A Latin Play: The Metelli and Amici (and Aesop)

Last week was Latin camp and it was great fun. My group translated some of Aeesop's fables from Latin to English. My group was also supposed to put on a skit or play of some sort and so I began to scrounge Google for a Latin play only to find that there was almost nothing related to Aesop's fables or Living Latin, the theme for our camp. Luckily I had some time to write my own Latin play. Below is one of the scenes from the play, but if you would like a copy of the entire play just email me and I will send you a copy. The play was based on these fables: "Cornix et Urna," "Lupus et Puer Mendax," "Vulpes et Uva," and "Mus et Leo." Enjoy the excerpt below...

Scene II

 

(Mater is sitting in a chair reading to the side. Maxima, Petrus, Hilaria, and the Gemini are playing hopscotch to another side.)

Narrator: The liberes are playing hopscotch outside and mater is enjoying some quiet time, but the Gemini are up to something. (Gemini are off to the side watching other kids play.)

Tullius: Let’s play a dolus on mater. (Gemini giggle and then walk up to mater looking concerned and anxious.)

Gemini: Mater! Mater!

Mater: Quid?! Quid?!

Gemini: Hilaria, our soror, fell and twisted her ankle! Veni! Veni! (Motion mater to come and mater jumps up and rushes to the hopscotch came to find that everything is alright. Gemini snicker and giggle. Mater gives them a look then goes back to chair to read.)

Narrator: That was a naughty trick, pueri, a dolus nequam. (Gemini sit near game and look bored. Then they whisper in each others’ ear, jump up and run to mater.)

Gemini: Mater! Mater!

Mater: Quid?! Quid?!

Gemini: Petrus, our frater, has a bloody nose! Veni! Veni! (Mater jumps up and runs to the boy, but sees that nothing is wrong and gives the boys a look. Gemini laugh out loud.)

Gemini: Est ridiculum!

Everyone (on stage): Pueri! Non est ridiculum! (Mater goes back to reading and kids resume game.)

(Suddenly, Maxima during her turn at hopscotch, stumbles and skins her knee. The Gemini jump up and rush to mater.)

Gemini: Mater! Mater!

Mater: Quid? (Looking annoyed.)

Gemini: Maxima, our amica… (mater interrupts)

Mater (calmly looking back at her book): I don’t believe you. Go and play.

(The Gemini see how much their friend is in pain and go get a band-aid themselves and help her up…)

Narrator: In the end they had to help their amica themselves because mater did not believe them. That’s why this moral stands true: “A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.” (All exit except for Quintus.)