Part 3
PEASANT (_nodding_). Then he tried to find a place among the rushes on the moor, but the birds drove him from there.
ELIZABETH. Why did they all treat him so, father?
PEASANT. I do not know, unless it is because he is so ugly.
WIFE. Come now to dinner, father--Elizabeth. By the time we have finished, our duckling will be warmed and awake.
[_They go into the kitchen. The Duckling stirs and looks about._]
HEN. Can you lay eggs?
DUCKLING (_politely_). No, madam.
CAT. Can you set up your back?
DUCKLING. No, dear sir.
CAT. Can you purr?
DUCKLING (_frightened_). No.
HEN. Then you can't stay here.
DUCKLING. Do not drive me out, I pray you!
CAT. Will you learn to purr?
HEN. And to lay eggs?
DUCKLING (_sadly_). Alas, I can do nothing but swim.
CAT. Swim! Well, I must say that is very queer.
DUCKLING. Oh, no, dear sir! It is most pleasant when the waters close over your head and you plunge to the bottom.
CAT. Plunge to the bottom, indeed! I'd never think of doing such a silly thing!
HEN. Nor I!
CAT. 'T is clear you can't remain here.
DUCKLING. Where am I to go?
CAT. Go lie in the rushes. The birds flew south this morning.
DUCKLING. I shall starve there.
CAT. It would really be a good thing for you if I should eat you.
DUCKLING. I'd thank you to do so, dear sir.
HEN. Eat him, since he is so willing. He is too ugly to live.
CAT (_turning away_). I can't, he is too ugly to eat.
(_To the Duckling._)
Come, out with you!
HEN (_running at him_). Yes, yes! Out with you! Out with you!
[_They push the Duckling out of the door into the snow._]
DUCKLING. Alas! What shall I do? Where shall I go? Why was I made so ugly that every one despises me!
## SCENE III
TIME: _the next spring_. PLACE: _the brook on the Moor Farm_.
* * * * *
THE UGLY DUCKLING. THE MOLE. THE FATHER. THE MOTHER. THE CHILDREN. THE SWANS.
* * * * *
[_The_ UGLY DUCKLING _sits on the hill of a_ MOLE _near the brook which winds through the Moor Farm._]
MOLE (_from the mole hill_). Will you please move? I wish to come out.
DUCKLING (_rising quickly_). Why, 't is a mole hill I've been sitting on!
(_The Mole comes out from the hill._)
I'm sorry, friend Mole, I didn't notice your hill.
MOLE. Who are you?
DUCKLING. Madam Duck of this farm is my mother.
MOLE. That can't be! You are no duck.
DUCKLING. Yes, but I am. Only, I am uglier than any duck in the world.
MOLE. You have not the voice of a duck. You do not speak with the quack of which they are so proud. And then, if you are truly a duck, why are you not with your family?
DUCKLING. They drove me out last summer because I was ugly and could not quack.
MOLE. Then why have you come back?
DUCKLING. To let the swans kill me.
MOLE. What! To let them kill you?
DUCKLING. I would rather be killed by those beautiful birds than pecked by the hens, beaten by the geese, or starved with hunger in the winter.
MOLE. Perhaps you are not so ugly now as you were then.
DUCKLING. I have not looked at myself in the water since spring came and took the ice away. But I know well enough how dark and badly formed I am. The swans will kill me if I dare to approach them.
[_A noise is heard in the distance._]
MOLE. They are coming! Go, while there is yet time.
DUCKLING. There is no place to go to. All winter long I was driven from moor to moor. I could not make a friend--I no longer wish to live.
[_The_ SWANS _are seen swimming down the brook._]
MOLE. They are here! Do not go to them, I pray you!
DUCKLING (_shaking head_). Farewell!
[_He flies to the water and swims toward the Swans. They see him and rush to meet him with outstretched wings._]
DUCKLING. Kill me! Kill me!
FIRST SWAN. Kill you! Why, we have come to welcome you, beautiful stranger.
SECOND SWAN. We saw you from afar, and came to meet you.
THIRD SWAN. We are so happy to have you with us!
[_Enter several_ CHILDREN.]
