KORKIE’S GOOD DEED
BY
MARILYN A. KINSELLA
Puppets: Wizard (W), Kangaroo (K), Rudolph (R), Elf-1 (1), elf-2 (2), Santa (S), and one puppet that is raggedy looking as the disguised (D) wizard.
Props: red and white pole with north pole written on it.
Act I
(In Australia)
D. (to audience) Hello! You probably don’t’ recognize me. But it is I, the Wiley Wizard of Willoughby Wallow, but, hey, you may call me Wiley. Once a year at Christmas I disguise myself as a poor beggar and try to find a kind animal to help me. When I do, I reward that animal with three wishes. Any three wishes their little ole heart desires. Oh, the wishes I’ve granted over the years have been strange and delightful. There was once an aardvark who wished to be the queen of England and a bear asked for some hot porridge. Then, others ask for the usual pot of gold or big screen TV. It is such a delight to grant wishes. But, of course, if an animal is cruel and unkind, then no wishes are granted and I would, well, I don’t know what I would do. The situation has never happened, and I’m sure it won’t happen here in beautiful Australia, the land down-under. Let’s see, will it be a kind-hearted koala, a just ducky-billed platypus, or a well-mannered wallaby? But wait, I think I see an animal coming down the path.
(enter kangaroo)
Oh, Please help me. I’ve fallen and can’t seem to move. If you could just give me your hand…
K. Are you kidding? Look at you – all scudzy and dirty! I’d have to take a bath for a week just to get rid of all the cooties in my beautiful fur.
D. All right, but could you get me a glass of water? This Australian air is very dry and I feel like I could spit cotton.
K. What do I look like – a water fountain? I’d have to hop all the way back to Sydney and back out to the outback. Get your own water.
D. Very well. Could you, please, call me a taxi?
K. Okay...You’re a taxi. Happy?
D. No, I mean a cab.
K. Okay... you’re a cab.
D. No, I mean a…
K. Look, I know what you mean. And I’m not your messenger. Do you have any idea how much a taxi would cost? You got that kind of money…I don’t think so.
D. Well what can you do for me?
K. Nothin’, zero, zilch. You’re on your own. (starts to walk away. As he does, the disguised animal turns into the wizard)
W. So, Korkie, this is how you treat others? (Korkie turns around)
K. Say, how did you know my name…Who are you?
W. It is I, Willoughby Wizard. Once a year I search for a kind animal so I may grant three wishes. But you were cruel and unkind. Your heart is as cold as ice. So that’s where I’ll send you – to the North Pole. And hear this, Korkie Kangaroo – you will not come home until you do a good deed.
Inka, Dinka, Rinka and Kalamazoo
It’s off to the North Pole with the likes of you.
(Korkie disappears)
ACT II
SCENE I (at the North Pole – put red and white candy striped sign with “North Pole” on it.)
(Korkie enters one side and slowly hops to the other side talking to herself)
K. BRRRR!, it’s cold up here. Not a bit like sunny Australia. This is a desert alright – a desert of ice! Only animal I even saw so far was a Polar Bear. If I had asked him how I could help, he probably would have said that I could be his next meal. Oh! I wish I hadn’t been so mean to that wizard. But then wishes aren’t going to get me out of here. (exits)
SCENE II
R. Oh dear, dear, dear! Reindeer that is. Poor Blitzen is ill and I need someone to take his place. The employment office is closed, and I don’t know what to do. Wait a minute, I think I see someone. (K. enters) Excuse me? Do I know you? Have we ever met? Are you a reindeer?
K. Reindeer? No, I’m a kangaroo.
R. Aren’t you a little ways from home.
K. I’m lots of ways from home. About as far a ways as you can get. You see, I crossed paths with a wizard, and to punish me he sent me here until I perform a good deed.
R. A good deed! Well, it just so happens that I could use a good deed. Let me introduce myself. My name is Rudolph – Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer. But you can call me Rudie.
K. Thanks…Rudie, my name is Korkie. But, tell me what can I do to help you?
R. Well, Blitzen –my strong right lead – is ill and I need someone to take his place.
K. I’m certainly strong.
R. Yes, and with a set of antlers, you’ll pass as a reindeer.
K. Great! Let’s go.
R. Of course, you have to fly.
K. Fly? Like up in the air – fly? I jump, but I don’t fly.
R. Too bad. I’m sure you would have helped us if you could, but I’ve got another idea. I know Santa’s chief elf, a fellow by the name of Twinkles. He’s down at Santa’s Village. And I just happen to know that they’re looking for someone to help with the toys.
K. That would be great. Where would I find this Twinkles?
R. Just follow this yellow brick road till you come to this red and white striped pole. Don’t put your tongue on it or it will freeze there forever. Immediately after the pole, hang a left at the Domino Pizza sign, and you can’t miss it.
K. Thanks Rudie! I hope Blitzen gets better.
R. Me too!
SCENE III (at Santa’s Toy Factory)
T. Oh dear, so many toys – so little time. I’ll never have these ready for Santa.
K. (enters) Excuse me. My name is Korkie the Kangaroo, and I heard that you need help.
T. Sure do! Go on down to the third cottage. They handle painting and trimming. Just tell Finley I sent you. Welcome aboard Korkie!
SCENE IV (Later that day)
F. PSST! Twinkles, come here.
T. Yes, Finley, what is it?
F. That kangaroo you sent is slowing production down. Instead of helping, she is a big hindrance.
T. What do you mean?
F. She is trying. But her tail knocked over all the paint on one shelf, and we had to reorder from the warehouse, and you know how slow they are. Next she knocked over the ladder with Pippin on it. Now she’s laid up and is suing for workman’s comp. I’m sorry, Twinkles, but I just had to let her go.
T. Thanks anyway, Finley. Perhaps, Santa can help her. I’ll go talk to him. If anyone can fix this, Santa can!
SCENE V
K. Oh, woe is me! I can’t fly like a reindeer or paint like the elves. I’m doomed to stay here forever. (cries)
S. Ho, ho, ho. You must be Korkie, the kangaroo Twinkles told me about.
K. Oh, Santa, I tried to help, but everything I did turned to disaster.
S. Yes, I know. But nothing that can’t be fixed. And besides, I think I have the answer to your problem. Do you see my bag over there? I caught it on a nail and ripped a gigantic hole in it. I’ll never be able to fix it by tonight. So would you be willing to carry all the toys in your pouch?
K. Why Santa, I’d be proud to help you tonight.
S. And, as it just so happens, Australia is on my flight plan.
K. Oh, thank you Santa. I’ve sure missed all my friends and family, and you can bet your whiskers that I’ll be kind and helpful to everyone I meet.
S. Korkie, I think you have discovered the true meaning of Christmas while you were here. I’m proud of you. Now, we have lots of towns to visit so let’s be on our way. Is there anything I can do for you before we start?
K. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you make Australia your last stop. It's my home, and I want to be home for Christmas.
S. That would be grand. Are you ready?
K. Yes, I’m ready. Maybe the boys and girls are ready too. Let’s all sing “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” (sing)
Both: MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!
