Isaac Eagleson Experiences Empathy

A Non-Fiction Play In One Act

by Nate Eagleson

Dramatis Personae

• Isaac - A verbal, physically-gifted male two-year-old.
• Dada - His outclassed father.

The curtain rises on Isaac's bedroom, which contains a rocking chair and a changer. Dada is preparing to change Isaac's diaper.

Isaac:¶[in the sing-song chant known so well to parents] Empafy, empafy, empafy, empafy.

Dada:¶[placing Isaac on the changer] ...are you saying "empathy?"

Isaac:¶Empafy, empafy, empafy, empafy.

Dada:¶[opening Isaac's diaper] Do you know what empathy is?

Isaac:¶[peeing on the changer and environs] Empafy, empafy, empafy, empafy.

Dada:¶[sighing grouchily, applying a fresh diaper] Why did you do that??

Isaac:¶Empafy!

Dada begins laughing hysterically, seals the diaper, and picks up Isaac, still laughing.

Dada:¶[calming slightly, chuckling, he sits in the rocking chair] Do you know what empathy is?

Isaac:¶[thoughtfully, considering] Empafy is...

Isaac raspberries explosively and decisively. Dada's laugher redoubles. Isaac joins in the laugher, then head-butts Dada violently in the jaw.

Dada:¶OH SHOOT THAT HURT! Owowowowowowowowow!

Isaac:¶[still laughing] Empafy, empafy, empafy, empafy!

Curtain