Summer
Scene I. The Chase
Lying on their backs on the grassy hill, arms outstretched, exhausted from summer play, two boys watch, but do not hear the white clouds floating above them, urging them to their feet, "Boys, youth is a time for running. Why do you sleep while still so far away from your homes?"
The boys' chests heave as breaths dart quickly in and out of their lungs at a pace rapid enough to match the staccato heart beats pounding in their ears , "Rat-a-tat-tum. Rat-a-tat-tum." Then slowing to a heavy "Thud-thump. Thud-thump." After a few moments of lazy, silent, cloud gazing, the pounding rhythms become barely perceptible replaced by the gentle 'see—saw' motions of the boys' synchronized breathing as they lie next to each other on the grassy hill, arms outstretched enjoying a trustful rest in each others' company after a long day's Summer play.
A sudden, sharp, stabbing pain in the ribs, another in the back, another and too soon to dodge, and yet another...heart pounding "Rat-a-tat-tum" and other rhythms too quick too capture; green grass now disappearing beneath faster flying, fleeing feet, then above the noise of harsh laughing voices yelling, "Quick! Get that one! He's getting away!" Another voice is heard sounding above the boy's pounding heart; the voice of the clouds overhead chanting, "Faster now, faster! Youth is a time for speed."
No pain or anger or fear, not any longer. Only the quickening, pounding, heart rhythm is heard and the other voice commanding, "Faster! Faster! Now you're there! Keep going!" Tears have given way to exhilaration and laughter. Faster flying feet fleeing no longer, but racing over the green hills matching the hearts "Rat-a-tat-tat" pace as the clouds applaud. "Well done it is to run fast as the wind!" they congratulate.
Back bent forward; hands on knees, weak knees, weak, trembling knees; lungs gasping for air, heart slowing now "Thud-thump Thud-thump", the boy throws his head back in victory exclaiming, "Yes! There is no way they were going to catch me! I heard the clouds talk to me! I raced the wind! My friend will be proud of me! My friend!...My friend?"
Exhilaration is now replaced by doubt then shame as the boy realizes he has been used and cries out to the clouds overhead, "Why! How could you tell me to leave my friend behind!"
"Youth is a time when changes happen quickly." The boy does not hear the clouds reply above the pounding of his heart.
"Help!" Choking, sobbing, confusion, pain as the boy writhes on the grassy hill beneath the stabbing boot heels of strangers. Harsh, laughing voices, "This is our hill!"
"Who are you to make a bed of our hill!"..."Where's the other one?" ..."He got away"..."Got away! We'll teach this one!"
Sudden, sharp. stabbing pain in the side, another in the back. another and yet another sudden blow strikes before the hazy black numbness begins to spin inside the boy's head while his mind races, "Didn't the white clouds, a moment ago, invite us to watch them race across the blue sky and this green hill offer us a place to rest; and didn't our hearts tell us to lie quietly in this safe place? Wasn't my friend just here with me. How could we be so betrayed by hearts, by hill, by clouds and l by a friend? Why?"
The clouds again echo, "Youth is a time when changes happen quickly." The boy does not hear their reply above the pounding of his heart. The world around him fades to black.
Scene II: The Reunion
The sun bleeds its last drops of red on to the Western slopes where dusk is thrown like a purple blanket over a grassy hill where two boys, reunited after a separation severe enough to cast a shadow over a long day's Summer play, consider the trueness of the heart, the indifference of nature and the depth of their friendship.
First Boy: They hurt you bad didn't they?
Second Boy: Go away.
First Boy: I didn't mean to.
Second Boy: it doesn't matter! Just go away.
First Boy: I just started running when they kicked me. I guess I thought you would too.
Second Boy: Liar! You knew I couldn't. You probably laughed. You always laugh about things. You're just like them.
First Boy: I wasn't laughing at all- Not right away anyway.
Second Boy: See. You laughed. I knew it!
First Boy: It wasn't about you. I wasn't even thinking about you!
Second Boy: Right! That's what I'm saying.
First Boy: I know. I'm sorry, Okay?
Second Boy: Yeah.
First Boy: No. I mean it. I'm really sorry. You look bad. Can you walk home? I'll help you.
