Adaptation Script: Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy
Characters:
1. Guard
2. Narrator 1
3. Narrator 2
4. Narrator 3
5. Rival King Part 1
6. Rival King Part 2
7. Normal King Part 1
8. Normal King Part 2
9. Hermit 1
[Link] 2
[Link] Man 1
[Link] Man 2
[Link] Man 3
Scene 1: The King’s Dilemma
Setting: A grand throne room. Normal King Part 1 sits on his throne,
surrounded by advisors.
Narrator 1: (Steps forward) "In a faraway kingdom, a wise and powerful king
found himself burdened by three questions. He believed that knowing their
answers would ensure his success in every endeavor."
Normal King Part 1: (Addressing the court) "If I always knew the right time to
begin everything, the right people to listen to, and the most important thing to
do, I could rule flawlessly."
Narrator 2: (Steps forward) "To solve this, he summoned the wisest people in
the kingdom."
Guard: (Enters, bowing) "Your Majesty, the wise men have arrived."
Narrator 3: "But their answers only deepened the king's confusion."
(Enter Wise Man 1, Wise Man 2, and Wise Man 3, each offering their advice.)
Wise Man 1: "The best time is to plan ahead, Your Majesty. Anticipation is the
key to success."
Wise Man 2: "No, the best time is when you act immediately and seize
opportunities."
Wise Man 3: "Both of them are wrong. The best time is when you wait for
divine guidance."
Narrator 1: "Despite their wisdom, the king remained uncertain."
Scene 2: The Rival King’s Plot
Setting: A rival kingdom. Rival King Part 1 and Rival King Part 2 are plotting.
Narrator 2: "Meanwhile, in a neighboring kingdom, the rival king learned of
the other king’s struggles."
Rival King Part 1: "He is distracted by questions. This is our chance to attack
and seize his lands."
Rival King Part 2: "Let us wait for the perfect moment, when his guard is
down."
Narrator 3: "The rival king set his plans into motion, eager to exploit the other
king’s dilemma."
Scene 3: The Hermit’s Wisdom
Setting: A forest clearing near a humble hut. Hermit 1 and Hermit 2 are seen
working in the garden.
Narrator 1: "Unwilling to give up, the king decided to seek the counsel of a
hermit renowned for his wisdom. He ventured into the forest, dressed humbly
and leaving his retinue behind."
Normal King Part 2: (Approaches, panting) "Good hermit, I seek answers to
three questions: What is the right time for every action? Who are the most
important people? And what is the most important thing to do?"
Hermit 1: (Calmly digging) "Your questions are wise, but I have no answers to
spare until this garden is tended."
Hermit 2: "The earth calls for work. If you help, you may find your answers in
time."
Narrator 2: "The king, despite his status, chose to help the hermit."
Normal King Part 2: (Kneeling) "Then let me assist you."
Narrator 3: "Hours passed. The king toiled alongside the hermits, yet no
answers came."
Scene 4: The Rival King’s Attack
Setting: Evening in the forest clearing. The king and hermits are still at work
when a wounded man stumbles into view.
Narrator 1: "Suddenly, the rival king’s attack backfired, and his forces were
scattered. The rival king himself was gravely injured."
Hermit 1: "Bring him here. A life in need cannot be ignored."
Hermit 2: "Quick, fetch water and bandages!"
Narrator 2: "Without hesitation, the king tended to the rival king’s wounds,
bandaging him and ensuring his survival." " In the next morning, rival king
woke up and asked for forgiveness. King with no clue asked him why ?
Rival King Part 2: (Weakly) "Thank you... I sought to destroy you, but now I
see your strength lies in your compassion."
Normal King Part 2: "Let us make peace. No more bloodshed between our
kingdoms."
Narrator 3: "In that moment, both kings learned the value of unity and
forgiveness."
Scene 5: The Answers Revealed
Setting: Morning in the forest clearing.
Normal King Part 1: (To Hermit 1) "Have I earned the answers to my
questions?"
Hermit 1: "You have already found them. The most important time is now, for
it is the only time we have control over."
Hermit 2: "The most important people are those you are with, for they are the
ones who need you."
Hermit 1: "And the most important thing is to do good, for that is your
purpose."
Narrator 1: "The king’s heart was filled with gratitude."
Narrator 2: "With newfound wisdom, he returned to his kingdom."
Narrator 3: "And his reign was transformed by the lessons he had learned."
Epilogue:
Narrator 1: "Thus, the king found his answers not through words, but through
deeds."
Narrator 2: "The hermits’ wisdom brought clarity to his rule."
Narrator 3: "And the kingdoms flourished under rulers who lived in the
present, cared for their people, and did what was right."
All Characters: (Together) "The end."