The Lost Painting

Narrator: Once again, the town of Banga-an was its best. The houses were adorned with leaves, flowers,
fruits and vegetables. Many pieces of beautiful bangas were on display as well. There were guests from
the neighboring towns, and some came all the way from Manila. The town fiesta is a much-awaited event
every year by townspeople and guests alike.
Lina: It’s great to be home again.
Narrator: Lina has been studying in Manila for a year now. She has been looking forward to this day
when she could spent time with family and friends again.
Ned: Lina! We thought you would miss the bus again like you did last year.
Lisa: Oh, if that happens, we will never forgive you.
Lina: Of course not! I made sure I was at the bus terminal one hour ahead of time.
Ian: Did you know that Lino has accepted a job in Olongapo as a fireman? If I know, he has been waiting
for you, and now that you are here, he tells us that he will work far from here.
Lina: Oh, I hope he’s no longer mad at me. We use to be very good friends. So, when does he plan to
leave?
Ian: Nobody knows. But I hope you see him while you’re here.
Lisa: Here come the paintings for the museum!
Lina: What’s that for?
Lisa: The mayor had requested a museum in manila to lend the local museum some paintings because we
have guests from Germany and Spain, and the mayor wants to show them samples of Philippine Art.
Lina: Wow! That’s a first. Let’s go see the paintings.
Narrator: A big crowd gathered in front of the museum. Lino was there, but he did not go near them.
The people from the museum unloaded the truck and brought 14 paintings inside the museum. Because it
was closing time, the paintings were placed in one room of the museum.
Nilda: We’ll come early to hang them tomorrow.
Narrator: As soon as the sun was up, Nilda went to the museum. She went straight to where the
paintings were stored. But to her surprise, there were only 13 paintings in the room!
Nilda: One painting is missing! *screamed loudly*
All: What happened?
Nilda: I don’t know. I opened the door and went straight to the room where the paintings are and
discovered that one painting is missing! *cried*
Lina: Who stole the painting? For sure, He is no longer here. He must have left the town with it. Have
you noticed anyone missing?
Nilda: How do we know now who is missing? There are so many guests from the neighboring towns and
from Manila.
Boy: Lino left the town early. I saw him. I was on my way to buy pandesal when I saw him carrying
many things. He was headed toward the bus terminal.
Baker: Yes, I saw him too! It was at dawn, and he was carrying so many packed things.
Nilda: Was there anything square, something that looked like a painting?
Boy/Baker: Yes, there was.
Nilda: Oh, no! *cried* How could he do that? Lino’s a good man.
Lisa: Maybe he will sell it to somebody outside the town.
Ned: He accepted a new job in Olongapo. I am sure that’s where he is going. Maybe he needs the money
to start a new life.
Nilda: All right! Let us just go to the police station to report that Lino stole the painting. Oh, the mayor
will be so mad!
Narrator: Just when they started walking toward the town hall, Aling Nena, the caretaker of the museum,
came rushing toward them.
Aling Nena: Sorry, I am late. I had to get the kakanin from Aling Idang and she still lives in the farm.
Anyway, did you see the painting behind the curtain, Nilda?
Narrator: Nilda and the rest of the crowd were startled. They looked at each other.
Nilda: Where I you say it was Aling Nena?
Aling Nena: Behind the curtain! I was cleaning last night when one painting fell from where it was
standing. I decided to put it behind the curtain so it won’t fall again.
Narrator: Everybody breathed a sigh of relief.
Ned: Ay, Aling Nena! How could you do this to us?
Aling Nena: Do what? I hid it and came late. I didn’t steal it!
Nilda: Yes, you did not steal it. You just got everyone worried. We thought it was stolen and we almost
reported Lino to the police!
Aling Nena: Oh, no, Lino did not steal it. He came over to my house last night to say goodbye. He will
be working in Olongapo. And you, Lina, you have to know that he really cares for you and he wants both
of you to be friend again. He even brought your big portrait with him, no matter how big and heavy it is
to carry.
Narrator: Lina blushed in embarrassment. Lisa, who was quick to judge her friend, felt sorry for what
she said earlier. She meekly apologized to Lina.
Nilda: Come on! Let’s go back to the museum. I need a volunteers to help me hang the paintings before
the mayor comes to inspect.
Narrator: But suddenly there was a dog come to them.
Ned: Look at the dog, it’s look like wanna say something.
Dog: Long time no see, Lina! Lino has been missing so much. * sounds like a dog*
Lina: It was jingle, the dog of Lino! It’s been a while since I see you Jingle, how are you? I remember
when you were little you’re always lingering around us.
Nilda: But why the dog is here? It was always with Lino, right?
Aling Nena: Before the fiesta, Jingle was nowhere to be found. So Lino thought that jingle has been
missing, but he still need to go. And he came to me before he left to give him a news about jingle.
Lina: So do you mean Aling Nena, Lino wants jingle to come along with him?
Aling Nena: Yes.
Lisa: I heard a news that there are few buses that come here today. Nobody knows if Lino was already
go.
Ian: There’s still a chance that Lino has still waiting at the bus terminal.
Nilda: Go now! Before it’s too late. I take care of the museum.
Lina: Thank you, Aling Nena!
All; Let’s GO!
Narrator: They reach the bus terminal after 10 minutes.
Ned: We need to split up, so we can easily see him.
All: *hmm*
Lina: Ian an Ned go there, Lisa and I will go to other side.
Narrator: After a minute finding Lino, they failed.
Lina: At lasts I didn’t see him. * CRIED*
Lino: Lina? What are you doing here?
Narrator: Lina hugged Lino so tight.
Lina: I miss you so much. Why you didn’t tell me that your leaving?
Lino: Oh, where did you found Jingle? *DOG BARKING*
Lina: Are you really leaving?
Lino: Even I don’t want, I need to.
Lisa: There are few buses that come here today. Why not stay for a few days to celebrate the town fiesta
with us.
Lina: Yes, just stay only for a few days.
Narrator: Lino stayed for a few days and they celebrate the town fiesta happily.