Radically Happy

Inspired by the parable of the Pearl of Great Price.

Act 1: The Lavish Chamber

Setting: A grand, opulent room filled with treasures. Callius stands before a mirror, admiring himself while holding the Pearl of Grave Price. His friend, Lysander, enters, looking concerned.

Callius: (Gazing at the Pearl) Look at this, Lysander. Isn’t it magnificent? With this Pearl, I am the most admired, the most powerful.

Lysander: (Sighs) Callius, you look splendid as always, but at what cost? You seem weaker each day.

Callius: (Dismissively) Nonsense! This Pearl makes me invincible. Everyone sees me as the pinnacle of success.

Lysander: Success… Yet you cough more, eat less, and your strength wanes. Don’t you see what’s happening to you?

Callius: (Irritated) You’re always worrying. This Pearl enhances my brilliance. It is my essence.

Lysander: (Solemnly) Callius, the Pearl is killing you. It drains your life force. You must let it go before it’s too late.

Callius: (Clutches the Pearl tighter) Never! I’d rather die than be ordinary.

Act 2: The Dimly Lit Study

Setting: Callius, pale and frail, sits at a desk. Lysander enters, holding an old, worn book.

Lysander: Callius, I’ve found something. It’s an ancient text about the Pearl of Great Price. It speaks of a treasure beyond compare, one that brings true fulfillment.

Callius: (Weakly) Another pearl? What use is that to me now?

Lysander: This Pearl offers wholeness, not mere appearances. It’s said to transform the soul, to give life in abundance.

Callius: (Scoffs) Fairy tales… I need power, not fables.

Lysander: (Firmly) Callius, the Pearl you cling to is a lie. The Pearl of Great Price is genuine. It requires sacrifice, but it promises true life.

Callius: (Desperate) What must I do?

Lysander: Surrender your Pearl. Only then can you grasp the Pearl of Great Price.

Callius: (Clutches his Pearl, torn) But… without this, I am nothing.

Lysander: No, Callius. Without that, you can finally become who you truly are.

Act 3: The Stark Choice

Setting: Callius stands at a crossroads, the Pearl of Grave Price in one hand and the open book with the promise of the Pearl of Great Price in the other.

Callius: (Trembling) If I let go, I lose everything.

Lysander: You lose only the illusion. In return, you gain life, true and abundant.

Callius: (Struggling) This Pearl… it’s all I’ve known. It’s my identity.

Lysander: Identities built on lies crumble. Trust the promise of the true Pearl.

Callius: (Closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and lets the Pearl of Grave Price fall from his hand)

Act 4: Transformation

Setting: Callius stands, transformed. He is no longer frail, but radiates a serene strength. Lysander smiles, a tear in his eye.

Callius: (In awe) I feel… whole. Not powerful, but truly alive.

Lysander: The Pearl of Great Price is worth more than all you surrendered. You are free.

Callius: Thank you, Lysander. For leading me to the truth.

Lysander: (Grinning) It was always within you, Callius. You just needed to see it.

Act 5: A New Beginning

Setting: Callius and Lysander walk away from the chamber, leaving behind the treasures of old. They step into the light of a new dawn.

Callius: The journey was arduous, but the peace I feel now… it’s worth every sacrifice.

Lysander: And now, you can live a life of true purpose, free from the shadows of falsehood.

Callius: Indeed. The Pearl of Great Price has given me more than I ever imagined.

(They walk into the horizon, ready to embrace the future.)

End.