Second Boy: What were you laughing about then?
First Boy: You'll think I'm stupid.
Second Boy: I already do. Tell me anyway.
First Boy: Yeah, right.
Second Boy: Yeah, right!
First Boy: The clouds...they talked to me.
Second Boy: The clouds talked to you. Mmm.. Alright. So, while I'm on the ground getting kicked in the head, you're talking to the clouds. I think I understand now. Sure. Apology accepted. I knew it must have been something like that. No problem.
First Boy: I didn't talk to them! They talked to me! I just ran. Did they really kick you in the head?
Second Boy: Maybe. I don't know.. Yeah. Are you saying the clouds scared you away?
First Boy: No. I don't think so.. No. They just told me to run faster and I did. That's when I laughed, because I was running so fast.
Second Boy: You were running away.
First Boy: I know. But I didn't mean to.
Second Boy: You said that already.
First Boy: Sorry.
Second Boy: You said that too! Why did you come back? How did you know they'd be gone?
First Boy: I didn't know. I came back because I needed to tell you about hearing the clouds.. Who else could I tell?
Second Boy: Thanks.
First Boy: Let me help you up.
Second Boy: No. Let's lie here a while longer. It's really quiet. The stars will be out soon.
First Boy: What if they come back to check on you?
Second Boy: Who? Those boys or your clouds?
First Boy: I don't suppose they would come back.
Second Boy: No. Look. There's not a single cloud in the sky.
Epilogue
Lying on their backs on a grassy hill, arms outstretched, exhausted after a long day's Summer play, two boys watch, but do not hear above the pounding 'Thud-thump. Thud-thump" of their hearts. The white stars float above them softly whispering, "Sleep now boys. Youth is time when changes happen too quickly; and
the hours are not long before the day dawns and the clouds will again beckon you to chase them across the green hills."
Lying on their backs on the grassy hill, arms outstretched, exhausted from summer play, two boys watch, but do not hear the white clouds floating above them, urging them to their feet, "Boys, youth is a time for running. Why do you sleep while still so far away from your homes?"
The boys' chests heave as breaths dart quickly in and out of their lungs at a pace rapid enough to match the staccato heart beats pounding in their ears , "Rat-a-tat-tum. Rat-a-tat-tum." Then slowing to a heavy "Thud-thump. Thud-thump." After a few moments of lazy, silent, cloud gazing, the pounding rhythms become barely perceptible replaced by the gentle 'see—saw' motions of the boys' synchronized breathing as they lie next to each other on the grassy hill, arms outstretched enjoying a trustful rest in each others' company after a long day's Summer play.
A sudden, sharp, stabbing pain in the ribs, another in the back, another and too soon to dodge, and yet another...heart pounding "Rat-a-tat-tum" and other rhythms too quick too capture; green grass now disappearing beneath faster flying, fleeing feet, then above the noise of harsh laughing voices yelling, "Quick! Get that one! He's getting away!" Another voice is heard sounding above the boy's pounding heart; the voice of the clouds overhead chanting, "Faster now, faster! Youth is a time for speed."
No pain or anger or fear, not any longer. Only the quickening, pounding, heart rhythm is heard and the other voice commanding, "Faster! Faster! Now you're there! Keep going!" Tears have given way to exhilaration and laughter. Faster flying feet fleeing no longer, but racing over the green hills matching the hearts "Rat-a-tat-tat" pace as the clouds applaud. "Well done it is to run fast as the wind!" they congratulate.
Back bent forward; hands on knees, weak knees, weak, trembling knees; lungs gasping for air, heart slowing now "Thud-thump Thud-thump", the boy throws his head back in victory exclaiming, "Yes! There is no way they were going to catch me! I heard the clouds talk to me! I raced the wind! My friend will be proud of me! My friend!...My friend?"
Exhilaration is now replaced by doubt then shame as the boy realizes he has been used and cries out to the clouds overhead, "Why! How could you tell me to leave my friend behind!"
"Youth is a time when changes happen quickly." The boy does not hear the clouds reply above the pounding of his heart.
"Help!" Choking, sobbing, confusion, pain as the boy writhes on the grassy hill beneath the stabbing boot heels of strangers. Harsh, laughing voices, "This is our hill!"
