Babar's concern for the merchant - a play

CAST (in order of appearance)

COSTUMES

All actors wear white trousers, a coloured t-shirt or polo shirt and a hat.

ENTER STAGE

[All actors are on the back of the stage, except the merchant who has a cloth on his mouth, to cover him from the wind and rain. Audio of wind and thunder.]

MERCHANT come to the from of stage:

"O God, what a terrible storm. My caravan is carrying all these precious goods to the grand city of Aryavartha, but is storm is going to kill all of us! Alas, who is going to take responsibility for all my wares?"

[Last big thunder. Merchant fall on the floor, and exit.]

[BABAR comes to front of stage. MESSENGER comes with a quick pace to him and salutes]

MESSENGER: "O great Babar, a tremendous storm has raged over the mountains near Aryavartha. Shamballa, the famous merchant, got killed. His people and his caravan destroyed."

[Babar show great distress at hearing the sad news]

BABAR: "O God, what a terrible disgrace. I am ordering my soldiers to collect all the goods of Shamballa. Keep them in a safe place. Send a message to Shamballa's relatives, to come to me at once."

[MESSENGER exit]

[RELATIVES enter front of stage. They bow to Babar.]

RELATIVE: " O great Babar, we are so overwhelmed by your concern and kindness. You have restored all Shamablla's goods to us. Please let's us offer you a most expensive gift, as sign of our gratitude."

BABAR: "No, no, I cannot accept it. I will not accept it."

RELATIVE: "O please, great Babar, at least take some reimbursement for all your trouble."

BABAR: "No, I cannot do that. You have lost your dearest one. Now I cannot take advantage of his death. His wealth and property belong to you; it is you who deserve it."

RELATIVE: "At least, let us show our gratitude by singing a song, and dancing a dance."

[SAVYASACHI, his arms held by ATMASAMARPAN and DAMAL, start dancing a Cossack dance, while all relatives sing "Kalinka".]

EXIT STAGE

PS: To be performed on 2 January 2007, which is a Tuesday.

END.