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The University of North Carolina presents listen America directed by John Clayton and produced by John Healy for the University of North Carolina communication center Erwin director to do this series we went to 13 of the top authors of this country and I asked them if there was something they would like to say at this time to the radio audiences of America. We told them that of course there would be no censorship from the University of North Carolina. But they could select any theme. It could be a big one or every day as they chose and they could write it up as they wanted to play a dialogue to talk. One of these writers was Pearl Buck Buck agreed to do this and sent us a script dealing with the treatment of the aged in modern America. Mr. Buck provided this introduction to her play. I find my interest these days centering more and more in my own. Country. I have not chosen and I've. Seen little play. But have turned most
successful children's book. The beech tree car theme. This story grew out of my observations of houses being built in our area. None of which has any room. The older generation I believe in generations living together. More children learn more from people. From each other. The early good and maturity of Asian children comes from their constant association with older people. Generally our own children sometimes even when they are no longer children. I think from their association almost entirely with their own generation. I feel these American situations.
Are problems in human terms. Are in some way. There was a small house and the beech tree at one end. It is partly dead but the live branches are still valiantly in leaves around it are some half dozen small saplings. A pleasant looking ordinary young man is carpentering at his house his bench under the beech tree his daughter a little girl of about nine dances down the path to the house swinging her schoolbag. I Mary Lou how dare you Where's mother. I am brother Timmy just waked up and I wouldn't bother him just now she's tired I guess. What are you doing daddy. Like I told you yesterday your grandfather my daddy is coming to live with us. Like I told you I'm going to make a room for him of his own.
But didn't mother say could assure that is that's what. Don't bother me with so many questions Mary Lou your mother is right about you being a question box. Why is grandfather coming to live with us. Well if he's old he needs us and so on. He has no place to go. Mary Mary that's your mother Mary Lou. Skip now you come and play with me to get supper coming for your feet Mary Lou. For heaven's sakes Jimmy Marilou get the blocks there get them off the shelf. That's right yes. Now put them down on the floor for him. Power them up. They're not up to me. Mother Yes dear. Aren't you glad grandfather's coming to live with. I hope you'll be happy. We're last week in year on the shelf there.
Will it be. Brought Marilyn will grandfather be happy. Of course you'll be happy Mary Lou why wouldn't he be. We're only happy so all these names are spilled all over me is into everything. I have my hands full. How old is grandfather. You mustn't ask how people are it's not polite. Why isn't it polite to Mary Lou I wish you wouldn't ask questions all the time. You know you take your brother out and you have to move him. And he remarked Well I'm too tired to make remarks. What's the matter same thing. Cooking washing cleaning picking up. Timmy was cross today. Is he sick. I was cross so I guess he was dominant. Now what made you cross and I thought we talked everything through about Dad's coming to live.
Sure you know I know too. You still think my father is. Oh for heaven's sake. Yeah yeah OK. His mother may just keep still and do what you're supposed to. You may as well learn early as late. Yeah help me get up these blocks. She doesn't want grandfather to come you're crazy and I'd like to know why you say that. She doesn't smoke when we talk about him. You you go and help her now and. I'll bet she'll smile. The time came when the extra room was finished and when the whole family walked up the drive with grandfather a tall fragile old figure who walked with a cane.
He had white hair hidden under a wide brimmed Homburg hat and the clipped white Vandyke beard. They took his luggage to the room that had built for him. I'm not finished yet I want to put a bookcase over by the window. I know how you like books. I. Hope you like your rug. Well here be quiet. It's it's very nice very nice indeed. I thank you. My I still have my hat on. I have to watch my manners when I look at the rocking grandfather. Isn't it nice that a nice very nice. Why don't you smile when you say it's not here you know you shouldn't ask such questions. Oh that's all right. Questions are the only way to learn. I'll be smiling in a day or two. Just give me time. We'd better let grandfather rest Come along children. Dad I hope you will be happy with us. I think your son you must ask for what you
want and don't let their kids bother you. No supper be ready soon. Would you like to have it and then it would be a lot of trouble to you. Not a bit. I'm all right son. I'm all right. What is grandfather's shut the door. People like to be quiet. I'm glad Timmy went to sleep. Quiet all the time. I guess I don't know. Go on and set the table. How about taking a supper in on a tray already.
