POCAHONTAS
ACT ONE
Scene One
SETTING: In the forest. A few moments before the lights come up, we hear the SOUND OF
ALGONQUIN TOM-TOM DRUMS . Rhythmic, faint.
AT RISE: Slowly, STAGE LIGHTING DOWN CENTER DIMS UP TO HALF-SHADOW.
Standing in the moody glow is WORDSPINNER, an Algonquin maiden. Her arms and eyes are
lifted upwards as if reaching for the sky. Her words are spoken with dramatic feeling. MUSIC
CUE 1: “Live Forever.”
WORDSPINNER: (Sings.) Let the earth of the Algonquin
Live forever and forever.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
CHORUS: (OFFSTAGE. Sings.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
WORDSPINNER: (Sings.) Let our trees and flowing waters
Live forever and forever.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
CHORUS: (OFFSTAGE. Sings.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
WORDSPINNER: (Sings.) Let the legend of Matoak
Known as Princess Pocahontas
Live forever and forever.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
CHORUS: (OFFSTAGE. Sings.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya. (Softer, becoming a whisper, continuing under dialogue.)
WORDSPINNER: (Speaks.) In the language of the Algonquin people, I am called “the
wordspinner.” I am the one chosen to remember the stories of my people. The great
chiefs, the many battles, the important events. The times that were bad and the times that
were good. I keep these stories here—(Hand over heart.) In my heart. (Indicates head.)
In my head. (Smiles.) The story I am asked to spin more than any other is the legend of
Pocahontas. That is why you are here. (Shift in mood.) Travel back with me to another
time, another place. Three tiny ships, like islands floating on the water, have arrived
from the far-off country known as England. Settlers land and the great Algonquin Chief
Powhatan is not pleased. Trouble is in the wind and the creatures of the forest, like the
drums, spread the word from the valleys to the hills.
1
(Sings.) May the sun and moon and stars
Never leave our world in darkness.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
CHORUS: (OFFSTAGE. Sings.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
WORDSPINNER/CHORUS: (Sing.) May the legend of the princess
Known to all as Pocahontas
Live forever, and forever.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya. (Repeat to fade.)
End Of Scene One
[NOTE: Although individual scenes are indicated as such for rehearsal purposes, the play moves
along seamlessly. No stops and starts. With the aid of ATMOSPHERIC LIGHTING, one scene
blends into the next, or you can dispense with the lighting changes altogether and have actors, in
character, EXIT one scene as the next scene begins.]
ACT ONE
Scene Two
SETTING: Algonquin village.
LIGHTS UP: Two young Algonquin girls, each about 10 or 11, sit by the kettle. They are
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT and HAPPY-SHE-WALKS. They are cleaning vegetables taken
from a woven basket. POCAHONTAS is hidden from view behind the log or bush, LEFT. A
moment before LIGHTS UP, we hear the spirited laughter of LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT and
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: Princess Pocahontas is always playing tricks and saying funny
things. Yesterday she told me she met a raven in the forest, and they had a long
conversation. (Laughs.)
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: That could be true, Little Running Rabbit. Many believe Princess
Pocahontas knows the language of the animal and the bird. Who knows? Maybe she can
talk to fish. (They laugh.)
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: This morning she gave me some colored beads she got from the
English settlers. She said they would bring me good luck. (Produces colored beads,
holds them up to the sun.) Aren’t they pretty?
2
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: Pocahontas is always saying this or that will bring good luck. I don’t
believe she thinks there is such a thing as bad luck. (LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT puts on
the colored beads, admires them. As LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT and HAPPY-SHEWALKS work and talk, an Algonquin boy, BRAVE EAGLE, ENTERS FORESTAGE from
EXTREME DOWN LEFT. He’s been hunting, carries bow and arrows. Moves for the
village.)
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: I am glad the winter is gone and the breezes will soon be warm.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: The time for summer planting is near.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: I pray Mother Earth will give us a good harvest. (BRAVE
EAGLE ENTERS the village.)
BRAVE EAGLE: There’s nothing to fear. As long as Brave Eagle can hunt, this village will
never go hungry.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: Always boasting, Brave Eagle. You’re not even a warrior yet.
BRAVE EAGLE: I will be soon.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: You’re just a boy.
BRAVE EAGLE: I won’t be a boy forever.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: What have you brought from your hunt?
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: (Indicates.) For the kettle. (AUNT MORNING STAR ENTERS from
DOWN RIGHT. She carries a straw plate filled with beans and slices of squash.)
BRAVE EAGLE: A fat turkey. I’ve tied it in the stream to keep it fresh.
AUNT MORNING STAR: My brother, Chief Powhatan, will thank you, Brave Eagle. There is
nothing he likes better than wild bird. (Brushes squash slices and beans into kettle.)
These will season the stew.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: (Looks.) Squash and beans.
AUNT MORNING STAR: (Looks about.) Where is my brother’s daughter? My niece, Princess
Pocahontas? She should be here to help with the meal.
BRAVE EAGLE: She’s like a frog in the stream. Hop here, hop there.
(MUSIC CUE 2: “Where is Pocahontas?”)
___________________: (Sings.) Where is Pocahontas?
She could be anywhere.
3
_____________________: (Sings.) Sometimes I could swear,
She’ll disappear right into thin air.
_____________________: (Sings.) Where is Pocahontas?
The girl’s one of a kind.
_____________________: (Sings.) She baffles my mind.
How someone can be so hard to find.
ALL: (Sing.) The creatures of the forest, have all become her friends,
The animals all treat her just like she’s one of them.
_______________________: (Sings.) The bear will share his honey…
_______________________: (Sings.) The wolf will share her den.
ALL: (Sing.) The owl guides her safely home after the daylight ends.
________________________: (Sings.) Where is Pocahontas?
________________________: (Sings.) Is she beyond that hill?
________________________: (Sings.) Hush! Now, …be still…shhh…
Do you hear Pocahontas?
_________________________: (Sings.) It’s just a whip-poor-will.
ALL: (Sing.) Seems everyone that meets her will soon become her friend.
The English even treat her just like she’s one of them.
_________________________: (Sings.) She tells them all her stories.
_________________________: (Sings.) She’ll act them and pretend.
ALL: (Sing.) You’d think that girl’s imagination never has an end.
_________________________ (Sing.) Her head is in the clouds
_____________________: (Sings.)
Her head is in the clouds.
Her feet don’t touch the ground.
She lives in her own world.
________________________: (Sings.)
Her feet don’t touch the ground.
She lives in her own world.
ALL: (Sing.) But life can be so boring when that child is not around
4
___________________________: (Sing.) Where is Pocahontas?
______________________: (Sings.)
Where is Pocahontas?
Hiding in the trees?
________________________: (Sings.)
Hiding in the trees?
ALL: (Sing.) Chasing Pocahontas
Is like chasing the breeze.
_____________________________: (Sing.) Where is Pocahontas?
_____________________________: (Sing.) Where is Pocahontas? (In canon.)
Where is Pocahontas?
Where is Pocahontas?
Where is Pocahontas?
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: (At end of song.) Most likely in the forest. Talking to the creatures
who live there.
BRAVE EAGLE: Or with the English settlers. She likes going to Jamestown.
AUNT MORNING STAR: (Alarmed.) Be quiet, Brave Eagle.
BRAVE EAGLE: What have I said?
AUNT MORNING STAR: You know my brother has forbidden Princess Pocahontas to go
there. It would anger him greatly to know his daughter has disobeyed him.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: The settlers are fond of Pocahontas.
AUNT MORNING STAR: That’s even worse. When you see her, tell her I wish to speak with
her. Get more wood for the kettle. It’s time to start the fire.
BRAVE EAGLE: I’d better get the turkey. Otherwise, a bear or fox will pull it out of the water.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: You should have thought of that before you put it in. (AUNT
MORNING STAR EXITS into longhouse.)
BRAVE EAGLE: I had to put it somewhere. I was still hunting. That turkey was too big to
drag along. It would have slowed me down. (From the log, or behind the bush,
POCAHONTAS speaks in a “FUNNY” VOICE. Supposedly, it’s the “VOICE” OF A
LIZARD.)
POCAHONTAS/LIZARD VOICE: A likely story.
BRAVE EAGLE: (To HAPPY-SHE-WALKS.) What did you say?
5
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: When?
BRAVE EAGLE: Just now.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: I didn’t say anything.
BRAVE EAGLE: Then it must have been you, Little Running Rabbit.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: I said nothing.
BRAVE EAGLE: Someone spoke. I heard a voice.
POCAHONTAS/LIZARD VOICE: Of course you did. Zzzzzzzzzz. Zzzzzzzzzz.
(ALL look about, trying to discover where the voice is coming from.)
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: Who can it be?
POCAHONTAS/LIZARD VOICE: Zzzzzzzzzz. Zzzzzzzzzz.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: Where are you?
POCAHONTAS/LIZARD VOICE: Zzzzzzzzzz.
BRAVE EAGLE: (Holds tight to knife in his belt.) Perhaps it’s an evil spirit. An evil spirit
wandered in from the forest. (GIRLS react in alarm.) Show yourself, whoever you are.
Where are you hiding?
POCAHONTAS/LIZARD VOICE: I am not hiding. I’m over here.
BRAVE EAGLE: Where?
POCAHONTAS/LIZARD VOICE: On the log [By the bush]. I’m sunning myself. (BRAVE
EAGLE puts his finger to his lips, cautioning LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT and HAPPYSHE-WALKS to be quiet. He draws his knife. BRAVE EAGLE in the lead, the three
tiptoe to the log. BRAVE EAGLE sees something on the log [bush], returns knife to his
belt.)
BRAVE EAGLE: Look.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: (Looks.) It’s a lizard!
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: A salamander! (BRAVE EAGLE picks up the lizard [toy] by its
tail. Wiggles it.)
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: A talking lizard!
6
BRAVE EAGLE: Foolish Happy-She-Walks. Foolish girl. This is no talking lizard. (Returns it
to log [bush].)
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: We heard it speak.
