Sensory Friendly Performance

Web Guide- SF JB by Genevieve Szaly

Scene 1 – Prologue

Deep in the Jungle, two wolves shake themselves from their slumber, and set out from their den to find food for their cubs. They are Raksha and Akela, mates for life, and leaders of the free people of the Jungle They search and search, not finding much of anything at all, until Raksha hears a curious sound coming from the bushes.

“Whats this?” cries Raksha.

“Why, its a man cub”, said Akela

“Small and soft with no sharp teeth at all, but oh how fierce he is. I shall protect him as my own, for any animal that breathes and knows no fear is honored in the green eyes of Raksha.”

But then the wolves hear a growl as deep as thunder coming their way It is Shere Khan, lord of the lawless, breaker of oaths.

“It appears you have stolen my breakfast Raksha, give the man cub to me.” At this Raksha bares her teeth, for she was known as the demon and was fiercely protective of her kin

“Enough” barks Akela “The law of the Jungle forbids killing for sport. Leave this place or by my decree as Akela leader of the free people you will feel the wrath of the jungle.”

“Look upon free people, and see the man-cub, and know that he is kin to me, and so kin to all of the freepeople. Respect him, that he may respect you.”

“You who bow to the commands of a dog and call yourself free. Ha! I am shere khan, and I bow to no one. I am defeated now but know by the depths of my stripes I will have my revenge.”

The wolves take the man-cub home, and raise him as their own, calling him Mowgli, which means little frog. Years pass, and the little frog Mowgli, much like the lush plants of the jungle, begins to grow, and grow, and grow into a strong fierce little boy

Scene 2 – Wolves

Emerging from the underbrush, Akela returns from the hunt.

His partner Raksha is awaiting his arrival at the mouth of their cave They are everything to one another and to Mowgli’s world, they are as night and day, shining each in their own way, sharing with him as much love as possible, As they would with any of their kin. Akela, the great leader, shines as brightly as the day star. Though he is the strongest wolf he is fair in all of his dealings, and uses not his power for cruelty or bullying, but rather for order and balance And for this he is respected by all animals of the Jungle. Of course it is no secret to the free people that the true source of Aklea’s strength lives within Raksha. For the demon wolf is as loyal as an unshakable darkness, and possesses a love that burns more intensely than the stars. Though the two wolves form a great partnership, In the eyes of Akela and Raksha, there are no qualities of greater importance than independence and self-reliance, for though each species among the free people exists within a community, each animal is ultimately responsible for their own actions. The wolves knew all along that Mowgli was unlike any other animal, and that the day would come when he must take responsibility and venture forward without them, to find his own way in the jungle. That day had finally come.

“Mowgli, for many years you have dwelt in the cave of Akela and Raksha.

‘We have shown you love and protection, and you have made us proud with your cunning and strength. ‘But the time has come for you to leave our cave, and learn the ways of the jungle from within the jungle, so that you may in turn learn the ways of the self”

“But mother, I see no other animals like me. To whom should I go to learn the way?”

“Go to Baloo the wise, seer of patterns. He is the most knowledgable in the laws which govern nature and its inhabitants. Learn of nature, my cub, that you may learn of yourself.”

Mowgli makes his way down to the river. It is not long before he finds the generous sunbear Baloo, lounging and lazily licking honey from his paws. Baloo is able to come and go among the communities of the free people as he pleases. Eating only nuts, roots and honey he poses no threat to the other animals. It is his knowledge of the supreme laws, which govern the various ways of the free people, that make the other animals welcome his presence and advice . His mind is slow, but penetrating, and for this reason, he is known as Baloo the wise, seer of patterns.

Scene 3 – Baloo & Bagheera

“Excuse me friend, my mother Raksha sent me to learn the laws of the jungle, from the wise bear Baloo”

“Ah ha ha ha Why yes its true! I am the wise and carefree bear Baloo, It is curious though you must admit that Raksha does not look like you. You don’t have her teeth. You don’t have her paws. In truth you don’t look alike at all. You don’t have her ears. You don’t have her snout You don’t have a tail to wag about. You don’t have her fur. You don’t have her claws,. But you do share one thing that is inside us all” “What is it?” Mowgli pleads

“Have you ever been hurt broken your skin maybe cried and saw the deep red that flows from inside It pumps through all of our hearts it can carry our love every animal in the jungle is all of one blood.”

“One blood?” asks Mowgli

“One blood! flows through you, Raksha, and I. It flows in the wings of the birds in the sky. Look how they swoop they rise and they glide. In patterns, in flocks, altogether they fly. With their beaks pointed evermore towards their next prize. It flows through the elephant’s trunks down through to their legs. By their marching big feet and big ears on their heads, it flows through their thin tails how they swat away flys, with their tusks pointed up reaching toward the sky. See our friend Inkki with prick-ly spines. If even flows through the backs of the small porcupines shaking their quills, with soft fur and soft snout it flows through their feet as they trot steady about. See now Down on the ground, or above the canopy. Every animal that breaths is of one family. One blood man cub! that’s all you need know! Though People look different wherever you go They communicate in ways that are special to each. But you can talk to them too if you know what I teach. Different animals, One Blood. Different languages, One Love. It’s really quite easy I know you can see. It means I help you, and you help me”

“ Oh how I hate poetry”.

“Hush, Bagheera” exclaims Baloo

“I am teaching the boy the truth!”

