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RESTORED
A PLAY ABOUT LEPROSY
(also suitable for glove puppets)
by
JILL TIPPING
THE LEPROSY
HEALTH
MISSION
EDUCATION
MUZAFFARPUR,
CENTRE
BIHAR 842 002
.
CHARACTERS
^ ',MUNITY HEALTH CELL
326. V Main. I Block
Koramcngala
Bangalore-560034 -
India
JAGDISH MISTRI
—
a skilled mechanic
SHYAM MISTRI
—
a mechanic
LAKHAN
—
factory foreman
N1RMAL BABU
—
factory accountant
SUNIL
—
a Para-Medical worker
at the leprosy clinic.
TWO THIEVES
Editor's Note : To "get the sack" is an English idiom.
It means “to be dismissed from one's job",
usually for some misdemeanout.
SCENE 1
On The Factory Floor
(A large piece of machinery is standing in the centre of the stage.
Jagdish and Shyam come in carrying a hammer and a wrench.)
Jagdish
Come on
Shyam.
Let’s try to get this job done quickly, then
we'll have time for a good tea break.
(He drops his wrench with
a clatter and picks it up)
Shyam
Yes, a good idea—as long as the supervisor doesn't see us.
(They both start work on the machinery.
Jagdish again drops his
wrench.)
Shyam
What's the matter with you these days?
things.
Jagdish
Oh Shyam, I. don't know what is wrong
Shyam
What do you mean Jagdish ?
1
You keep on dropping
1 can't seem to do any
Jagdish
My right hand feels so clumsy these days.
thing well at all.
Shyam
Let me see.......... (he takes hold of Jagdish's hand)
Jagdish
There's nothing to see—it looks normal but it keeps tingling and
feels heavy.
Shyam
Well it certainly looks normal enough—Oh quick—get on with your
work—here comes the supervisor 1
(they start working on the machinary again.
and comes up to the machine.)
The Supervisor enters
Supervisor
Haven't you two finished yet? It's taken you two days to do this
one job. (He looks at the machine more carefully) What sort of
work is this—look here. Jagdish, you haven’t screwed this properly
at all—this is very poor work I (Jagdish bends over to look and
drops his wrench on the Supervisor's foot. The Supervisor hops
around holding his foot.)
Supervisor
Oh I Oh I Oh 1 You clumsy fool, look what you have done now.
Really you are a clumsy fellow. Your work is getting worse every
day. I'm not keeping you any longer in this Factory. Go and
collect your money and be gone.
Jagdish
(Falling to touch the Supervisor's Feet) Please forgive me — it
was an accident. I'll do better—really 1 will..........
2
Supervisor
No ! I’ve spoken to you before about your clumsiness.
have to go.
You’ll
(Jagdish gets up and goes out sadly.)
Now Shyam, get on with this job quickly.
finished properly when 1 come back.
Let me see this machine
(Supervisor leaves and Shyam gets on with his work.)
Shyam
Poor Jagdish, 1 wonder what he will do now, he has a wife and
six kids to support as well as his old Mother.
CURTAIN
2
SCENE
In The Accountant’s Office
(Nirmal Babu is sitting at a desk counting money and writing in his
ledger. Jagdish enters sadly. Nirmal Babu looks up.)
Nirmal
Good morning Jagdish bhai.
You look sad, what is wrong with
you ?
Jagdish
I’ve come to collect my money—the Supervisor has given me the
sack.
Nirmal
3
Given
you the sack I
Why ?
Whatever for ?
Jagdish
Nirmal
Oh Nirmal Babu, 1 don't know what is wrong these days. My hand
feels so strange—it keeps tingling and feels heavy and clumsy. 1
can't do my work properly at all
' Jagdish bhai, that sounds like the trouble 1 had when 1 was a
student—Do you keep dropping things too ?
dropped
Jagdish
Yes, that was the last
supervisor's foot...............
Nirmal
(Laughing)
Jagdish
Yes he did—but he gave me the sack too ? But what happened to
you Nirmal Babu ? You were saying that you had had this sort of
trouble.......
Nirmal
Yes, it was when 1 was a student.
Jagdish
But what did you do ?
Nirmal
1 went to the Doctor and he referred me to the Leprosy Clinic.......
Jagdish
Leprosy Clinic (startled) but surely this isn't leprosy—look, my
fingers are quite straight (he holds out his hand).
Nirmal
True enough, but tingling and heaviness may be the first signs of
leprosy. (He holds out his hands) Look at my hands now. You'd
never know there had been anything wrong with them.
Jagdish
They certainly look normal.
Nirmal
Well, as 1 said, 1 went to the leprosy clinic and got treatment for
the disease before it had a chance to do any real damage.
Ho I Ho !
straw—1
a
wrench
on
the
1 wish I'd seen that—1 bet he shouted.......
1 got so depressed about it.
What did you do ?
4
Jagdish
Do you mean to say that leprosy can be treated ?
Nirmal
Yes, of course. Leprosy can be treated just like any other disease.
You go to the clinic tomorrow Jagdish bhai and start treatment.
It is at
(insert name of local clinic with
details of day and time), and is open from 8 o'clock until midday.
