Rod puppets (Polish ”kukiełki”) from theatrical workshops by Jacek Zuzański.
The same kinds of puppets were used in folk Nativity plays in Poland.
Scene II: Two Shepherds
Shepherd 1: Let’s poke in corners all around so we can see what can be found.
(They walk about in the shed, finding the animals, the crib with the child, Mary & Joseph.)
Shepherd 1: And what is this?
Shepherd 2: This is an ox.
Shepherd 1: And what is this?
Shepherd 2: This is an ass.
Shepherd 1: And what is this?
Shepherd 2: This is a crib with a baby. Let us bow down to him.
Puppeteer (looking over set):
Two old shepherds came together, to honor their new king,
They hadn’t had much, but what they had they brought all.
One had a little doll for the babe to hold,
The other had a block of butter fresh out of the mold.
Shepherd 1: God accept these gifts from us, we’ve brought you all we can,
I offer them with all my heart, for I am an old man.
(Shepherd 2 pulls away Shepherd 1’s gifts to present his own.)
Shepherd 2: God accept these gifts from us, we’ve brought you all we can,
I offer them with all my heart, for I am an old man.
Shepherd 1: I’m old, you’re old. Without a doubt,
We’re evenly matched, so let’s duke it out.
Shepherd 2: Why are you hitting me so madly?!
Shepherd 1: Why are you dancing so badly?
Shepherd 2: Hey, pal, are you retarded?
Shepherd 1: What, you say you want it harder?
Angel: What is this racket that you bring to quiet Bethlehem?
The child cannot sleep when you’re awake to make this mayhem.
Come to terms or pay a fine before you go to bed.
Come now! Spend this holy night sleeping in a shed.
Nativity Scene; collage by Piotr Kondarewicz.
Polish Folk Nativity Play was edited by Henryk Jurkowski.
Translated from Polish by Jacek Zuzański and Jeremy Tagliaferre.
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