Children Theater Goha's Children Comic Play Written by EL-SAYED HAFEZ Translated by / KHAMIS EZZ -ELARAB Introduction The child's theater , in my opinion ,is the real start for theater in general . The prosperity of the child's theater is the flourish of civilization in any country for it is a new world .Therefore , I should take leave of all those who preceded me to present a simple contribution hoping it would an addition to the Arab Theater in the Arab World. The Child's theater is a term which applies to the puppet theater , the dummies theater, School theater (Primary - Preparatory- Secondary ) and children theater ( i.e. presented by famous stars) It is the theater of the future .And I wish there would be a new dawn for the child's theater when it will be able to deal with his problems. The Arab child can not escape his reality in this world .He is pursued by mass media every morning and evening . He listens , reads and sees .He is surrounded by all his realistic issues starting from the street , the neighborhood ,the house and the school up to the space channels world . El Sayed Hafez . CHARACTERS : 1. Goha's Wife 2. Goha's Son 3. Goha's Daughter 4. Ismae`el El Ittra. 5. Ibrahim the Tailor 6. Fathi the spice-dealer 7. Salem the farmer 8. Shaikh Shafe`e 9. Zaidan the woodcutter 10. Dannoush the carpenter 11. Masrour 12. Tymour Lank 13. The Groups : Guards and common market place people . ACT . I . SCENE .I . ( Curtains open on the town's square . People are singing happily and praying for Goha who went to speak with Tymour Lank in order to save them from the elephants and their daily destruction of the land .After the song is over , we can hear the dialogues of the crowds everywhere . ) Ismae`el I swear it three times that I said none but Goha could do it. Fathi Goha is a real man ; an enlightened and sensible man . Salem the Farmer What a scene , guys ! When uncle Goha stood among the people and said : I am the one to meet with Tymour Lank and talk to him and make him understand . Ibrahim What news is this, guys ? I didn't believe Goha could really go. Salem He's gone and done it . What would you say now ? Ismae`el Why are you always defending Goha whether he is right or wrong , Salem ? Salem It has nothing to do with right and wrong . I'm telling the truth . Fathi What is it , Ismae`el ? You're always on Salem's back . Salem Ask him , uncle Fathi , what's his problem with Salem . Ismae`el Of course we all love Goha but why is he always the only one who is overdoing it ? Salem Am I overdoing it ?! Ismae`el Yes , you are . Fathi Talk to these people , Ibrahim . Ibrahim What should I say ? You know that there is a fight everywhere Salem the farmer and Ismae`el El Ittra are . Salem What is it about Salem the farmer ? Is he wrong or what ? Ibrahim Neither right or wrong but you and I understand why you are all so hot and excited about your uncle Goha . Salem Why, brother ? What do you mean you and I understand ? Ismae`el For Goha's daughter's sake . Salem ( Feels embarrassed ) What about Goha's daughter ? Ibrahim You want to marry her . That's what . Ismae`el The truth is that Goha won't let you marry her because you're a poor and penniless farmer . Salem What's wrong with being a poor farmer ? Ibrahim What uncle Ismae`el means is that Goha wants his daughter to marry a powerful man of money and influence . Fathi By Allah , the girl is beautiful and is worthy of a good bridegroom . Salem Aren't I good enough ? Fathi More than enough . You're the best , Salem . Salem I am not the best ; only as good as any of you , brothers. You're a butcher , you a tailor , you a spice-dealer and I am a farmer .Yet , it is no shame to be poor .Poverty is no shame .Are you blaming me for being poor ?By Allah , you deserve what Tymour Lank has done to you . Ismae`el Do you feel good , Salem boy , about Tymour Lank coming here and destroying the land ? Salem You're my family and people .How could I ever rejoice in your misery ,people ? Ismae`el Yap . It shows . Ibrahim He doesn't mean it . Ismae`el No , he does . Fathi No , he doesn't , Ismae`el . Ismae`el Yes , he does. Whose town is this ? Isn't it ours ? Fathi Yap. Ismae`el How could we feel good about what Tymour has done to us ? Fathi True . How could it be ? Ismae`el Could one of us rejoice in our misery ? Ibrahim What is it , Ismae`el ?You're always on Salem's back , aren't you ? Come off it , man . ( Enters the Announcer riding a donkey and beating the drum) Announcer Towns people ..Towns people ..Listen and understand .Today , Goha has met with our great Khan , Tymour Lank , who sent him on an official errand to purchase a 1000 new elephants . All A 1000 new elephants ! Announcer Yes. A 1000 new elephants . All Who's buying them ? Announcer What a pain in the head ! I said it a hundred times but here it is again . Towns people ..our lord the Khan , Tymour Lank has met with Goha and sent him off to India to buy a 1000 new elephants to guard you , graze in your land, to grow in your town and in your town they will become. So, take good care of the elephants. May Allah do you good . ( Exits Announcer. There is noise and confusion in the market place ) Ibrahim Goha's done it . Goha's done it . Ismae`el Goha has sold us to Tymour Lank . He betrayed us . Fathi What a shame! What a shame ? What did you do that for? Ibrahim We can never keep silent about this .What's to be done ? Ismae`el We can do lots of things . Ibrahim What things ? Ismae`el Pull Goha's house down . Ibrahim Pull whose house down ? Ismae`el Goha's house . Ibrahim Oh , man . Ismae`el Yap .We should pull it down on Goha's wife and kids . Salem No one can ever do any of this and Goha's house won't be destroyed . Ismae`el Really ? And who is going to stop me ? Salem I shall stop you . Ismae`el You will stop me , Salem ? Salem Yes .If anyone does as much as stretch a hand to Goha's house , I'll have it broken . Fathi Calm down , guys . Calm down a bit . Salem No calming down . You heard what he said . Ismae`el Yes . I said I will pull Goha's house down and break the bones of anyone who might stand up to me . Ibrahim What a shame !Real shame !Family and neighbors are quarreling ! Salem I can't allow Ismae`el to destroy Goha's house . Ismae`el You're defending Goha , aren't you ? Salem Yes . Ismae`el Isn't Goha the one who went to negotiate with Tymour Lank ? Salem Yes . Ismae`el What was he supposed to say to Tymour Lank ? Salem He was supposed to say : Keep the elephant away from us. Ismae`el Good ! What was the Announcer saying a moment ago ? Salem He was saying .. ( Falls silent ) Ismae`el What was he saying ? Salem ( Shame-faced ) He was .. Ismae`el I'll tell you . He said Goha had traveled to India to buy a 1000 new elephants . Ibrahim Pray, tell me , Ismae`el .How many is a 1000 elephants ? Ismae`el It is a 1000. Ibrahim Is it more than ten ? Fathi A 1000 is more than 15 , Ibrahim . Ismae`el A 1000 means ten hundred. A hundred and a hundred and a hun… ( Counting his fingers ) Fathi Come out of it , brother . Ismae`el Yes , by Allah . Fathi And what would Goha do with one thousand elephants ? Ismae`el To destroy our land and homes . Salem Goha can't mean it this way . Ismae`el What does he mean , then ? Salem This isn't good of you , people .Wait till the man comes back and ask him . Ismae`el Wait for the man ?!What do you mean wait ? Wait till he undoes us , wait till he destroys our houses or wait till the elephants tread on our kids ? Ibrahim No , Ismae`el we can't wait . Fathi We won't wait . Ismae`el Come to Goha's house . ( Noise and confusion . The scene changes into an alley. On the right there is Goha's house and we are faced by Goha's storehouse on the left . There is a way leading to the alley on either side f the stage . People grow into crowds and throw stones at Goha's house .) Man .1. We got to destroy Goha's house . Man.2. We got to destroy Goha's house . Man .3. Down with Goha the traitor . Group Down with Goha the traitor . Goha's son , daughter and wife yell for help .) Goha's Son This is no good of you , people . Goha's Daughter Have mercy on us , people . Goha's Wife Help us ! Son ( Within ) Give me the washing bowel to put on my head so that I can go out to them . Wife Oh , no . They'll hurt you , my son . You'll die , my love . Son Don't worry about me , mother . I am going out to these shameless people . ( Enters covering his head with a washing bowel for protection ) Hear me out , you people .