Same Water - By Sashta Jebodh

Written By: Sashta Jebodh

Category: Script Writing

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Sashta Jebodh presents a captivating script titled "Same Water." This creative writing piece, set in the vibrant wetlands of the Caroni Swamp, explores themes of unity and the overcoming of prejudice through the lens of a diverse bird community. Engaging and thought-provoking, "Same Water" unveils a narrative where unexpected friendships challenge traditional boundaries and foster an environment of acceptance and understanding.

About the Work

"Same Water" delves into the intricate dynamics of a bird community, highlighting the tension and eventual harmony between different species. The script employs vivid imagery and rich dialogue to convey its themes, blending humor with poignant moments. Through the character interactions, Jebodh skillfully illustrates the challenges of confronting preconceived notions and the triumph of open-mindedness. The mood is both light-hearted and reflective, encouraging readers to ponder the importance of empathy and connection in diverse ecosystems.

Same Water

Original Submission by Sashta Jebodh

SAME WATER

by Sashta Jebodh

sashtajebodh@gmail.com

CHARACTERS

SCARLET [F] Scarlet Ibis. Young and innocent.

KANE [M] Cane toad. He is lonely and wants a friend.

AVA [F] Scarlet Ibis. Scarlet's mother. Open minded and warm hearted.

RUBEN [M] Scarlet Ibis. Scarlet's father. Stubborn and traditional.

GRETA [F] Snowy Egret. She is vain and is seen as part of the Ibis flock.

ALBIE [M] Great Egret. Deemed to be wise by the Ibises. He is seen as an "Elder" in the flock.

KINGFISHER [M/F] Storyteller

ACT I

SCENE 1

SETTING:

The wetlands of the Caroni Swamp. Daytime.

KINGFISHER

Allyuh settle in right on time

For my story today is truly sublime

Into the old days of the swamp we will traverse

To understand how it became so diverse

The elders’ favourite recollection in this community

Of how we overcame prejudice and found unity

(Flashback. Lights up on the community of birds in the mangrove. Some are standing around, some trying to catch their prey. Scarlet, a young Scarlet Ibis, is unsuccessful in her attempts of trying to catch a crab.)

SCARLET

Just stay put! Ughhh

(She hits her beak to the water several times. She is still unsuccessful.)

SCARLET

Wait, where are you going?

(She chases the crab which leads her away from the flock.)

SCARLET

No, no, don't hide under there! I won’t be able to reach.

(She squawks and lengthens her neck.)

KANE

Trouble with yuh lunch?

(Laughs)

SCARLET

(Looking around)

Who are you? Come out from wherever you are.

(KANE hops onto the land, next to SCARLET.)

KANE

Ah right here, yuh doh have to get on so. I'm Kane.

SCARLET

Oh, it's just a frog. Thank goodness. I thought you were a Caiman or something. I've never been to this part of the swamp. At least not alone. I was -

KANE

Scared?

SCARLET

Not scared. Just on high alert. I better get back to my flock.

(Opens her feathers to fly away.)

SCARLET

I shouldn't talk to strangers.

KANE

I'z not a stranger. I tell you my name. Waiz yours?

SCARLET

That's true. How rude of me. I'm Scarlet.

(KANE walks around her, eyeing her.)

SCARLET

(Uncomfortable)

Why are you watching me like that?

KANE

Ohhhh, youse one ah them.

SCARLET

One of who?

KANE

Yousa ah Ibis!

SCARLET

Y-yes. I am. Why?

KANE

No reason. I just thought you looked different from them but then I realised yousa a young one. Yuh too pink to be ah egret.

SCARLET

My plumage is coming in nicely. But catching the crabs is a bit difficult to do on my own. My parents say I need to learn and do it myself.

KANE

I get it. My parents left me here to fend for myself.

SCARLET

Oh no! That's not very nice. Why would they do that?

KANE

Okay, I exaggerating a bit. But we cane toads like different parts of the swamp. Some like the freshwater parts, others the saltiness of the mangrove. I tell my parents I was old enough to live where I wanted. So, I pick here.

SCARLET

How have you been managing?

KANE

It okay so far. It's only been two days.

SCARLET

Well, I hope it works out for you.

KANE

I've seen you around. Well, not you. But yuh kind. It's kind of why I wanted to stay in this part of the swamp.

SCARLET

How come? What about my kind?

KANE

Allyuh does look so majestic. The way allyuh does fly with the bright red. Pretty pretty fuh so.

SCARLET

Oh, thank you. I really admire how your kind can live both in the water and on land. I can barely hold my breath.

KANE

I can help you!

SCARLET

You'll teach me how to hold my breath?

KANE

No. I doh know anything about how your body does work. But ah could round up some crabs for yuh!

SCARLET

That would be so great! You'd do that for me? Why?

KANE

No reason. It would be nice to have a friend around here.

SCARLET

Friends? With a toad?