"Who are you to make a bed of our hill!"..."Where's the other one?" ..."He got away"..."Got away! We'll teach this one!"
Sudden, sharp. stabbing pain in the side, another in the back. another and yet another sudden blow strikes before the hazy black numbness begins to spin inside the boy's head while his mind races, "Didn't the white clouds, a moment ago, invite us to watch them race across the blue sky and this green hill offer us a place to rest; and didn't our hearts tell us to lie quietly in this safe place? Wasn't my friend just here with me. How could we be so betrayed by hearts, by hill, by clouds and l by a friend? Why?"
The clouds again echo, "Youth is a time when changes happen quickly." The boy does not hear their reply above the pounding of his heart. The world around him fades to black.
Scene II: The Reunion
The sun bleeds its last drops of red on to the Western slopes where dusk is thrown like a purple blanket over a grassy hill where two boys, reunited after a separation severe enough to cast a shadow over a long day's Summer play, consider the trueness of the heart, the indifference of nature and the depth of their friendship.
First Boy: They hurt you bad didn't they?
Second Boy: Go away.
First Boy: I didn't mean to.
Second Boy: it doesn't matter! Just go away.
First Boy: I just started running when they kicked me. I guess I thought you would too.
Second Boy: Liar! You knew I couldn't. You probably laughed. You always laugh about things. You're just like them.
First Boy: I wasn't laughing at all- Not right away anyway.
Second Boy: See. You laughed. I knew it!
First Boy: It wasn't about you. I wasn't even thinking about you!
Second Boy: Right! That's what I'm saying.
First Boy: I know. I'm sorry, Okay?
Second Boy: Yeah.
First Boy: No. I mean it. I'm really sorry. You look bad. Can you walk home? I'll help you.
Second Boy: What were you laughing about then?
First Boy: You'll think I'm stupid.
Second Boy: I already do. Tell me anyway.
First Boy: Yeah, right.
Second Boy: Yeah, right!
First Boy: The clouds...they talked to me.
Second Boy: The clouds talked to you. Mmm.. Alright. So, while I'm on the ground getting kicked in the head, you're talking to the clouds. I think I understand now. Sure. Apology accepted. I knew it must have been something like that. No problem.
First Boy: I didn't talk to them! They talked to me! I just ran. Did they really kick you in the head?
Second Boy: Maybe. I don't know.. Yeah. Are you saying the clouds scared you away?
First Boy: No. I don't think so.. No. They just told me to run faster and I did. That's when I laughed, because I was running so fast.
Second Boy: You were running away.
First Boy: I know. But I didn't mean to.
Second Boy: You said that already.
First Boy: Sorry.
Second Boy: You said that too! Why did you come back? How did you know they'd be gone?
First Boy: I didn't know. I came back because I needed to tell you about hearing the clouds.. Who else could I tell?
Second Boy: Thanks.
First Boy: Let me help you up.
Second Boy: No. Let's lie here a while longer. It's really quiet. The stars will be out soon.
First Boy: What if they come back to check on you?
Second Boy: Who? Those boys or your clouds?
First Boy: I don't suppose they would come back.
Second Boy: No. Look. There's not a single cloud in the sky.
Epilogue
Lying on their backs on a grassy hill, arms outstretched, exhausted after a long day's Summer play, two boys watch, but do not hear above the pounding 'Thud-thump. Thud-thump" of their hearts. The white stars float above them softly whispering, "Sleep now boys. Youth is time when changes happen too quickly; and
the hours are not long before the day dawns and the clouds will again beckon you to chase them across the green hills."
Second Summer
Scene I: The Return
Holding on to the young boy's fragile hand, feeling the blood pulsing, rushing through the boy's wrist and fingers and more slowly through his own, remembering a long ago Summer's day when his heart pounded "Rat-a—tat-tum" and other rhythms too quick to capture. Again, he climbs the green hill. Again, he feels secure in the company of a friend. Again, the white clouds float above him urging the chase. Again, he hears the clouds call. He hears as only one who has lived through the passing of many Summers can hear. He hears with longing. He hears with sentiment. He hears with regret. For the clouds no longer call to him. They call to the boy at his side whose hand he holds. He wishes it was his own hand and that it was his blood rushing and pulsing through his wrist and fingers. Again, he hears the clouds call, "Youth is a time for running."