( People surround and prepare to beat him . He eludes them .) Ismae`el Catch him . Son Just listen to me first . Ibrahim What has he got to say ? Fathi We must destroy Goha's house . All We must destroy Goha's house . He sold us and joined up with Tymour Lank . ( They beat him ) Son Destroy the house . Wife ( Within ) You fool . You idiot .You will let them destroy the house . Daughter Were your father here , he 'd have washed your face with the laundry and tied you to a tree. Group ( Beating him )Are you acting like a man , aren't you ? Son Keep silent , mother .Shut up , girl (Looking at the people ) Here's our house . Burn it, pull it down, eat and drink it . Wife ( Appearing on the roof carrying a jar of water .She throws water on her son .) They should burn you , mad boy . Son Thanks , Mother . Oh , People . ( Enters Goha's daughter carrying a sword and a white flag ) Daughter The weapon in one hand and peace is in the other . Will you stop it , people ? It isn't worthy of you It is unfair .What did my brother do ? Group Your father did . Son Because my father is with Tymour Lank ? Group Yes. Daughter Why did my father go to Tymour Lank ? Group Because Lank had sent for him . Son And my father had consulted Shaikh Shafe`e .He asked if he should go or not . Ismae`el And he said go.. Ibrahim He went and didn't come back . Son Tymour Lank has asked all those who came to him whether he is fair or unfair . Daughter He slaughtered those who said fair Son Said they were hypocrites . Daughter And those who said unfair were slaughtered , too. Son Said they were impolite . Group Oh , yes . Ismae`el But your father .. ( Enters Goha's wife ) Wife What about his father ? What about his father , people ?You said come Goha , go and save us . Go to Tymour Lank .Right ? Group Right ! Daughter Oh , my father . You lost your life all of a sudden .You who always brought me the sweets that my brother always ate . Son Oh , father . You risked your life and went to Tymour while those people were at home eating honey cakes . Wife Oh , my good husband , poor man who sacrificed himself for these people. They had deceived you into leaving and then came beating us . Daughter The criminals had deceived you . Son Liars had deceived you . Daughter My heart is broken for you , father . Son You went off to save people, got lost and left us all alone. Man .1. Poor man! ( Cries whereas a stone is thrown at Goha's house ) Wife May Allah break the hand that breaks other people's homes . Ismae`el Your father went to the palace and got stuck . Ibrahim Eating watermelon and reporting against us . Fathi And telling our secrets and stories . Wife Do you know what happened to Goha ? Son Goha, who is my father , when asked if Tymour was fair or unfair , he said .. Group What did he say ? Daughter He said you are a King who is neither fair nor unfair. Son We are unfair and you are the sward of justice . You are Allah's sent to achieve justice . Daughter Thus , Tymour Lank admired him and had him stay at his palace . Wife And he stayed on eating meat and watermelon and chicken and leaving us as hungry as you are . Daughter Has anybody got a chicken for my mother ? Wife We are hungry . We only beg our dinner of you our Lord . Ismae`el He speaks the truth who says that Goha is an ungrateful man .He went off eating chicken and beef at Tymour Lank's while his wife and children are left in hunger . Wife ( Taking the man by the collar ) You are the ungrateful one . My husband Goha is a respectable man and you always dislike men who Allah gives money and power . Ibrahim Haven't you just said that your children were hungry and without clothes ? Now you say your husband has money and power . (He rolls up his sleeves, plays with his mustache and gets a small whip out of his pocket .) I will show you . (Goha's son and daughter rush towards him .) Son Remember Allah , uncle Ibrahim . Daughter You shouldn't have called my father ungrateful. Ibrahim Are you insulting me , Ibrahim the tailor ?! Daughter Aren't you ashamed of assaulting a woman with two kids as little as us ? Son And you've been insulting our father in his absence , too . Daughter It's unfair to insult someone in his absence. Son He who insults the absent goes to hell . Daughter You'll go to hell . Son You'll go to hell . Wife You'll go to hell. Son. You will go to hell Ibrahim . Ibrahim It's over . Leave me alone . Son As long as he admits his fault , you should forgive him mother. (Still pulling his clothes) Apologize and confess . Ibrahim I confess .Take me away from Goha's family . Ismae`el We came for another reason . Son What reason ? Group Goha . Daughter What do you want with Goha ? Group The elephant . Daughter Has my father bought us an elephant ? Wife Look at your father's deeds .He bought an elephant with the money that Lank had given him. Son Don't listen to your daughter's words , mother .Let's know the elephant's story , Ismae`el . Ismae`el When Ismae`el is asked to testify , he says nothing but the truth . Son You're my father's friend ,too. Wife And your wife is a friend of mine . Daughter You've been our neighbor for twenty years now.. Ismae`el When you were so little in your diapers . Remember ? Wife And I was always lending things to your wife . For the Prophet's sake Goha's wife give me some salt ,give me some meat , two onions , some garlic ,a piece of meat etc.. Son Even your meat is borrowed from us. Ismae`el In spite of all this I won't be silent about the elephant's story . Daughter Father is a free man . If he buys an elephant , that's his business . Son By Allah , father must have bought that elephant for you . Ismae`el The elephant is wandering up and down the town . ( Musical show ) Song : It's Tymour Lank's elephant ; It's a big , huge elephant . He plays around with people. The elephant treaded over the crops . The elephant is invincible . ( Goha's son enters sharing in the song ) Oh you land that fears nothing but elephants Driven on by stomachs. The unjust needs the power of weapons But if there is none , the mind is always there . ( The group joins ) The crops are lost , says the farmer . We can't bake bread , says the baker . The market is down , say the merchants . ( Goha's wife sings ) What has my husband got to do with the elephant story ? ( The group ) Tell Goha to have Tymour Lank keep the elephant away from our land . ( The song ends with a scream from without ) A Man The elephant is here . The elephant is here . (Elephant's how. People run .Doors are shut .Only Goha's son, daughter and wife remain on the stage . Lights fade .) Wife It really sounds like an elephant . Son How couldn't we have heard this sound before , mother ? Daughter We're hungry , brother and those who are hungry cannot hear danger approach . Wife Your father has got to come back . Daughter I miss my father , mother .I wish I could tell him to come and see what had happened to us . Son I wish I could tell him that people had hurt us , father . Keep the elephant away . Daughter Where's my father , mum ? Wife We don't know where he is Son Since he left home we don't know where he is . Wife Some people say… ( Voices from without . The voices start separately and then they intermingle .) Man.1. Goha is with Tymour Lank in the distant palace . Man.2. I saw Goha at the palace near the two rivers . Man .3. They have built Goha a new palace like the Sultan's . Man.1. Goha's in town today . Woman's Voice Goha is in the fields today . Child's Voice Goha married another wife . Old Man's Voice Goha's been absent for long . Wife Where are you , Goha ? Daughter Where are you , father ? Son Guide us where our father is , Shaikh Shafe`e . Daughter What will the elephant do to our town ? ( Sounds of the elephant's feet from the right .There is a green light on the left .Shafe`e is an old man of eighty with white hair and a bright face wearing green clothes and holding a stick .) Shafe`e One is Allah .Alive and Watchful . ( Goha's son , wife and daughter run ) Wife Haven't you seen Goha ,Shaikh Shafe`e ? Son They say that father agreed with Lank . Shafe`e People have to wake up and stop the corruption . Daughter We are frightened ,Our lord , the Shaikh . We don't know where father is since he had left home . Son And people are scandalizing us . They beat and insult us . Wife Has Goha really got married , Shaikh ? Shafe`e Injustice is a human trait which we have to stand up against and resist with our hearts and minds .People have to give a hand .Watchful ! Alive ! Conqueror ! (Exit . Elephant's sounds fade away .Women's happy noises are heard without .) Child.1. The elephant is gone . It's gone . Group ( Shouting and dancing ) The elephant is gone . Child.2. It is gone . Son The elephant is still here. (They run . Goha's son laughs ) Ibrahim ( Coming back ) Where ? Where ? Daughter In my father's pocket . Wife In the purse .