Bagheera replies “The boy will surely be of one blood with Shere Khan when he is lying still within her stomach” as she prepares to teach the boy a lesson of her own.

“ What Baloo says is true, but in order to survive, you must find not only what unites you with nature, but what sets you apart.”

“What do you mean?” Mowgli asks

“In the jungle, strength is necessary for survival.

Every creature is different, and within this difference is found their true source of strength. You did not know, but I… I was born among men. I was kept in the cage of a prince, and for years wore the collar of submission until one night I felt in my blood that I was no man’s plaything, I was Bagheera the panther. That night I found my strength, With one swipe of my mighty paw. I alone broke the lock that bound me”

“But what makes me different, Bagheera?”

Mowgli asks with great wonder, “What makes me strong?”

“Humans have the power of intent unlike any other, and can use this intent to harness the forces of nature. Have you noticed the burning red flower that grows outside the huts within the village at night?

“This Flower, in all other areas of nature, appears spontaneously. Yet humans can somehow grow this flower instantly from deep within two rocks. Learn to grow and control this flower, man-cub, and in doing so you will learn your unique source of strength”

Mowgli takes his fire, and carries it throughout the jungle, feeding it, protecting it, almost as if he were caring for another living being. But as he is walking, he cannot help but feel as if someone is watching him following him almost teasing him Just then, three silly rascals drop down from above

Scene 4 – Monkeys and Kaa

They were the Bandar-log of the trees, keepers of Jest. They had been watching with wonder from above as Mowgli transformed grey rocks into red flowers. Unable to control their curiosity the Bandar-log reach their long fingers toward the dancing red flower and…

“OOOWWWWW—OOOOOOOHH”

One at a time the silly monkeys take breaks from licking their burns to admire Mowgli’s mysterious talent,

“How does the hairless one do it?”

“What else can you do?”

“Can you teach us too?”

Now Mowgli had taught himself many things, but he had never taught others, for he had always been seen as a cub. Perhaps this would be his place in the Jungle, to be a leader like Akela, so he agrees. But soon enough, Mowgli realizes, it is hard to teach those who cannot follow. At first, Mowgli admired the fun loving nature of the bandar-long, but as he continues to watch on, it becomes clear to him that not only are they bad followers, but they are also not as good role models compared to the other free people of the jungle. The monkeys are so wrapped up in their laughter and games, that they don’t notice a silent visitor who appears above. It is Kaa the Python, known through the jungle as the patient one. Mowgli remembers being told that Kaa has a hypnotising stare that can enchant anyone, so he keeps his distance, as Kaa prepares her deadly dance for the monkeys. Mowgli takes note of how patient she is; never resting, never hurrying, but always waiting for just the right moment Kaa full from a satisfying meal, averts her gaze and slithers away to slumber. Mowgli waits, cautious not to leave until he can no longer see the sun gleaming on the last of kaa’s scales

Scene 5 – Shere Khan

Still unsure where to go, Mowgli walks through the jungle reflecting on all the lessons he had learned. He considers how all the animals were of one blood, but how he must also recognize the importance of his own unique strength. He thinks about the importance of curiosity and fun, but also the necessity of focus and patience. In the midst of his reflection his eyes catch a drop of blood on the jungle floor. He gets closer to investigate when suddenly— Shere Khan emerges from the bushes with a deadly gleam in her eyes, Ready to put Mowgli’s new found knowledge to the test.

“It is against the law of the jungle to kill a human,” warns Mowgli

“I care not” growls the tiger “I’ve waited years to get you alone, and tonight I crave the flesh of man!”

Mowgli is no match for the size and power of shere khan, until a swift and graceful grey shadow darts from the bushes. Mowgli staggers back, facing certain death, until he remembers the immense power he holds in his hands. Shere Khan is helpless in the face of the destructive flame. By breaking the law of the jungle and attacking a human, she had invoked a wrath as yet unseen in all of her years. She sulks away, never to return. The memory of Mowgli’s terrible power forever ingrained within her memory. Mowgli, proud of his victory, climbs to the highest rock, as his friends begin to resurface from the jungle. But his friends, who had always treated him as their own, now looked upon him with fear in their eyes, for the immense power Mowgli had learned to yield placed him as alpha, but with such a force that posed a threat to the natural order of the Jungle.

“Mowgli, you have indeed found your way, but we now know, it is not within the Jungle.”

“Man’s strength is too destructive to regulate the wild and free”.

“Carry our knowledge with you, but leave at once.”

Where he is to go, Mowgli does not know. He thinks of his friends, and of all the lessons he had learned, but he still knows not where he fits in.

Scene 6 – Finale (Prajna)

Just then, he hears a sound unlike any other in the jungle It was close to that of a song bird but ran though his ears and heart in a way he had never experienced. He follows the sound until it comes to its source. It is Prajna, Daughter of Silent Knowing, singing a lullaby her mother had taught her. Mowgli is struck with a strange and wonderful feeling. Somehow all the roughness and wildness he felt in the jungle began to melt away and in this moment something light and pleasant had taken its place. It was as if there was nothing for him to prove or learn, he simply needed nothing more than to be with this creature

Though mowgli will live forevermore in the villages of humans, he will never forget where he came from. He will live with and impart unto others the immense respect for the lessons of the jungle for the rest of his days. From village to jungle, he will know, we are all of one blood.