Never mind I know it's not that bad but he looked alright forget it. Let me get to the sink to wash up for dinner. I'll take care of the tray I said forget it. What a place it was all right. One is out of place. What was that grandfather father. What is it Mary Lou. He's lying on the floor. Look at me through here any day. It's only my legs. Where's my cane. Oh you're going straight to bed. All that time on the train in a day coach sent a poem and taken by Ellen to get a tray ready you said.
And you know just do that. How are you or this morning Mary Lou. I'm helping mother this morning. You brushed your beard didn't you. Yeah certainly. And my hair. I thank you for bringing me this coffee. Are you going to stay. I don't know yet. Mother was tired last night. I guess she was excited about your coming. I was too. I've waited such a long time for you and I wish I could use my legs this morning instead of yours. But they decided not to work. Where.
My legs have walked me around for a long long time. I suppose we mustn't blame them for being tired sometimes. And they still do their best. How do you know when they're tired. They can't talk legs mind. They send messages up to my brain. The brain is boss the nerves are little telephone wires. Every day that legs let the boss know how they feel. How do they feel today. Weak in the knees oh but as brain says says I'd better not trust myself to my legs today. Well my legs never get that way certainly don't bother about that now. Just run and have a good time. Let me see you run around the room three times. All right I'll look through that.
You're funny. YOU'RE NOT THE GRANDFATHER. I can answer you question all the time in the world. Plenty of time. Mary Lou. I have to tell you something nice. Now just let me put this coffee cup over you. Oh my. I don't know how I did that it is the cup broken. Oh she's calling. Don't say anything. How did grandfather. I'll bring a clean sheet. I can change it. Sure I can. I turns to me sometime. Coming mother. Oh how did I ever. It's my right hand. It shakes. I can't help and I can't help it. But don't you.
Everything. Be patient. Somebody. I can I. Your legs are fine today grandfather. I have three legs. Really I think I should count my cane don't you. It's only a wooden leg. They're all the better. It doesn't get tired. It's
pleasant out here on the long isn't it. It might break the camera. Then I get a new one. I wish we could buy real new legs don't you grandfather. But we can't. We're given find new bodies when we a bone and they wear out. Take care of yours Mary Lou. You won't get another one. Not in this life. Is there another life grandfather. I hope and believe there is. Oh grandfather. My Why do embrace me Mary Lou. I like having you here. Why. Oh you're never in a hurry and we can talk and that makes me happy. I do like to see you like this. You're a pretty sight skipping all round. Oh does it make you wish you could run. I have run many miles in my time. When I was your
age I was always in a hurry. I ran every where I went. I've had my turn at running. This is your turn. And when you're like me other children will have their own shell like you I hope so. If you don't live to be old it would mean you you die young and that's a pity. I should be. Oh no you won't mind. It'll be natural. The years let along just as day and night slip along now you hardly notice it. Do you know where and then do you die grandfather. Yes and No. You see that beech tree. It's just an O Tree. That's all you see except those little switches growing up you know where they come
from. Just wild. No they come from the beach. That tree you know that's earth time is about over. It tells its tired to send up those little new trees to take its place. The new trees drink in its life water from its old roots. Then when they are a little bigger they start roots of their own. By that time the old tree dies where they don't need it anymore. Still if it hadn't been for the tree they wouldn't be alive. So all the old tree goes on living in them. You're a smart little girl Mary Lou. You know what I'm talking about. You're like the tree I am. And even Mother I like the new little tree and you can tell me
Grandfather you love children don't you. Why do I love you very much. I feel it. Well there there we've been thinking big thoughts and and sometimes big thoughts get too big. But you keep thinking them. They get lighter because you'll understand them better. The better you understand anything the easier it is. Now there's your dad coming home. You don't want him to see you crying do you. And for what is wrong here. We were talking about the peach tree. What about the beech tree. It's going to die now child you forgot all the little tree is coming up. I know but I'm like the tree itself so comfortable. So what's the matter with you two been talking yourselves into a dream of some kind. Let's see. I'm starving here and I don't care there's a lunch box.
