Script
No. 1: Preserve Trees
(Control: Theme music merges with sounds of power saws, falling trees, followed by silence)
VOICE:
Watch out! (BACKGROUND)
(Control: Tree falls with a deafening noise, sounds of wild birds, then silence. Sound of power saw working)
PEDRO:
Hey, Juan.
JUAN:
Yeah, what is it?
PEDRO:
Nothing. Just that I’ve already cut down five trees this week. This business sure pays.
JUAN:
I know. The more we cut down, the more money we’ll have. And there are people who say this is a bad business to be in!
PEDRO:
Yes. I guess they just don’t know how to sell wood. My power saw hasn’t stopped in two weeks.
JUAN:
And what about mine? Mine broke from using it so much. But I’m telling you, as soon as I have the money to fix it, I’ll get on with cutting down trees – that’s for sure.
PEDRO:
Don’t worry. I’ll lend you the money. That’s why we’re friends.
JUAN:
Or lend me one of your saws, since you have so many from cutting down so many trees.
(Control: Power saws working, laughter)
ANNOUNCER:
Dear listener, every fallen tree shortens the lifespan of the human being. If you cut down a tree, plant two or three others, to help preserve this resource. Do not do what Juan and Pedro do. They are not interested in the future of humanity.
No. 2: Protect our wildlife:
(Control: Theme Music)
JUAN:
Hey, Pedro.
PEDRO:
What is it, my friend? You seem very worried.
JUAN:
They caught me hunting goats up in the mountains.
PEDRO:
So what? I do that and they never said anything to me.
JUAN:
That’s true, but lots of people know you. It is different for me.
PEDRO:
Is that your problem? Stop worrying. Tomorrow I will talk to my cousins. They’re in charge over at the magistrate’s office.
(Control: Theme music)
ANNOUNCER
: Dear listener, do not protect illegal hunters who are out to exploit wildlife. They are breaking the law, and deserve to be punished. Do not be an accomplice. Protect our wildlife, it is our heritage.
No. 3: Help keep our rivers clean:
(Control: Theme music)
PEDRO:
Hey, JUAN, what are you doing?
JUAN:
What else? I’m getting this poison ready to go and catch fish and prawns down in the river.
PEDRO:
Well, since you’re going, bring me back two pounds of big prawns, and I’ll pay you for them – here. I didn’t have a chance to go get my catch this week. It’s tough sometimes.
JUAN:
You mean because of the regulations?
PEDRO:
That’s it exactly.
JUAN:
Don’t worry. There’s always a way. Besides, we have to eat.
(Control: Theme Music)
ANNOUNCER:
Don’t do what Pedro and Juan do. When we poison the rivers and creeks, we are also poisoning our children and animals. We should take care of these resources, and besides, it is prohibited to poison rivers and creeks. Don’t wait to be sorry later when you get caught or get sick.
No. 4: Do not cut down trees that grow beside water:
(Control: Theme Music)
JUAN:
Listen, Pedro.
PEDRO:
Hmmmm.
JUAN:
Why are the creeks drying up early? I remember that last year at this time my creek had lots of water – Now it’s just a trickle.
PEDRO:
Of course it dried up, because you cut down all the trees on its banks. That is why it has no water now.
JUAN:
I don’t think that is why the creek has dried up.
PEDRO:
Hmm. You see. It’s like that because of your stubbornness and bad thinking. Time will show that I’m right. Stop cutting trees on the banks of the creek.
JUAN:
How can I when there aren’t any trees left? I cut them all down already.
(Control: Theme music)
ANNOUNCER:
If you don’t want this to happen to you, do not cut down trees on the banks of rivers, creeks and lakes. These trees stop runoff and evaporation
Acknowledgements
These radio spots were contributed by Network participant Olmedo E. Carrera Zapata. He is head of a Ministry of Agricultural Development forestry research and production centre near the city of David, in Panamá.