BRAVE EAGLE: You only thought you did. (Knowing the speaker’s true identity.) What you
heard was—
POCAHONTAS: (Jumps up from behind the log, or bush, arms wide. Smiling face.)
Pocahontas! (OTHERS laugh. POCAHONTAS, too, is about 10 or 11. A mischievous
girl. Curious about life, with a kind heart. She’s fun-loving and nearly always happy.)
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: There you go again, Pocahontas. Tricking us.
BRAVE EAGLE: She didn’t fool me. I knew it was the princess. I’m use to her tricks.
Besides, everyone knows lizards can’t talk.
POCAHONTAS: You’ve a lot to learn about the forest, Brave Eagle. (Steps away from log.)
Of course they can talk. Just ask Thundercloud. Animals talk all the time. All you have
to do is learn their language. I know a squirrel who never stops chattering, and a wolf
who is always saying wise things. There’s also a raven in the forest who’s a bird of few
words.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: A squirrel!
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: A wolf!
BRAVE EAGLE: A raven! (The THREE howl with laughter and throw themselves on the
ground holding their sides.)
POCAHONTAS: Just for that, I don’t think I’ll introduce you to them.
TRIO: Introduce us to them! Ha, ha, ha! (They laugh all the louder and continue to roll on the
ground. AUNT MORNING STAR ENTERS from longhouse. She holds a drum and hits it
a few times with a stick to signal the arrival of CHIEF POWHATAN. He, too, steps IN
from the longhouse. POWHATAN is an imposing figure. Strong, stubborn, worthy of
respect. He is FOLLOWED by his advisor and medicine man, THUNDERCLOUD.
NOTE: EXTRA ALGONQUINS can be utilized at this point. They can ENTER from
longhouse or APPEAR from UP RIGHT and DOWN LEFT in the village.)
THUNDERCLOUD: Hear me, people of this village. Hear the words of Powhatan, your chief,
your king. (ALL stand motionless, a sign of great respect.)
7
CHIEF POWHATAN : The long winter has passed and the Great Spirit has smiled on us. We
have not gone hungry. We have been spared sickness, and we have plenty of food to see
us to the next planting.
ALGONQUINS: (Pleased.) Aaaaaaah.
CHIEF POWHATAN: May the Great Spirit never find us wanting.
ALGONQUINS: Hi-ya!
CHIEF POWHATAN: May the Spirit of Mother Earth smile on us.
ALGONQUINS: Hi-ya!
POCAHONTAS: Father?
CHIEF POWHATAN: Who speaks?
THUNDERCLOUD: (Points to POCAHONTAS.) It is your daughter, Great Powhatan. The
Princess Pocahontas. (THUNDERCLOUD is rather menacing.)
CHIEF POWHATAN : (Motions her forward.) You wish to say something, daughter?
POCAHONTAS: (Hesitates.) It’s only that…
CHIEF POWHATAN: If you have something to say, speak.
POCAHONTAS: We have been fortunate. But the English settlers—
(MUSIC CUE 3: “No Common Ground.”)
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Angrily gestures for her to be silent. Speaks.) I wish to hear no more of
the English settlers. No more of Jamestown. Let those who come from the far-off land
return there. (Sweeping gesture to painted backdrop of greenery.) All this, as far as the
eye can see and the ear can hear, is the land of the Algonquin people. (Sings.)
They speak a different language.
They dress in different clothes.
Their skin’s a different color.
So’s the shape of their nose.
They give us useless trinkets,
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Sings.) With promises abound.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
8
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Sings.) Their words cannot be trusted
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Sings.) We have no common ground.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
No common ground,
We have no common ground.
No common ground.
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Sings.) Hi-ya, hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) No common ground,
We have no common ground.
No common ground.
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Sings.) Hi-ya, hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
THUNDERCLOUD: (Sings.) I call on you, “Great Spirit”
Please keep Powhatan strong.
To drive the English to the sea
And back where they belong.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) No common ground.
THUNDERCLOUD: (Sings.) Hi-ya,
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) We have no common ground.
THUNDERCLOUD: (Sings.) Hi-ya.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) No common ground.
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Sings.) Hi-ya, hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) No common ground.
THUNDERCLOUD: (Sings.) Hi-ya.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) We have no common ground.
THUNDERCLOUD: (Sings.) Hi-ya.
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) No common ground.
9
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Sings.) Hi-ya, hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
(Repeat the last 6 lines and fade til CUE.)
THUNDERCLOUD: (At end of song. Shakes gourd rattle.) They come to take, to steal. Let
the Spirit of Mother Earth be unkind to them. Let spirits of the forest torment them.
POCAHONTAS: But Father, they have suffered greatly through the winter. There’s great
hunger in Jamestown.
THUNDERCLOUD: Did you not hear your father, Princess? He wishes no more talk of the
English settlers. (Notices colored beads around neck of LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT.)
Ah! (Moves to LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT.) Shame, Little Running Rabbit. (Points to
bead necklace.) You have visited the camp of the English settlers.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: No, no, Thundercloud. I have not.
THUNDERCLOUD: You wear the colored beads the English brought from across the water.
Take them off. You will be punished. (Worried, LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT removes
the necklace.)
POCAHONTAS: Do not punish her. I gave those beads to Little Running Rabbit. It was I,
Princess Pocahontas, who visited Jamestown. (LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT surrenders
the bead necklace to THUNDERCLOUD. He steps back to CHIEF POWHATAN and
gives him the beads. CHIEF POWHATAN turns them over in his hands.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: I wish to speak with my daughter. Leave us.
AUNT MORNING STAR: The princess should be punished. It’s the only way she’ll learn to
behave. You allow her too much freedom, my brother.
CHIEF POWHATAN: Enough! (He gestures with his hands that ALL should leave. The
ALGONQUINS DISPERSE. AUNT MORNING STAR EXITS to the longhouse.
THUNDERCLOUD stands UP RIGHT. When OTHERS are gone, CHIEF POWHATAN
steps CENTER. POCAHONTAS is afraid of his disapproval.) What is the Great
Powhatan to do with his daughter Matoak? He forbids her to visit the English settlers and
still she goes. He tells her to stay in the village and she spends her time in the forest.
Powhatan wishes her to be serious and she plays tricks and games.
POCAHONTAS: Forgive me, Father. I have no wish to displease you. I can’t seem to help
myself. I like tricks and games and playing with our forest friends.
CHIEF POWHATAN: That is why we call you Pocahontas. “She-Who-Likes-To-BeMischievous.” Daughter, you are my only child. There is only love in my heart for you.
It gives me no pleasure to scold you. Do not try my patience.
10
POCAHONTAS: But Father, if you could only know the settlers as I do. They mean no harm to
us.
CHIEF POWHATAN: No more, Pocahontas! You are making me angry.
POCAHONTAS: Forgive me, Father.
CHIEF POWHATAN : (Gestures to longhouse.) Go to your aunt. She will counsel you in the
proper way for the daughter of Powhatan to behave. Listen to her words.
POCAHONTAS: Yes, Father. (Disheartened, EXITS to the longhouse. CHIEF POWHATAN
studies the colored beads.)
THUNDERCLOUD: (Steps to him. Scoffs.) Colored beads. Foolish trinkets to win our hearts.
I say we drive them out. If we don’t, more and more will come from the far-off land.
CHIEF POWHATAN: I do not need my medicine man to remind me of what I already know. If
they do not go, I, Powhatan, King of the Algonquin people, will drive them into the sea.
(He snaps necklace in two. Holds the pieces high, as if offering them to the sun.) Hi-yaya! (THUNDERCLOUD nods his approval. LIGHTS FADE. SOUND: TOM-TOM
DRUMS. Loud, warlike.)
End Of Scene Two
ACT ONE
Scene Three
SETTING: The forest [FORESTAGE].
LIGHTS UP: The FORESTAGE LIGHTING is SHADOWY. The forest seems enchanted.
From EXTREME DOWN RIGHT wanders IN ESTHER FINLEY. She’s a young girl from
Jamestown who’s lost her wits. She twists her hair with finger and thumb. As ESTHER makes
her stage cross, she singsongs absentmindedly. (MUSIC CUE 4: “Poor Thing.”)
ESTHER: (Sings.) The north wind doth blow
And we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then,
Poor thing?
He’ll sit in a barn
And keep himself warm
And hide his head under his wing.
Poor thing… poor thing… poor thing.
(MUSIC OUT. ESTHER whistles the tune like a bird as she EXITS. She’s OUT,
EXTREME DOWN LEFT. As ESTHER crosses, three forest CREATURES ENTER
11
cautiously from EXTREME DOWN RIGHT. They are: SQUIRREL, WOLF and
RAVEN. They move CENTER, warily looking after ESTHER. [NOTE; CONSULT
PRODUCTION NOTES for costume suggestions.])
SQUIRREL: There’s that strange girl again.
WOLF: She’s from the place where the strangers dwell.
RAVEN: The place has a name, you know.
WOLF: Yes, yes, I know. But I keep forgetting. I’m not as young as I once was.
SQUIRREL/RAVEN: Jamestown.
WOLF: Yes, that’s right. Jamestown. Despite what Princess Pocahontas thinks, I’m not as
young as I once was.
SQUIRREL: You’re always saying things like that to get sympathy. No one believes you.
POCAHONTAS: (ENTERS EXTREME DOWN RIGHT.) Good morning, good friends.
SQUIRREL: Look who’s here.
WOLF: The Princess Pocahontas.
RAVEN: Come to play. (In way of greeting, SQUIRREL begins to “chatter,” WOLF tosses
back its head and howls, and RAVEN flaps its wings and makes a “caw-caw-caw”
sound.)
POCAHONTAS: I would like to stop and play, but I can’t.
SQUIRREL: Oh?
RAVEN: Why can’t you stop and play?
POCAHONTAS: I must tell my friends in Jamestown I won’t be able to visit them anymore.
WOLF: Why not?
POCAHONTAS: My father has forbidden it.
RAVEN: Why is that?
POCAHONTAS: I think he’s afraid of them.
WOLF: Powhatan afraid? Never.
