Chapter Text
COLD OPEN)
~EXT. LENAPE VILLAGE - SASAPPIS TREE - EVENING~
(We see a kid Sass (about 7-8) running around a much smaller version of The Tree (white oak or Sycamore). He is hiding and chasing his 4 siblings around it. Some older, some younger, since Sass is the middle of them all. They laugh and giggle until they all bump into each other and plop down in delight. Then, Sass’ Dad walks in.)
(All spoken in Lenape)
NAXASI: Oh, my children. You know it’s time for bed. Let’s head home.
(Their parents and family-friends pick them up or hold hands to walk with the kids back to their wigwam)
SASAPPIS: (pulls at his Dad’s arm) Hi-Hi Nuxa. Can, you, um…
NAXASI: (grins and hands a younger sibling over to another family member) Yes, Sasappis?
SASAPPIS: Can you measure me, please? (He looks down and fidgets with his foot)
NAXASI: (chuckles) of course, nkwitët. But let’s be quick. It’s almost past your bedtime.
(Sasappis perks up as his Dad dabs some red paint from in his bag (xèsinutay) to mark the tree with Sasappis’ height. Sass also giggles as his Dad marks his new height near the top of the currently small tree.)
NAXASI: There we go, Sass. (puts an arm around him)
(Sasappis hugs his leg and nestles into his Dad)
NAXASI: Oh! Do you hear that, nkwitët?
SASAPPIS: (scrunches his face while looking around.) Hmmm…
(But then he closes his eyes and hears the fireflies. He then opens his eyes up to the them coming out of the tree and flying around it in a spiral with a few soaring near Sass and his dad.)
SASAPPIS: Hehe, look! My fireflies are right near my favorite tree!
NAXASI: Haha, I see, Sasappis. Remember, you both share the same name. Do you know why that’s special?
(Sass looks up at him curiously)
NAXASI: (Shows Sass a firefly that landed on his hand as he holds his shoulder). Because you both help light up the sky (the firefly lights up and flaps its wings) and our lives!
SASAPPIS: (giggles) hehe, we’re Sasappis!
(The firefly flies away as Sass’ Dad kisses his forehead and holds him close as they watch the fireflies flicker and fly into the night sky. Sass’ face beams with joy as he watches them fly all around him, and one even lands on his nose)
[End of Cold Open]