THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL
SCENE I
TIME: one morning.
PLACE: the east bank of the river.
THE JACKAL.
THE CAMEL.
[The JACKAL stands on the river bank. He looks longingly toward the west shore.]
JACKAL. Ah, if I could only get at those crabs over there! It makes me hungry just to see them! Now if I could only swim! Or if I could walk on water! Or if I had a little canoe!
[Enter the CAMEL. The Jackal whispers to himself.]
Aha! Now I know the way to get across.
(To the Camel.)
Such news as I have for you, dear friend!
CAMEL. Must I guess?
JACKAL. No, I'll tell you this time. Listen: I know a spot where the sugar-cane grows thick.
CAMEL. Tell me! I cannot wait! Tell me!
JACKAL. I cannot. I'll have to show you. It is on the other side of the river.
CAMEL. Why, then, I'll swim across and take you on my back.
JACKAL. Just the very thing!
CAMEL. Come, then! It makes me hungry just to hear of sugar-cane.
[He kneels for the Jackal to get upon his back.]
SCENE II
TIME: a little later.
PLACE: the sugar-cane field.
THE JACKAL.
THE CAMEL.
FARMER.
BOYS.
[The CAMEL eats the sugar-cane. The JACKAL comes running into the field.]
CAMEL. What! Have you finished your crabs?
JACKAL. I cannot eat another one! Are you not ready to go?
CAMEL. Ready! Why, I have just begun.
JACKAL. I'll wait for you outside the field, then.
[The Camel nods and disappears among the cane.]
Now I do not wish to wait for him. I am in a hurry to get home, I am. So I'll sing a little song I know. The farmer then will come and drive the camel out.
[He goes. Soon he is heard singing in the distance. Enter the FARMER and the BOYS with clubs.]
FARMER. I see no jackal here!
A BOY. I am sure I heard him singing!
ANOTHER BOY. I heard him, too!
FARMER. We must look for him and drive him out.
[The CAMEL enters, eating cane.]
FIRST BOY. Look, look! A camel!
SECOND BOY. Look, father! A camel!
FARMER (to Camel). So it was you who was singing, was it? Drive him out, boys! Quick! Beat him with your clubs!
[They rush upon the Camel and beat him as he runs from the field.]
SCENE III
TIME: a little later.
PLACE: the west bank of the river.
THE JACKAL.
THE CAMEL.
[The CAMEL lies on the bank half dead from his beating. Enter the JACKAL.]
JACKAL. Are you ready to go now, friend?
CAMEL. Don't say "friend" to me!
JACKAL. Why do you speak so strangely?
CAMEL. Why did you sing so strangely?
JACKAL. Oh, I don't know why! I always sing after dinner.
CAMEL. Ah! Well, let us go.
[He kneels. The Jackal gets on his back. The Camel rises and enters the river. He swims to the middle of the river and stops.]
JACKAL. Why do you stop?
CAMEL. I have such a strange, strange feeling.
JACKAL. Well, swim on. You need not stop!
CAMEL. I feel as if I must roll over.
JACKAL. Roll over! If you do, I shall be drowned!
CAMEL. Exactly. But still I have that feeling.
JACKAL. Now that is nonsense! Why should you roll over?
CAMEL. Oh, I don't know why! I always roll over after dinner.
[He rolls over.]