12
SQUIRREL/WOLF: Never, never.
POCAHONTAS: He has only seen them from a distance. He won’t even meet with them.
Thundercloud warns against it.
SQUIRREL: Tsk, tsk. Humans are so difficult to understand, never trusting one another.
What’s the point in that? (MUSIC CUE 5: “You Can’t Predict a Human.)
RAVEN: (Sings.) You can’t predict a human,
They’ll have you so perplexed.
There’s just no telling what they’ll do
One moment to the next.
WOLF: (Sings.) You can always tell when Bear’s gonna growl
‘Cause he curls up his lip.
POCAHONTAS: (Sings.) And you know when Coyote’s comin’ ‘round
‘Cause he gives a little… yip.
SQUIRREL: (Sings.) Mother Porcupine’ll shoot her quills
When she crinkles up her snoot.
POCAHONTAS: (Sings.) You can count on Owl tellin’ you straight
‘Cause you know she gives a… hoot.
ALL: (Sing.) But you can’t predict a human,
They’ll have you so perplexed.
There’s just no telling what they’ll do
One moment to the next.
RAVEN: (Sings.) You can always tell when snow’s gonna fall
‘Cause the birds fly south in flocks.
POCAHONTAS: (Sings.) And you always know when Mallard’s mad,
You can hear it when he… squawks.
WOLF: (Sings.) Baby Eagle’s almost ready to fly
‘Cause he’s just lost all his fuzz.
POCAHONTAS: (Sings.) And you always know when the bee’s gonna sting,
You can hear it in his… buzz.
ALL: (Sing.) But you can’t predict a human,
They’ll have you so confused.
We’ve tried to figure what they’ll do
13
And haven’t got a clue.
SQUIRREL: (Sings.) They’ll say one thing and do another.
RAVEN: (Sings.) Lie to themselves and cheat their brother.
SQUIRREL/WOLF: (Sing.) Cry when they’re happy, laugh when they’re sad.
RAVEN: (Sings.) Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
POCAHONTAS: (Sings.) We’re the strangest creatures that this world has ever had.
ALL: (Sing.) You can’t predict a human,
They’ll have you so perplexed.
We’re so confused, haven’t got a clue,
There’s just no telling what they’ll do
One moment to the next.
POCAHONTAS: (Sings.) I think we’ve all been hexed.
POCAHONTAS: (At end of song.) Well, we may not be predictable, but I trust the English
settlers, and they trust me.
WOLF: You should have been here a few moments ago, Princess.
POCAHONTAS: Why?
WOLF: That strange little girl was wandering in the forest again. Singing her strange little
song.
POCAHONTAS: You mean the sister of Jeremy Finley. Her name is Esther.
RAVEN: We think she’s lost her mind.
SQUIRREL: No doubt about it.
WOLF: Crazy as they come.
POCAHONTAS: She lost both her parents during the terrible winter. And she was sick for a
long time. She has never recovered. But she will, I’m sure.
WOLF: She won’t do herself much good wandering alone in the forest.
SQUIRREL: Evil spirits might catch her, and she’ll never be seen again.
WOLF: Never, never.
14
POCAHONTAS: I’m sure her people are looking for her. I must be on my way.
SQUIRREL: Perhaps we can meet tomorrow and play a game of tag.
POCAHONTAS: I’d like that. Yes, yes.
WOLF: We’ll look for you, Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS: I won’t be hard to find, dear friends. If you don’t find me, I’ll find you. (She
crosses to EXTREME DOWN LEFT. Turns, waves.) ‘Til tomorrow. (CREATURES
wave back. POCAHONTAS EXITS.)
LIGHTS on FORESTAGE FADE.)
End of Scene Three
ACT ONE
Scene Four
SETTING: Jamestown.
LIGHTS UP: We hear the LAUGHTER of GIRLS. The GIRLS are: MARGARET
WHEELER, BARBARA MATTHEWS and her sister CAROLINA. NOTE: EXTRA GIRLS
can be added at this point, if you wish. Carrying baskets with dirty laundry, they ENTER
STAGE LEFT and cross for the pond. They get down on their knees and place the laundry
baskets beside them. (MUSIC CUE 6: “A Warm Day at Last.”)
MARGARET: (Sings.) It’s a warm day at last!
How I pray, bitter winter has finally passed.
ALL: (Sing.) It’s a wonderfully, glorious, radiant
Warm day at last!
BARBARA: (Sings.) We’ll have berries to pick.
CAROLINA: (Sings.) There’ll be fruit on the trees.
MARGARET: (Sings.) Fish in the streams.
BARBARA/CAROLINA/MARGARET: (Sing.) Honey fresh from the bees.
BARBARA: (Sings.) There is nothing so pleasing
As sun on your face.
15
BARBARA/CAROLINA: (Sing.) A blue sky above, don’t you love it?!
A warm day at last!
MARGARET: (Sings.) It’s a warm day at last!
Could it be, Mother Nature has finished her fast?
ALL: (Sing.) It’s a beautifully, dazzling, genial,
Warm day at last!
BARBARA: (Sings.) We can take off our coats,
CAROLINA: (Sings.) Toss our scarves and our mitts,
MARGARET: (Sings.) Skipping around,
ALL: (Sing.) Like we’re losing our wits.
BARBARA: (Sings.) There is nothing like breathing
Fresh air in your lungs.
BARBARA/CAROLINA: (Sing.) It’s all so exciting, inviting,
A warm day at last!
ALL: (Sings.) Do we see a storm cloud coming in view?
Someone please tell me that it isn’t true.
If I’m cooped up inside, cold and hungry
For one moment longer,
There’s no telling what I might do.
It’s a warm day at last!
There is hope in the air, weather’s fair, unsurpassed.
It’s a cheerfully, promising, heavenly,
Warm day at last!
JEREMY: (ENTERS DOWN LEFT. He drags a long hunting rifle and looks weary.) Has
Esther come back? (GIRLS stop scrubbing, look up.)
BARBARA: No, Jeremy, she hasn’t.
CAROLINA: We were hoping you’d find her.
MARGARET: No luck?
JEREMY: None. She’s never stayed away this long. I’d best speak with Captain Smith. It will
take a search party to find her.
16
MARGARET: Chief Powhatan wouldn’t like that.
JEREMY: I’ve got to find my sister. I can’t search the forest alone. It’s too big a job for one
man. (ANGRY VOICES from OFFSTAGE, LEFT.)
MERCY’S VOICE: (OFF LEFT.) Have we come all this way only to die in a wilderness!
CHARITY’S VOICE: (OFF LEFT.) I’ve lived most of my life. But what about my daughters?!
THOMAS’ VOICE: (OFF LEFT.) Captain Smith, I say we hunt with or without Powhatan’s
permission!
CAPTAIN SMITH: (ENTERS LEFT.) I’ve heard your complaints a hundred times over. Let
patience be our strength.
MERCY: (ENTERS LEFT.) Patience! Talk to my hunger about patience! But I warn you, it’s
through listening. (GIRLS and JEREMY look to adults. CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH is a
handsome young soldier, leader of the settlement. He carries a rolled-up map. Crosses
to table and stands by the stool. He spreads the map atop the table. Following after him
is MERCY ROGERS, a strong-willed, forceful woman whose patience is at an end. She is
followed by the mother of BARBARA and CAROLINA, CHARITY MATTHEWS. Next is
MERCY’S husband, THOMAS. He’s a bit afraid of his wife. [NOTE: Again, EXTRAS
can be added as CITIZENS.])
CAPTAIN SMITH: We mustn’t give in to despair. A ship is bound to reach us sometime soon.
CHARITY: You’ve been saying that for months.
MERCY: For all we know, that ship is at the bottom of the ocean. Let me sit. I’m weary with
complaining. (She sits at table.)
THOMAS: What are we going to do about gunpowder? It’s almost gone. What my wife says is
probably true. If a ship was coming with supplies, it would have been here by now.
(CHARITY crosses to pond, indicates BARBARA and CAROLINA.)
CHARITY: My daughters, Barbara and Carolina. And Margaret Wheeler here. An orphan.
What’s their future to be, Captain Smith? Next winter will find us frozen in the snow. If
we live that long.
THOMAS: We’ve been here barely a year and already we’ve lost more than half our friends and
relatives.
CAROLINA: So many are still ailing.
MERCY: What’s to become of us?
17
JEREMY: Captain Smith, my sister hasn’t returned. I beg you, sir. Let us form a search party.
THOMAS: Search party, indeed. Wouldn’t Chief Powhatan love to see us venturing onto his
land. It would give him an excuse to cut us down.
MERCY: We should attack the Indian village.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Bite your tongue, Goodwife Rogers. We come to this new land in
friendship.
THOMAS: We offer friendship to the Algonquin chief, and he spits in our face.
CAPTAIN SMITH: I don’t see how he could do that, Thomas. We’ve never met the gentleman.
(POCAHONTAS ENTERS DOWN LEFT, inscrutably. Overhears remarks of OTHERS.)
CHARITY: He wants to starve us out, and you call him a gentleman.
CAPTAIN SMITH: He’s much more than a gentleman, Charity. He’s a monarch to his people.
No less a king than our King James himself.
MARGARET: I’ve always been taught that when you give friendship you get friendship back.
CHARITY: Yeah. That’s true enough. That’s the way it’s supposed to work.
POCAHONTAS: (Approaches OTHERS.) You mustn’t think unkindly of my father. He is a
good man. You don’t know him as I do.
MARGARET: It’s the princess.
BARBARA: Pocahontas.
CAPTAIN SMITH: We welcome you to Jamestown, Princess. As always.
CHARITY: I’m glad you’ve come, Princess. That herb medicine you brought the last time you
visited has helped many. Do you think you could get us some more? (Sadly,
POCAHONTAS lowers her head. OTHERS exchange a wondering look.)
BARBARA: What is it?
CAROLINA: What’s wrong?
POCAHONTAS: (Head up.) I mustn’t come here anymore. My father forbids it. (Communal
groan.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: That is hard news, Princess.
18
MERCY: We’re finished. We might as well admit it.