The boy hears nothing of the calling clouds, hears nothing of the blood pulsing and rushing through his wrist and fingers, hears nothing even of his own heart pounding, 'Thud—thump. Thud-thump."
"Grandfather, l'm tired. Can we rest on this hill?" Holding tighter to the young boy's hand, listening anxiously to his own heart's faint "Tap-tap. Tap-tap" and to the clouds calling for the boy to run, he does not hear his grandson's question.
"Youth is a time for running child," he says to the boy. "When I was about your age, I ran all day long over
these green hills. At night, I slept beneath the stars. I ran beneath these very clouds. At night, my friend and I slept beneath the stars." He repeats his thought half to the boy at his side and half to himself.
‘These can't be the very same clouds Grandfather. There are different clouds everyday. Can we sit down now Grandfather?"
Still, the clouds overhead chant, "Youth is a time for running. Well done it is to run as fast as the wind."
"Well done it is to run as fast as the wind," he repeats while the boy at his side looks at the ground and at the green grass of the hills beneath his feet and questions,:These can't be the same clouds." He lets go of the boy's hand thinking, "Has life changed so much that boys no longer desire to chase the clouds over green hills?"
"Youth is a time when changes happen quickly," the clouds reply as if to answer his thoughts. He feels a measure of comfort and suddenly remembers how he once rested with a friend after a long day's Summer play. He says to the boy, "Sit now, and rest if you like. Remember, youth is a time when changes happen quickly. Let me tell you a story about two boys and this very hill and these very clouds and how these things happened long ago."
Scene II: The Departure
The boy lies on his back on the grassy hill, arms outstretched and watches, but does not hear the clouds floating overhead urging him to his feet. After a few moments of listening to the sound of his grandfather's voice, he begins to trace the gentle, barely perceptible "See—saw" motions of his own breathing. His mind stills and he thinks to himself, ‘These can't be the very same clouds."
He continues his story, unconcerned now that the boy at his side is asleep for he too now is a boy and resting after a long day's Summer play. Again, he feels the sudden, sharp, stabbing pain of boot heels to his ribs and his chest prodding him to remembrance. Now, his heart pounds with the quickening 'Thud-thump. Thud-thump" of the chase and his lungs gasp for air. He does not hear his grandson crying for the clouds are calling to him now, "Faster! Faster! Now you're there! Keep going!" He does not feel the boy's fragile hands tugging at his shoulders trying to lift him from the ground for the blood is pulsing and rushing through his own wrist and fingers now. "Well done it is to run as fast as the wind!" the clouds cheer.
He looks one last time at the boy; at the panic in his face and tries to reassure him managing a final gasp, "The clouds are beckoning me to race with them across the green hills where changes happen quickly child." The boy watches helplessly as his grandfather's breathing ceases and his heaving chest falls still and silent.
The boy kneels now on the grassy hill choking and sobbing with confusion crying out, "Why? Didn't the white clouds a moment ago invite us to watch them race across the blue sky and this green hill offer us a place to rest. Didn't our hearts tell us to lie quietly in this safe place? Wasn't my grandfather just here with me?"
"Youth is a time when changes happen quickly." The boy does not hear the clouds reply above the pounding "Thud- thump. Thud-thump of his heart."
Scene III: Second Reunion
The 'Thud—thump. Thud-thump" of his heart falls silent. His spirit rises to meet the clouds above. Below, he sees the child kneeling on the green hill consumed with grief and unwilling to listen to the cloud's consolations.
He looks to the child and asks, "Why doesn't he run with us over the green hills as we did when we were children? Youth is a time for running."
He floats now over the green hills, urges the child to the chase and joins his voice with the cloud chorus, "Youth is a time when changes happen quickly. Well done it is to run as fast as the wind."