KANE

You're right. That's a stup-

SCARLET

I like that! It's a nice change from the Ibis friends I currently have. Hey! You're small for a cane toad!

KANE

Okay, just cuz we is friends now doh mean yuh could insult meh so.

SCARLET

No, I'm just saying. I can carry you! You like how my kind can fly around. I can carry you and fly you around or something.

KANE

Uhhhh. No.

SCARLET

Why? What's the problem?

KANE

In theory, sounds great, but practically, I doh know. I sometimes release toxins which are lethal. I don't want to harm my new friend.

SCARLET

You what? Thanks for letting me know, that wouldn't have gone over well with my parents.

KANE

It's involuntary. It happens if I'm excited or scared, or get startled. So, I don't think I should take any chances.

SCARLET

Well I'll think of some other way I can repay you. Ah! The sun is setting, I should get back. Come visit me tomorrow!

(She goes back in the direction of her flock, joining them as they fly to their nests in the mangrove. The flock’s voices are heard in the distance as they are flying together.)

SCENE 2

(The next day. The birds are gathered in the swamp doing their daily routine.)

RUBEN

Where were you yesterday young lady? You rejoined us just in time.

SCARLET

I…got distracted trying to catch a crab.

RUBEN

(Honks)

How many times do I have to show you how to catch a crab? Did you end up getting one?

AVA

Ruben! She's trying her best. She'll get it eventually.

RUBEN

It’s that same babying is why she can't catch her own crabs yet, Ava! Her feathers are barely pink!

AVA

Lower your voice!

SCARLET

Don't worry. My feathers will be nice and pink soon because Kane is going to help me with the crabs.

RUBEN AND AVA

Kane?

RUBEN

There's no one in our flock called Kane. Who is Kane?

SCARLET

That's because he isn't a bird. He's a toad.

RUBEN AND AVA

A toad?!

SCARLET

Yeah, more specifically a cane toad. I met him yesterday and - oh look, there he is now! I told him to meet me here today.

RUBEN

You TOLD him to come here?!

AVA

Ruben, it's fine. It's a shared space.

(KANE's arrival causes a stir amongst the birds. Unpleasant screeches and squawks fill the air.)

KANE

Hey Scarlet!

SCARLET

Hey, you made it! These are my parents, Ruben and Ava.

(A great egret, ALBIE, flies in next to them.)

ALBIE

(Looking at Kane.)

And who is this?

SCARLET

Hey Albie! This is Kane! He's my friend.

ALBIE

(Turning to RUBEN and AVA)

Is he now?

SCARLET

Kane, this is Albie. Even though he isn't an Ibis, he's part of our clan. He's really wise.

KANE

(Nervous)

Nice to meet you.

ALBIE

Ruben, a word.

RUBEN

Yep. Yeah. Let's fly over there.

(ALBIE and RUBEN fly aside and speak privately.)

SCARLET

(To AVA)

Is something wrong?

AVA

No dear, it's alright. It was nice to meet you Kane. Scarlet and I are going to stretch our feathers for a bit, why don't you head on home? She'll catch up with you later.

KANE

S-sure. Bye Scarlet.

(Hops away. He looks back at Scarlet and then continues hopping and exits.)

SCARLET

Mom, why did you do that? We're not going flying.

AVA

Trust me baby. That was for the best.

(A snowy egret, GRETA, flies in joining AVA and SCARLET.)

GRETA

A crapaud? A CRAPAUD?! Ava, Scarlet, what is wrong with you both? The WHOLE flock is talking about it.

AVA

Calm down Greta. It's just a cane toad. We see them all around all the time.

(ALBIE and RUBEN fly in and join the conversation.)

ALBIE

But we don't converse with them. Let alone befriend them!

SCARLET

Why not?

ALBIE

Because my young juvenile, they are not our kind. We say it every day in our chant, “We stick to our own fellow!” Besides, do you know what the humans call them? Crapauds! They are disgusting and slimy creatures.

SCARLET

Well he was nice to me. And just because they're not our kind? I thought maybe since they're toxic or something I can understand.

GRETA

(To herself)

They're toxic?

(Addressing everyone)

Yes! They're toxic! They can harm us! Even more reason not to mingle. And look at them compared to us! We are regal, beautiful. Elegant. The humans come to see us, not them! With their bumpy, warty skin. Not smooth like ours.

RUBEN

He needs to go back where he came from and stay there. We are a protected species. And you're right Greta. They are ugly.

SCARLET

So what if they look different? He was kind to me.

ALBIE

So naïve. If a Caiman is kind to you, would you befriend it too?

AVA

Everyone please remember we all live in this habitat. Us birds, Caimans, frogs, snakes, crabs. We have no choice but to interact with everyone. We eat the crabs that live in the mud in the water. The Caimans live in that same water. So do the frogs and other creatures. We all live in the swamp. It's the same water!

(There is a brief moment of silence)

RUBEN

But those interactions determine who is predator and who is prey.