JEREMY: What’s to be done, Captain Smith?
CAPTAIN SMITH: I’ve given the matter considerable thought. (Points to map.) Chief
Powhatan has restricted us to the area around the immediate settlement. The hunting is
poor and the fishing is worse.
CAPTAIN SMITH: I’ll go alone. That way, Chief Powhatan will know I come in peace. You’ll
come along with me, Jeremy. I’ll need someone to carry the gifts we brought from
England.
JEREMY: (Chest out, salutes.) Yes, sir, Captain Smith. I’m your man.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Leave your long rifle. We’ll take no weapons.
CHARITY: But, Captain Smith, the moment the Algonquin see you on forbidden land, your life
will be forfeited.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Perhaps not. We have one sure friend among the Indians. (He looks to
POCAHONTAS. OTHERS follow his gaze.) If you come with us, Princess, we’ll be
assured of safe passage.
MERCY: Didn’t you hear what the girl said? Her father doesn’t want her to have anything to do
with us.
CAROLINA: Oh, please, Pocahontas. You’re our only hope.
MARGARET: Our last hope. (Pause.)
POCAHONTAS: (Considers the situation.) My father and my aunt and the medicine man will
be angry, but I will help.
SETTLERS: Hooray!
BARBARA: Bless you, Princess.
POCAHONTAS: I will tell the raven to let the village know of our approach.
CHARITY: Raven? What raven?
MARGARET: Princess Pocahontas knows how to talk with animals and birds.
THOMAS: More of that Indian lore I can never hope to understand.
MERCY: It’s rubbish. That’s all it is.
19
BARBARA: It is not.
MERCY: Mind your manners, girl.
CAROLINA: If Princess Pocahontas says she can talk to a raven, then she can talk to a raven. I
believe her.
JEREMY: So do I.
MERCY: What impudence!
CAPTAIN SMITH: We’re wasting valuable time. Jeremy, you fetch the gifts and follow along.
Let’s not waste the sunlight.
JEREMY: Yes, sir, Captain Smith. I’m hoping we’ll find my sister on the way.
CHARITY: I pray it, Jeremy. (JEREMY runs OUT STAGE LEFT.)
THOMAS: This is dangerous, Captain Smith.
CAPTAIN SMITH: (A smile to POCAHONTAS.) I won’t worry about danger. I have a good
guide.
POCAHONTAS: The Spirit of Mother Earth will watch over us as we walk through the forest.
MERCY: Spirit of Mother Earth? Gibberish, I say.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Lead on, Princess.
POCAHONTAS: (Turns to EXIT DOWN LEFT. As she does, she calls out for her friend
RAVEN.) Caw-caw-caw. (POCAHONTAS EXITS. CAPTAIN SMITH follows. OTHERS
move after them, waving good-bye. GIRLS pick up laundry baskets.
End Of Scene Four
ACT ONE
Scene Five
SETTING: Algonquin village.
LIGHTS UP: The FORESTAGE DIMS UP first, and we see POCAHONTAS ENTER from
EXTREME DOWN LEFT. She pauses, and a moment later CAPTAIN SMITH APPEARS. He
is FOLLOWED by JEREMY, who carries a handsome red blanket over one arm. He also carries
20
a small chest. POCAHONTAS points to the Algonquin village which, supposedly, is not far off.
She motions to CAPTAIN SMITH and JEREMY to follow and slowly moves for STAGE
RIGHT. As POCAHONTAS and the OTHERS cross, LIGHTS COME UP FULL on the
Algonquin village. ALGONQUINS APPEAR from UP RIGHT and DOWN LEFT. They stand
motionless waiting for the arrivals to appear. THUNDERCLOUD looks both angry and fierce.
At last, POCAHONTAS ENTERS village with CAPTAIN SMITH and JEREMY.
POCAHONTAS: (Surveys the stony faces and, summoning all her courage, speaks out.) People
of the Algonquin nation, I, Princess Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan, bring friends.
AUNT MORNING STAR: The raven in the sky has told us of your coming.
POCAHONTAS: Where is my father?
AUNT MORNING STAR: He does not wish to see his disobedient daughter. All my words of
counsel have been wasted on you.
POCAHONTAS: Do not reproach me, Aunt. I do not bring enemies into our village. I bring
friends.
THUNDERCLOUD: Friends? These are not friends of the Algonquin. (Shaking the gourd
rattle fiercely, THUNDERCLOUD advances on CAPTAIN SMITH. He doesn’t walk, he
progresses by using odd little hopping steps and chanting “Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.” An INDIAN
beats a TOM-TOM DRUM.)
ALGONQUINS: (Solemnly.) Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya… hi-ya-ya-hi-ya… hi-ya-ya-hi-ya…
(THUNDERCLOUD circles CAPTAIN SMITH in threatening fashion. JEREMY is
visibly shaken.)
JEREMY: Looks bad, Captain Smith.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Steady, Jeremy. Show no fear.
JEREMY: That won’t be easy.
CAPTAIN SMITH: He’s testing us. Chin up, lad.
JEREMY: I’ll do my best, Captain, sir. (Lifts his chin. THUNDERCLOUD is looking more and
more lethal. As he dances about CAPTAIN SMITH, he continues to shake the gourd
rattle in menacing fashion. POCAHONTAS knows she must not interfere, but she’s
plainly unhappy with THUNDERCLOUD’S unpleasant welcome.)
THUNDERCLOUD: Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya!
21
ALGONQUINS: Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya! (Suddenly, CHIEF POWHATAN emerges on scene,
ENTERING from the longhouse. He stands with folded arms. As soon as he appears, the
hoopla ceases abruptly.)
POCAHONTAS: Father. (She crosses to him and drops to one knee, pointing back to CAPTAIN
SMITH.) I beg you, do not be angry with your daughter. I would not have disobeyed
your wishes if there was any other way.
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Cold.) Any other way for what, my daughter?
POCAHONTAS: To help my friends in Jamestown.
THUNDERCLOUD: The settlers in Jamestown are not friends.
AUNT MORNING STAR: They are evil spirits who come from the edge of the world.
Everyone knows that. (THUNDERCLOUD shakes the gourd rattle at CAPTAIN
SMITH.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: Princess, ask your noble father if I may speak to him. Tell him who I am.
CHIEF POWHATAN: I know who you are. The wind and the breeze have told me. Your name
is John Smith. And your people call you Captain. What is this “Captain”?
CAPTAIN SMITH: It is a word that means leader.
AUNT MORNING STAR: Then why are you not called “Chief”?
CAPTAIN SMITH: “Chief and “Captain” are much alike. We have that in common. (AUNT
MORNING STAR gives a signal to LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT, who EXITS into
longhouse.)
THUNDERCLOUD: He speaks boldly, Powhatan. Beware of him.
AUNT MORNING STAR: And the boy, too. He looks evil.
JEREMY: (Offended.) Hey!
CAPTAIN SMITH: Steady, Jeremy.
JEREMY: Aye, Captain.
CHIEF POWHATAN: You are brave, Captain John Smith. You have broken my command.
You have entered forbidden land and showed no fear. Only the presence of my
disobedient daughter has saved your life.
22
POCAHONTAS: Father—(CHIEF POWHATAN silences her with a curt gesture.
POCAHONTAS stands back, close to her AUNT.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: When the floating islands brought us here, they carried gifts from the King
of England, King James.
BRAVE EAGLE: Chief Powhatan is a king.
CAPTAIN SMITH: So he is. Noble and proud. As a king should be. (LITTLE RUNNING
RABBIT COMES IN from longhouse with a roughly-constructed wooden stool. She sets
it down for CHIEF POWHATAN. With considerable dignity, he sits.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: What are these “gifts”?
CAPTAIN SMITH: I could only bring along a few. There are more back at the stockade. Many
more. Show him the blanket, Jeremy.
JEREMY: Aye, Captain.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: We’ve seen blankets before.
BRAVE EAGLE: Made of bearskin and deer hide. (JEREMY puts down the chest. He unfolds
the blanket and displays it. Much “oooooohing” and “aaaaaahing” from
ONLOOKERS.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: This blanket is soft and warm. It is made of wool. It would give the people
of Jamestown much pleasure to show our friends, the Algonquin, how to spin wool and
make such blankets.
THUNDERCLOUD: One spins stories and tales. Not such things as blankets. (CHIEF
POWHATAN feels the blanket. He’s impressed. Indicates JEREMY should spread the
blanket on the ground. He does.)
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: (Tries to pronounce the word.) Wooooo… woooo… woo…
CAPTAIN SMITH: Wool.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: Wool.
CAPTAIN SMITH: That’s right. Wool. (CAPTAIN SMITH opens the chest and takes out a
small axe. He displays it. ALGONQUINS are not impressed.)
AUNT MORNING STAR: You call that a gift for a king?
BRAVE EAGLE: It’s only a hatchet.
23
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: A tomahawk.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: Every brave in the village has one.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Not like this. (Taps metal.) This is made of iron.
ALGONQUINS: (Trying to pronounce word.) I- I- I—
CAPTAIN SMITH: Iron. Jeremy, fetch me a rock.
JEREMY: Aye, Captain. No sooner said than done. (JEREMY spots a rock behind some bush
and gets it.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: Put it on the ground.
JEREMY: Aye. (JEREMY pushes aside the blanket and puts the rock on the ground.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: Iron can break rock. Is this something your hatchets and tomahawks can
do?
THUNDERCLOUD: You lie. No tomahawk can break rock.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Watch. (CAPTAIN SMITH kneels down on one knee. He lifts the small axe
over his head and slams it onto the rock, which splits in two. [Consult PRODUCTION
NOTES.] He holds up the two pieces for all to see. ALGONQUINS, frightened, gasp and
step back.)
AUNT MORNING STAR: What magic is this?
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Both amazed and fascinated.) Let me see that tomahawk.
THUNDERCLOUD: No, Powhatan! It is bewitched. Something an evil spirit has given him.
Beware.
CHIEF POWHATAN : (Ignoring advice.) Give it to me.