Holding on to the young boy's fragile hand, feeling the blood pulsing, rushing through the boy's wrist and fingers and more slowly through his own, remembering a long ago Summer's day when his heart pounded "Rat-a—tat-tum" and other rhythms too quick to capture. Again, he climbs the green hill. Again, he feels secure in the company of a friend. Again, the white clouds float above him urging the chase. Again, he hears the clouds call. He hears as only one who has lived through the passing of many Summers can hear. He hears with longing. He hears with sentiment. He hears with regret. For the clouds no longer call to him. They call to the boy at his side whose hand he holds. He wishes it was his own hand and that it was his blood rushing and pulsing through his wrist and fingers. Again, he hears the clouds call, "Youth is a time for running."
The boy hears nothing of the calling clouds, hears nothing of the blood pulsing and rushing through his wrist and fingers, hears nothing even of his own heart pounding, 'Thud—thump. Thud-thump."
"Grandfather, l'm tired. Can we rest on this hill?" Holding tighter to the young boy's hand, listening anxiously to his own heart's faint "Tap-tap. Tap-tap" and to the clouds calling for the boy to run, he does not hear his grandson's question.
"Youth is a time for running child," he says to the boy. "When I was about your age, I ran all day long over
these green hills. At night, I slept beneath the stars. I ran beneath these very clouds. At night, my friend and I slept beneath the stars." He repeats his thought half to the boy at his side and half to himself.
‘These can't be the very same clouds Grandfather. There are different clouds everyday. Can we sit down now Grandfather?"
Still, the clouds overhead chant, "Youth is a time for running. Well done it is to run as fast as the wind."
"Well done it is to run as fast as the wind," he repeats while the boy at his side looks at the ground and at the green grass of the hills beneath his feet and questions,:These can't be the same clouds." He lets go of the boy's hand thinking, "Has life changed so much that boys no longer desire to chase the clouds over green hills?"
"Youth is a time when changes happen quickly," the clouds reply as if to answer his thoughts. He feels a measure of comfort and suddenly remembers how he once rested with a friend after a long day's Summer play. He says to the boy, "Sit now, and rest if you like. Remember, youth is a time when changes happen quickly. Let me tell you a story about two boys and this very hill and these very clouds and how these things happened long ago."
Scene II: The Departure
The boy lies on his back on the grassy hill, arms outstretched and watches, but does not hear the clouds floating overhead urging him to his feet. After a few moments of listening to the sound of his grandfather's voice, he begins to trace the gentle, barely perceptible "See—saw" motions of his own breathing. His mind stills and he thinks to himself, ‘These can't be the very same clouds."
He continues his story, unconcerned now that the boy at his side is asleep for he too now is a boy and resting after a long day's Summer play. Again, he feels the sudden, sharp, stabbing pain of boot heels to his ribs and his chest prodding him to remembrance. Now, his heart pounds with the quickening 'Thud-thump. Thud-thump" of the chase and his lungs gasp for air. He does not hear his grandson crying for the clouds are calling to him now, "Faster! Faster! Now you're there! Keep going!" He does not feel the boy's fragile hands tugging at his shoulders trying to lift him from the ground for the blood is pulsing and rushing through his own wrist and fingers now. "Well done it is to run as fast as the wind!" the clouds cheer.
He looks one last time at the boy; at the panic in his face and tries to reassure him managing a final gasp, "The clouds are beckoning me to race with them across the green hills where changes happen quickly child." The boy watches helplessly as his grandfather's breathing ceases and his heaving chest falls still and silent.
The boy kneels now on the grassy hill choking and sobbing with confusion crying out, "Why? Didn't the white clouds a moment ago invite us to watch them race across the blue sky and this green hill offer us a place to rest. Didn't our hearts tell us to lie quietly in this safe place? Wasn't my grandfather just here with me?"
"Youth is a time when changes happen quickly." The boy does not hear the clouds reply above the pounding "Thud- thump. Thud-thump of his heart."
Scene III: Second Reunion
The 'Thud—thump. Thud-thump" of his heart falls silent. His spirit rises to meet the clouds above. Below, he sees the child kneeling on the green hill consumed with grief and unwilling to listen to the cloud's consolations.
He looks to the child and asks, "Why doesn't he run with us over the green hills as we did when we were children? Youth is a time for running."
He floats now over the green hills, urges the child to the chase and joins his voice with the cloud chorus, "Youth is a time when changes happen quickly. Well done it is to run as fast as the wind."