( She opens her small purse .) Son In my sister's hair walks the elephant . ( People come back in frustration ) Daughter What does the elephant want with us ? Wife I smell smoke .There's smoke coming out of our house . ( Goha's wife , son and daughter run .Voices from within . People collect around the door to listen .) Wife Thank Allah . It's only the rice I left on the fire . Son You frightened us . You terrified us . Daughter You really frightened us , mother. (The group laughs and knocks at the door. Goha 's daughter appears ) Daughter Yes ? Ismae`el Is your mother …? Daughter She isn't here . Ismae`el Your brother .. Son ( Standing on the roof ) Yes , Ismae`el ? Daughter What do you want with us ? Son What's your business with us ? Ibrahim You should talk to Tymour Lank . Fathi Your father could talk to him . Daughter (Closing the door) When father comes home, I'll tell him. Ibrahim ( Knocking at the door ) Wife (Opening the door ) Yes , what do you want , Fathi Attar? Fathi Please, Goha's wife , when your husband comes back tell him, or rather send him a message with a mail dove .Tell him to ask Tymour Lank to keep the elephant away from our land. Wife All right .( She shuts the door .) Ibrahim ( Knocking at the door ) Goha's son Son ( On top of the house ) Tymour Lank is coming Tymour is coming . ( People run in confusion while Goha's son bursts out laughing . Enters Shaikh Shafe`e .) Shafe`e One. One . There is no Lord but Allah . Daughter ( Opening the door ) Uncle Shaikh Shafe`e ! Shafe`e Your brother lied though it is true . Son ( Appearing behind her .)You know where my father is .. Shafe`e Nobody dies before his time . Wife People are assaulting us , Shaikh Shafe`e . Son Goha went to see you before going to Lank . Shafe`e The unjust is powerful and so is the injured . Daughter If my father hadn't gone to Tymour Lank , he would have killed us all . Shafe`e Tymour Lank is here . Daughter Here ! Where ? Shafe`e In town .You have got to see him . Son We will see him together , Shaikh Shafe`e . Shafe`e I have asked for a meeting but he refused . Wife I'll meet him . I must talk to him . I want Goha back . Daughter We miss our father . We want him back . Shafe`e Allah loves his strong slaves the most . Daughter Oh , brother , son of my father and mother , ( Goha's wife enters the house .) Let's have dinner . Son Yes. ( he sits away from her ) What do you want with me ? What are we going to do with those who want us to talk to Tymour Lank ? Daughter We must think, solve the problem and talk to Tymour Lank . Son You, too , will talk to him ? Daughter Yes. Son You are a girl . Daughter I am on your side , brother .When danger attacks , it does not know the difference .We should all stand by each others. Son You are right .But what is to be done ? Daughter We all go to Tymour Lank. Son Yes. All of us . (A song by Goha's daughter and son that goes as follows: We've got to stand side by side to achieve success. Fear has no place amongst us . All hands together , we'll solve our problems. The individual can do nothing all by himself . But joined hands can do a lot . (They enter their house. Sounds of dogs and frogs are heard . Enters Ismae`el who knocks at Goha's door .) Ismae`el Goha's son . Goha's daughter and wife . Son ( Opening the door ) Yes ? What is the matter ? Ismae`el I'm your uncle , Ismae`el El Ittra . Son Yes . Ismae`el Tell your father to talk to Tymour , son . Son Back we go to the old story . Ismae`el Yes . People are frightened of Tymour , of themselves and of the elephant . Son Come and see us in the morning . You will find everything in order . Ismae`el How ? Son We will talk to the elephant. I mean Tymour Lank , I Mean my father to talk to Tymour to tell the elephant to go away from our country . Ismae`el Then , I could be at ease till morning ? Son Till tomorrow .Morning is brighter . ( He closes the door . Exits Ismae`el ) Ibrahim Hey ! Anybody here ? Goha's son . ( Daughter opens the door ) Daughter Yes ? We can't give anything . Ibrahim I'm not a beggar , Goha's daughter . I'm uncle Ibrahim .( Knocking ) The tailor . Daughter ( Reopening the door ) Yes , uncle Ibrahim. We don't have any clothes and we don't want to make any .As for the money you owe us , wait till my father comes back . Ibrahim I didn't come for this . People had asked me to talk to your father. Tell him we don't want an elephant in our town. Daughter Tomorrow morning if Allah wills it . Ibrahim They say that Tymour Lank wants an elephant in every town. Daughter (Closes the door ) Pass by tomorrow , uncle Ibrahim and everything will be all right . Ibrahim ( Shouting as he exits ) Shouldn't I worry , then ? ( Enters Fathi El Attar ) Fathi ( Knocking ) Goha's son . Goha's son . Wife (Opens the door) You shameless man ! Aren't you ashamed of knocking doors in the middle of the night .What do you want ? Fathi You shouldn't misunderstand me , Goha's wife . Wife We're fed up with you . The elephant , Tymour , have Goha talk to him ! We said yes we will . Goodbye . ( Closes the door ) Fathi ( Knocking ) Goha's wife ! Wife ( Opening the door again ) I have had it with you ! Do you always have to have a representative ?Why don't you talk for yourselves ? Anyway , go to bed , Fathi .Morning has eyes. (She enters the house closing the door . Lights change gradually. There is a song about getting rid of the elephant and Goha's mission with Tymour Lank .) Wife (Opening the door ) What ? What is the matter with you? What are you singing for ? Daughter What ?! Has father come back ? Son What's up? What happened ? Has Tymour Lank left the country ? Daughter Why don't you explain things ? ( Enter Ismae`el , Ibrahim and Fathi ) Ismae`el Didn't you say I'd talk to my father ? Ibrahim And your sister said tomorrow the problem will be solved? Fathi And your mother said morning has eyes ? Ismae`el We got rid of Holaco . Ibrahim After we had got rid of Jankees Khan . Fathi But now here comes Tymour Lank and your father has got to solve the problem . All Yes. Shafe`e No, the problem belongs to all of you .All of you : the young and the old have got to solve it . ( Exits Shafe`e .) Son We all have to talk to Tymour Lank together just as Shaikh Shafe`e had said . Daughter All of us : the young before the old and the women before the men . Wife We will make him understand about our story and our problems and we will tell him about the elephant . All What about Goha ? Daughter Goha isn't here .My father had gone with Tymour Lank All Really ? Ismae`el All right .Men will go but not women . Ibrahim The young will go but not the senile . Fathi Yes. The strong will go but not the weak. Daughter We must all go . Son One hand cannot applaud . Ibrahim Half the town stays . Half the town . Group Yes . Half the town . Great idea . ( They applaud for him ) Ibrahim Thank you . Ismae`el No , people . No for half the town . Daughter All the town . Splendid idea , Ismae`el . Ismae`el No. No. Only a quarter of the town . Group Yes .A quarter of the town . ( Applauding ) Great idea ! Splendid talk , Ismae`el. Ibrahim Thanks ,thanks . Wife All the town should go . Group ( Protesting ) Fathi People , people . Why a quarter ? Why don't we choose six of the town's elite ? Group Right , right . ( Hot applaud ) Son No . We must all go . Group Why ? Daughter Because the problem belongs to all of us . Son It is true that the elephant has not approached our house nor has entered our alley . Wife But one day if we keep silent , he's doomed to come and hurt us . Daughter Doesn't the farmer say there's no corn ? The Farmer Yes . Son And the baker says there's no bread ? The baker Yes. No bread . Wife And the merchants raised the prices so that corn is stored in the markets . Group Yes. Daughter All right . Choose six men to go with me and my brother to Tymour Lank. Wife I am going with the children . Son No , mother and sister .Six men and myself are enough. Ismae`el Let's toss a coin . Son No . I choose Ismae`el . Daughter And Fathi . Wife And Ibrahim . Son Zaidan , the woodcutter . Daughter Dannoush , the carpenter . Wife And Salem the farmer . ( The group that had not been chosen are rejoiced ) Ismae`el The six men should negotiate . Fathi Why us ? We have kids and Tymour Lank .. Ibrahim Tymour Lank will refuse to see us and he might .. Zaidan I'm a woodcutter . I wouldn't know how to speak with Sultans and princes . Dannoush We are poor people , uncle . Salem I'm all ready to talk