CAPTAIN SMITH: (Hands over the axe.) It is yours to keep. (CHIEF POWHATAN is
delighted with the axe.) If you would allow me, I will send you many more such gifts.
We, the people of Jamestown, could teach you much, Chief Powhatan.
THUNDERCLOUD: No more! (Shakes gourd rattle.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: We could help each other.
THUNDERCLOUD: We have heard enough from you, Englishman. (To CHIEF POWHATAN.)
His words will trap you, Powhatan. Do not fall into his web.
24
AUNT MORNING STAR: Thundercloud, I have heard these settlers have something called a
thunderstick. It spits fire.
JEREMY: It spits fire, all right, ma’am. You call it a thunderstick, but we call it a long rifle.
We didn’t take one along because we were afraid you’d misunderstand.
AUNT MORNING STAR: The young brave speaks without fear.
THUNDERCLOUD: He is insolent. No more talk-talk. Too many words confuse. Be grateful,
Captain John Smith, you still live. (Gestures STAGE LEFT.) Go back to Jamestown
while you still have breath in your body.
AUNT MORNING STAR: My brother has no wish to hear your words.
THUNDERCLOUD: Go back!
ALGONQUINS: (Threatening step to CAPTAIN SMITH and JEREMY.) Go back! Go back!
CAPTAIN SMITH: If the great Chief Powhatan will not hear me out, will he let another speak
in my place?
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: (Points to JEREMY.) You mean the young English brave?
CAPTAIN SMITH: I mean an Algonquin.
AUNT MORNING STAR: No Algonquin will speak for you.
CAPTAIN SMITH: There is one. (Indicates.) The Princess Pocahontas. (ALGONQUINS gasp,
fearful of CHIEF POWHATAN’S rage.)
THUNDERCLOUD: (Shaking gourd rattle.) No, no, I forbid it.
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Incensed.) You forbid? Who are you to forbid anything to Powhatan?
I decide what will be and what will not be. Speak, my daughter. You have nothing to
fear. (CAPTAIN SMITH steps back. POCAHONTAS steps to her father. She looks
nervously to CAPTAIN SMITH. He encourages her with a soft smile.)
POCAHONTAS: Hear me, Father. Hear me, people of the Algonquin nation. Hear me, Spirit of
Mother Earth. I speak for my friends in Jamestown. The winter has been hard for them.
Many have died with sickness. Because they are forbidden to hunt where the game run
and the fish swim, they do not have enough food. They need help from the Algonquin.
Without help they will perish. They beg of my father, the Great Powhatan, his help and
his friendship. (CHIEF POWHATAN doesn’t answer. POCAHONTAS bows her head,
steps back.)
25
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Stands.) I have heard the words. Talk-talk. I believe it is the wish of
the settlers to take this land. I will not have that. Captain John Smith, you must get out.
You are not welcome in this land. If you do not leave, the war drums will speak and their
voices are loud and angry.
CAPTAIN SMITH: But, Chief Powhatan
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Gives a strong arm gesture LEFT.) Go! Never return here. We have
no common ground. There is no more to say.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) Father—
AUNT MORNING STAR: (Speaks.) Be quiet, child. You’ve caused enough trouble for one
day, mischievous girl.
CAPTAIN SMITH: (Resigned. Speaks.) I guess that’s that, Jeremy.
JEREMY: (Sad. Speaks.) Aye. The news will come hard to Jamestown. (WORDSPINNER
moves UPSTAGE LEFT, away from the village.)
CAPTAIN SMITH: (Speaks.) Thank you, Princess. The people of Jamestown will always be
grateful for what you tried to do. (He makes a gallant bow. JEREMY executes a clumsy
one. CAPTAIN SMITH bows to CHIEF POWHATAN.) Your Majesty. (He turns and
EXITS to EXTREME DOWN LEFT on FORESTAGE and OFF. JEREMY follows.
THUNDERCLOUD follows a few steps, shaking the gourd rattle furiously.)
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) Father, I have failed. I wanted friendship so much.
AUNT MORNING STAR: (Speaks.) Too much. (Crying, POCAHONTAS runs OUT DOWN
RIGHT. ALGONQUINS stop chanting.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: (At end of song.) Pocahontas, come back. Come back! (ALGONQUINS
“freeze” in TABLEAU as WORDSPINNER moves swiftly DOWNSTAGE to the same
position she held in Scene One, DOWNSTAGE CENTER.
END OF ACT ONE
Strike blanket, stool, chest, rock.]
ACT TWO
Scene One
SETTING: In the forest.
26
LIGHTS UP: The STAGE remains empty for a moment, and then POCAHONTAS, still
sobbing, hurries IN from UP RIGHT. She moves a bit UPSTAGE of the pond and sits on the
ground, wipes away a tear. Her sobbing is audible. Cautiously, WOLF ENTERS from RIGHT
and SQUIRREL and RAVEN from LEFT. They are distressed to see their princess unhappy.
Guardedly, they step to her.
WOLF: What’s this, what’s this?
SQUIRREL: Princess Pocahontas is crying.
POCAHONTAS: (Defensive.) I am not crying. The daughter of Powhatan does not cry.
(Practical.) Except at special times.
RAVEN: Then this must be a special time. (He touches his wing to her face to pick up a tear.
He looks at it.) This tear is clear and pure. Like the water in the stream when the snow
has melted.
WOLF: What has made you unhappy, Princess?
POCAHONTAS: My father and the medicine man have decreed there can be no friendship
between the Algonquin and the settlers. I love my people and I do not hate the English
settlers. Why can we not be friends? There’s room enough for everyone.
WOLF: You are wise.
POCAHONTAS: (Yawns.) I am weary with thinking and sobbing.
WOLF: In that case, Princess, you must rest.
SQUIRREL: Sleep.
WOLF: Put your head to Mother Earth and seek her comfort.
RAVEN: Let the spirits of the forest visit you in your dreams.
SQUIRREL: They will help you.
WOLF: They, too, are wise. (LIGHTS BEGIN TO FADE DOWN to suggest a dream.
POCAHONTAS yawns, stretches her arms.)
POCAHONTAS: I am sleepy. (She yawns again and puts her head to the ground.) So very
sleepy… sleepy… (TRIO steps close.)
SQUIRREL: Look. She has fallen asleep.
27
RAVEN: Brave little princess.
WOLF: Dream, Pocahontas. Dream. Find your strength in dreaming. (WOLF and the
OTHERS back OUT. MUSIC CUE 8: “Pocahontas’ Dream.”)
SQUIRREL: (Speaks.) Dreaming…
RAVEN: (Speaks.) Dreaming…
WOLF: (Speaks.) Dreaming… (Softly, WOLF howls, SQUIRREL chatters, and RAVEN caws.
POCAHONTAS is now asleep. From OFFSTAGE, RAVEN cries out, “Caw-caw-caw.”
Pause. Slowly we begin to hear the MUSIC approaching as FOREST SPIRITS slowly
edge INTO VIEW. The FOREST SPIRITS can ENTER from RIGHT and LEFT. Or you
may wish to bring them IN from the back of the auditorium and down the aisles up onto
the stage. The FOREST SPIRITS are actually those actors portraying Algonquin
villagers. Namely, AUNT MORNING STAR, BRAVE EAGLE, THUNDERCLOUD,
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS, LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT, EXTRAS; even WORDSPINNER
might be employed. They wear odd-looking masks and begin to encircle the sleeping
POCAHONTAS. The masks might suggest animals: fox, beaver, dog, deer, bear. Birds,
too, such as an owl or a hawk. If you wish, the FOREST SPIRITS could play INDIAN
DRUMS and/or GOURD RATTLES with the music as they dance and sing around
POCAHONTAS. RAVEN, SQUIRREL, and WOLF RETURN and join in the dance.
[NOTE: For younger performers, teaching them the exact parts during this piece is not
as important as the over-all effect of having them saying the different phrases in a
random fashion to create a dream-like feeling.])
FOREST SPIRITS 1:
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
FOREST SPIRITS 2:
FOREST SPIRITS 3:
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Poca-Pocahontas.
Poca-Pocahontas.
Poca-Pocahontas.
TOGETHER: Princess, princess, princess.
FOREST SPIRITS 1:
Poca-Pocahontas.
FOREST SPIRITS 2:
FOREST SPIRITS 3:
Princess, princess.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Princess, princess.
Princess.
Princess.
Princess, princess.
Princess.
Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Pocahontas.
Pocahontas.
28
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Princess, princess.
Princess.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Princess Pocahontas.
Princess.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Pocahontas.
Princess Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Princess Pocahontas.
Princess.
Pocahontas.
Princess Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Pocahontas.
Princess Pocahontas.
Princess.
Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Princess.
Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Princess Pocahontas.
Princess.
Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Princess.
Pocahontas.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
Hi-ya-ya-hi-ya.
(Round and round, they circle POCAHONTAS, who doesn’t stir as they sing. The
FOREST SPIRITS begin to dance faster. The drums and gourd rattles are shaken almost
violently as the music increases in tempo and volume. Faster and faster the circle goes.
Suddenly, from UPSTAGE CENTER comes the LOUD SOUND of some kind of
WHISTLE. [Consult PRODUCTION NOTES.] The SOUND halts the music, and the
DRUMS and GOURD RATTLES also immediately CEASE. FOREST SPIRITS freeze.
They look UPSTAGE and see SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH, who has ENTERED,
stately, while the dance was being performed. She holds a blanket robe over her face and
walks toward POCAHONTAS. She opens the robe, and we see that she wears an
Algonquin costume decorated with leaves and flowers and, perhaps, some small
vegetables or fruits. Segue to MUSIC CUE 9: “Your Heart Always Knows.”)
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Sings.) The wind is the wind,
No matter which way it blows.
The stream is the stream,
No matter which way it flows,
And the seed is the seed,
It always grows what it grows.
Your heart is the window to the truth
And your heart always knows.
The sky is the sky,
Whether it’s day or night.
29
The path is the path
Whether it’s left or right,
And the sun is the sun,
It will set, it will rise.
Your heart is the window to the truth
And your heart never lies.
(Music continues under dialogue. Speaks with reverence, naming Indian nations.)
