* * * * * * * *

CAST: Narrator, Jack the truck driver, Veggie Man.

(Note: This play is particularly meant for street theater — with the intention of preaching about prasadam at the conclusion. Scene: McDonalds or similar Hamburger place. Enter Narrator observing a macho-type truck driver sitting at a table with a "Big Mac" hamburger in front of him)

Narrator: 


Today we're performing in rhyme

A story that won't take much time

But although it's brief

It is our belief

That the message is sage and sublime

Some folks claim true faith in the Lord

While His wishes remain quite ignored

He commands "do not kill"

Very clearly, but still

Countless creatures are eaten and gored (Narrator gestures to Jack)

Such a man was a trucker named Jack

Who desired to devour a Big Mac

As he eyed his chopped steer

A strange man did appear

Who proceeded to give him some flack

 I'm hungry — I can't wait to eat

What a nice piece of juicy ground meat

I like it well done

On a crisp toasted bun

Now I'll dig my teeth into my treat

(brings burger to his mouth — but suddenly Veggie Man enters with a cape, tight pants and a V on his T-shirt, carrots and/or broccoli stalks adorning his neck as a garland. He grabs Jack's hand as he brings the burger to his eagerly awaiting open mouth)

I'm Veggie Man — I beg you to wait

Please don't let your lust grow so great

By eating this meal

You're in danger I feel

You yourself might wind up on a plate

For the laws of the Lord are exact

And we reap what we sow — that's a fact

Don't you know that you "oughta"

Not eat what you "slaughta"

Or one day you will also be hacked

Hey man, you get outa my face

Or I'll knock you all over this place

I would like now to feast

On my meal of chopped beast

With me you won't get to first base

Dear sir — let me ask you a question

Did you know that your body's intestine

Is long like a herbivore

Not short like a carnivore

Eating meat isn't good for digestion

As confirmed by the famed A.M.A.

Without meat heart disease fades away

And I'd like you to answer

Why there's so much more cancer

For those who eat flesh every day

Jack: (gesturing more angrily)

Hey, buddy, you'd better look out

Before this clenched fist knocks you out

Do not rearrange me

Or dare try to change me

I need meat to remain strong and stout

Veggie Man: (admonishingly)

Is the elephant not strong enough

He's a veggie, you won't call his bluff

You're a victim of lies

Won't you open your eyes (pointing to Big Mac)

Our bodies weren't built for that stuff

If you put the wrong fuel in your truck

It won't run well and you'll get stuck

By God's own design

It is way out of line

To eat lambs, cows, chicken or duck

Jack: (fuming, enraged)

You get me so mad I could kill... (pause, he panics)

Oh no, I'm becoming quite ill

I feel terribly stressed

By sharp pains in my chest (even more fearful)

And my heartbeat is virtually nil

Now my whole life is passing before me

I see teary-eyed creatures implore me

To put down my knife

And to not take their life

Oh what terrible fate awaits me

What horrible things I have done

Thinking eating God's children was fun

By my own endeavor

It seems that I'll never

Again see the light of the sun (kneeling prayerfully and begging)

Dear God, won't You please hear my plea

I appeal for Your causeless mercy

Please allow me some time

To undo all my crime

I will love every creature that be

You love every being, small and great

And we bring to ourselves a sad fate

If we don't treat each other

As sister and brother

But act out of envy and hate (turning to the audience and addressing them)

My friends — kindly hear me today

Do not live your life in my way

Human life is a chance

to reflect and advance

And progressively live the right way

(Jack continues to pray as Narrator enters)

Narrator: In this story our character survives

But we must all examine our lives

It's too late to complain

Or to try to explain

On the day the grim reaper arrives

As we exit — we confess to one fear

We hope that no offense was felt here

We mustered our nerve

In an effort to serve

And we thank you for lending an ear

One final point can't be ignored

If we're seeking life's highest reward

The best way to eat

And be free of deceit

Is to offer our food to the Lord

(enter devotee preacher)

The End