SCARLET

If it's the same water we share and live in, why are we segregated?

ALBIE

Juvenile, we don't live in the water. We live in our nests high above in the mangrove. We merely come to the water for food. We are not like them. We are better. Superior. Besides, we inhabited here first. They came after.

GRETA

Very true. The crapauds have no right being here. This is our swamp. Corbeaux don’t eat sponge cake.

RUBEN

Scarlet, you are forbidden to see that crapaud again.

SCARLET

I don't see the big deal but I don't want to upset anyone any further. And they prefer to be called "Cane Toads".

ALBIE

Good girl. Alright folks, let’s head back to our nests!

(The flock takes off in their pattern, doing their daily evening call and response ritual)

RUBEN

Red wings carry me home tonight

FLOCK

Red wings carry me home tonight

RUBEN

Back to our nests on the treetops high

FLOCK

Treetops high, treetops high in the sky

RUBEN

We don’t stay in the swamp below

FLOCK

We stick with our own fellow

RUBEN

We stick with our own fellow

FLOCK

We stick with our own fellow

SCENE 3

(Scarlet is flying over the wetlands. Her feathers now bright red. She lands in the spot where she first met KANE.)

SCARLET

(Whispers)

Kane, Kane!

(KANE hops into sight. He is also bigger. Fatter than before)

KANE

Scarlet? Daiz you?

SCARLET

Hi Kane. It's been too long. Look at you!

KANE

Look at you! Now those are some feathers! I never thought I'd see you again. I mean I would see you and your family flying around. But not talk.

SCARLET

I wanted to come and see you sooner but I didn't want my family to cause an uproar. I'm really sorry for the way they acted and treated you. How I treated you.

KANE

It's alright. I get it. A lot of creatures didn't want to be friends with the ugly crapaud. Ah glad yuh come back doh.

(He hops towards her.)

KANE

We have so much to catch up on!

(SCARLET takes a small step back.)

SCARLET

Um, wellll...

KANE

Oh.

SCARLET

I just wanted to find you and apologise. It always bothered me how you left like that.

KANE

Okay, yuh conscience clear so you could continue bout yuh life now.

SCARLET

I don't make the rules Kane. Please don't be mad.

KANE

Mad? I wasn't mad at you for being naive, but I was mad that yuh tell dem I was toxic and it was out of context!

SCARLET

It slipped out and I didn't get to clarify! Wait, how did you hear about that?

KANE

The swamp is a huge expanse, but it doh stop news from traveling quick. You eh know what I faced because ah dat. But ah still forgive you because ah thought you was meh friend. Something else I was wrong bout.

SCARLET

I really did want to be your friend. But they wouldn't allow it! They said it was against the rules!

KANE

Rules? Who does make up these rules? Who decides?

SCARLET

(Stammers)

I - I don't -

(Pause)

Majority rules.

(She looks away from him. He watches her disappointedly.)

KANE

Is just a system designed so those who on top could stay on top! Ah really thought yuh was better dan dat. But like I said when we first met, you is one ah dem.

SCARLET

I'm not. I can fix this.

(She thinks for a moment)

Come with me and I'll go talk to them again. We're all older now, maybe they can be more open minded. Albie isn’t around anymore and the flock’s ideologies have been changing since. It’ll work out. Please, trust me.

(She opens her wings to guide him)

KANE

(Puffs up his body)

I eh going nowhere with you. Where you was the day after? Or the day after dat? Or even weeks after that? Buh yuh know who show up?

(Deflates back to normal)

My family. Dem hear bout the whole thing and come to live with me. Ah even make friends with some ah de tree boas and guana and ting. Some small birds does hail me out sometimes too. Dem understand and dem does listen. Ah glad yuh learn how to catch crab for yuhself. You could go back to your flock Scarlet, cuz I have mine. All crab find dey hole.

(Kane hops into the water unbothered. Scarlet stands alone in the swamp for a few seconds and looks around)

SCARLET

Wait…can I meet them?

KANE

(He stops in the water and looks at her for a moment. He retreats onto the land)

Stay close, yuh know how yuh does get scared in these parts of the swamp.

(Lights fade down. Back to present. Kingfisher enters.)

KINGFISHER

Yuh know how the humans does say “Crapaud smoke yuh pipe”?

Well this crapaud deal with he gripe

He endured hardships while maintaining a soft heart

Tolerance and understanding in the swamp he did impart

And that my friends, is how this swamp came to thrive

Through an unexpected friendship and open mind.

BLACKOUT.

END.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious event celebrating the power of words and imagination. It brings together writers from around the world to showcase their talents in various categories, including poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing. The competition serves as a platform for voices that challenge norms, inspire change, and enrich the global literary landscape.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sashta Jebodh for participating in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with the insightful script "Same Water." Your work brings to light the power of storytelling in bridging divides and fostering inclusivity. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your creative endeavors.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.