The Theft of the Flute

Scene 1 — Getting Ready for Holi

Balarama: Krishna, come on! Let’s get ready — everyone’s waiting for us!

Krishna: Yes, yes, I’m coming!

(Krishna and Balarama put on their shining clothes, earrings, bracelets, garlands, and turbans. Krishna takes His flute, and together they walk joyfully toward the forest.)

They walked through the soft dust of Vrindavan, jumping and laughing with happiness. On the forest meadow, their friends and the gopis were already waiting.

Scene 2 — The Beauty of Krishna

Radharani (admiringly): Oh, just look at Krishna! How beautiful He is!

Lalita (in awe): His clothes are so dazzling, and His ornaments shine like jewels!

Radharani (sniffing the air and swooning): Ah! His garland smells so sweet — it’s driving me mad!

Lalita (joyfully): My heart is overflowing with love — I just want to sing!

(The gopis begin singing lovely songs in praise of Krishna. Krishna and Balarama join in, playing music and dancing.)

Balarama danced in a circle with His friends, the bells on His ankles jingling. Peacocks and deer joined in, dancing to the rhythm.

Krishna played His flute, surrounded by His beloved gopis.

Scene 3 — The Holi Begins

Lalita (proudly): Our singing sounds so beautiful!

Radharani (smiling): But Krishna’s flute is even sweeter than our song!

Lalita (playfully): Oh really? Then let’s surround Him and throw colors!

(The gopis surround Krishna, laughing and tossing red and yellow powders.)

Lalita: Take that, Krishna!

Radharani: More, more! Don’t stop!

(Krishna runs away laughing, and the gopis chase Him.)

Lalita: Catch Him!

Scene 4 — Krishna’s Trick (Krishna hides behind the trees where His friends are waiting.)

Krishna (whispering): Come closer, I’ve got an idea! Let’s throw colors at Balarama and His friends!

Krishna’s friends (clapping): Yes! Let’s do it! Ha ha ha!

(They jump out and start throwing powders. Balarama’s friends scream and run.)

Girl 1 (frightened): Aaaah! Stop it!

Girl 2 (gasping): Save us, Balarama!

Balarama (roaring playfully): Rrrrrr! You little rascals, now you’ll get it!

(He runs after the boys, throwing colors back. Laughter fills the air.)

Krishna’s friends (running): Ruuun!

(Balarama catches one and hugs him tightly.)

Balarama: Got you! Let me give you a big hug!

Boy (groaning): Aaaah! I can’t breathe! Help!

The boys teamed up and attacked Balarama together, showering Him with colors until He was covered head to toe in red powder.

Balarama (grinning): I’m not afraid! You just won because there are too many of you!

Krishna (seriously): That’s not fair — all of you against one! Stop this at once!

(Everyone quiets down. Balarama smiles, still glowing with joy. His friends lead Him away to sing and dance.)

Girl 1: Look how handsome and strong Balarama is!

Girl 2: Come, Balarama, sing with us — away from these naughty boys!

Scene 5 — The Plan to Steal the Flute

Lalita (mischievously): Let’s steal Krishna’s flute!

Radharani (worried): But how? He always holds it in His hands. If He loses it, He’ll be so sad…

Lalita: That flute breaks our hearts with its sweetness! It belongs in our hands now!

Radharani: You’re right! But how do we get it?

Lalita: We’ll distract Him — and someone will quietly take it away!

(Behind a tree, Krishna’s friend Madhumangala overhears everything.)

Madhumangala: Aha! So that’s their plan! I must warn Krishna!

(He runs to Krishna, out of breath.)

Madhumangala: Krishna! Krishna! Your flute is in danger!

Krishna (surprised): Why do you say that?

Madhumangala: I heard the gopis! They want to steal it! They’re jealous — that’s what they are!

Krishna (amused): Really?

Madhumangala (heroically): Don’t worry, I’ll keep your flute safe. Give it to me!

Krishna (teasing): And what will I do without it?

Madhumangala: Just sing instead! Loudly!

Krishna (smiling): And why do you think the flute is safer with you?

Madhumangala (proudly): Because I’m a brahmana! The gopis can’t even come near me!

Krishna: Very well, my friend. I trust your great “brahmin power”!

(He hands the flute to Madhumangala, who tucks it under his arm. Krishna starts singing sweetly. The gopis appear, enchanted by His song.)

Scene 6 — The Singing Contest

Madhumangala (to Krishna): Bravo! Wonderful, my friend!

Madhumangala (to gopis): Ha! You could never sing like this!

Gopis: Oh yes we can! If Lalita sings better than Krishna, you must give us the flute!

Madhumangala: Hmph! I’ll be the judge — I know real music!

Gopis: How can you judge? That’s not Vedic chanting!

(Krishna gives him a meaningful look. Madhumangala understands.)

Madhumangala: Fine! Whoever’s singing can stop the Yamuna River — that one wins! I’m so sure of Krishna that I’ll bet the flute!

Gopis: Agreed! Then the flute is ours!

Madhumangala: And what will you bet? Something equal — let it be Radha!

Gopis (angrily): How dare you! The stakes must be equal! You can’t compare a flute to gold!

Madhumangala: Oh really? So you think Radha is gold and Krishna’s flute is just glass?

Gopis: Exactly! Then we’ll bet Krishna Himself!

Madhumangala: Deal! Lalita, start singing!

(Lalita sings beautifully — a deep, mesmerizing melody fills the air.)

Lalita (singing): The radiant moon of Shyama, the source of all arts, brings bliss to the lotuses and stirs the ocean of love

Crowned with fresh mango buds, He delights in the springtime — Krishna, beloved of Vrindavan!

(Madhumangala raises his hands, dancing proudly — and doesn’t notice the flute slip out from under his arm. A gopi quietly grabs it.)

Madhumangala (laughing): Ha ha! Lalita lost! She lost!

Gopi (teasing): What are you laughing at, Madhumangala? You’ve nothing to celebrate!

Madhumangala: Your song can’t compare to Krishna’s!

Gopi (smiling): Oh really? Look — the Yamuna has stopped flowing! We win!

Sublala (sternly): How could you bet someone else, Madhumangala? Only what belongs to you can be wagered!

Krishna (calmly): You see, my friend? The gopis have won. You should give them the flute.

Madhumangala (protesting): But I won! Krishna, show them your power!

Gopis (laughing): You lost! The Yamuna stopped — we win!

Madhumangala (smirking): Fine, let them have it — if they can find it! I hid it very well!

(He pats himself down — but the flute is gone. He looks shocked.)

Madhumangala (confused): Krishna, I don’t know what happened! Maybe your flute got scared and ran off into the forest!

(Everyone bursts out laughing.)

Scene 7 — The Joy of Holi

Everyone laughed together. The gopis returned the flute to its true owner. Then they went home to cook sweets, and Krishna and the boys bathed in the Yamuna and returned to the meadow — to play, dance, and celebrate Holi until sunset.

All together: Jai Vrindavan! Jai Krishna! Happy Holi!