Kiowa… Lakota… Navaho… Pawnee… Chickasaw… Huron… Delaware… Choctaw…
Iroquois… Seminole… Cherokee… Hopi… Algonquin. And more. All my children.
(Out to audience to include it.) All my children.
FOREST SPIRITS: (Speak.) Children of Mother Earth. (They bow their heads.)
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Looks down at POCAHONTAS. Speaks.) My daughter is
troubled. Spirits of the Forest, return from whence you have come. You are not needed
now. (FOREST SPIRITS again bow their heads. They leave the scene, EXITING RIGHT
and LEFT or back up the auditorium AISLE[S]. Quietly, they may play the DRUM,
FLUTE, and RATTLE. When they are gone, SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH smiles at the
sleeping GIRL.) Wake up, my daughter. Wake up. I would speak with you.
POCAHONTAS: (Sits awake, rubs her eyes. Speaks.) Am I dreaming or am I awake?
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) That is for you to decide.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) Why do you awaken me, Spirit of Mother Earth?
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) Are you awake? (Another smile.) I am here
because one of my children is troubled. That saddens me. You are that child.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) I have failed in what I tried to do. I tried to make peace between
my people and the settlers, but my father will not have it.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) Powhatan is afraid things will change. Change
always frightens people.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) Things were much easier for me when I played tricks and games.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) You are growing up, my daughter. You cannot play
tricks and games forever.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) I wish I could. I wish I could tease Brave Eagle and the others by
speaking in the lizard’s voice. I wish I could play tag with Squirrel and Raven and Wolf.
I wish…
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) I know what you wish, for I know what is in your
heart. Hear me, daughter. When you are right, you must never give up. People give up
30
much too easily. That is not the way of the Algonquin. That is not the way of Princess
Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) I tried to please you.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) I am always pleased when my children are friends.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) But I’ve failed.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) If you give up now, all is lost.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) There is no more I can do.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) Isn’t there? (Another smile.) I have great faith in
you, Princess. I have great faith in my daughter. (SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH begins
to back UPSTAGE. Sings.)
Look inside, your heart will show you.
Listen now to your dreams.
A man’s just a man,
Whether his skin’s dark or light.
His blood is the same
Whether he’s red, black or white,
And the earth is the earth
No matter which way he goes.
Your heart is the window to the truth
And your heart always knows.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) Don’t leave, Mother Earth. I need your advice.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) I am always with you. (Sings.) Your heart always
knows.
POCAHONTAS: (Speaks.) What more can I do? I don’t know where to turn.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH: (Speaks.) Don’t despair. Courage.
(Sings.) Your heart always knows.
(Speaks.) Always courage. I have great faith in Pocahontas.
(Sings.) Your heart always knows. (MUSIC OUT. LIGHTS FADE UP TO NORMAL
and, again, we hear the LOUD CRY of RAVEN from OFFSTAGE, followed by the HOWL
of WOLF. This startles POCAHONTAS awake. She sits up, for a moment not knowing if
she is awake or still dreaming.)
POCAHONTAS: Oh. (Looks about.) Spirit of Mother Earth? Where are you? (Thinks.) I was
dreaming. (To audience.) Or was it a dream
(ESTHER ENTERS DOWN RIGHT.)
31
POCAHONTAS: (Jumps up.) Esther! (ESTHER CROSSES FORESTAGE. POCAHONTAS
moves to intercept her.)
ESTHER: (Her voice vague and bewildered.) I know you.
POCAHONTAS: Of course you do. I’m Pocahontas. And you’re the sister of Jeremy Finley.
ESTHER: Jeremy?
POCAHONTAS: Your brother. You must remember him.
ESTHER: (Hesitating.) I think I do.
POCAHONTAS: Everyone is worried about you.
ESTHER: I lost my way in the forest and I can’t find my way home.
(Sings a capella) “He’ll sit in a barn
And keep himself warm.”
POCAHONTAS: (Takes her by the hand.) Come along with me. Don’t be frightened.
ESTHER: I’m not frightened.
32
POCAHONTAS: I’ll see that you get back safely. I’ll tell you some funny stories on the way.
(Takes ESTHER by the hand and leads her UP LEFT.)
(As POCAHONTAS and ESTHER start to EXIT, THUNDERCLOUD APPEARS from
EXTREME DOWN RIGHT on FORESTAGE. BRAVE EAGLE is with him.
THUNDERCLOUD, as usual, is not pleased by what he sees. He points to
POCAHONTAS and ESTHER, meaning that BRAVE EAGLE should follow. BRAVE
EAGLE nods that he understands. As he starts to follow after the GIRLS, the LIGHTS
FADE TO BLACK.)
End Of Scene One
ACT TWO
Scene Two
SETTING: Jamestown.
LIGHTS UP: Jamestown GIRLS are onstage. Pocahontas enters with Ester.
CHARITY: I’m so worried. Every time Ester wanders off, I fear we’ve seen the last of her.
Pocohontas enters with Esterd.
POCOHANTOS: Theree’s nothing more to be afraid of. Ester’s safe.
MARGARET: We were so worried about you, Esther.
BARBARA: Where were you?
ESTHER: Away.
CAROLINA: Did you see any Indians?
ESTHER: Yes. My friend, Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS: She’s still not feeling well, and I’m afraid she’s quite hungry.
MARGARET: Who isn’t hungry?
BARBARA: We’re so hungry we’ve been eating unripened berries.
CAROLINA: We’re bound to get a tummy ache.
CHARITY: Enough of that, girls. It won’t help. (Takes ESTHER by the hand and guides her to
the table.) You sit here, Esther. Rest yourself. Poor child. Wait ‘til you see Jeremy.
He’ll cheer you up. (ESTHER sits at the table.) I’ll heat some water. It will warm your
insides.
BARBARA: Unripened berries and hot water. It’s poor fare.
POCAHONTAS: Where is Jeremy?
CHARITY: He’s gone with Captain Smith to the cliffs.
BARBARA: They hope to catch sight of a ship.
CAROLINA: No telling when they’ll be back.
MARGARET: We didn’t expect to see you in Jamestown again, Princess.
BARBARA: Won’t your father be angry?
POCAHONTAS: If he finds out. I don’t like deceiving him, but I couldn’t let Esther wander
alone in the forest.
CHARITY: You’ve a good heart, Pocahontas. It’s surely a gift.
MERCY: (ENTERS, looks to ESTHER.) She’s back, is she?
33
CAROLINA: Yes. The princess found her.
MARGARET: Isn’t it wonderful?
MERCY: (Bitterly.) Is it? One more mouth to feed. (OTHERS are shocked.)
CHARITY: Mercy Rogers, that is no way for a God-fearing woman to speak.
MERCY: Hunger has made my tongue bitter. (To POCAHONTAS.) You could bring us food.
You could help us.
POCAHONTAS: I wish I could.
CHARITY: What do you expect the princess to do? She can’t go against her father.
MERCY: I’ve been checking the food baskets in the storehouse. No more roots. There’s no
more dried fish and the corn is almost gone.
BARBARA: What then?
MERCY: (Angry.) What then? What do you think? We die.
GIRLS: Oh!
MERCY: Jamestown will be finished. Even England will forget us. (GIRLS start to weep.)
CHARITY: Now look what you’ve done, Mercy Rogers. Does seeing these children weep give
you any satisfaction?
MERCY: Save your lecture, Charity. There’s no comfort in it.
ESTHER: I want to see my brother.
POCAHONTAS: She seems a little better.
MERCY: She needs what the rest of us need. Food.
THOMAS’ VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE, DOWN LEFT.) Stop struggling!
BRAVE EAGLE’S VOICE: Let me go! Let me go!
THOMAS’ VOICE: You won’t get away!
MARGARET: (Points in direction of VOICES.) Look, Goodwife Rogers. It’s your husband.
BARBARA: He’s struggling with an Indian boy! (POCAHONTAS reacts.)
34
CAROLINA: Maybe the stockade is being attacked! (ALL react to the possibility, scream.
THOMAS ENTERS. He pulls IN BRAVE EAGLE by a rope wrapped around his wrists.)
POCAHONTAS: Brave Eagle!
MERCY: Who is this boy?
POCAHONTAS: He is from my village. (To BRAVE EAGLE.) Why are you here?
BRAVE EAGLE: Thundercloud bade me follow you. He saw you with this one. (Nods to
ESTHER.)
THOMAS: Probably waiting until we fell asleep. He’s up to no good, I can tell you that.
POCAHONTAS: Brave Eagle is honorable. He wouldn’t harm you.
MERCY: Ha!
ESTHER: I am so hungry.
THOMAS: More’s the pity.
MERCY: (Points to POCAHONTAS.) She could get us food, but she won’t.
POCAHONTAS: I’ll fish in the stream and bring you what I catch.
BRAVE EAGLE: No, Princess. Powhatan forbids it.
MERCY: I’ve a better idea.
CHARITY: What is it?
MERCY: We’ll keep Pocahontas here.
BARBARA: In Jamestown?
MERCY: As a hostage.
OTHERS: Hostage?!
BRAVE EAGLE: No!
MERCY: We’ll send a message to the Algonquin chief. He must send us food, and plenty of it,
if he wants his daughter back.
35
THOMAS: Captain Smith would never stand for that.
MERCY: John Smith isn’t here. Who knows when he’ll be back? Maybe he won’t be coming
back. You’re second in command, Thomas.
THOMAS: (Dubious.) I don’t know about this.
CHARITY: It’s wicked, that’s what it is.
CAROLINA: The princess is our friend.
MERCY: If we let her go, we starve. She’s our only chance. Thomas, lock the princess in the
storehouse. Tell all the others there’s still hope.
THOMAS: I don’t feel right about this, Mercy.
MERCY: Do it!
THOMAS: (Afraid to refuse, steps to POCAHONTAS, who makes no protest.) What about
Brave Eagle?
MERCY: Leave the boy to me. I’ll have words with him.
THOMAS: Sorry about this, Princess. It can’t be helped. (He moves to grab her.)