FIRST CHILD. See, there is a new swan!
SECOND CHILD (_calling_). Father, mother, come! There is another swan!
[_Enter the_ FATHER _and_ MOTHER.]
FATHER. What were you calling?
THIRD CHILD. A new swan has come! Look!
MOTHER. I see him! He is beautiful!
FATHER. He is very young, but he is the most beautiful of all!
FOURTH CHILD. See how the others stroke him with their beaks!
MOTHER. They are showing him how glad they are to have him with them. See how they swim around him and how gently they touch him!
FATHER. I have never seen anything so pretty. How happy the new swan is! See how he rustles his feathers! See how proudly he curves his slender neck!
FIRST CHILD. And see how he looks at himself in the water!
SECOND CHILD. Let's get bread and cake for him!
THIRD CHILD. Yes, yes!
FOURTH CHILD. Yes, yes!
[_The Children run off, followed by the Father and Mother._]
MOLE (_going into his hill_). 'T was not so bad after all--not to have the family quack!
THE RED SHOES
## SCENE I
TIME: _one morning_.
PLACE: _the Shoemaker's shop_.
* * * * *
GRANDMOTHER. KAREN. SHOEMAKER.
* * * * *
[_The_ GRANDMOTHER _and_ KAREN _enter the shop of the_ SHOEMAKER.]
GRANDMOTHER. This is my little granddaughter Karen, Shoemaker. Please to take her measure for a pair of shoes.
SHOEMAKER. What kind do you wish, madam?
GRANDMOTHER. Morocco, the finest you have, Karen is to wear these shoes to church.
SHOEMAKER. What color do you wish, madam?
GRANDMOTHER. Black.
KAREN (_whispering to Shoemaker_). Red.
SHOEMAKER (_puzzled_). Eh?
GRANDMOTHER (_louder_). Black.
KAREN (_whispering to Shoemaker_). Red.
SHOEMAKER. Of course, madam, if you say black, black they shall be.
KAREN. The little princess wore red shoes, Grandmother.
SHOEMAKER (_nodding_). That is true; I saw them myself.
GRANDMOTHER. Red shoes?
KAREN (_nodding_). Of beautiful red morocco. The queen let the princess stand at a window so every one could see her new shoes.
SHOEMAKER. It is all true, madam.
GRANDMOTHER. No matter; Karen is to have black shoes.
(_Taking up a pair of shoes._)
Here, this pair suits me exactly.
SHOEMAKER (_surprised_). But, madam, those shoes are--
KAREN (_interrupting; whispering_). Hush, Shoemaker! Do not tell her. She can't see very well.
GRANDMOTHER (_giving shoes to Karen_). Are they of polished leather? They shine as if they were.
KAREN. Yes; they do shine.
(_Trying on the shoes._)
And they just fit me, Grandmother.
GRANDMOTHER. I will take them, Shoemaker.
SHOEMAKER. But, madam--
KAREN (_interrupting; whispering_). Hush, Shoemaker! She will never know the difference.
GRANDMOTHER. Here is the money, Shoemaker. Come, Karen.
SHOEMAKER. But, madam--
KAREN (_interrupting_). I am ready, Grandmother.
GRANDMOTHER. Good day, Shoemaker.
SHOEMAKER. But, madam--
KAREN (_interrupting_). Good day, Shoemaker.
[_The Grandmother and Karen go._]
## SCENE II
TIME: _the next Sunday, after church_. PLACE: _the Grandmother's home_.
* * * * *
THE GRANDMOTHER. KAREN. THE NEIGHBORS { _First_. { _Second_. { _Third_. { _Fourth_.
* * * * *
[_The_ NEIGHBORS _sit with the_ GRANDMOTHER _in the spare room because it is Sunday._]
FIRST NEIGHBOR. I did not see you at church to-day, Grandmother.
GRANDMOTHER. I could not go, but I sent little Karen.
SECOND NEIGHBOR (_mysteriously_). Oh, yes; we saw her! Everybody saw her!
GRANDMOTHER (_proudly_). People do look at her; she is so pretty.
THIRD NEIGHBOR. People didn't look at her face to-day.
GRANDMOTHER (_alarmed_). What do you mean?