(He passes a pile of money over the desk)
Here is your money. Sign the receipt here. Thankyou. (Jagdish
picks up the money).
Jagdish
Thankyou for telling me Nirmal Babu.
How much does it cost ?
Nirmal
Good. The treatment is free. Goodbye Jagdish bhai, let me know
how you get on—Good luck to you.
Jagdish
(Leaving the room)
I'll certainly go to the clinic.
Goodbye and thankyou.
CURTAIN
SCENE 3
At the
Leprosy
Clinic
(There are some posters on the wall and a desk at one side of the
stage. The P.M.W. is sitting by the desk. Jagdish enters and looks
around)
Jagdish
1 wonder where 1 have to go (he sees P.M.W.) Oh, here's some one
I'll ask him.
Sunil
Good morning bhai.
Jagdish
I've come to see the Doctor...............
Sunil
Have you been here before ?
Jagdish
No never, this is my first time.
Sunil
Oh, well come over here while 1 fill in a card
card ready on the desk and starts to write)
What is your name ?
Jagdish
Jagdish Mistry.
Sunil
What work do you do ?
Jagdish
I’m a mechanic. 1 used to work at the Sharma Workshop but 1 got
the sack. Now 1 have no work.
Sunil
Why did you get the sack ?
Jagdish
1 couldn’t do my work properly. 1 kept dropping things.
seems to tingle all the time and feels heavy and clumsy.
Sunil
Hmm I Let me see—(he looks at Jagdish's hand and feels behind
the elbow) Yes, your nerve is a bit swollen. Let me see the other
hand (he feels that too.) If 1 hit your arm how does it feel ? (he
taps Jagdish's arm and Jagdish jumps & pulls his hand away).
Jagdish
Oh I It’s like an electric current going through my
don’t do that again.
„
Can 1 help you ?
for you.
community h-.,t
(he puts a
My hand
arm, please
326‘ V Main
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India
6
Sunil
(smiling) No, No, once is enough,
looks like leprosy...............
Jagdish
(anxiously) Will
about it ?
Sunil
Not if you work hard at your excercises.
anyone to get deformed fingers nowadays.
leprosy and how to prevent deformity.
Jagdish
That is good news.
Sunil
Come to the next room and see the Doctor, then 1 will show you
how to massage your fingers.
(they go off stage together.)
my fingers
get
Well Jagdish, It
deformed ?
certainly
What can
1
do
There is no need for
We know how to cure
Please tell me what to do.
Curtain
SCENE 4
At The
Leprosy Clinic
(The scene is the same as before. Sunil and Jagdish enter toge
ther. Jagdish is carrying a bottle of tablets)
Sunil
7
Well Jagdish, now you have learnt to massage your hands. Doctor
has given you your tablets for the month, so now you can go
home and go to work normally.
Jagdish
But I can't go to work. I haven't got a job any more.
visor gave me the sack.
Sunil
Oh yes. I had forgotten.
spoke to the supervisor ?
Jagdish
It might help, but he is a very disagreeable man.
Sunil
We can but try ! Meet me at the factory gate at 8 o’clock tomor
row morning. I don't promise anything but he may have some
suggestion to make. Goodbye for now.
Jagdish
Goodbye.
The super
Do you think it would help if I came and
I’ll be there by 8 o'clock.
SCENE
c^--.
CO
326.
f,:rin. | clock
Korarm rg-Ja
Bangalore-560034
India
Curtain
5
At The Factory Gate
(Jagdish stands waiting at the gate.
Sunil comes in and waves.)
I'm glad to see you.
Sunil
Good morning Jagdish.
Jagdish
Good morning.
Sunil
Now, where can we find the Supervisor.
Jagdish
He’s in the Factory.
I'll go and find him.
8
Sunil
Ask him if he would be kind enough to see me for a few minutes.
(Jagdish goes off)
Oh 1 do hope I'll be able to help Jagdish. If only eyeryone came to
the clinic with the first signs of leprosy there would be so much
less deformity—Oh, here they come !
(Jagdish & Supervisor come on stage)
Jagdish
(Speaking to the Supervisor).
clinic.
This is the health worker from the
Sunil
Good morning Sir.
Supervisor
Good morning.
Sunil
1 have come to ask your help for Jagdish here. He tells me he has
lost his job because he is having trouble with his hands.
Supervisor
Yes, that’s right—he used to be my best worker but lately he has
become so slow and clumsy, 1 could not keep him. (He turns
angrily to Jagdish) Why have you come back ? 1 told you yester
day that there was no work for you here—now you have brought
this man here to trouble me.
Go away—I’m not having a clumsy
fool like you in my factory I
Thankyou for seeing me.
What can 1 do for you ?
(Sunil intervenes, speaking placatingly)
Sunil
Please sir listen to me before you get angry with Jagdish. Jagdish
cannot help being slow and clumsy at present. It is the result of
his disease...........
Supervisor
Disease !—What disease ?
9
He looks healthy enough to me.
Sunil
He is quite fit. The disease which Jagdish has is one that has
affected the nerves in his arm. If he takes treatment he will get
better.
