KHONSU THE EGYPTIAN MOON GOD
A play by Amber Word
Characters:
NARRATOR – The storyteller
PRINCE/KING OF BEKHTEN - Father to Ra-Neferu and Sister
KING RAMSES III - Ra-Neferu’s husband and king of Egypt
RA-NEFERU – Beautiful queen of Egypt
(x2)GUARDS – Guards in the King’s castle
DOCTOR – Lead doctor in the King’s castle
SISTER – Princess of Bekhten, Ra-Neferu’s youngest sister
KHONSU – God of the moon, expeller of demons
DEMON – Spirit that takes over the body of Sister
Props:
Jewels and Gold
Spears
Thermometer
Stethescope
Grey hair clips
King Staff/Sword
Temple Columns (chicken wire, newspaper, white paint)
Food for Feast
“20 Years Later” sign
SCENE 1: On the road
KING WALKS ON STAGE RIGHT FLEXING HIS MUSCLES. GUARDS
MARCH IN, HIT THEIR SPEARS STAGE CENTER AND MARCH TO
EITHER SIDE OF THE STAGE. A LINE FORMS AND EXTRAS OFFER
HIM GIFTS OF GOLD AND JEWELS
NARRATOR
More than 3000 years ago, a good and righteous Pharaoh,
the Egyptian name for king, ruled over Ancient Egypt. Due
to his fame, King Ramses III traveled from country to
country collecting gifts. One day the prince of Bekhten
offered him a very special gift…
EXTRAS EXIT STAGE RIGHT, PRINCE ENTERS STAGE RIGHT WITH
RA-NEFERU WALKING SLOWLY BEHIND HIM, BOTH KNEEL AT HIS
FEET
PRINCE/KING OF BEKHTEN
Today, Good King, in honor of the friendship between
Bekhten and Egypt, I would like to offer you my beautiful
daughter.
PRINCESS BOWS
KING
I am pleased to accept such a beautiful bride. From now
on, you will be known as Ra-Neferu in honor of the Sun
God Ra, for you are truly the most beautiful woman to
walk this earth.
Scene 2: In the castle of King Ramses III
KING AND RA-NEFERU HOLD HANDS AND LOOK LOVINGLY AT
EACHOTHER AS THEY STAND ON STAGE LEFT. GUARDS REMAIN IN
PLACE.
NARRATOR
They lived very happily and grew old together.
EXTRA HOLDS UP A SIGN IN FRONT OF THEM THAT SAYS “30
years later) IN THE MEANTIME BEHIND THE SIGN, EXTRA PUTS
GREY HAIR ON BOTH RA-NEFERU AND THE KING
NARRATOR
But Ra-Neferu often wondered about her family, now so far
away. Until one day…
PRINCE ENTERS STAGE RIGHT LOOKING VERY TIRED, AND KNEALS
ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE KING AND RA-NEFERU, A GUARD
ENTERS STAGE RIGHT. RA–NEFERU RUSHES TO THE PRINCE’S SIDE
RE-NEFERU
Father!
PRINCE/KING OF BEKHTEN
My lovely daughter… Dear King Ramses, I come today to ask
for your help. Re-neferu’s youngest sister is very sick,
and though I am now the king of Bekhten, I fear there is
nothing more I can do.
RA-NEFERU
Oh please! My dear king, send our best doctor to Bekhten
to look after my sister!
KING
Of course, my queen.
KING NODS TO GUARDS WHO EXIT STAGE RIGHT AND RE-ENTER
WITH DOCTOR. DOCTOR BOWS AT THE KING’S FEET
KING
Now, to Bekhten, to see Queen Ra-NeFeru’s sister.
DOCTOR
Yes, sir.
KING, RA-NEFERU, PRINCE, AND DOCTOR EXIT STAGE RIGHT.
GUARDS SPIN AND TURN THEIR BACK TO THE AUDIENCE.
Scene 3: In the castle of the king of Bekhten
PRINCESS ENTERS AND RUNS AROUND THE STAGE SCREAMING, AS
IF A DEMON HAS TAKEN OVER HER BODY.
NARRATOR
The doctor and Ra-Neferu’s father went to Bekhten only to
find out that the doctor could do nothing to help the
girl .
DOCTOR, AND PRINCE ENTER STAGE RIGHT. SISTER RUNS AROUND
THE STAGE EVEN MORE. DOCTOR TRIES TO GRAB HER AND STICK
A THERMOMETER INTO HER MOUTH. HE GIVES UP AND SHRUGS HIS
SHOULDERS AT THE AUDIENCE. ALL EXIT STAGE RIGHT – PRINCE
STRUGGLES TO BRING SISTER WITH HIM.
Scene 4: In the castle of King Ramses III
NARRATOR
They decided to return to Egypt even though they failed.
It was out of their hands.
KING ENTERS STAGE RIGHT AND WAITS.
THE AUDIENCE. DOCTOR ENTERS.
GUARDS SPIN TO FACE
DOCTOR
It was no use, dear King, the girl is not sick. A demon
has taken her body. I fear to tell you, but the only way
to release her is to ask for help from the gods.
NARRATOR
Everyone throughout Egypt knew that if you needed to
vanquish a demon of darkness, Khonsu - god of the moon,
was whom you must go to.
ALL EXIT. GUARDS BRING COLUMNS ON STAGE. KING ENTERS
AND PRETENDS LIKE HE IS CLIMBING UP A TALL HILL
Scene 5: The temple of Khonsu
NARRATOR
And so the King hiked up to the far away temple of
Khonsu, to pay him respect and ask for his help.
KING
Oh mighty Khonsu, please journey to Bekhten and release
an evil demon from the body of the young princess.
KHONSU APPEARS
KHONSU
I have heard your prayers, Ramses, I will do as you ask.
ALL EXIT STAGE RIGHT. GUARDS SPIN, THEIR BACKS ARE TO THE
AUDIENCE
Scene 6:
In the castle of the king of Bekhten
SISTER AND DEMON ENTERS HIDING BEHIND HER. SHE SCREAMS
AND FLAILS, DEMON IS HIDDEN FROM THE AUDIENCE BEHIND HER
SKIRT. KHONSU ENTERS AND SHE STOPS AND STARES AT HIM.
MESMORIZED. KHONSU STARTS HUMMING STRANGE SOUNDS. SISTER
BEGINS TO SWAY. AS SHE FALLS TO THE GROUND DEMON JUMPS
OUT. DEMON LOOKS CONFUSED AND THEN AT KHONSU. HE BOWS.
PRINCE ENTERS AND RUSHES TO THE GIRL.
DEMON
Oh mighty Khonsu! You are as powerful as they say.
Amazing. I had found a comfortable home in the young
girl, but will return to my homeland at one request.
That I leave this town with an honorable name.
PRINCE
I, King of Bekhten, will host a grand feast in honor of
the all powerful Khonsu and for the good sportsmanship of
the demon who left my daughter. Please, let us feast.
ALL ENTER STAGE RIGHT AND FEAST TOGETHER MERRILY.
NARRATOR
And so they feasted. From far and wide, all joined in
the festivities and the demon left for his homeland
grateful for the king’s graciousness and compassion.
DEMON BOWS IN THANKS EVERYONE SMILES AND WAVES.
ALL
And we all lived happily ever after.
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Play inspired by a myth found at: http://www.egyptianmyths.net/mythbekhten.htm