THIRD NEIGHBOR. Ask Karen when she returns. We're not the ones to carry tales.
GRANDMOTHER (_looking out window_). Here she comes now!
FOURTH NEIGHBOR. Just ask her about the sermon and the hymns!
GRANDMOTHER (_proudly_). She will tell me almost every word the pastor said. She is a smart girl--that Karen.
[_Enter_ KAREN.]
KAREN. Well, Grandmother, here I am! Good morning, Neighbors.
NEIGHBORS (_coldly_). Good morning, Karen.
GRANDMOTHER. Now tell me about the sermon, Karen. What was the text?
KAREN (_with confusion; stammering_). The text? It was--it was--Oh, I will tell you all about it by and by, Grandmother. Our Neighbors want to talk with you now.
FIRST NEIGHBOR. Oh, no! We would rather hear you tell your Grandmother about the sermon and the music.
GRANDMOTHER. What hymns did they sing, Karen?
KAREN (_as before_). Hymns? They sang--let me see--they sang--
[_She stops in confusion._]
GRANDMOTHER. Why, Karen! Are you ill?
SECOND NEIGHBOR. No, Grandmother, Karen is not ill. She is ashamed. She was not thinking of the beautiful music nor of the sermon this morning. Is that not true, Karen?
KAREN (_ashamed_). Y-e-s--
GRANDMOTHER. What is this?
THIRD NEIGHBOR. Tell your Grandmother what you were thinking about in church, Karen.
KAREN. I was thinking about--about--my new shoes.
GRANDMOTHER. A great thing to think about in church--a pair of plain black shoes!
FOURTH NEIGHBOR. She did not wear her black shoes; she wore _red shoes!_
GRANDMOTHER (_gasping_). Red shoes--to church?
FIRST NEIGHBOR (_nodding_). Every one was terribly shocked!
GRANDMOTHER (_still gasping_). Red shoes to church!
SECOND NEIGHBOR. Even the pastor looked at her shoes!
GRANDMOTHER (_indignantly_). Red shoes to church!
THIRD NEIGHBOR. The choir looked! All fixed their eyes on Karen's red shoes.
GRANDMOTHER. It is the most shocking thing I ever heard! Do you hear me, Karen?
KAREN (_hanging her head in shame_). Yes, Grandmother.
GRANDMOTHER. You must never, never, so long as you live, wear red shoes to church again. It is not at all proper. Do you hear me, Karen?
KAREN (_as before_). Yes, Grandmother.
FOURTH NEIGHBOR. Do you think she should have her Sunday dinner?
GRANDMOTHER. Not one bite! She shall stay in her room all day. Do you hear me, Karen?
KAREN. Yes, Grandmother.
GRANDMOTHER. Thank you for telling me, Neighbors. To think of it! Red shoes to church!
## SCENE III
TIME: _the following Sunday, after church_. PLACE: _the churchyard_.
* * * * *
THE GRANDMOTHER. KAREN. THE OLD SOLDIER. THE COACHMAN.
* * * * *
[_The_ GRANDMOTHER _and_ KAREN _come from the church. The_ OLD SOLDIER _stands near the church door. He tries to speak to the Grandmother, but she does not hear him._]
KAREN. Wait a moment, Grandmother! The Old Soldier wants to speak with you.
GRANDMOTHER (_turning_). What do you want, Old Soldier?
OLD SOLDIER. I want to dust your shoes, madam.
GRANDMOTHER. That is very good of you.
(_Old Soldier dusts her shoes_).
Thank you; now I will go to my carriage while you dust Karen's shoes.
[_She goes._]
OLD SOLDIER. Stretch out your foot, little Karen.
(_Karen thrusts out her foot._)
What is this? Red shoes for church?
KAREN. I looked at my old black shoes--
OLD SOLDIER (_interrupting_). And then at your new red ones?
KAREN (_nodding_). Yes, and then at my black ones again--
OLD SOLDIER (_interrupting_). And then put on your red ones!
KAREN. Sh-h! Grandmother must not know.
OLD SOLDIER. She can't hear, for I am talking through my long red beard.
KAREN. Why is your beard so red, Old Soldier?