Supervisor
What sort of disease affects the nerves in the arm ?
1 never heard
of such a disease.
Sunil
Yes you have Sir 1
Supervisor
(Stepping back in fear) Leprosy I You dare to stand there and tell
me one of my men has got leprosy I Get out 1—get out I—You'll be
infecting all of us I Everybody knows that leprosy is a very infec
tious disease 1
Sunil
No. no, that is the mistake most people make. Very few people
have the infectious type of leprosy. Jagdish has the non-infectious
type which has attacked the nerves in his arm. That is why his
hand has become so clumsy.
Supervisor
Not infectious i
Sunil
Well, you may take my word for it. 85% of all leprosy patients are
never able to spread the disease to others. Now, about Jagdish—
he has started taking treatment, and if he massages and exercises
his fingers they will shortly be as good as ever. But he needs a
regular job so that he can support his family.
Supervisor
This isn’t a charitable institution—we can’t employ those who do
bad work I
Sunil
1 realise that. 1 just wondered whether there was some other job
which Jagdish could do. He has been a good worker in the past,
Jagdish has the early sign of leprosy...........
1 didn’t know there was such a thing.
10
and you know he is trustworthy.
job In another department ?
Couldn't you give him a temporary
Supervisor
Well, the night watchman has gone off sick—
Jagdish
Oh sir, Please let me take his place. I could easily do a watch
man's job. I'll do anything if you'll give me another chance.
Supervisor
Very well.
job well.
Sunil
Well Jagdish, it's the best we can do for the time being, but at
least you’ll be able to look after your family now. Don’t forget to
take your tablets each day and keep massaging those fingers.
Jagdish
I certainly will remember to do that.
as well. Thankyou sir. Goodbye.
Sunil
Goodbye.
Start at 9 o'clock tonight.
We'll see if you can do that
(Supervisor goes off).
I don't want to
lose this job
See you next month at the clinic.
CURTAIN
SCENE 6
The
Factory
at
Night
(Jagdish is walking around with his stick and a lantern.
out and thumps the stick on the ground as he goes.)
11
He calls
Jagdish
It seems quiet enough again tonight.
tes and eat my meal.
I'll sit down for a few
minu
(He opens his tiffin carrier and begins to eat) Ho, these are tasty
chops today. I must tell my wife to make these more often. (He
packs up the tiffin)
Jagdish
Well I don’t need to go round for another
time to massage my hands again.
ten minutes.
I've
got
(he begins to massage his hands). They really are much stronger
already. What a good thing that Nirmal Babu told me to go to the
clinic
Oh well, I suppose I'd better do another round of the
(he picks up his stick & lantern)
building
(The two thieves creep in and start to climb the wall of the factory)
What's that noise ! (he listens, then creeps forward)
Thieves—trying to get into the factory I
(Jagdish runs forward, brandishing his stick and shouting
Thief, Thief I
(The thieves run away and Jagdish chases them.
of the men & brings him back to centre of stage)
So—I caught you red handed—come with me.
you over to the police.
He catches one
I'm going to hand
(He marches the struggling thief off.)
CURTAIN
_
12
o •'
COMMUNITY HEALTH CELL
326. V Main. I Block
Korsmbngr la
Bangalore-bC0034
India
SCENE 7
Outside
The
Factory
(Supervisor comes in wheeling his motor bike.
start it.)
Supervisor
Oh dear, 1 can’t get this thing to start.
engines.
He is unable to
1 wish 1 knew more about
(Jagdish comes in)
Are you having trouble ?
Jagdish
Good evening Supervisor Sahib.
Supervisor
Yes, 1 can't get this bike to start, (he looks up and is surprised to
see Jagdish) Oh, it's you Jagdish. How are you ? 1 hear you
caught a thief last night.
Jagdish
Yes, but he was a useless sort of man. 1 caught him easily. Let
me try. (he tries to kick start the motor bike without success)
No, it's not firing at all. Let me have a look at the engine. Have
you a wrench ?
(Supervisor hands him a wrench and Jagdish tinkers with the
engine)
Supervisor
You, don’t seem to be having any trouble with your hands now
Jagdish—you have't dropped the wrench even once I
Jagdish
(starting the engine successfully) Ah, that’s got it. No, my hands
are rpuch stronger now. I've been taking tablets regularly and
doing my massage. Already they are much better.
13
Supervisor
Well I'm glad to hear it. You’d better come back to your old job on
Monday. Ram Prasad is leaving and we'll be short of a mechanic
then.
Jagdish
Oh thank you, I'll be glad to come back. 1 promise 1 won't fail you
again. Now 1 know the cause of my trouble and how it can be
cured.
Supervisor
Yes, it's a pity more people don’t know that leprosy is a curable
disease. We should ask your Health Worker to come and speak
to all the factory staff and teach them that leprosy can be cured
and deformity prevented.
Jagdish
Yes, that’s a good idea. Everyone should know the true facts,
then they would not be afraid of leprosy. 1 will certainly ask him.
Goodbye Sahib.
Supervisor
Goodbye—see you on Monday.
CURTAIN
THE END
14
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