to him and make him understand .I'm a farmer all right but I can talk to any Sultan .Just tell me what to say . Son That's great ,Salem . Daughter This is the right question . ( Sounds of widows mourning their husbands ) Wife ( Making happy noises .) Congratulations ! Daughter Come on .Anyone with no business here should go look for a job .My brother is with the men , negotiating . Son Yes. Negotiating. (Exit the group except for the six men) Daughter Your hearts should be of iron . Salem Have no fear ,Goha's daughter .We are real men . Son You'd better get inside , Goha's daughter and take your mother along . Wife He has got a long tongue like his father's . ( Enters the house ) Daughter ( Standing by the door ) Son ( To Ismae`el ) We shall all talk to Tymour Lank . Daughter One hand and one heart . All One hand and one heart . ( Goha's son frightens his sister into going inside the house . They applaud him ) Son By Allah this is the only thing you do well . You'd applaud anything . Ibrahim Hurry up and tell me what you will do , son .I have got a robe to make. Son Everyone will say his piece . When he stops , the other continues . Fathi What should I say ? Son I'll talk first and tell him that we and the town's people have come today on account of the elephant , my lord . Ismae`el The elephant . (Goha's daughter approaches and impersonates the Sultan) Daughter What elephant ? ( Goha's son whispers to Fathi ) Fathi Your elephant , my lord . ( Goha's son whispers to Ibrahim .) Ibrahim An elephant came into our town a few months ago . ( Goha's son whispers to Dannoush and Zaidan ) Zaidan It damaged the land and spoilt our crops and food . ( Goes to Dannoush ) Dannoush Have mercy on us, kind-hearted lord and have the elephant moved to another town . ( Goha's son goes to Salem the farmer .) Salem May Allah never deprive you of health and long life . All Amen . Salem May Allah give you long life . All Amen . Salem May Allah help you defeat your enemies . All Amen . Salem May Allah enrich you . All Amen! Amen ! Daughter ( Imitating the Sultan )All right .All right .We gave an order to remove the elephant . All ( Applauding )Thank Allah .We have won . Daughter Hey ..wait .Stop dreaming .You haven't gone to the Sultan yet .We are only learning what we should say . Son We have to face Tymour Lank as Shaikh Shafe`e had said because he's unfair . All Keep your voice down . Daughter Unfair and idiotic as well . All Lower your voice , Goha's daughter . You, too , Goha's son lest the elephant hears . Wife ( Opening the window ) You learned to fear the elephant …lest he hears and reports to Tymour .Does the elephant talk , people ? Son Tomorrow morning we shall all go to the Sultan .Agreed ? All We agreed upon tomorrow morning . ( They run ) Daughter Wait . Where are you going ? All Home . Son We didn't say when we will meet . Daughter And where . Wife Yes. Where ? Daughter We will meet here . Son In front of the house . Wife After the Dawn Prayer . All Agreed . Son Wait. Let's revise the words we shall say so as not to forget . All Could we ever forget ? ( They run while son , daughter and wife stay ) Wife What's wrong with you , son ? Afraid ? Son Frankly yes, mother . Wife Don't go , then . Daughter I could go instead . Son I am not less brave than you .Do you hear ? I am going . Wife If you are afraid , don't go . Son He who dies for his country is a martyr . Wife He who fears a tyrant is a coward . Son You misunderstood me. I am not afraid to die. I am afraid that I might see my father and find out that he is as bad as people say; that he had sold the country , himself and everything . Daughter It's your father you are doubting now , aren't you ? Your father must be in jail ; imprisoned by Tymour Lank . Wife Yes, he is . Poor prisoner ! He must be in need of bread and butter . Daughter I say he must be rejoicing in the palace which is full of slaves and servants . Wife How come ? Daughter Tymour Lank is afraid that your father might go about the markets to talk and tell the truth . Wife Yes. By Allah , your father can't keep his wife shut . Son And when your father keeps silent about Tymour , of course… That's why Tymour has got your father tied up in silk rather than iron . ( Goha's wife enters the house . Enters Ismae`el who heads towards Goha's son ) Ismae`el Goha's son ! Son Yes. Daughter What's up , Ismae`el ? Ismae`el I say , Goha's son .. Daughter Say your had given birth . Ismae`el I won't be able to go with you tomorrow to Tymour Lank . I have got to pay my grandfather a visit . It seems that he is dying . Daughter (Feigning tears ) What a pity ! Your grandfather is dying? Ismae`el Yes. Son Poor Ismae`el! ( He and his sister exchange whispers )But when the men come and don't find you , they will call you a coward . Ismae`el You and your sister are all goodness and enlightenment .Make them understand . Daughter No .No. You should stay in a safe place till morning when the men arrive .And when they leave , you can go in peace . Son Isn't my house safe enough ? Daughter How about going into that storehouse ? Ismae`el What for ? Daughter You could sleep there till morning .As soon as my brother and the men leave , I'll let you out . Ismae`el Do you see so ? But the storehouse… Son Clean .It is where we store corn and my sister always cleans it Ismae`el Should I depend on Allah and enter the store , then ? Daughter Come on , lion heart. ( She closes the door after him) The First . ( Enters Fathi ) Fathi Thank Allah I found you . ( Looking behind him ) Daughter Well ? Son Well, what is it ? Fathi I swear I had every intention to go with you .But the kids… I mean my wife's brother is coming into town tomorrow and I have to wait for him . Daughter The kids' uncle is arriving tomorrow ? Fathi By Allah he is . You can ask Khaleel's mother . Son Listen . ( He whispers in his ear ) What do you say ? Daughter Get into the storehouse till my brother and the men go to Tymour Lank .Then, we will open the door for you . Son Lest they will call you a coward . Fathi Fine talk . Son Reasonable talk . Daughter I can't say none about it . ( Common song ) ( Fathi goes into the storehouse. Goha's son shuts the door .) Son The second enters the storehouse ! ( Enters Ibrahim the tailor ) Ibrahim Peace on you . Listen , Goha's son . I thought and thought and thought …. Daughter And then you thought and thought What did you find out, uncle Ibrahim ? Ibrahim I found out there's no real need for me .The men are more than enough. Son But surely Fathi and Ismae`el are going to call you a coward . Daughter Sure ( Pointing to the store house ) Both of them will call you a coward . Ibrahim So , what's to be done ? Son Should I tell him , sister ? Daughter Tell him brother . Son No Ibrahim Say it my son . Hurry up. Son I say you would better let me hide you in the storehouse .Thus , they would not find you here when they come . Daughter And when they leave to Tymour Lank , we will open the doors for you . Ibrahim May Allah award you . Open the storehouse . Son I wouldn't do that , uncle . Daughter No , brother . He wants to get inside the storehouse ( Ibrahim disappears into the storehouse . Enters Zaidan the woodcutter . Zaidan Peace on you. (Rapid music accompanies him in fast motion as he enters the storehouse. Goha's children close the door behind him) Daughter Four . Son I wonder when the fifth will make his entrance .Ah! Here's Dannoush the carpenter. ( Different lights and slow motion ) Dannoush Peace on you . ( They talk to him as he enters the storehouse .) Daughter The fifth. ( Enters Salem the farmer .) Salem Peace on you . Listen , Goha's son .Listen ,too , Goha's daughter . Daughter & Son We know ,we know .You can't come with us tomorrow . Salem What kind of talk is this ,Goha's son ? Son What do you want ? Salem I want some water first . I need to wet my throat . Son O.K. O.K. ( Enters the house ) Salem Goha's daughter.. Daughter Yes. Salem I want to tell you .. Daughter Tell me . Salem I can't carry twenty Dinars. Take them . Daughter Why ? Salem Because...Because you'll keep them for me . Daughter And why should I keep them for you ? Salem To buy something for me . Daughter What thing ? Salem The story is that I want to get married . Daughter Get married ! To whom ? Salem Don't you know ? Daughter No , I don't . Do I know her ? Salem Yes . You know her . Daughter Who's she , Salem ? Salem She's the daughter of a good family . Daughter Really ? Salem Yap. Daughter Where do they live ? Salem You still don't know her ? Daughter No , I don't . ( Enters Goha's son carrying a bottle