The Tale of the Three Brothers

Characters
Antioch
Cadmus
Ignotus
Death
Antiochs rival
Bartender
Cadmus girlfriend
Ignotus child
Teacher
Students

Scene 1

TEACHER: Alright everyone, lets start the lesson! Sit down please! Today were going to continue
reading the Tales of Beedle the Bard. Who can tell me what kind of tales they are?
STUDENT: Fairy tales!
TEACHER: Good, and why are these special?
STUDENT: Because they have a good message?
TEACHER: Yes, excellent, these tales have a positive message for us to learn. Now, this one is
called The Tale of the Three Brothers. Lets see Lights down Good.
There were once three brothers who were travelling along a lonely, winding road at
twilight.

CADMUS: Brothers, we have to hurry, theres barely any light left.

ANTIOCH: So? Were wizards, theres nothing out here that we cant defeat with our wands!
IGNOTUS: I wouldnt be so sure, Antioch, so lets be careful.
ANTIOCH: (Laughing) Always so cautious, little brother.
CADMUS: Yes, but hes usually right. Look!
ANTIOCH: Oh, a river! Im so scared!
CADMUS: Lumos! Well, by the looks of it, its far too deep to wade through.
IGNOTUS: And too dangerous to swim across.
ANTIOCH: Very well, we shall make a bridge! Wands ready!
CADMUS: Excellent work as usual, my dear brothers! Lets cross.
IGNOTUS: Theres someone on the other side Stay alert, it could be someone dangerous.
ANTIOCH: For once, I agree, Ignotus. That figure just appeared when we created the bridge
Cadmus, take your wand out.
CADMUS: Yes, yes, Im ready.
DEATH: You have outsmarted me! Travellers usually drown in this river But for your skills in the
magical arts, I shall give each of you a gift.
IGNOTUS: (Suspicious) Who are you?
DEATH: Ive had many names, though people usually call me simply Death
CADMUS: And you want to give us gifts?
DEATH: Yes, as a reward for evading me.
ANTIOCH: Well, as the oldest brother, I shall ask first. I want a wand more powerful than any other
in existence. One worthy of a wizard who has conquered Death itself.
DEATH: Very well. (Takes a branch from a tree, waves it and gives it to Antioch) This is the Elder
Wand, it will never fail you.
CADMUS: (Aside) I want to humiliate it even more. (To Death) Its my turn, as the second brother. I
want the power to bring others back from you.
DEATH: Very well. (Takes a stone from the ground and gives it to Cadmus) This is the
Resurrection Stone. Turn it three times in your hand and it will bring people back to life.
IGNOTUS: (Aside) I have a bad feeling about this. (To Death) I only ask for something that will let
me leave from here without being followed by you.
DEATH: Hmph. Very well. (Takes off her cloak and hands it to Ignotus) This is my Cloak of
Invisibility. When you are wearing it, I cannot find you.
IGNOTUS: Thank you.
DEATH: Be on your way! You have defeated me! (The brothers exit) I shall be seeing you again
soon. Very soon.

Scene 2

ANTIOCH: Well, brothers, we must part ways here.

CADMUS: Where are you going, Antioch? Aren't you coming home with us?
ANTIOCH: No, not now. I've got the most powerful wand in the world, I plan to use it.
IGNOTUS: I really don't think you should use it. I don't trust Death.
CADMUS: I'm going home to test out this Stone. Are you coming, Ignotus?
IGNOTUS: No, Cadmus. And I'm not going to tell you where I'm going either.
ANTIOCH: Suit yourself. Goodbye, brothers. (He exits)
CADMUS: Goodbye. (He exits)
IGNOTUS: I dont know what will happen to my brothers, but I dont think they were wise in their
choices. Those presents will only bring trouble. I have to hide. (He puts on the cloak)

Scene 3

STUDENT: Antioch travelled for a few more days, until he reached a town. He had some business
he wanted to take care of there.

ANTIOCH: Here at last! The coward who insulted me hides here, and it's payback time. You! I
challenge you to a duel, if you're brave enough to to face me!
RIVAL: You again? You pathetic man, haven't I told you what I think of you already?
ANTIOCH: So you don't want to face me? I always knew you were a coward. Chicken! (Acts like a
chicken)
RIVAL: Wow, you are a child. But very well, I will humour you. Shall we go outside?
ANTIOCH: If you are ready.