OLD SOLDIER. To make more light for my eyes--that I may see without looking.
KAREN. See without looking?
OLD SOLDIER (_nodding_). I was not in the church, yet I saw you clearly when you knelt at the altar and raised the golden cup to your lips.
KAREN (_surprised_). You saw that?
OLD SOLDIER (_nodding_). And more--I saw your thoughts.
KAREN. You saw my thoughts?
OLD SOLDIER (_nodding_). It was to you as if your red shoes passed before your eyes in the cup. Am I not right?
KAREN (_showing fear_). Y-e-s--
OLD SOLDIER. And I saw by the light of my beard that you forgot to sing the hymns; eh, Karen?
KAREN. Y-e-s--
OLD SOLDIER. And that you forgot to say your prayers; eh, Karen?
KAREN. Y-e-s--
OLD SOLDIER. You were thinking of your red shoes all the time.
KAREN. Y-e-s, Old Soldier.
OLD SOLDIER (_holding Karen and stooping until his beard covers her shoes_). Cover and touch and change, my beard! Cover and touch and change!
KAREN. What are you doing? Let me go!
OLD SOLDIER (_holding her firmly_). I am turning your red shoes into dancing shoes!
KAREN. I am afraid of you! Let me go!
OLD SOLDIER (_slapping soles of her shoes with hand_). Now I have made them stick fast to your feet!
KAREN (_calling_). Grandmother! Grandmother!
OLD SOLDIER. Now you may go! Ha, ha!
KAREN. Why! I am dancing! I can't stop! Grandmother! Grandmother!
GRANDMOTHER. What is this? Mercy on me! She is dancing down the street! Run after her, Coachman! Quick! Stop her!
COACHMAN (_running after Karen_). Stop, Mistress Karen! I'm after you!
OLD SOLDIER. Ha, ha, ha! You will never catch her!
GRANDMOTHER (_calling after Coachman_). There she goes around the corner!
COACHMAN (_calling off_). I'll get you, Mistress Karen! Just stop a bit!
OLD SOLDIER. Ha, ha, ha! You will never catch her!
GRANDMOTHER. My poor Karen! My poor Karen!
COACHMAN (_returning_). I couldn't catch her, madam! She danced right out of the town gate!
GRANDMOTHER. Out of the town gate?
COACHMAN. Yes, madam, and straight for the dark wood.
GRANDMOTHER. We will drive after her!
[_Coachman jumps to his seat._]
OLD SOLDIER. Ha, ha, ha! You will never catch her!
GRANDMOTHER. Quick, Coachman, quick! We must catch her before she gets to the dark wood. My poor Karen! My poor Karen!
[_The carriage dashes off._]
## SCENE IV
TIME: _three days later; evening_. PLACE: _the dark wood. A hut is seen among the vines_.
* * * * *
THE FORESTER. HIS SON. KAREN. THE EXECUTIONER. THE OLD SOLDIER. THE FAIRY QUEEN. MOON.
* * * * *
[_The_ FORESTER _and his_ SON _are felling a tree._]
KAREN (_heard calling off_). Stop me! Stop me!
SON. Heard you that cry?
FORESTER (_looking off_). Mercy on us! 'T is the dancing girl I told you of!
[_Enter_ KAREN, _dancing._]
KAREN. Stop me, Forester!
FORESTER. No, no! I dare not!
KAREN (_to Son_). Stop me, I pray you! Three days have I danced! I can endure it no longer!
SON (_to Forester_). Come, let us help her!
FORESTER. Do not touch her! She is bewitched!
KAREN. 'T is my shoes are bewitched--not I!
SON. I say, little maid, pull off your shoes!
KAREN. They will not come off. See!
[_She pulls at her shoes._]
SON (_starting towards Karen_). I'll get them off, bewitched or not bewitched!
FORESTER (_seizing Son_). Would you get yourself into trouble? Come home with me!
[_Forester runs from wood with Son. The_ MOON _arises suddenly in a fir tree._]
KAREN. O Moon, see how I dance below you! Pray tell me how to break this spell!
MOON. Ha, ha, ha!
