PO013 Somebody Paid the Price

(handpuppet in shape of Dog Silly.)

Puppetry by Josine, translated by Rianne Stevens

You: Silly, what is the matter, why are you so quiet?

Silly: Yes, I am so sorry you got a pill today.

You: A pill? But I am not sick, I am fine.

Silly: Yes, a pill.

You: No, Silly. No, I did not get a pill today, but a bill. That means I have to pay a lot of money.

Silly: And that is all my fault…

You: Yes, that IS your fault. Now tell me what exactly happened?

Silly: (In a very low voice) I bit an old woman today.

You: What?

Silly: (Still in a very low voice) I bit.

You: Silly, please speak a bit louder, the children can’t even hear you.

Silly: (Puts his paws over his eyes) I bit an old woman today.

You: Oh Silly, that is not good! Didn’t I tell you that you can bark but not bite! Her jacket was badly torn and she even had to see a doctor.

Silly: It was not my intention. She came in unexpectedly while I was asleep in the

room. I awoke with a start, I got so frightened that I jumped out of my skin

and then I bit her.

You: Hmmm, justifying what you did does not help us much! I now have this big bill. Who should pay up for it?

Silly: (Looks away) I don’t have any money.

You: But this bill needs to be paid for.

Silly: Can’t you throw the bill in the dustbin?

You: That bill in the dustbin! No, I can’t possibly do that! Then I will get another

even higher bill to pay.

Silly: I am getting a bit scared with all of this…. I told you I did not do it

intentionally… Can you just forget what happened?

You: I know you did not do it intentionally. And I forgave you (give Silly a cuddle). But the woman’s jacket is still torn so she needs to buy another one, and she

Even had to see a doctor who still has to be paid for the medicine he gave

her.

Silly: Hmm, I see…

You: And because you are mine, I need to pay that bill. How nice. Well, not at all. Maybe I should take you to a dog’s home.

Silly: Oh no, please don’t do that! I don’t want to go to a dog’s home! Oh, in a

dog’s home. I will no longer have my master who loves me, who pats me on

my back and who takes me out for walks! Then I will be in an empty cage the

whole long day. Oh, please don’t do that! Please pay that bill for me!

You: I am joking. Of course you are my sweet little dog and I still love you. I have forgiven you and I will pay that bill for you. But don’t bite any other person

again, promise?

Silly: You are such a good boss! I love you very very very much. I am going to

give you hundred thousand licks. Here, a lick on your nose, and a lick on

your ear, and…

You: Oh stop it, Silly Dog. It is all right. You better say bye-bye to all these

children and then we go out for a walk together.