STUDENT: The two wizards duel fiercely

ANTIOCH: Incendio!
RIVAL: Protego!
STUDENT: But in the end, like Death had promised, the Elder wand was too powerful. Antioch's
rival falls to the ground, defeated.

ANTIOCH: Yes! No one can beat me! Hahaha!

Scene 4

STUDENT: Meanwhile, Cadmus is at home, getting ready to try the Stone.

CADMUS: Lets see if Death was true to its word. This better work, because Ill kill Death if it
doesnt. Wait. (Laughs to himself) Im already going crazy. Well, here goes nothing. (He turns the
Stone three times in his hand, and Ariadna appears behind him)
CADMUS: (Softly) Ariadna? Are you there?
ARIADNA: Why did you wake me? I was sleeping.
CADMUS: Do you remember me? Its me, Cadmus. We were going to get married, remember?
ARIADNA: Yes But That was a long time ago.
CADMUS: You still look the same, and I havent changed, look!
ARIADNA: I cannot see you properly, nor hear you.
CADMUS: What do you mean? Im here! Hello! (He waves his hands) It doesnt matter, I just want
to be in your company (He tries to touch her, but he cant) Oh no, what is this? Youre not really
here!
ARIADNA: No, and I am not happy here. (She exits, followed by Cadmus)

Scene 5

STUDENT: The situation doesnt look good for Cadmus. Antioch, on the other hand, is celebrating
his victory in a pub

ANTIOCH: Get me another drink! I am celebrating my victory!

BARTENDER: Yes, we know. You defeated your rival, blah blah blah.
EXTRA: Yeah, big deal. Duels happen all the time.
ANTIOCH: You dont understand! I have the most powerful wand in the world!
EXTRA: Oh, really?
ANTIOCH:Yes, the most powerful, given to me by Death itself. I could defeat any of you in a duel,
any of you!
BARTENDER: You really should stop shouting.
ANTIOCH: No one can stop me!

STUDENT: He went on like that through the night, until he fell asleep. Someone comes in, tempted
by the story of the invincible wand.

EXTRA: (Taking the wand) Ha! Its mine now. What a silly man. I must take care of him.
DEATH: (Enters) Ha! Hes mine now. I knew he would be the first. Come with me.

STUDENT: And so Death took the first brother for its own.
Scene 6

STUDENT: Cadmus hasnt made any progress with Ariadna. He is very upset.

ARIADNA: You shouldnt have brought me back here. I do not belong in this world anymore.
CADMUS: But I love you! Will you not stay here with me?
ARIADNA: I cannot go back unless you release me.
CADMUS: Then we can have our life together, like we had planned.
ARIADNA: Whatever you say.
CADMUS: Well tell me, um what was it like, on the other side?
ARIADNA: I cant explain it to you.
CADMUS: Can you tell me anything?
ARIADNA: No.
CADMUS: Thats it! I cant live like this. I will go with you to the other side. Its the only way we can
be together. Go! (He drops the Stone and Ariadna exits)
DEATH: (Enters) Ah, the second brother. Come with me.

STUDENT: And so Death took the second brother for its own.

Scene 7

STUDENT: But although Death looked for the youngest brother for years, he was nowhere to be
found.

IGNOTUS: So, my child, as you know, it is time for me to go. Ive lived a long and happy life, and
now my Cloak is yours.
CHILD: Thank you, Father. I will take good care of it.
IGNOTUS: Pass it on to your children as well. It will be the family tradition, yes?
CHILD: That is a great idea, Father.
IGNOTUS: I always have the best ideas. And Im going in peace. Goodbye.

STUDENT: And so the third brother met Death like an old friend.

DEATH: We finally meet again. How did you avoid me for so long?
IGNOTUS: I mostly kept out of trouble. It was difficult sometimes, but the Cloak helped.
DEATH: Hmm. Yes. I regret losing that. It was my favourite one! But, I must admit, you defeated
me fair and square.
IGNOTUS: I did. But now Im ready to go. How soon did you get my brothers?
DEATH: Oh, your brothers were a piece of cake. Can we go now? Im very busy, you know?
IGNOTUS: Yes. Lets go.

STUDENT: Ignotus went with Death gladly, and, as equals, they departed this world together.
TEACHER: The end. Did you like it?
STUDENTS: Yes!
TEACHER: We will discuss the moral of the story later, because now we have to go to the next
story
STUDENT: The Fountain of Fair Fortune?
TEACHER: Yes, my favourite one.