Prepared by:

SHEILA MAY M. CABILING

“Tears of Heaven”

Would you know my name…

If I saw you in heaven?

Would you feel the same…

If I saw you heaven?

I must be strong…and carry on…

Cause I know I don’t belong…

Here in heaven…

ERIC CLAPTON

Would you hold my hand…

If I saw you in heaven?

Would you help me stand…

If I saw you in heaven?

I’ll find my way…

Through night and day

Cause I know I just can’t stay

Here in heaven…

“SOHRAB AND RUSTUM"

Firdausi

The people of the province of Seistan rejoiced the birth of Rustum, the son of Zal, because when he came into the world, he was as strong as a one-year old child.

While he was yet a small boy, his father called him and said…

“My son, thou are now strong as an elephant and fit for all the hardships of war, though thy lips still breathe the scent of milk and thy heart turns towards boyish games and gladness. Can I thee to the war to cope with heroes?”

“I have no wish or pleasure or a life of ease. Give me a horse and the club of Sahm, my grandfather, and I will go forth against the enemies of my country.”

One day Rustum was an honored guest at the king’s palace in a far away city. Here he saw the king’s daughter, Tamineh, whom he loved for her beauty and wisdom.

So they were married, for the king was glad to make an alliance with Rustum.

Time came when Rustum had to go back to his own city. He was sad and could not take his wife with him. He did not wish that his people should know about his marriage for they expected him to marry a maiden of his own people.

So he took a tender farewell of Tamineh and gave her an amulet made of onyx stone which he got from his arm, and said:

“If Heaven should grant thee a little daughter in my absence bind this onyx in her hair; but if a son, place it upon his arm, then shall he be strong of limb as Sahm, my grandsire, and graceful of speech as Zal, my father.”

After sometime, Tamineh gave birth to a lovely boy who smiled at the world from the moment he came to it; and so they called him Sohrab, or the child of smiles.

He was as mighty as his father. When he grew to nine years, he could fight and ride better than any grown man in that land.

Tamineh was afraid for Rustum will be proud of such a son and take him from her. While still a baby she bound the amulet of onyx on his arm and sent message to Rustum that a daughter had been born instead. Rustum was disappointed for he had hoped for a brave son; but he sent five jewels for the child bade the mother to take good care of her. He was busy in the battlefield and could not come to see her.

When Sohrab was about ten years of age, he came to his mother one day and said, “See, I am taller and stronger than one of the boys with whom I play; yet, when they ask me of my race and my father’s name, I can answer nothing. Tell me, I pray thee, who is my sire?

And Tamineh answered, “My son, thy father’s name is Rustum, and he is the greatest hero the world has ever seen.”

At last, Sohrab cried,

“Mother, tell me where my father is that I may go to him and fight by his side.”

But Tamineh wept and said, “I have lost my husband, and now I shall also lose my only son? I beg you not to find him for he will take thee from me.” Yet even the tears of his mother did not stop Sohrab from his purpose.

Meantime, in that same morning’s dawn an anxious messenger came to the tent of Rustum and implored him to come forth and take up the challenge of the stranger youth, saying:

“O, Rustum, like thy might is this young man’s. He has the wild stag’s foot, the lion’s heart. And he is young, and Iran’s chiefs are old, or else too weak; and all eyes turn to thee.”

But Rustum answered: “Not so, for if the chieftains of Persia are old, I am older than they. Let King Kai Kaas choose one of the younger men who loves so well to fight against this youth. What care I indeed, for Sohrab’s boast!

I would indeed rejoice; and I would send him forth to war in my stead, while I return to the house of my father and hang my war-worn armor upon his walls.”

Then one of the warriors said, “What then will men say when they hear what thou, whom Sohrab wished most to meet in conflict, has turned thy back upon him? Will they not say that Rustum’s day is past, and that he fears to lose his fame by fighting with younger men?”

Rustum was moved by these words and granted their request.

The Persian ran quickly to the camp while Rustum prepare himself for the fight. Rakush fallowed him unbidden like a faithful hound. He passed through the watching host and came between the two armies. He watched Sohrab as he came toward him.

He pitied the youth and while beckoning him to come forward, he said,

“Young man, the breath of life is warm; but the grave is cold. Look at me. I am mighty stature and clad in mail. I have fought with many a foe and never yet been conquered. Take counsel; leave the Tartar host and come to me as son to fight beneath my banner.”

Sohrab looked at the mighty figure and as he looked, a strange hope was born in his breast. He ran forward and kneeling before the mighty warrior said,

“Art thou not Rustum? Speak! Art thou not

he?

The aged warrior looked upon him with eyes of mistrust thinking that the youth wished to know his name in order that he might boast of the fight among his fellows. Then he said harshly, “Rise! Why do you ask for Rustum? Rash boy, men look on Rustum’s face and flee. Fight or yield!”

Sohrab rose up and raised his head, saying: “Thou wilt not frighten me so! I’m no girl to be made pale by words. As for that victory of which you are sure, the event will prove to whom is to fall.

So… they fight!

The armies held their breath for a time. The darkness around the combatants disappeared and the hosts saw Rustum standing safely while Sohrab was lying wounded on the bloody sand.

With a bitter smile Rustum looked down upon his foe and said, “Fool, thou art slain by an unknown hand.”

…the mighty Rustum will avenge my death – Rustum, my father, whom I seek through all the world.”

“Nay. It was not thou, but the name of Rustum that unmanned me for a moment. ..

Then Sohrab rose up his arm and cried, “Behold this onyx, given by Rustum to my mother, that she might bind it on her babe.”

Rustum looked and saw the onyx stone. The sight struck with cold horror at his heart. He stood for some moments and with grief said. “Oh. Boy – thy father!” He paused and fell down by Sohrab’s side, like dead.

Not long after, Sohrab roused him gently, and when Rustum realized his awful deed and took his sword to slay himself by the side of his son, but Sohrab prevented him saying,

“Come sit beside me on this and take. My head betwixt thy hands, and kiss my cheek and wash them with thy tears and say: My son! Quick! Quick! For numbered are my sands of life. And swift; for like the lightning to this field. I came and like the wind I go away.”

Sohrab stroke the famous horse whom he knew so well and pitying his father’s overwhelming grief tried to comfort him saying: “Death comes to all men; why then this grief?”

He then implored his father to send away the forces without the horrors of a battle and to carry him to his own palace, the home of white-haired Zal, and there to raise over him a tomb of which men might say:

“Sohrab, the mighty Rustum’s son, lies there, whom his great father did in ignorance kill.”

And so he died; and Rustum covered his face with his horseman’s cloak and sat motionless by his side, cold fog came creeping in with night from Oxus.

-FIN-

PICTURE SEQUENCE

DIALOG

-it is the exact words of a character in the story or play. When two or more characters are conversing, dialog is the exchange of speech between them.