of water ) Son Here's the water . Salem Only water without a bite of cheese and bread , Goha's son ? Son Yes, a piece of cheese , a piece of meat…Then , you'll ask us to get you new clothes , then , give me money … Salem Only a piece of cheese , brother . Son All right . ( Exits ) Salem What were we saying , Goha's daughter ? Daughter You were telling me about the girl you are going to marry. Salem Yap . That's true . Daughter What's her name ? Salem Take a guess . Daughter I can't tell . Salem Look ! She's neither tall nor short . The same as you . Daughter Her eyes ? Salem They're neither blue nor black . Honey color . The same as you . Daughter What a story ! And her name ? Salem Her name…? Daughter Yes , her name . Are you marrying someone without a name ? Salem I'm blushing . Daughter What are you blushing for ? Salem I don't know . Daughter Come on . Say . Salem I feel shy . Daughter What's her father's name ? Salem His name is Goha . Daughter Same as my father's ! ( Enters Goha's son ) Son Here's the cheese and bread. What else do you want ? Let's get it over with . Tell us if you are coming with us tomorrow or not . Salem No , I'm coming. But why don't I pass by you to pray Dawn together? We can go to Tymour Lank with the other men after we all pray dawn . Son Why don't you sleep here in the storehouse ? Thus , we could pray Dawn collectively . Salem No . Rest assured . I'll come at dawn to pray and , then set off depending on Allah . Son Tomorrow we will be sure of five . The sixth will come with Allah's will. ( Sounds of big feet and noise like an earthquake's ) Son What's this ? Daughter It's an earthquake . Wife ( From the window ) I testify there is no God but Allah and that Mohammed is his messenger. This is Doomsday. ( They hurry inside the house and look from behind the window . Enters a huge elephant and treads over whatever there is in the house yard. Behind it , appears Tymour Lank , his deputy and some soldiers ) Son ( From within ) Who's that , mother ?He looks familiar . Wife It's an elephant , clumsy . Daughter And who's the man standing there , mother ? Wife He's a man . Daughter He isn't a man , mother . He's a monster . ( Tymour and his deputy, Masrour enter ) Tymour Masrour . Masrour My lord , Tymour Lank . Tymour Is this where Goha lives ? This dirty place ?! Among those houses ?! Masrour Yes , my lord . And here's the house . Tymour Knock at the door . ( Masrour and the soldiers get their swards out as if they will attack the house ) Daughter It's the war , mother . Son Your protection, my Lord . Tymour Use your hand , you idiot , not the sward . ( Knocking at the door with his hand ) Wife Who's knocking ? Masrour Open up , Goha's daughter . Wife I am his wife . Tymour She's his wife , stupid . Masrour Open up , Goha's wife . Daughter I am Goha's daughter. Tymour His daughter , stupid . Son Who are you ?What or whom do you want ? Tymour No doubt , this is Goha's sister . Son I am a man . I am Goha's son . ( They laugh ) Masrour My lord , Tymour Lank, in person , wants to see you . Son Ha ?! I can't hear you . Tymour Open the door or we will break it . Wife We will , brother . We will open . ( They open the door and Goha's son exits ) Son Yes . Tymour Allah be praised . You are Goha's son . Son I swear I found people calling me that , uncle Tymour . Come Goha's son , Go Goha's son and I believed them .If you have a different opinion , I agree with it . Masrour Kneel down . Kneel boy. Come close and kiss our lord's , Tymour Lank's hand . Son No . Tymour ( Angrily ) Why not ? Kill this boy immediately . Daughter No , my lord .It isn't possible. My brother is afraid for your precious hand . Tymour And who are you ? Goha's wife ? Daughter No, I'm his daughter . Tymour Do I have a precious hand ? Son Ah , of course , my lord. Tymour How much is it worth ? Son No less than a thousand Dinars. Tymour ( Laughing )And you , sweet , how much would you say ? Daughter Fifteen hundred . Son Exactly . Tymour My clothes alone are worth more than a thousand . Daughter Then, my words are true . Tymour Bravo, my boy .If I were a slave , how much would I get? Son A hundred Felses . Tymour ( Laughs ) You are as witty as your father .My earrings alone are worth more than a hundred Felses . Son This is the value of your earrings when you are without clothes . Wife Go , daughter , and ask him about your father . Daughter My lord, my lord …( Whispering to her brother ) Ask him about your father . Son My lord , my lord .. Masrour ( Laughing ) He can't talk in your presence , my lord . Tymour Talk , my son . Say . Don't be shy . Masrour Say , my lad , say. Wife Talk , kids , talk . Daughter You , my lord , are like … like .. Tymour I know you want to describe me .Speak up , girl . Masrour Try any description . Tymour I'll help you . You know that Abbassi Caliphs had each of them a title such as El Mwafaq Billah , El Mutawakel Ala Ellah..etc. Say any of these names that might suit your lord . Say it , boy . Come on , girl . Son Such as what ? Masrour (Whispering in the son's ear ) El Moe`taz Billah . Son Allah forbids ! Tymour ( Laughing ) Allah Forbids !! Masrour He means El Moe`taz Billah . Daughter You belong to wrong doers in the other life .Remember that death comes without warning . Tymour What are you saying ,girl ? Son She refers to your high rank in the after life . Tymour Great . To whom do I belong in the after life ? Son What do you mean to whom ? Tymour Which great characters do I belong with ? Masrour Say. Son ( Looking at his sister ) With the Faro . Tymour ( Surprised ) The Faro ! Daughter With El Numrood . Tymour Who's El Numrood ? Son The one who died with a fly in his nostrils . Tymour Are you likening to that unjust man who died with a fly in his nose ?! Daughter I mean with Holaco Son With Jankes Khan Tymour Nice boy , isn't he , Masrour ? Masrour Right , my lord . Tymour You are terrific children .The boy takes after his father. The girl takes after …. Wife Takes after her mother . Son Where's my father ? Daughter Where's father Goha ? Tymour I left your father in the golden palace one thousand miles away .But you and your sister must come and visit me one day . We'll laugh and amuse ourselves . Wife Ask him if your father got married or not . Tymour Who's she ? Daughter She's my mother . Tymour Call her . Masrour Come out , lady , and talk to our lord . Daughter Come out , mother . Son Come out , mother . Wife ( Coming out ) My lord , where is my husband ? Tymour In safety . Wife And what could these poor children do without him , my lord ? Tymour This boy can work for me as a soldier and I shall marry this girl . ( They exit ) Come on , Masrour . I am waiting for you outside . Masrour ( To Goha's son and wife )Prepare yourselves for the girl's marriage . ( Exits ) Wife My daughter ! Son My sister! Wife People , help us .Save us from Tymour Lank . ( Curtain ) ACT .II. ( Curtain opens on a song with the following content ) Song : Life needs courage ; needs a brave heart. Tymour is our enemy . The Mongols , before him , had destroyed our land ,They burned the library of Baghdad . But Goha's children are courageous, So , pay attention to them . ( Enter Goha's daughter and son inside two moving spots of light ) Son Life is so strange . Daughter Man is very curious . Son Man is so talkative . Daughter In the market. Everywhere . Son And in the Sultan's face , Daughter the cat eats his tongue . Wife ( Under a spot ) Do you know what happened when I opened the storehouse door this morning ? ( A spot on Ismae`el ) Ismae`el What is it , Goha's son ?I shouldn't be locked up in a stable . Son Forgive me , Ismae`el .You are not only older but my father's friend. Ismae`el I'm not your father's friend nor my wife is a friend of your mother's . I sleep with a donkey ?! Daughter The donkey is better than humans . Ismae`el This is too much . Wife Because the donkey is no squealer . He never reports his friends but man does . ( Enters Fathi ) Fathi Is this a deed to do to me , Goha's daughter ? Locking me up with the cow , the buffalo and the goat ? In the stable?! Daughter You've been locked up for once man . Better than being locked up for life . Fathi Did this happenb to me ? I need some scent to smoke myself against envy. Oh , I , Fathi the spices dealer, receives such treatment ?!What a scandal among spices dealers !! Son You've always been locked up with animals , Fathi . Wife ( Laughing )At least , you've tried the stable . Ibrahim There's no power nor influence but Allah's . I , Ibrahim the tailor , sleep on the floor , drink and sleep with