Chapter XVIII: Act II: Scene I

PLACE: Along the roadside in a distant country.

CHARACTERS: The Prodigal Son, a Farmer.

[_The_ PRODIGAL SON _comes down the road, tired and
hungry. He sits on a rock and talks._]

_Prodigal Son:_ Would that I had something to eat! My money
is all spent, and there is famine in the land. What shall I
do? I am sick, and feel that I may soon die. If I could but
find something to do that I might get a little food.

[_A man comes along. The_ PRODIGAL SON _goes toward him
and falls down before him._]

_Prodigal Son:_ O sir, I am starving unto death. Wilt thou
give me any task to do that I may make enough to keep me
alive?

_Man:_ I have no work to be done--unless it be to take care
of my swine. Thou wilt find them in yon field; they need a
keeper.

_Prodigal Son:_ I will gladly do this.

[_He goes off joyfully._]

SCENE II

PLACE: In the field with the swine.

CHARACTER: The Prodigal Son.

[_The_ PRODIGAL SON _comes in driving the pigs. He sits
down._]

_Prodigal Son:_ How horrible is this life; I am dying of
hunger. No man will give me anything--all I get to eat is
the food that I give the pigs. Oh, I wish that I had never
left home! How many hired servants of my father's have bread
enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise
and go to my father, and will say unto him, "Father, I have
sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants."

[_He rises and goes away hurriedly._]