-1THE HEADLESS HORSE
by
Manjari Shukla
Cast of characters
LEO THE PIXIE
PUCK THE PIXIE
POPPY THE PIXIE
ELDERLY PIXIE
IVY THE PIXIE
NOVA THE PIXIE
14 September 2023
Scene 1:
INT. PIXIE VILLAGE, INSIDE MUSHROOM HOME SUNSET
[Leo looks in the mirror wearing his leaf-patterned cape.]
LEO: (to himself) Alright Leo. [pause] You can be strong
tonight.
[pixie dust enters the room and Leo rushes to the door]
POPPY AND PUCK: (with smiles) Happy Celestial
Campout Night!
[Fluttering their translucent wings]
FADE OUT
-2Scene 2:
EXT. IN THE WOODS - EVENING
FADE IN:
[Puck, Poppy and Leo sit around the floating orange fire.
An elderly pixie flies up.]
ELDERLY PIXIE: (addressing everyone with an echoic
voice) Welcome to the Celestial Campout. Under the
moon's eerie glow, we'll share tales so spry, short
spooky stories that make your heart fly high. I will
narrate the first story. It's called the headless horse.
LEO: (trembling) Be the hero, don't be scared, it's all
good.
CUT TO:
ELDERLY PIXIE: (dramatic scream) And the headless
horse strangles young pixies like you!
[Leo is about to shriek but doesn’t when he sees Ivy
enter the camp]
PUCK: (surprised) That's Ivy! She has been Leo's idol
since his first wing came out!
[Leo sits in a confidently as he sees Ivy approach
them]
IVY: (composed) This your first night?
PUCK AND POPPY: Yes, it is
IVY: (small laugh) You guys gettin' any chills yet?
PUCK AND POPPY: (timidly) Yes, actually
[Leo shakes his head signalling a no]
IVY: (referring to Leo) Yeah I know Leo isn't scared, I've
heard about you. You’re tough.
-3[Ivy walks away. Leo flies with excitement into the air but
realises it is dark and falls down]
FADE OUT
Scene 3
INT. IN THE TENT - NIGHT
FADE IN:
[Poppy and Puck use their wings to cover themselves
like a cocoon and sleep. Leo is tossing and turning.]
FADE OUT
Scene 4
EXT. IN THE WOODS - NIGHT
FADE IN:
[dry trees, Leo is running, terrified. A headless horse
with sharp claws almost jumps over him before a strong
hit of pixie dust makes it disappear.
NOVA: (Tenderly) It is I, Nova, the dweller of dreams.
LEO: (confused) Wait… This a dream? But it seemed so
real. I felt I was going to get strangled!
NOVA: (Gently) If you don’t want more dreams like
such, you need to accept your fear
LEO: (nervous) I-I have no fear, Ivy said I am tough.
[pause]
LEO: (embarrassed) Okay, I fear the dark and spooky
stories.
NOVA: (gentle smile) Well done. Admit this to your
friends and Ivy. You know… Ivy has fears too.
LEO: (shocked) No way! Ivy is fearless!
-4NOVA: (softly) Then ask her tomorrow. She learned that
fears should be accepted and faced.
LEO: (content) That's weird, but I think I understood. I
will also face my fears now.
CUT TO:
[A loud noise wakes every pixie and they come out of
their tents]
IVY: (reassuringly) I'll see what it is, don't be scared.
LEO: (confidently) Ivy, I admit I was afraid of the
headless horse, but now I want to face my fear by
coming with you.
IVY: (proudly) So Nova paid you a visit too. Come on
tough guy let's go.
- THE END -