Children/Teen Monologue: Second-Hand Dirt by Tara Meddaugh
In Sharing Soil (a 10-minute play within my longer vignette-style piece, Movements of the Wind), Carrot and Potato risk safety and rejection from their own garden cultures when they embark on a new friendship in the face of soil prejudices.
Carrot’s monologue, Second-Hand Dirt, from Sharing Soil, shows a moment of how hurt can be masked with scapegoating. Carrot has just been bullied by other carrots, even having her carrot tip bitten off by them. When Potato finds her crying, Carrot lashes out in misplaced anger toward the quizzical young vegetable. Potato does not stand for this, and Carrot shares how her attempts to be kind to other carrots have not been reciprocated, leading her to become “mean.”
This monologue, Second-Hand Dirt, is appropriate for children, teens, young adults, and runs approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute. I use the pronoun “she” but the role may be male/female/gender neutral/inclusive.
Check out the excerpt below:
CARROT
They’re always picking at me. The carrots at the north end. Just because I’m beautiful, and strong!
(pause)
I’m not mean!
(pause)
Well, they make me mean.
(pause)
I usta be nice. Too nice, I guess. You know, when Carrot 92’s mother got taken away, I offered her some of the moistest soil I had. I’d been guarding that soil ever since I can remember. And I’m still young and growing, you know? But I offer it to her anyway! And you know what she does? END OF EXCERPT
CLICK HERE for the free, complete monologue, Second-Hand Dirt.
This monologue is free to download above, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:
To learn more about Carrot and read the entire play from which this monologue comes, Movements of the Wind, click below:
To read only the specific 10-minute play, Sharing Soil, within the larger piece, Movements of the Wind, click below: