THE FARMER AND HIS CHILDREN

Cast: Narrator, Farmer, Alexander, Eury, Thetis, Merchant

Narrator: Our next fable is called "The Farmer and His Children." This farmer once had the most productive farm around. But he had grown old and his children had no interest in taking care of the farm. So he tried to figure our a way to motivate his children to provide for themselves.

Farmer: Listen to me my children. I am old and feeble, and the doctor has told me I don't have long to live. I must quit working on our farm, and I go now to live with your uncle in the city. Before I go I must tell you a secret. There is a great treasure hidden in the soil of our farm. I hope you find this wealth my children. And now, good-bye.

Alexander: Imagine, treasure in the soil.

Eury: If we find it, we'll be rich.

Thetis: Well what are we waiting for? Let's get to work. (grab shovels)

Narrator: The farmer's children worked steadily with shovels and spades. They pulled up weeds and plowed up the dirt. After many days of work, they had not found any treasure but they did notice something.

Alexander: We've worked over half the land and still no sign of gold or jewels.

Thetis: But look how green and healthy the olive trees look now.

Eury: And all the weeding seems to have helped the grape vines too.

Thetis: Since we've got so much of the land plowed up we ought to go ahead and plant it in wheat, and after that we can keep looking for the treasure.

Narrator: So the farmer's children planted the fields and when the Fall came a visitor stopped by.

Merchant: These are the best grapes I've ever tasted. And each time I've passed by, you folks have been hard at work. No wonder your farm is in such excellent condition. I'm convinced that these are the finest crops around. I'm a merchant and I'd like to buy your entire harvest. I'll pay top wages too. Let's say 20 drachmas for each basket of wheat and five pieces of silver for each basket of grapes.

Eury: It's a deal.

Merchant: Then here is a bag of silver as a down payment. Good day.

Alexander: Our father was a clever man. He tricked us into working hard on our farm.

Thetis: Yes we found, "Hard work produces great treasures."