and newspaper & keeps it on the table)
Arundhati ( Hurt & withdrawn) : Bobby.. …Chai aur Akhbaar rakha Hai..
( Bobby gets up and hold Arundhati hand affectionately..)
Bobby (smiles) : Mom..please forgive me.. I always treat you badly… But you are so nice and take care of all my needs..
Arundhati (Stares at Bobby) : Bobby..are you OK.. Are you having fever…
(Looks bewildered .. rushes away glancing back to check many times until she leaves the stage)
Bobby: Mom.. Listen.. Mom…
Chali Gayin.. Let me make the bed and arrange the room. …Mom always used to say I leave my room in a mess and it takes her 1 hour everyday to clean it.
( Bobby start arranging the room..while Arundhati walks in again ..)
Arundhati ( Gently): Bobby …what are you upto.. I will do it… You will misplace everything..
( Bobby gives a broad loving smile to Arundhati and touches her feet)
Bobby ( Lovingly) : Mom.. You tirelessly work for all of us.. I have been such a miscreant..How can I repay the debt of my gratitude..I have such less time.. only 24 Hours.. Today I shall do all your chores..
Arundhati ( Gently): Bobby ..What is this new prank… Your father was very upset.. He works very hard to make us happy… You should not talk to him disrespectfully..
Narration 2: Bobby helps her mother whole day wholeheartedly and also does the project file of Dimple.
In the evening :
( Arundhati walks in from the side of the stage with Deven and points at Bobby)
Arundhati : Deven, Today whole day Bobby helped me ..he is changed.. He did not touch his phone also.
Deven : Really.. He slept without having food yesterday so I bought him a Pizza today.
Bobby: Sorry..Pop .. I had always been so rude.. How can I tell you how little time I have….I got an SMS from Astro.com that I shall live only for 24 Hours .. also I saw the dream yesterday that Doctors has told I won’t live for more than 24 Hours.. I wanted to make all of you happy..
For the first time I realized that real life was such a blessing… I always remained in my own unreal world without bothering that my real food panda was my mom, my real Flip-kart was you POP and my real twitter follower was our neighbour Seema Aunty…I also realised that when I told an old uncle rudely that I am not his servant it was wrong as one day I would also turn old..
Deven : Bobby…your heart has changed and that is the beginning of everything to change around you. There is no truth in the dream you saw or the SMS received from Astro.com.. I also received the same the SMS from Astro.com but it said you will not live for more than a life time …it did not say 24 Hours..
Bobby: Really…let me check the SMSs again..
Narrator 1: Bobby Checks and realized that the split SMS received was just in wrong sequence to cause this confusion
Bobby: Yes POP…there seems to be second part of the message received in wrong sequence… 24 hours is related to the message from junkyard.com which says “offer valid only for 24 Hours”.
Arundhati: Bobby ..In a way the wrong sequence made you realize that your behavior itself was the source of your unhappiness…your lesser self has died today and greater self has emerged. I am happy that you have changed.
Narrator 2: It is the heart that is important. Our innermost heart, the attitude in depths of our being determines everything. Our heart of faith is communicated to the universe. Selfishness, complaint, doubt, deviousness, conceit, arrogance and so forth are all causes of unhappiness for both ourselves and others. When we allow ourselves to be ruled by such negative attitudes, we are like a plane that has lost direction in a heavy fog. We can see nothing clearly. The distinction between good and bad, right and wrong becomes blurred.
(1:40) Bobby: This SMS and dream shook me and changed my mindset. 24 hours..just 24 hours to realise and change my attitude. When I overheard Mom calling me a Lion in fever I realised that my false pride and self-centeredness not my crown but in fact it was a devilish mess I was carrying on my head always dangling over my eyes and ears hiding my real identity. I take off this mess today to be able to see clearly & appreciate my real environment.
(Bobby Takes off the wig..and with that the wayward look goes away and a tidy, smart , bright youth face appears…)
(Bobby enters from the left side of the stage with NO earphones plugged in. He has trimmed hairstyle. He is wearing jeans and T shirt and there is no Tattoo seen on his hand )
(Bobby is seen walking on the street as he finds an old man wanting to cross the street…)
(Bobby goes out to the old man..)
Bobby: Uncle I am sorry my behavior the other day…Can I help you crossing the street..
Old man : What changed you my dear.. ( Talks as they cross the street..)
Bobby: My Mom …Uncle…and her belief in me..She practices Buddhism which tells her we all can transform our lives by doing our own human revolution..
Old Man : That is wonderful.. Come home some day with her to tell me more about this practice….Here is My address …( Gives the card, waves and walk out the stage)..
(As Bobby reaches near to his home, his neighbor Seema aunty spots him and calls out …)
Seema Aunty : Hey Bobby..tell your Mom I would join her for the chanting today
Bobby: Seema Aunty.. you!!
Seema Aunty : Bobby.. there is nothing more convincing than the actual proof..Your transformation could not have been possible without her earnest prayers …her own conduct based on as she said “ It is the heart that is important “
(As Bobby reaches home, Dimple Arundhati and Deven greet him and hug..
Narrator 1: As we do our best for the welfare of others, we break out of our narrow lesser self that is focused only on personal concerns, and gradually expand and elevate our life state. The commitment to others’ well being is what propels us to transform our life state and carry out our human revolution. The key is transforming ourselves.
Narrator 2: Dr Daisaku Ikeda, our mentor and President of Soka Gakkai International says that we cannot change our life state through science, politics or, economics-it can only be done through practicing the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. And we have the great good fortune to have encountered this Buddhism in the present existence.
By continuing to chant Nam myoho renge Kyo, dedicating ourselves to kosenrufu, and achieving victories as Buddhists in our daily lives, we adorn ourselves and our families with good fortune. In our turbulent society, such good fortune always protects us and brings vibrant prosperity.
—-*—-*—-*—-*—-*—–
Props / material :
- Table / Chair.
- Mobile Phone
- Walking stick for the old man
- Project file
- Briefcase
- Tray with Cup and News paper
- Earphones
- Slippers
- Tattoo
- Empty Pizza box
Make up / Costumes :
- Bobby : part 1 : Wayward youth : Very loose Capri, T shirt , slippers
Part 2 : Bright young Man : Jeans , T shirt
- Arundhati : Lean and slender frame, Saree wrapper around the waist, efficient look
- Deven : Office goer – Normal Pant and Shirt
- Seema Aunty : Plump look, jeans and T shirt or saree..
- Dimple : Specs / Choodidar Kurta Pyjama
- Old Man : Walks with Stick , Kurta Pyjamamh or Pant and half shirt ( not tucked in)