It was a night after supper was finished that Mary Lou heard her mother and father talking. She knew he was not meant to hear it but they were on the porch and she was in a room upstairs. Still awake and the words carried up to her. There was no way she could help but hear them peaceful lovely. Children or in bed at last three children really. Your father has to be helped as much as Timmy does. He's getting more feeble every day. I don't know how I'll manage when the baby comes. Oh and I'm pregnant again. I didn't want to tell you now of all times your father the way you use Ellen. I'm sorry about the baby or your father.
I don't know what to say. Neither I guess really. Only. I wish there was something I could do to help. But what. And jaylen today the boss said he wanted us to put in overtime too. I can't even get home early for work. Jim I've got to say it. I think we ought to put your father in a nursing home for a day. Yeah you know now wait GM till I've had my say. I know the burden falls on you but not I'm not thinking just of myself. I don't think it's good for an old person to live in the house with children. Oh it will make him sad to see him getting older and feebler every day the way he's doing. I have to tell them to be quiet in the morning while you still sleep there when you get sick again and he will be sick more and more. You'll have to be quiet all the time.
It's not fair to them. After all it's their home not his. Whatever you say Alan. I don't want to say this. But one of these days he has to die. And it wouldn't be good for the children to see that would it. Somebody there in that room. No I don't believe children should be around all people. Whatever you say Helen. Grandfather Come in child. I thought you were in bed
long ago. I want to get right out here. And there you are. Who would have told me about the peach tree if you hadn't come. Nobody else has time to answer my questions. I have such a lot of them grandfather. And if you go besides where Timmy likes to play here in your room where he isn't in the way and you like him to keep his blocks in your bed you said so grandfather. And and when we get another baby mother to take care of it. And I could take care of you. I do now don't I grandfather. But like when you spill the coffee on the bed the other day and when you drop your pipe and almost burn the rug. But I hurried up and brushed up the sparks and I could even wash your clothes when you spill on them in the bathtub. Are you talking about Mary Lou. They mustn't hear. Mother says we're going to have a new baby.
And she says you must go to nursing. What's that grand there. He says you'll be more comfortable. I see. I don't want you to go. I'm like you live here with me. It makes me feel better. Thank you my dear. And it's very sweet of you to say your wash my thing. But I'm afraid your. Your mother is right. I may live a long time yet you see and someday you would find it troublesome to look after me and that would make me feel bad and I don't cry my dear. But the little trees like to stay with your peach tree. They don't seem to worry. Oh Hush my child. Trees are not human beings.
It's time for you to be asleep. You know people don't need to sleep so long. Goodnight Mary Lou. And don't you worry about me. Wherever I am you can come and see me. I will let you. Thank you dear child for wanting me to stay. Good night Mary Lou. Grandfather is not going to want to you know I say you shan't go Marilou grandfather wants to go.
