The Turnip (Репка)

THE TURNIP

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman. They were poor and could hardly make ends meet.

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: One day the old man planted a turnip in his kitchen garden. The turnip was growing and growing and grew very, very big.

O l d m a n: Wow! Have a look at this! The turnip is huge! Have you ever seen anything like this before? I am going to pull it out.

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: So, the old man took hold the turnip leaves and he pulled, and he pulled but he couldn’t pull it out.

O l d m a n: Oh-oh…I can’t pull this turnip. I have to ask my old lady to help me. Wife, wife, were are you? Oh I should shout louder. She is deaf in one ear. Hello! Come on! Help me!

O l d w o m a n: Why are you shouting? I am not deaf. If you scream any more, I’ll take my broom and… Oh, I can hardly believe my eyes. What is it?

O l d m a n: You are not deaf. You are blind. It’s my turnip! Come on! Give me a hand with this things!

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: The old man took hold of the turnip…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the old woman took hold of the old man...

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: And they pulled, and they pulled, but they couldn’t pull it out.

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: So they arrived at a decision to call their granddaughter.

O l d w o m a n: Honey, come here and help us!

G r a n d d a u g h t e r: Me? You want me to pull this giant thing out? Are you kidding?

O l d m a n: Don’t start a quarrel! You should be ashamed of yourself. Come on, let’s do it. Each family member must do his bit.

G r a n d d a u g h t e r: Well, I’ll help you. OK?

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: So, the old man took hold of the turnip

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the old woman took hold of the old man…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: And the granddaughter took hold of the old woman…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And they pulled, and they pulled but they couldn’t pull it out.

G r a n d d a u g h t e r: Oh, dear! Pulling this turnip out is no picnic. We can’t do it without my dog. Come here, doggy!

D o g: What’s up?

G r a n d d a u g h t e r: We need your help.

O l d m a n: Help us pull this turnip out.

D o g: Sure. No problem.

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: The old man took hold of the turnip…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the old woman took hold of the old man…

S t o r y – t e l l e r1 1: And the granddaughter took hold of the old woman…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the dog took hold of the granddaughter…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: And they pulled, and they pulled but they couldn’t pull it out.

D o g: What have you grown, old man? It isn’t a turnip, it’s just a monster.

G r a n d d a u g h t e r: So what? Any ideas? How could we pull it out?

D o g: Let’s call the cat. Maybe he can help us. Come here, puss.

C a t: Mew-mew. Did you call me?

D o g: Look. We have to pull this turnip out. Will you help us?

C a t: I’ll help you if you give me milk and sour-cream and…

O l d w o m a n: No help – no food, OK?

C a t: I was kidding. You can count on my help.

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: So, the old man took hold of the turnip…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the old woman took hold of the old man…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: And the granddaughter took hold of the old woman…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the dog took hold of the granddaughter…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: And the cat took hold of the dog, and they started pulling…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: It was too hard to pull out. They tried again, - no way.

O l d m a n : It’s incredible! I think this turnip is one for the Guinness Book of Records. It’ll bring us a lot of money if we pull it out.

O l d w o m a n: That’s it, “ If…”

M o u s e: Hi! I see you are in trouble, guys. Can I help you?

C a t: Look at this big shot. She wants to help us. Don’t you see how huge the turnip is?!

M o u s e: Big deal! We’ll cope with it if we are together.

O l d m a n: OK. Let’s get down to business then.

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: So, the old man took hold of the turnip…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the old woman took hold of the old man…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: And the granddaughter took hold of the old woman…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And the dog took hold of the granddaughter…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 1: And the cat took hold of the dog, and the mouse took hold or the cat…

S t o r y – t e l l e r 2: And they pulled, and they pulled, and they could pull it out.

A l l: It’s fantastic! It’s great! It’s wonderful!