CHILD SOLDIER

CHILD SOLDIER: a TV drama

By Kayleigh McFadden

A child soldier seeks revenge on the Taliban in Afghanistan for them killing those closest to him, even if this means working in alliance with the British army.

ACT 1

1998, Afghanistan. Set two years after the Taliban invaded Afghanistan. During this time, the rule of no education for children above the age of eight has been put into place. ASADI, the main protagonist, has continued to be educated by his parents regardless of this rule. He is twelve years old. Taliban member MAULVI has killed his parents because of this. Set a few months later, the Taliban have forced Asadi into becoming a child soldier for them. There is engagement with skirmish fighting. Asadi begins to accept his new life and repetitive ‘job’. He managed to withhold a scrap of a book his parents used to read to him.

Initiating Incident

ESIN Asadi’s old childhood friend from his hometown bumps into him. Esin sees that he is being treated well by the Taliban and becomes envious, although this is not the case. Asadi tells her not to dream of such work, he is being held there against his will.

ACT 2

Asadi warns Esin of getting into the trouble of this horrific lifestyle. He gives her some of his food and tells her to leave. She wants to prove herself. Esin befriends a British soldier named THOMAS who is guarding her hometown, along with other army members. Asadi tries to dissuade her, while nearly getting himself into trouble in the process. Despite the warnings, Asadi catches Esin with a member of the Taliban. She disappears and when she returns she is strapped to a suicide belt.

Mid-point Reversal

Asadi alerts Thomas of the bomb and consequently saves all of the camps lives. The Taliban begin to suspect Asadi’s involvement as a helper and therefore he has to leave. Asadi is bitter about his parent’s loss and Esin's death so seeks revenge. He returns to his hometown to discover the British army protecting it. Thomas and Asadi become friendly with one another. Asadi begins to learn some of the language and fighting across the next week. After preparation, Asadi leads the army to the Taliban base.

Final Confrontation

Exchanges and fighting breaks between the Taliban and the army and although they manage to kill Maulvi, the main Taliban leaders remain in hiding across Afghanistan.

ACT 3

Thomas and the team have completed their mission to hunt down the Taliban base and therefore are due to return home. The end does have closure but is still fairly emotional because of the death, fear and friendship along the journey. Thomas learns here that it was Asadi that saved him from the bomb attached to Esin. Asadi learns that Thomas had befriended Esin also and they have a connection though their loss of her.