POCAHONTAS: No! Do not touch me. Do not put your hands on me. I may be your prisoner,
Thomas Rogers, but I am still the daughter of a chief. (Proudly, head high,
POCAHONTAS EXITS LEFT. THOMAS FOLLOWS after her. BARBARA, MARGARET
and the OTHERS don’t like this turn of events at all. They EXIT after THOMAS,
protesting. CHARITY helps ESTHER to her feet and OUT.)
BARBARA: No, no, this is wrong. Very wrong!
CAROLINA: We’d rather go hungry than harm Pocahontas!
MARGARET: She’s a friend!
CHARITY: Oh, why does the captain have to be gone at a time like this?! (BRAVE EAGLE
stands defiant, but he’s met his match in MERCY.)
MERCY: I’m not afraid of you, boy. Your hard looks are wasted on me. I’m not afraid of that
knife in your belt, either. When a person is as hungry as I am, only one thing matters:
food.
BRAVE EAGLE: Let the princess go and I will get food for you.
36
MERCY: Maybe. Maybe not. I can’t take that gamble. (Steps to him and unties the rope.) Go
to Powhatan. Tell him the princess is our prisoner. Tell him Jamestown will not release
her until he sends help. Food, medicine, seeds for planting. Fresh water.
BRAVE EAGLE: If he refuses?
MERCY: I, too, have a knife. (MUSIC CUE 9c: “No Common Ground—Reprise 2.)
BRAVE EAGLE: (Speaks.) You would harm Pocahontas?
MERCY: (Speaks.) That is up to Powhatan.
(Sings.) You speak a different language.
You dress in different clothes.
Your skin’s a different color,
So’s the shape of your nose.
Your stomach’s full and happy.
There’s food to go around.
You’re selfish and you’re greedy,
We have no common ground.
SETTLERS: (Sing.) No common ground,
We have no common ground.
No common ground,
No common ground,
We have no common ground.
No common ground.
BRAVE EAGLE: (At end of song.) You are mad.
MERCY: Hunger does that. You’re free to go. (BRAVE EAGLE stares at her for a moment.
His hand goes to his hunting knife. He thinks better of it. Turns, EXITS DOWN LEFT.
LIGHTS FADE.)
End Of Scene Two
ACT TWO
Scene Three
SETTING: Algonquin village.
LIGHTS UP: SOUND OF OFFSTAGE RAVEN: “Caw-caw-caw.” A moment passes and
CHIEF POWHATAN STEPS IN from the longhouse. THUNDERCLOUD FOLLOWS him.
OTHER ALGONQUINS APPEAR from UP RIGHT and DOWN RIGHT. They stand quietly,
motionless, as if they all shared some troublesome secret. THUNDERCLOUD moves CENTER
37
in the encampment. He seems to be listening for something. He kneels down and puts his ear to
the ground.
THUNDERCLOUD: Coming this way… like a young deer running silently through the pines.
AUNT MORNING STAR: Someone from Jamestown?
THUNDERCLOUD: Moccasins. He is Algonquin.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: It must be Brave Eagle.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: Is the princess with him? (THUNDERCLOUD presses ear closer to
the ground, listens some more.)
THUNDERCLOUD: He runs alone. He is near. (THUNDERCLOUD gets up. ALL look to
EXTREME DOWN LEFT on FORESTAGE. In a moment, BRAVE EAGLE runs IN,
breathing heavily. He curves behind the “pond,” runs into the village, and drops to one
knee.)
BRAVE EAGLE: Great Chief!
THUNDERCLOUD: Where is the princess?
AUNT MORNING STAR: What of Pocahontas?
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Gestures for BRAVE EAGLE to rise.) Let Brave Eagle speak.
BRAVE EAGLE: (Stands.) They captured me. (Reaction.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: The English settlers?
BRAVE EAGLE: Yes.
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: But Brave Eagle was too clever for them.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: He escaped.
BRAVE EAGLE: No. They let me go.
AUNT MORNING STAR: Another attempt to win our friendship.
THUNDERCLOUD: They are slippery like the eel. They think like the wolf and scheme like
the fox.
BRAVE EAGLE: That is not why they let me go.
38
THUNDERCLOUD: (To CHIEF POWHATAN.) I sent him after the princess. (To BRAVE
EAGLE.) What of Matoak? What of Pocahontas? (Pause for dramatic impact.)
BRAVE EAGLE: They have taken her prisoner.
ALGONQUINS: (Horrified.) Prisoner!
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Angrily.) They have dared? The daughter of Powhatan prisoner in
Jamestown?
BRAVE EAGLE: They are holding her hostage. (ALL react, shocked.)
AUNT MORNING STAR: Do you hear, my brother? What a great insult they offer to the King
of the Algonquin.
THUNDERCLOUD: Long has Thundercloud warned Powhatan about the settlers. Too long has
Powhatan suffered their presence. (CHIEF POWHATAN silences THUNDERCLOUD
with a gesture. He is deadly serious as he speaks with BRAVE EAGLE. OTHERS hang
on every word.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: You say “hostage.”
BRAVE EAGLE: Yes.
CHIEF POWHATAN: Then they must want ransom.
BRAVE EAGLE: Yes.
CHIEF POWHATAN: What do the settlers demand of Powhatan?
BRAVE EAGLE: They ask for food, fresh water. Seeds for planting. Medicinal herbs.
CHIEF POWHATAN: And a treaty for peace, no doubt.
AUNT MORNING STAR: They are insolent.
THUNDERCLOUD: Wicked.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: What if they should harm Pocahontas?
THUNDERCLOUD: The voice of the war drums must be heard.
CHIEF POWHATAN: Hear me, people of the Algonquin nation. I confess for too long I have
harbored a “sleeping” hope we might live in peace one day with the settlers. This I have
done because of my daughter’s words. That hope is crushed. I will pay no ransom and I
will suffer the settlers no longer. Their insult is too great.
39
HAPPY-SHE-WALKS: What if harm comes to Pocahontas?
AUNT MORNING STAR: They wouldn’t dare.
BRAVE EAGLE: There is one, a woman, who vows to harm the princess if there is an attack on
Jamestown.
AUNT MORNING STAR: What is to be done, my brother?
CHIEF POWHATAN: When the blanket of night descends, we will attack. Attack so swiftly
they will be overwhelmed.
LITTLE RUNNING RABBIT: But the firesticks that spit fire?
BRAVE EAGLE: They have little thunderpowder for the firesticks.
THUNDERCLOUD: That is good.
CHIEF POWHATAN: Go! Let the war drums sing. Tell my braves the war dancing must
begin. (Arms and eyes upward, as if appealing to the sky for approval. MUSIC CUE 10:
“War Drums.” Speaks.) Tonight we burn Jamestown. May its ashes scatter to the
winds.
WAR DANCE
(MUSIC OUT, except SOUND of TOM-TOM DRUMS. ALGONQUINS, except CHIEF
POWHATAN, scatter UP RIGHT and DOWN RIGHT. CHIEF POWHATAN remains
impassive. LIGHTS FADE.)
End Of Scene Three
ACT TWO
Scene Five
SETTING: Jamestown.
LIGHTS UP: A very angry CAPTAIN SMITH ENTERS DOWN LEFT of the table. He is
followed by THOMAS, MERCY, CHARITY and JEREMY.
CAPTAIN SMITH: I cannot believe you would do such a foolhardy thing, Thomas. Did you
not think of the consequences?
THOMAS: It was my wife’s idea.
CAPTAIN SMITH: I did not leave your wife in charge of Jamestown.
40
MERCY: I did a sensible thing. How else can we get Powhatan to help us?
CAPTAIN SMITH: Help us! More than likely he’ll burn us out.
MERCY: (Uneasy.) I… I… I hadn’t thought of that.
CAPTAIN SMITH: That’s because you’re a meddlesome fool and not a soldier.
MERCY: (Offended.) There’s no need to be rude.
CHARITY: The poor child, locked up in the storehouse.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Our one friend among the Algonquin and she’s a prisoner. How will she
ever forgive us?
CHARITY: I’m sure the child understands why Mercy did what she did.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Cold comfort. Thomas, free the princess.
THOMAS: (Nervous glance to his wife.) Well, uh, Captain Smith, do you think that’s wise?
CAPTAIN SMITH: Move, man! Move!!
MERCY: (Change of heart.) You heard the captain, husband. Free her.
THOMAS: Yes, yes, right away. Free as a bird. (EXITS UP LEFT. MERCY follows.)
CHARITY: Try not to be harsh with Goodwife Thomas. She means well. We’re all shorttempered and out-of-sorts. Nothing a good meal wouldn’t cure.
CAPTAIN SMITH: (All business.) Jeremy.
JEREMY: Aye, Captain, sir.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Sound the alarm. I want any man who can stand on two feet prepared to
fight.
CHARITY: Oh, dear, oh, dear.
CAPTAIN SMITH: If there’s to be an attack, it won’t come before twilight. Distribute what
little gunpowder there is. Pitchforks, too.
JEREMY: Aye, Captain. Count on me.
CHARITY: There’s some good news, Jeremy. The princess brought your sister back to us.
41
JEREMY: That is good news. (Runs OUT, DOWN LEFT.)
CHARITY: (Arms up in despair.) Why did I ever leave London?
CAPTAIN SMITH: Too late to worry about that.
CHARITY: To live through winter only to die in summer! (Distraught, she throws herself on
the stool at the table, sobs. BARBARA, MARGARET and CAROLINA run IN from UP
LEFT.)
BARBARA: We’re glad you’re back, Captain.
MARGARET: Any sign of a ship?
CAPTAIN SMITH: None.
CAROLINA: Thomas Rogers has freed the princess. We know we have you to thank for that.
BARBARA: Isn’t Jeremy with you? (Before CAPTAIN SMITH can reply, POCAHONTAS
APPEARS UP LEFT. MERCY is behind her.)
MERCY: Here she be.
MARGARET: Look!
GIRLS: Princess.
MERCY: (Finding it hard to admit her mistake.) If I’ve done anything to offend you, Princess,
I hope you’ll forgive me.