[_The Moon changes into the red beard of the_ OLD SOLDIER.]
OLD SOLDIER. My beard makes moonlight for me that I may watch you dance.
KAREN. Mercy, Old Soldier! I pray you break your spell!
OLD SOLDIER. You forgot to say the prayers! You thought only of your red shoes!
KAREN. I will go barefoot to church!
OLD SOLDIER. You whispered "red" to the Shoemaker!
KAREN. I will never deceive my dear Grandmother again! Have pity!
OLD SOLDIER. You shall dance in your red shoes till you are pale and cold! By night and by day you shall dance; in sunshine and in rain; in snow and in sleet. Over highways and byways shall you dance; in dark swamps and on mountain tops. You shall go on dancing, dancing, dancing, forever and ever!
[_He disappears._]
KAREN. I cannot dance on forever! I cannot! I cannot!
(_Weeping; pause._)
Well, I know a way to break the spell, and I'll do it!
(_Crossing to hut of the_ EXECUTIONER; _knocking._)
Come out! Come out!
EXECUTIONER (_from within the hut_). Come in!
KAREN. I cannot come in; I must dance.
EXECUTIONER. Then I will come out.
(_The Executioner comes out from hut._)
Well, do you know me?
KAREN. You are the Executioner.
EXECUTIONER. I am the Executioner. I cut off the heads of wicked people with this great ax.
KAREN. Do not strike off my head!
EXECUTIONER. And why not strike off your head, pray?
KAREN. I must have that to repent of my sin. So please to cut off my feet.
EXECUTIONER. It shall be as you say. Thrust out your foot, maid.
[_Enter_ FAIRY QUEEN.]
FAIRY QUEEN. Stay, Executioner, stay! I've come to save you, Karen!
KAREN. To save me?
FAIRY QUEEN. Whenever a child repents of a sin, lo, I am there to save.
KAREN. Will you remove this spell from me?
FAIRY QUEEN. Will you give up your red shoes?
KAREN. Gladly! Gladly! I wish I might never see them again!
FAIRY QUEEN. Then dance to me that I may touch you with my wand.
[_Fairy Queen touches Karen's shoes with her wand. The shoes fall off._]
KAREN. Dear Fairy Queen! Dear Fairy Queen! I thank you! I thank you!
FAIRY QUEEN. Look, Karen, your shoes are dancing away! Soon they will be lost to you forever. Shall I not bring them back?
KAREN. No, no! Let them go! Now I am free! Now I can rest!
FAIRY QUEEN. Then come, dear child, I will guide you to your home.
THE STORY OF ALI COGIA
## SCENE I
TIME: _one evening_. PLACE: _the house of a merchant in Bagdad_.
* * * * *
THE MERCHANT. THE MERCHANT'S WIFE.
* * * * *
[_The_ MERCHANT _and his_ WIFE _are at supper._]
WIFE. Our neighbors bought some fine olives to-day. It has been a long time since we have had olives. I am quite hungry for them.
MERCHANT. Now you speak of olives, you put me in mind of the jar which Ali Cogia left with me.
WIFE (_pointing to a jar in another part of the room_). There is the very jar waiting for him against his return.
MERCHANT. Certainly he must be dead, since he has not returned in all this time. Give me a plate; I will open the jar, and if the olives be good, we will eat them.
WIFE. Pray, husband, do not commit so base an action. You know nothing is more sacred than what is left to one's care and trust.
MERCHANT. But I am certain All Cogia will never return.
WIFE. And I have a strong feeling that he will. What will he think of your honor if he finds the jar has been opened?
MERCHANT. Surely a jar of olives is not to be guarded so carefully, year after year.
WIFE. That is Ali Cogia's affair, not ours. Besides, the olives can't be good after all this time.
MERCHANT (_taking a plate_). I mean to have a taste of them, at least.
WIFE (_indignantly_). You are betraying the trust your friend placed in you! I will not remain to witness it.
[_She leaves the room. The Merchant crosses and takes cover from jar._]
MERCHANT (_looking in jar_). My wife was right--the olives are covered with mould, but those at the bottom may still be good.
[_He turns the jar up and shakes out the olives. Several gold pieces fall out._]
MERCHANT. What is this? Gold pieces! As I live! Gold! gold!
