Scene 1
Scene 1
Narrator: Some of the events in this play were added to enhance some of the actual things that occurred. This play is about a little boy who grew up to be an intelligent, caring, and loving man named Esau Jenkins. Esau Jenkins was born on July 3, 1910. He grew up on Legareville Road on Johns Island--better known as Maddis. He enjoyed attending school but on this day--
(Children laughing and talking as someone knocks on the door).
Mrs. Smith: Students, students! Be quiet. Come in please.
Parent: Can I see you outside for a moment?
Child: Hi, Mommy.
Mrs. Smith: I thought I told the class to be quiet. If I hear one more word from this class while I'm outside, you gonna get the switch. Do you understand?
Children: Yes ma'am.
(Teacher and parent walk outside of the classroom.)
Parent: Mrs. Smith, I have some bad news . Esau's mother has passed away. And since his father doesn't feel strong enough to tell him, we thought that you would be the perfect person to tell Esau.
Ronnie: Mrs. Smith's got an apple head!
(Class laughing) (Teacher walks in.)
Mrs.Smith: Thank you Mrs. Swanson. Ronnie, go get the switch.
(Ronnie walks out slowly)
Mrs. Smith: The longer you take to get out of this class, the longer your beating is gonna be!
Mrs. Smith: That's all right, Ronnie. Sit down, but next time I won't go so easy on you. Esau, I need talk to you for a moment. Please step outside.
Esau: What did I do?
Mrs. Smith: Nothing Esau, just come on outside.
(They walk outside together.)
Mrs.Smith: Esau, I'm afraid I've got some bad news. Your mother died.
(Mrs. Smith puts her arm around Esau and lets him rest his head on her skirt. After a moment, she turns his face to her.)
Mrs. Smith: Esau, are you going to be all right?
Esau: I think so Mrs. Smith.
(Mrs. Smith hugs Esau again.)
(Mrs. Smith and Esau walk slowly back into the classroom.)
John: Mrs. Smith, what's the matter with Esau?
Mrs.Smith: Let's not worry about that now. Let's go back to our lesson.
End of Scene 1.