CHARITY: Offend her?! Of course you’ve offended her. How would you like to be locked up?
CAROLINA: Was it awful being locked in the storehouse, Pocahontas?
POCAHONTAS: It wasn’t so bad. I know how to pass the time. (MUSIC CUE 11:
“Sometimes I Sing to Keep from Sighing.”)
BABARA: What do you mean?
POCAHONTAS: (sings.) My people call me Pocahontas.
She-who-is-mischievous, they have named me.
My people say that I’m a trickster.
My world is nothing but fantasy.
I talk to creatures, I talk to spirits,
They are my friends and my family.
42
My people call it childish fancy
But it’s all perfectly real to me,
My people call my Pocahontas.
They’ve never taken me seriously.
My people think I’m young and foolish.
Someday I know they will listen to me.
I roam about and I talk to strangers,
Though they are different, they don’t scare me.
My people say it’s no place to be,
I know they’re wrong, I must disagree.
MERCY: (At end of song.) This is hardly the time for singing.
CAPTAIN SMITH: For once I agree with you, Goodwife Rogers. You must come with me,
Princess. I’m taking you back to your father. I only hope it’s not too late.
POCAHONTAS: I understand.
CAPTAIN SMITH: (Takes POCAHONTAS by the hand.) We’ll have to travel fast.
POCAHONTAS: I know the shortest way. It won’t take us long. (They EXIT UP LEFT.)
CHARITY: God go with you both.
MERCY: What have I done? I must have been out of my head.
BARBARA: Lucky the princess doesn’t know how to bear a grudge.
MARGARET: If I was locked in the storehouse, I wouldn’t be thinking up riddles.
BARBARA: That’s because you’re not Pocahontas. (SOUND: RINGING OF BELL.)
CAROLINA: Listen. (They tense, listen. The SOUND OF THE BELL CONTINUES to be
heard.)
CHARITY: What is it?
MERCY: Don’t be dim, Charity. It’s the alarm bell.
BARBARA: (Terrified.) The alarm bell!
MARGARET: You know what that means.
43
CAROLINA: We’re going to be attacked! (ALL scream and rush OUT UP LEFT, DOWN
LEFT. LIGHT FADE.)
End Of Scene Five
ACT TWO
Scene Six
SETTING: FULL STAGE.
LIGHTS UP: CHIEF POWHATAN ENTERS from the longhouse with THUNDERCLOUD and
AUNT MORNING STAR. OTHER ALGONQUINS APPEAR from UP RIGHT and DOWN
RIGHT. This time it is BRAVE EAGLE who steps forward, flattens on the ground, ear pressed
to the earth. He listens. Long pause.
BRAVE EAGLE: More than one.
THUNDERCLOUD: Settlers from Jamestown. They hope to attack first.
BRAVE EAGLE: No. One man. Wears boots [shoes]. The other is a girl. Wears moccasins.
AUNT MORNING STAR: It could be Pocahontas.
THUNDERCLOUD: Remember, Great King. The fox is sly, the wolf is cunning. (BRAVE
EAGLE stands, moves back. ALGONQUINS wait patiently for whatever is to happen.
POCAHONTAS leads CAPTAIN SMITH IN from EXTREME DOWN LEFT on
FORESTAGE. She crosses behind the “pond” and, eventually, ENTERS the village.
She steps forward. CAPTAIN SMITH stands back.)
POCAHONTAS: Greetings, my father.
CHIEF POWHATAN: Greetings, my daughter. Brave Eagle brought word you were held
prisoner in Jamestown.
POCAHONTAS: It was a mistake, Father.
THUNDERCLOUD: (Growls.) Mistake?
POCAHONTAS: Let Captain Smith tell you in his own words.
CAPTAIN SMITH: If the Great Powhatan will permit. (POWHATAN motions for CAPTAIN
SMITH to step forward. THUNDERCLOUD doesn’t like this. He shakes the gourd rattle
angrily at CAPTAIN SMITH.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: Speak.
44
CAPTAIN SMITH: It is true the Princess Pocahontas was imprisoned. This was not my doing.
It is also true ransom was demanded. But this, also, was not my doing. I was away from
Jamestown when it happened. As soon as I returned, I gave orders for Pocahontas to be
freed. I return her to you as a sign of friendship.
AUNT MORNING STAR: Remember the words of your medicine man, my brother. The wolf
is cunning.
POCAHONTAS: What the captain says is true. Brave Eagle will tell you he had no part in my
jailing. It was not the captain who demanded ransom.
BRAVE EAGLE: All that is true, Chief Powhatan.
CAPTAIN SMITH: I will punish those who did this. I wish only for peace between us.
CHIEF POWHATAN: I have heard your words, Englishman. But I am not moved. You have
done a foolish thing coming here. The trouble between us must end. It will end here.
(Points to CAPTAIN SMITH.) Seize him.
POCAHONTAS: No! (AUNT MORNING STAR grabs POCAHONTAS and pulls her back.
THUNDERCLOUD and BRAVE EAGLE rush to CAPTAIN SMITH and seize him.
[NOTE : If you are using any MALE EXTRAS, they will seize the CAPTAIN and force
him before CHIEF POWHATAN, causing him to drop to his knees.] POCAHONTAS
looks on with horror. CHIEF POWHATAN produces the small iron axe CAPTAIN
SMITH gave him as a gift. CHIEF POWHATAN holds it high for all to see.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: Here’s the gift that breaks stone. Let it send Captain John Smith swiftly
to his fate. (Hands axe to THUNDERCLOUD. THUNDERCLOUD, or ANOTHER,
pushes CAPTAIN SMITH’S head low to the ground. He doesn’t resist because he knows
resistance would be useless. THUNDERCLOUD lifts the axe over his head, waiting for a
signal from CHIEF POWHATAN. ALL eyes are on the CHIEF. Slowly, he lifts his arm.
In a moment he will drop it and THUNDERCLOUD will strike the head of CAPTAIN
SMITH. HOLD FOR EFFECT. Then—CHIEF POWHATAN starts to drop his arm.)
Hi-ya.
POCAHONTAS: NO! (The following business is FAST: THUNDERCLOUD prepares to strike
and, at the same moment, POCAHONTAS breaks free of AUNT MORNING STAR. ALL
react. POCAHONTAS throws herself on the body of CAPTAIN SMITH and lifts one
hand as if to ward off the axe. THUNDERCLOUD is stunned.) Do not kill him. That
way peace will never come. To kill him, you must kill me first. (ALL gasp. No one
knows quite what to do. Everyone is awed by this incredible action. THUNDERCLOUD
looks to CHIEF POWHATAN. He motions THUNDERCLOUD to stand back. He moves
to his daughter and gently pulls her to her feet. He speaks to his people.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: I cannot kill the brother of my daughter. I cannot kill my son.
(Bewildered, CAPTAIN SMITH lifts his head.)
45
CAPTAIN SMITH: Brother? Son? (POCAHONTAS helps CAPTAIN SMITH to his feet.)
CHIEF POWHATAN: Tell him, sister. (AUNT MORNING STAR steps forward.)
AUNT MORNING STAR: In the ways of the Algonquin, when one saves the life of another as
such, they become relatives. The Princess Pocahontas has saved your life. She is your
sister. You are her brother.
CHIEF POWHATAN: My son.
AUNT MORNING STAR: My nephew.
CAPTAIN SMITH: (Thinking fast.) If I am now your son, Chief Powhatan, and Pocahontas is
my sister, then I, too, am a member of the Algonquin nation.
THUNDERCLOUD: (Reluctantly.) That is so.
AUNT MORNING STAR: That is true.
CHIEF POWHATAN: We will call you Man-Who-Brought-The-Iron-Tomahawk.
ALGONQUINS: Hi-ya!
CAPTAIN SMITH: I am honored. There will be peace between us?
CHIEF POWHATAN: Because of my daughter, there will be peace.
CAPTAIN SMITH: Princess, one day I hope all of England will meet you and give you thanks.
POCAHONTAS: Being friends is thanks enough. (MUSIC CUE 11a: “Your Heart Always
Knows—Reprise.”)
CHIEF POWHATAN: (Out to audience. Speaks.) From this day forth, there will be harmony
in this land. The Great Spirit wills it. We will help one another to prosper. Let us plant
the seeds of friendship. (Steps to CAPTAIN SMITH. He holds out his arm, palm up.
CAPTAIN SMITH puts his arm, palm down, over the CHIEF’S. This is the sign of
friendship, of sealing a bargain. POCAHONTAS puts her hand over the clasp. The
ALGONQUINS take a step toward LEFT. In Jamestown, the SETTLERS APPEAR.
Holding out arms, palms up, ALGONQUINS move to the SETTLERS. The SETTLERS
move forward so that both groups eventually meet, taking up the FULL STAGE. SPIRIT
OF MOTHER EARTH ENTERS from EXTREME DOWN RIGHT on FORESTAGE.
SQUIRREL, WOLF and RAVEN are with her. They watch the action.)
POCAHONTAS/CHIEF POWHATAN/CAPTAIN SMITH: (Sing.) The wind is the wind,
No matter which way it blows.
46
ALGONQUINS: (Sing.) The stream is the stream,
No matter which way it flows.
SETTLERS: (Sing.) And the seed is the seed,
It always grows what it grows.
ALL: (Sing.) Your heart is the window to the truth
And your heart always knows.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER EARTH/RAVEN/SQUIRREL: (Sing.)
Look inside, your heart will show you,
Listen closely to your dreams.
ALL: (Sing.) A man’s just a man,
Whether his skin’s dark or light.
Our blood is the same,
Whether we’re red, black or white.
And the earth is the earth,
No matter which way we go.
The heart is the window to the truth,
And our hearts always know.
POCAHONTAS : (Sings.) The heart is the window to the truth,
And our hearts always know.
SPIRIT OF MOTHER Ebv ARTH: (Sings.) Your heart is the window to the truth
And your heart always knows.
(At end of song, the ALGONQUINS and SETTLERS freeze in TABLEAU.
END OF PLAY
CURTAIN CALL
47