animals ?! Daughter It's all for the country's sake . Zaidan I , I who pulled mountains down ,should be treated in this way by you and your brother , Goha's daughter ? Wife Don't exceed your limits ,Zaidan. It's all for the good of the country . Dannoush I'll break your head ,Goha's son , and your mother's and your sister's . ( Enters Salem the farmer ) Salem I came on time after I had prayed Dawn . Son Calm down , guys . We are now going to Tymour Lank . Are you frightened ? All ( Shivering ) NO . ( There I s a change of lights and music . The right side of the stage , where Lank's palace lies , is dark .Tymour appears seated on a chair and stretching his legs on another where a slave is drying his feet . Enters Masrour) Masrour ( Kneeling as he approaches the throne )My lord . Tymour Ha ! Ha ! Masrour My lord . Tymour ( Laughs ) Masrour My lord …my lord …my lord .Good news , my lord . Tymour I hear the sound of a cockroach . Masrour ( Shouting ) It's my lord , Tymour Lank . Tymour Yes , you're a cockroach. Masrour Ha! Ha ! I am a cockroach . Tymour And a little monkey , too. Masrour Me ! A little monkey ! Tymour Show me the single man's dance .Walk like a villager's wife . Sleep on the floor . ( Masrour performs all the movements ) Tymour ( Yelling at him ) Stop , Masrour . Masrour Yes , my lord . Tymour What did you come for? Masrour Goha's son is outside . Tymour And Goha's daughter ? Masrour And Goha's daughter . Tymour And his long-tongued wife ? Masrour All are here . Tymour Let them in at once . Masrour But Goha's son and six other men want to see you first , my lord . Tymour Six animals for sure, or six clowns . Let them in .I want to laugh . Let them in . Masrour According to our lord's , Tymour Lank's orders let Goha's son and the six men with him in . Music as Goha's son and the six men enter .They kneel in front of Tymour ) Son My lord , the Sultan. We're the towns people and we came to you on account of …( He looks at Ismae`el and whispers in his ear ) …the elephant . Ismae`el ( Pretending he is deaf )What are you saying , son ? I can't hear you . Son ( Taking him aside )It's your turn . Say the elephant . Ismae`el I'm hard of hearing . I can't get you , son . ( Tymour laughs and Masrour throws an orange at Ismae`el's face ) Son Ismae`el is trying to say the elephant . Masrour What about the elephant ? Son ( Pointing at Fathi the spices dealer who pretends to have lost his voice ) Talk .Be strong and brave . Fathi Your elephant, my lord .Here I talked .I'm brave and not a coward ,Goha's son . Son ( Applauding) Splendid. Tymour ( To Ibrahim the tailor ) Why don't you talk ? Ibrahim B…b…b ( Shaking ) Masrour This man has got the shivers . Ibrahim I have kids .( He faints ) Tymour Throw him out . Son No , no . This is uncle Ibrahim the tailor. Carry him and put him beside the road . Masrour And you ? ( Pointing at Zaidan the woodcutter ) You sweet man. Do you need anything ?What can we do for you ? Zaidan ( Holding his belly ) I feel sick , my lord . Forgive me that I can't talk . I have to go outside . Son And you , Dannoush the carpenter ? Dannoush You kind-hearted , great man . My head is hot . Son ( Feeling his head )Real hot . Feverish . Dannoush By your leave . ( Exits ) ( Only Salem the farmer remains ) Tymour And you ? Salem ( Pretending to be naïve ) Your humble servant ,Salem the farmer .I am a farmer . May Allah never deprive you, Tymour Effendi .May He protect you , uncle Tymour . Son What are you saying , Salem ? Salem Say Amen , Goha's son . Son Amen . Masrour Splendid . Splendid . Salem I mean , uncle Tymour , that your elephant has hurt the people . Masrour Ha ..? What are you saying , man ? Tymour I heard strange talk .What did this long-tongued man say ?I am Tymour who slaughtered a million knights ,burned and pulled down a million cities and destroyed houses and orchards. I , who made blood flow like rivers should not be addressed in such a way . Salem My lord, the Sultan, justice does not make people mad . Tymour I am justice , boy . ( Hesitates ) Justice is a very sweet word. Justice , injustice . Nice talk . Speak , boy . What did you say your name was ? Salem Salem the farmer . Tymour Salem the farmer . Salem The farmer , my lord but don't be mad. You truly conquered us and achieved victory but all this would not prevent you from stopping the elephant . Tymour ( Laughing ) Stop the elephant . And who is telling me to ? You ?! Masrour . Masrour Yes , my lord . ( He takes the sward out ) Salem Wait , Masrour .My lord , I came with all the rest in order to talk you into keeping the elephant away from us .Win the people over instead of winning elephants . Tymour Kill him at once . Son ( Afraid for Salem )No , my lord .He's my friend Salem the farmer ; a companion and a friend . Tymour This farmer isn't your friend .I am your friend because I am your father's friend . Son It is a great honor to be your friend , my lord . Tymour ( Laughing ) Ha…Ha ! Choose now , Goha's son . Would you have a farmer or a Sultan for a friend ? Who's greater , Goha's son , the farmer or the Sultan ? Masrour This is a simple question , my lord .Speak, Goha's son . Son ( Laughing ) The farmer , of course , my lord . Tymour ( Laughing )Do you hear what Goha's son is saying , Masrour ?The farmer , of course . Masrour How come, boy ? Son Because if the farmer didn't produce corn and didn't grow beans and potatoes , we would starve to death . Tymour ( Laughs ) Nice . Nice . Masrour Very domestic . Like father like son . Wife ( Gets inside the palace ) Where's the man ? Where's my husband ? Where's Goha ? Tymour Who's this , Masrour ? Son This is my mother; Goha's wife . Daughter Father ! Father ! Where are you ? Masrour What is this ? Who is she ? Son She's my sister , Goha's daughter . Tymour Take this farmer man out . Salem Thanks , uncle Tymour . ( Exits ) Masrour ( To Goha's wife ) My lord the Sultan asks when is the wedding ? Wife Wedding ! Has Goha married behind my back ? Oh , what a calamity ! Oh , Goha you traitor ! ( She faints ) Masrour Wake up , lady . Come to . Daughter What a shame , mother . You have scandalized us . Wife (Coming to)Your father got married ? Do you hear ?A wedding ? Goha got married , people , come and watch . Tymour No, lady , it isn't Goha . Wife Who is it , then ? Daughter Yes. Who's getting married then ? Tymour I'm asking about your daughter's wedding and mine . Daughter What ?! Who do you think you are ?If you want someone you marry her and if you don't , you throw her away . What are you taking me for ? I can't marry you . Tymour What are you saying , girl ? Daughter Except when my father is here . Wife Where's the man ? Where's my husband ? Where's Goha? Tell me Tymour Goha is out of town . Daughter (Feigning tears) Oh, come back father who is out of town. Masrour What's wrong with that ? he's on an official errand to India to buy a thousand elephant that we are in need of . Son What do you need a thousand elephant for ? Masrour To put an elephant in every and each town . Daughter I can never get married while my father is away . Wife My daughter can't get married while her father is away . Her father must attend the wedding . Son Forgive us ,my lord. When my father gets back ,we'll see to the wedding and everything in due time. ( Prepares to leave ) Tymour Where to ? Masrour stop Wife What do you mean where to ? We're going home . Daughter Listen , uncle Tymour. We all came because my father … Wife Where's the man? Where's my husband ? Where's Goha? Tymour I said he is out of town and you shall remain here . Son Here where ? Daughter Do you intend to imprison us ? Masrour My lord said you stay here with us in the palace . Wife How could we live here with strangers ? Tymour Nice people. This is a nice boy and this is a cute girl but the lady is terrible .You'll stay here and I'll leave this palace to live in the palace next door .I'm not so far away. Masrour My lord loves and endears you. If he does not , he would not have left you the palace. Wife Go away ,please . May Allah guide you . Daughter May Allah ruin your houses. Tymour She's got a long tongue . Cute girl , Masrour . Son Wait my lord. Shall we stay locked up in this palace ? Wife Where's the man ? Son I can't just stay and quit work . Wife No, my lord. My son does not like to rich and unemployed . Tymour This is a strange boy. (Looking at him)Your father, Goha , has a great beard while your own is hairless. Son I take after my mother. Tymour You boy must be responsible for the elephant . I mean the elephants . Daughter What does responsible mean ? Tymour