The play
Varde Rana was a frog who lived near a well, far from the sea.
All the animals who came to drink from the well spoke of a deep blue water that bordered the vast blue of the sky.
But there was a problem with it, one that many animals complained about.
VARDE
Hello dear!
Good morning!
FILIPE
Good morning, to you too dearest!
I hope you are well!
VARDE
Same!
From my side, I am alright!
Glad to see you here, so far from the ocean… whatever that means. But you are so far from it now, why?
FILIPE
This is actually where I live. I live in the land of freedom and I don’t have an owner, nor someone to possess me.
I can run in the greenest grass and swim in the bluest water of pools, rivers and oceans. I am free!
Many horses and other animals aren’t so lucky, you know?
I have friends that wish to be free but they cannot be, because humans are possessive and even violent towards us. What a shame!
VARDE
True!
I am sorry to hear that!
Freedom should be a right for all, and not only to those who tend to whip us or treat us as if we were just irrational animals.
Well… changing the topic…
I see that you went today!
FILIPE
I did, but remember this…
That water isn’t fit for drinking.
What nonsense!
Grumbled the horse, who loved swimming in those waters and stepping on the sands where the waves came and went constantly, without warning.
And that would bring him peace.
VARDE
Why, Filipe?
Asked the frog.
FILIPE
It 's salty!
And that’s the problem with it, one that many animals complained about.
He neighed.
VARDE
I understand! I know you love swimming and that you tried to drink that water.
But if it’s salty – as you say – why do you keep going there?
The frog tried to understand.
FILIPE
Because that water brings me peace.
And because no land animal can drink it, the fish can.
And not only that…
They have succulent food, and it’s important how they purify it and dance in it.
Said the horse with a kind of primordial wisdom.
VARDE
I’m curious, but I don’t think it’s for me.
You know, once I tasted salt because I thought it was sugar.
Human children are always playing tricks on us.
They love it!
I didn’t!
My skin went dry and lost its colour.
Well…
FILIPE
Come with me!
VARDE
Fine!
I will come with you!
He suggested, leaning down.
FILIPE
(Cont.)
You don’t need to go down from my back.
Just stay there and watch the beauty of the vast blue or green of the water and how the waves come and go.
The horse continued.
VARDE
If you insist…
The frog resigned herself.
FILIPE
Don’t be like that, you’ll enjoy it, I’m sure!
Insists Filipe.
VARDE
All right!
Varde agrees.
Then, Rana jumped and climbed onto the horse’s back.
Filipe took Rana to the sea, and in that moment, she understood that the horse had been right about its beauty.
And so, they both stayed at the top of a ravine, where fresh grass grew.
VARDE
It is beautiful, as you said!
FILIPE
I told you!
You see, when you are free, we will see the colours of the rainbow and the sunset in a different light!
And there, they remained, watching the sunset and feeling the ocean breeze touching their skins.