Well this morning after you left for school he told us he he would be happier if we sent him to a good nursing home not too far away so that you could come to see him now now now Lou. Tell me what's the matter. I heard you. I heard you and mother talking last night. It's not true about me being said. And and I'd rather have a grandfather than the new baby. He's so interesting when he isn't busy all the time. And he explained about the big tree and the little one is the child talking about God. Oh you come with me. Come and sit. Mary Lou let her parents to the shade of a large peach tree with the dying branches and near the place where her grandfather had told her about it. She stopped. Grandfathers just like the big tree. He's old too but he's ours. We're the new trees don't you see. Growing out of his roots
roots. Oh mother I know grandfather isn't really a tree but he's something like you. Can't you feel how grand father is like this old beach and how you and daddy and Timmy and I are the new trees. You have to feel I can can't you how we belong together. I feel it I know exactly what you mean. Those little trees will grow too. Grandfather said they would. Then there will be another new tree. Mother would you like it if someday Timmy and I sent you away when you were old. Why. I would mark that. Oh mother then you do know how I feel about grandfather. Our righteous things. I'll sweep his roof. But please let's keep in his room. This is all very strange and such a farce Mary Lou is trying to tell us something very big can I know what she was trying to tell us. And I think she's right.
If you both feel that way. Then I'll take back what I said last night. Thank you my dear. We will be happier I think and will tell grandfather. Oh tell grandfather right away. The One. Of. The. You may as well put those clothes away again Father we decided we can spare your dress have to stay with us after all. But I thought Mary Lou took us to the beech tree and explained how she felt but with the baby I can manage because I'm going to have so much help. We'll all help. We want to. Oh Grandfather please please stay with us. Where where where. If that's the way you feel you know I
do then so do I. We'll all live happily ever after. Now I know what that means. I've always wondered. It means staying together doesn't cure that's what it means doesn't it Allan. Yes I suppose so. Mary Lou Oh everybody. But surely surely it does. Please forgive me for. All. Nothing to forgive. Daughter. I just. Thank you. For the. Best. Of My Life. For the past half hour you've been listening to a program written by Pearl Buck. The series is listen America directed by John Clayton and produced by Johnny
Lee for the University of North Carolina communications center Erwin director. This series is produced on a grant in aid from the National Association of educational broadcasters made possible by the Educational Television and Radio Center on each program of the current series one of the best of our American writers will present his views on a theme of his choice either dramatized or more directly as he chooses in Mr. Box program the part of the mother was played by Les Casey that of the Father by Johnny Lee grandfather was Phil Johnston the child. D Casey Ben mast narrated our actors are students professors and townspeople of the university community. Listen America is recorded in the studios of the department of radio television and motion pictures on the campus at Chapel Hill. This is the end E.B. Radio Network.
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Series
Listen America
Episode
Pearl Buck
Producing Organization
University of North Carolina
Contributing Organization
University of Maryland (College Park, Maryland)
AAPB ID
cpb-aacip/500-g44hrh43
If you have more information about this item than what is given here, or if you have concerns about this record, we want to know! Contact us, indicating the AAPB ID (cpb-aacip/500-g44hrh43).
Description
Episode Description
This program presents a script by Pearl Buck about the treatment of the aged in modern America. Buck also introduces the play.
Series Description
A series of 13 programs featuring the works of selected contemporary American authors.
Broadcast Date
1956-09-25
Topics
Literature
Media type
Sound
Duration
00:29:21
Credits
Actor: Johnston, Phillip
Actor: Ehle, Gail
Director: Clayton, John S.
Narrator: Mast, Ben
Producer: Ehle, John, 1925-
Producing Organization: University of North Carolina
Speaker: Buck, Pearl S. (Pearl Sydenstricker), 1892-1973
Speaker: Kuralt, Charles, 1934-1997
Writer: Buck, Pearl S. (Pearl Sydenstricker), 1892-1973
AAPB Contributor Holdings
University of Maryland
Identifier: 56-50-10 (National Association of Educational Broadcasters)
Format: 1/4 inch audio tape
Duration: 00:28:55
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Citations
Chicago: “Listen America; Pearl Buck,” 1956-09-25, University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed March 29, 2024, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-g44hrh43.
MLA: “Listen America; Pearl Buck.” 1956-09-25. University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. March 29, 2024. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-g44hrh43>.
APA: Listen America; Pearl Buck. Boston, MA: University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-g44hrh43