Minster of the elephants . You'll take whatever you need to prepare a house and a living for every elephant that arrives into town. You make them comfortable. Give him a thousand Dinars , Masrour . Masrour A thousand Dinars ! Daughter A thousand Dinars for all the elephants ? Tymour Whenever he needs more, he will have . Wife Would you pay a thousand a day ? Tymour ( Laughs )Would you , Masrour ? Masrour I'd pay my lord . Tymour When is the wedding ? Wife Where's the man ?Where's my husband ? Where's Goha? Tymour ( Laughing )Don't worry , he will come. Masrour Very soon , Goha will come back and festivals will be held because my lord Tymour Lank will marry Goha's daughter. ( Exits Masrour and Tymour ) Wife Will you work for him ? Son I can't say no . He'd slaughter me and you . Daughter I can't marry a man like that . Wife It's written in our destiny . Daughter He is an unjust murderer . Son He has killed people and spread chaos . Wife I don't believe he agreed to put off the marriage till your father comes . Son He gave me a thousand Dinars. ( Enters a huge soldier ) Guard My lord, the Minster . Son ( Looking around him ) Who ? The minister is coming , mother. Fix your clothes. And you (Looking at the guard) Why hasn't the minister arrived ? Guard You are my lord the minister. Son ( Laughing ) Me! Wake up , my son . I'm no minister . I'm Goha's son . Guard Yes , my lord . Any orders ? Son Who are you ? You said I'm a minister. ( The guard nods his head )All right , I'm a minister. I'm a free man and I'm walking out of here .Who could you be to stop me ? Guard I'm Abdel Gabbar whose fire is never off , who destroyed walls and broke borders, who killed lions, opened tigers' bellies and ate their livers .Hum! Hum! Wife Such a monster ! Daughter Away with you . Son So , you work for me ? Guard At your service , my lord . Wife We're starved, brother. Send someone to fetch us some rice and some tomatoes .We'll make a salad or cook some potatoes. No.. take this (She gets her purse out) A Dinar. Buy some green groceries and some fruits and get the change back. Don't you dare hide any money here or there. Daughter Keep your money , mother. They have food . Get us some food brother. Son Guys, I have one thousand Dinars .Hey son, take two …three Dinars ( giving the guard ) Buy some meat, groceries and fruit and send them to the alley people. Wait. Take ten Dinars . Buy food and distribute it among the alley people .Tell them all to come and have lunch with us tomorrow . Daughter Could we cook for all of them? Wife Don't you have a cook here , son ? Guard (Laughs ) Daughter What are you laughing at , poor man ? Guard There are one , two , three cooks and servants . Son You mean food is for free ? Guard Sure , it's free . Free! Wife Listen . Tomorrow you go to the Arab Alley and invite Ismae`el El Ittra. Daughter And Fathi Son And Ibrahim . Wife And Zaidan. Daughter Dannoush . Son And Salem the Farmer . All Three And all the alley people . ( A song where the alley people enter the palace : Goha's son became Minister of the elephants , Titles are now common among us . Ibrahim the tailor is in charge of the elephants clothes , Fathi is in charge of scenting the elephants' house , Zaidan the woodcutter in charge of building the elephants' gardens, Dannoush the carpenter in charge of building their houses, And Salem the farmer is in charge of the elephants' food…etc. Masrour stands up holding money bags. Goha's son takes them and distributes them among people . Lights fade as the group and Goha's wife exit. The left side of the stage is illuminated where there are signs saying: Elephant Clothes, Elephant Food Market, Elephant House , Elephant Water …etc. People come and go while our six leading characters appear in luxurious clothes . Enters Goha's daughter . Daughter What 's all this elegance ?Shops , houses and money. All this because of the elephants . Ismae`el All this is because of the Elephant House Budget that your brother is in charge of . Your brother is the minister. Daughter My brother is the minister in whose reign the town has become wealthy , beautiful and rich . (Enters Goha's son in beautiful clothes. People get frightened and applaud him .) Someone Long live our lord the Minister. Group ( Repeat after him ) Another Long live Goha's son and daughter. Group ( Repeat ) Son Thank you. Thank you .How's business in the markets ? And how are the town people doing ? All Fine. Fine . Son Do you want money ? Just say it . ( He gets money out and throws it right and left ) Daughter ( Pulling her brother aside ) What are you doing ? Son Just as you see . Throwing money away . Daughter You take a thousand a day to throw away ? Son It's their right . Daughter And Tymour Lank ? Son He can go to Hell . Daughter Keep your voice down . Son It's our money he had taken. It's our money they had stolen from our kids and it must come back. I wonder where you are , Father . Daughter It is said he had sent a messenger to bring him back right away. Son It has been two months now . Daughter Things can't stay like this for ever . ( Ismae`el approaches them ) Ismae`el What's the matter, Goha's children ?I mean our Minister? Son Father has been away for so long, uncle Ismae`el ?We don't know if he's dead or alive . Daughter Don't say dead. My father is alive and coming back . Ismae`el I understand . We all do . Fathi I'm with you .We are all with you . Salem Fear nothing, Goha's son. Nobody in town can deny your favors . Ismae`el Everyone has money . Ibrahim We bought the best food ,the best weapons and we trained people . Salem We have got everything arranged and men are ready. Daughter Keep your voice down. People have to be trained with weapons. Son We have had enough fear ,Goha's daughter. Tymour Lank must know that we can stand against him. Daughter Because everybody will be ready when the grave hour comes . Salem People are ready and waiting for the signal. And there will be a day when we can protect our land against Tymour Lank, his elephants and all the elephants and strangers . Son The point is to be careful about the spies and we must punish anyone who reports against us . Daughter We must lock him up and keep him silent . Salem I'm paying attention , Goha's daughter , to all those kinds .Don't worry about me. If it were discovered that we take money to buy food and weapons and to build camps for the people … Daughter Tymour will slaughter us all . Son That's why we should keep it a secret so that none could say that Tymour Lank defeated Goha's family and country . ( Enters a guard ) Salem A guard's coming . Be careful about your words .Tomorrow dawn at five is our date . Ibrahim Long live our lord the minister. Group ( They repeat ) Fathi And Goha's daughter. Group ( Repeat ) Guard ( Approaching Goha's son ) My lord the Minister , My lord the Sultan Tymour Lank is now at the palace . Daughter He'll sure ask my mother for my hand in marriage. Son Maybe he's got news about my father. Let's go . ( They run. Lights out.Then , light on the right side of the stage where Tymour Lank walks up and down angrily. He limps on and Masrour keeps up ) Masrour He takes a 1000 every other day ,my lord . Tymour Isn't he preparing for the elephants ? Masrour He turned everything in town into something for elephants . Elephants' Clothes , Elephants' Food. Tymour ( Laughing ) Nice . Nice .Where's Goha's wife . Guard I told her as soon as she arrived , my lord . She says she'll be here now . Tymour Long waiting . Masrour Women are always late , my lord .