A play
Religious intolerance
Act I
Scene I
Grand Pa: Naki, today is Sunday so hurry up and let’s go to church.
Naki : I’m not going.
Grand Pa: For about a month now you’ve not been to church. As for today palm is Sunday, you will go to church
Naki: I say I’m not going.
Grandpa: You will go
Naki: I’m not going.
Grandpa: Why?
Naki: I have found a better path.
Grandpa: Oh! Blood of Jesus. What is this religion?
Naki: It is called Eckankar or Religion of Light and Sound of God.
Grandpa: That’s why at dawn I hear a sound like Hu! -Huu! -Huuu!!! From your room.
Naki: It is Hu a secret name for God and it is a most beautiful prayer.
Grandpa: Oh! Small Child. Whenever I hear your Hu! I remember Cassious Nimbus, a great journalist.
Naki: What did he say about the Hu?
Grandpa: He came out with the word ‘Huhudious’. So when I hear your Hu I remember ‘Huhudious’
Naki: And what does that mean?
Grandpa: It means something strange, fearful, disgusting. As long as you are living under my roof I’ll never allow you to leave my faith. I’ll never tolerate Eckankar in this Christian house forget about this Eckankar or I’ll disown you.
Naki: Grand Pa, This religious intolerance amounts to religious persecution.
Grandpa: My word is final, either you give up Eckankar or leave this house. Period.
Scene II
[Naki is leaving next day]
Grandpa: So Naki, are you leaving?
Naki: Hu, HUU, HUUU
Grandpa: Naki, where are you going?
Naki: To Eckankar Religious freedom is enshrined in our constitution. You have chosen Christianity and I have chosen Eckankar. My body belongs to my earthly parents but as Soul I belong to God.
Grandpa: {Soliloquizing}
What at all in this Eckankar that has made her so bold fearless Naki, what has made you so bold?
Naki: Eckankar
Grandpa: So is your HU better than tongues?
Naki: Tongues like……
Grandpa: Ekaro, Ekaro, maguya, maguya, tu, tu, tu, kelewele, kelewe, Bunkpurugu Yoo, Yoo
Naki: And what does this mean?
Grandpa: It is spiritual language; no one can understand it.
Naki: Grand Pa, if you speak in a language you don’t understand then with all due respect, I recommend Pantang Hospital for you.
Grandpa: Infact, Naki, don’t go away, tomorrow early morning sharp, take me to Eckankar.
Naki: Thank you, Mahanta.