[_He shakes the jar again; a shower of gold pieces fall._]
MERCHANT (_dropping the jar in astonishment_). A thousand pieces at least! The top of the jar only was laid with olives!
(_He puts the gold into his pockets._)
To-night, when my wife is asleep, I will fill the jar entirely with fresh olives, for these show they have been disturbed. And I will make up the jar so that no one, except Ali Cogia himself, will know they have been touched.
[Illustration: "A THOUSAND PIECES AT LEAST!"]
## SCENE II
TIME: _one month later; a moonlight night_. PLACE: _a small court opening upon a narrow street of Bagdad_.
* * * * *
THE CALIPH. THE GRAND VIZIER. FIRST CHILD, _who plays he is the Cauzee_[Footnote: A Mohammedan judge.] SECOND CHILD, _who plays he is the officer_. THIRD CHILD, _who plays he is Ali Cogia_. ZEYN, _who plays he is the Merchant_. TWO BOYS, _who play they are Olive Merchants_. MANY OTHER CHILDREN, _who look on_.
* * * * *
[_The_ CALIPH, _accompanied by his_ GRAND VIZIER, _enters the narrow street upon which the court opens. They are in disguise, appearing as merchants._]
CALIPH. Perhaps we may hear some talk of this affair of Ali Cogia and the merchant, as we go through the city to-night.
VIZIER. It is possible, O Commander of the true Believers! The affair has made a great noise in Bagdad.
CALIPH. Ali Cogia carried the merchant before the Cauzee, I believe.
VIZIER. Yes; he claimed that the merchant had taken from him one thousand pieces of gold.
CALIPH. Proceed; I would know all.
VIZIER. Ali Cogia left with this merchant, so he says, a jar in which he had placed this money. Upon his return, which was but yesterday, he went to the merchant, and, having received the jar, opened it. To his surprise he found that the gold, which he had hidden below a layer of olives, was no longer there.
CALIPH. Ah, that is what Ali Cogia says. What says the merchant?
VIZIER. The merchant made oath before the Cauzee that he did not know there was money in the jar, and so of course could not have taken it.
CALIPH. And the Cauzee dismissed the merchant, I believe.
VIZIER. Yes, Commander of the Faithful, the merchant was acquitted.
CALIPH. This Ali Cogia presented a petition to me to-day, and I promised to hear him to-morrow. Would that I could know the truth of the matter that I may give a just sentence!
[_They arrive at the court where several_ CHILDREN _are playing in the moonlight. The Caliph stops to watch them._]
FIRST CHILD. Let us play that the Cauzee is trying the Merchant.
SECOND CHILD (_joyfully_). Yes, yes!
THIRD CHILD (_joyfully_). Yes, yes!
ALL CHILDREN (_clapping their hands_). Yes, yes!
CALIPH (_softly to Vizier_). Let us sit on this bench. I would know what these children are playing.
[_They sit, but are not seen by children._]
FIRST CHILD (_taking his seat with great dignity_). I choose to be the Cauzee!
SECOND CHILD (_taking his place behind the Cauzee_). I choose to be the Officer!
THIRD CHILD. I choose to be Ali Cogia!
CAUZEE. Who chooses to be the Merchant?
[_Long pause; all the Children hang back._]
CAUZEE. Come, Zeyn, you be the Merchant.
ZEYN. Not I! The part does not please me.
OFFICER. Would you spoil everything, Zeyn?
ZEYN. Oh, well, then, I'll be the Merchant this time.
CAUZEE. Officer, bring in the accused and his accuser.
[_The Officer presents the Merchant and Ali Cogia before the Cauzee._]
CAUZEE. Ali Cogia, what charge have you to make against this Merchant?
ALI COGIA (_bowing_). Sir, when I journeyed from Bagdad seven years ago, I left with this Merchant a jar. Now, into this jar I had put, with some olives, a thousand pieces of gold. When I opened the jar, I found that it had been entirely filled with olives; the gold had disappeared. I beseech your honor that I may not lose so great a sum of money!
CAUZEE. Merchant, what have you to say to this charge?