( Tymour laughs )he spent the money to build an army . Tymour Money isn't important. The issue is to laugh at this dupe as he builds houses for elephants, making clothes and preparing food. And Goha had traveled to buy elephants .What has taken him so long ? Masrour We had sent him more than one messenger , my lord . Tymour And he hasn't arrived yet ? Masrour Not yet my lord. Wife ( Enters ) Where's my husband ? Where's the man ? Where's Goha, my lord Tymour Lank ? Tymour Such a tamed lady ! Listen. IO could marry you to Masrour . Wife (Hitting her chest with her hand ) I'm already married .How could you marry me when I'm already married ? Tymour By making Goha divorce you . Wife No, my lord .Goha's the children's father and that Masrour is used up . Tymour All right. I'm coming to marry your daughter now. ( Goha's daughter enters followed by her brother .) Daughter No, my lord. ( Masrour kneels ) Tymour The bride. Daughter My lord. You promised not to marry me unless my father is here . Sultans and Kings cannot go back on their words. Wife I can't let her marry. Besides if a man said a word , he gets tied by the tongue . Daughter I can't marry you now. What would people say ?Tymour Lank went back on his word ? What a shame ! What a scandal in front of women ! My husband, Tymour Lank , goes back on his word ! Wife A scandal ( Feigning tears ) By Allah , we have been scandalized .A Sultan goes back on his words ! Son ( Acting as if injured and disappointed ) Mother , it isn't sensible that Sultan Tymour Lank will marry my sister now . I , as a Minister in his government , don't agree .He does not agree , too , and if he does , I'll submit my resignation from the ministry and go sell measles. No , I could cry . Tymour Enough . Enough . ( All three continue crying ) Masrour My lord said enough . ( They fall silent ) Wife Can't we cry over our bad luck ? My husband is away , my son-in-law is going back on his words and my son will resign and sell measles. Daughter It is over , mother , over . Masrour I said enough . My lord the Sultan is talking . Tymour Just as Goha's son , the elephants' Minister had said . I am only joking . Is it possible that I should marry your daughter while her father is still… Masrour Is still away . But her brother isn't . Son What brother ? ( Looking right and left ) Masrour You . Son I, m a child . I haven't completed 21 years. Masrour How did you become a minister while you're only a child? Son It's our lord Sultan Tymour Lank's order but marriage is another story . Tymour Enough talking . It's over. I said we will postpone the marriage till Goha comes back . Wife Where's my husband ? Where's the man ? Where's Goha, my lord ? Tymour He will arrive in two days and we will declare the marriage and everything will be all right . ( Exits Masrour ) Masrour Come on , my lord . Tymour Come on , Masrour . ( Goha's son , daughter and wife sing three stanzas ) 1st Stanza : Goha's wife sings about two days later when Goha comes back and fills her life with happiness . 2nd Stanza : Goha's son sings about two days later when the elephants arrive and the problem grows . 3rd Stanza : Goha's daughter…after two days the marriage will take place which is a disaster . ( Lights go out at the end of the song .Curtains down . There are sounds of night i.e. frogs and dogs. There is light on the rock facing the Freemen's Alley. Enter Shaikh Shafe`e , Fathi and Salem .) Son ( Crossing the stage from left to right with his sister ) Guard Who's there ? Son ( Panicking ) What ? What is it ? Who are you ? Guard Who's there ? Daughter Why are you shouting at him ? What do you want ? Guard ( Looking at Goha's son ) My lord the Minister ! Son Where's the minister ? Daughter He's talking to you . Son Me ! ( He fixes the situation ) Yes. I know I'm the minister . ( To the guard ) What are you shouting for ? Guard I'm sorry my lord . It isn't allowed to walk at night . Son It isn't allowed to walk at night ?! Daughter He's the Minister. He has the right to walk at night or morning or whenever he wants . He's a free man . Guard Whatever my lord says . Son Get out of here. Shafe`e It's high time hands and people get together . Salem Goha's son has come . Daughter How are you , Salem ? Shafe`e What did you do , Goha's son ? Daughter My brother asked Masrour for 2000 Dinars today , Shaikh Shafe`e . Ibrahim Did Masrour give him ? Son Can he say no ? Fathi We've trained the men to fight . Daughter And the ladies know what to do . Shafe`e Everybody even the kids know what to do . Ibrahim And zero hour ? Fathi When is zero hour ? Shafe`e As soon as Goha arrives with the elephants , fishermen will be on shore to sink the elephants' ship. Daughter And my father ? Shafe`e Don't worry. We won't sink the ship unless all men are off board . Fathi We prepared the weapons . Salem And all the men are so good with the weapons that Mongols will never be able to occupy our land. Daughter Take care ,Goha's son . Be careful , Salem. Ismae`el Fear nothing ,Goha's daughter . We are all ready . Son I'm afraid we will be discovered , Shakh Shafe`e . Shafe`e Defending home is an honor and we must protect our honor .Don't forget. Two days from now when Goha's ships arrive to shore . Fathi I can hear guards coming .Come on , people . Everybody , go about his business. (There is a change of scenery with rapid music . It is the palace where Goha's son , daughter and wife live . Enter Tymour Lank and Masrour . Tymour walks up and down) Masrour The money Goha's son is taking , my lord , is being used in things we don't know about . Tymour Sure, they're elephant's things . Masrour It's possible , my lord . Tymour What do you mean, possible ? Masrour I mean he's playing a big game . Tymour Hide and seek or the stick ? Masrour My lord . Tymour None can ever play games with me .Do you hear ?Today , Goha arrives and I get married . Wife ( Enters ) Get married ! Oh , help . What a disaster is yours ,Goha's wife ! Goha is married behind my back . Tymour What are you howling for ? Wife You sent the man to India to buy elephants but he got married . Masrour He isn't the man to marry. It's Tymour who is getting married . Wife Him ?! ( Interrupting ) Congratulations, Mr Tymour .Who did you marry ? Masrour Your daughter . Wife ( Yelling ) What a shame ! Marry my daughter without telling me ! Without telling her father ! He should have waited till Shaikh Shafe`e , her father and her brother comes . Masrour My lord decided the marriage should happen today . Wife Shouldn't you wait till Goha comes ? Tymour Goha ! Guard ( Rushes in ) is dead . Wife Goha's dead ! What a calamity ! What a scandal , Goha's wife ! The man is dead and you want to get married ? You have killed the man . ( Grabbing him by the clothes ) Tymour Take this woman away from me . Take her away . Masrour Get away from him , woman . ( He acts as if he were a lion .She grabs his clothes and pulls him around . Enter Goha's son and Salem ) Salem What's wrong ? Wife Your father is dead . Tymour It is the elephant , stupid . Masrour It is the elephant that had died . Do you hear ? I'll go see how it had died . ( He exits ) Tymour ( Looking at Salem ) Are you still here ? Wife Save us , Salem. Help us , son .Tymour wants to marry your sister today .Your father has not returned yet . Son He must be on the way . Tymour How could this boy ( pointing at Salem ) enter the palace? Son He's my friend . Tymour A minister can't befriend a farmer . A minister befriends a minister and a farmer a farmer . Daughter This farmer , my lord , has been our neighbor who has kept the rights of neighborhood and brotherhood all his life long . Tymour Is this a challenge or what ? Salem You were a man just like me before you became a Sultan, Tymour . Tymour ( Laughing ) A man . That's nice . Real nice. He says a man . Injustice . Resistance .Nice talk . You are nice and my bride , Goha's daughter is nice ,too. Daughter I am not your bride . Tymour What ? Daughter You can buy anything for money except for people's hearts , my lord . Tymour ( Laughs ) I se that you don't like me . Daughter No . Tymour ( Angrily ) What do you mean , no ? Salem It means no , my lord . Tymour Shut up you farmer .You , Goha's son, I gave you 1000 Dinars a day . Shafe`e ( Enters ) To buy food and weapons for the people . Tymour Who are you ? Shafe`e I, m Shaikh Shafe`e . Tymour You are the one who make people call me unjust . Salem Because you are unjust . ( A guard rushes in ) Guard Goha has arrived on shore , my lord . Tymour And the elephants with him . A 1000 elephants . Guard No , my lord .The ships were sunk with the elephants before coming into the harbor . Tymour It is impossible for 1000 elephants to sink . Who has done it ? Salem & All All of us . All the people . Tymour I'll kill you all. All of you must die . Masrour ! Masrour ! Guard ! Wife ( Running in the hall ) Goha is back , kids .Goha is back . ( Enter Masrour and guards who turned into elephants . They stand motionless. Spots on Salem, Goha's daughter and son ) Salem Now, Goha's daughter. I can propose to your brother and family to ask for your hand in marriage . Daughter But mother said when father comes back . Salem ( Laughs ) Your father is back . ( Exits happily ) Son Shall I stay here without marriage or a ministry ? I should go and get the donkey ready so that when my father returns , he'll find it ready. ( Runs out. A spot accompanies him ) Shafe`e Elephants increase at times when there are no men .Pay attention , kids .If we are frightened of one elephant , elephants will increase .Allah has given man wisdom and brains to resist injustice . CURTAIN El Sayed Hafez