KAMBO AND THE SINGING TURTLE. by MARCUS DARGAN. Based on a Pan-Afrikan Folktale

Transcription

1 AND THE SINGING TURTLE by MARCUS DARGAN Based on a Pan-Afrikan Folktale Marcus Dargan 219 West 144th St., #56 New York, NY (347) marcusdargan@yahoo.com

2 Cast of Characters (mm-cha-wee), a griot (musician), storyteller, and magician who narrates the story of Kambo and the Singing Turtle. CHILDREN, the chorus of children who listen to Mchawi tell his story as well as help him tell it by becoming the different characters and creating the scenery. (KAM-boh), a foolish child who creates a whole lot of trouble for himself after finding a singing turtle. (ah-zah-lee), a magical singing turtle who enjoys her pirvacy. (mah-sah-nee), Kambo's gap toothed sister, who treats him poorly. MUNORU (MOH-noh-roo),a fat frog who can only speak two words: croak and ribbit. (ah-kweh), the eldest female twin of Akwetee. E (ah-kway-the), the younger male twin of Akwete. AMIRIA (ah-mee-rah), the spoiled and temperamental princess of the village.

3 SCENE 1 ( enters playing a drum, while pulling a rustic cart filled with costumes and props he uses to tell his stories. He is followed by excited CHILDREN who surrounding him, calling his name, pleading for a story. raises his hands and the CHILDREN fall into an immediate silence. He brings his hands down, and all of the CHILDREN sit attentively around him. He begins drumming again as he chants.) I AM MMM-CHAWI MMM-CHAWI CHILDREN CHILDREN I am a griot. I create music. (The CHILDREN clap and dance to the drumming.) I am a magician. I make magic. (HE pulls his handkerchief, and a CHILD grabs hold of it and runs, pulling out a series of colorful scarves. The CHILDREN cheer.) I am a storyteller. I tell stories. (He stops drumming.) CHILDREN What story will you tell us today? Tell us about Anansi the Spider. No, tell the story of Yevi and the Monsters. Tell us why the leopard has spots. Why the lion roars. Why the snake has no legs. But you have all heard those stories before. Wouldn't you like to hear something new? Yes. CHILDREN

4 2. Well, this story isn't really new. I just haven't told it to you before. It is the story of Kambo and the Singing Turtle. CHILDREN Oh, I've heard this story before. You may have, but not from me? CHILDREN My grandmother told that story to me once. (Annoyed.) Well, then have your grandmother tell the story. I'll just go on about my business. (He makes to leave.) CHILDREN No! We want to hear you tell the story. For, you are the greatest storyteller. The greatest storyteller in the village. In the country. In the entire world! Greater than your grandmother? CHILDREN You are so much more better than my grandmother. Okay, I'll stay. (CHILDREN cheer.) But I won't be subject to anymore back talk. Got it? Got it! CHILDREN Good. Now, before I start, let me introduce to you to our main character Kambo. (He pulls out a costume for form his cart.) Now who would like to be Kambo? Me! Pick me! CHILDREN (MORE)

5 3. CHILDREN (CONT'D) I want to do it! No, pick me! I pick you. (He points to the child who will play.) You are a perfect Kambo. ( hands him the costume for.) Yes I am. I am a very talented actor and can play any role. And the lead role of Kambo would be perfect for me. You are the perfect child to play Kambo, because Kambo is a fool. A fool? (The CHILDREN laugh.) A fool that has always been unlucky in life. But I don't want to play a fool. You cannot change your mind. You are now Kambo the unlucky fool. (To the CHILDREN.) And why is Kambo called the unlucky fool? Because Kambo brings all of his bad luck upon himself, with the foolish choices he makes. And in the story of Kambo and the Singing Turtle, Kambo makes the most foolish choices of his life, which may cause him his death. Now I need some one to be the singing turtle. (No one answers.) No one wants to be the singing turtle? I see you have already begun to learn a lesson from Kambo. (He pulls out the costume for.) The singing turtle is not a fool like Kambo. The singing turtle is magical, wise, kind hearted and very talented. Her name is Azalee. (He gives the costume to the child who will play.) (MORE)

6 4. (CONT'D) I have introduced to you the two main characters. Now, let the magic of our story begin. SCENE 2 (Drumming begins as the CHILDREN create a jungle with items from s cart and by imitating the sounds of the jungle.) One day, many ages ago, Kambo got lost on his way home. ( walks as if through jungle.) He was very lost and very scared, because he did not know what lurked behind the trees of the jungle. Boo! Aaahhh! CHILDREN (The CHILDREN laugh as screams and hides behind a child acting as a rock.) Scared for his life, Kambo hides under a rock and decides to stay under there until his family finds him. While hiding under the rock, he hears footsteps. ( walks towards the rock, creeping slowly towards him. Getting closer and closer till finally, she stops right next to him. The drumming stops.) CHILDREN What happens next? Does the turtle eat him? Will they have a big fight to the death? Do not interrupt me while I tell my story or I will tell no story. CHILDREN Sorry Mchawi. And to answer your questions, no the turtle does not eat him, nor do they have a fight to the death, for this turtle is Azalee the singing turtle. She sings.

7 5. (A flute is played as sings.) TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE (From behind the rock.) Hello? Who's there?, CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE (He sticks his head out.) Is that you sister? Masani, is that you? (He spots.), CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE (Walking towards.) It's a singing turtle!, CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE (The music stops.) Are you a turtle? Yes. I am Azalee the turtle. And did I just hear you singing? Yes. I am Azalee the singing turtle. Are you by chance a man eating turtle? No, I sing. And are you a fighting turtle? No.

8 6. Good. Then I am safe with you. And what is your name? My name is Kambo, and I am lost. Where do you live? I live in the village with my family and friends. I think I know how to get to your village. You do? Can you lead me back there? Yes, but you must promise to let me go after we arrive and to tell no one that you have heard me sing. I'm not much for audiences, and I like my privacy. I promise. Okay then, follow me. (Drumming starts as they walk through the jungle, while narrates.) Azalee leads Kambo on his long journey home through the jungle. The journey is so long, because Azalee is a turtle and turtles don't walk very fast. Eventually, they make it back to Kambo's village and his home. (The drumming stops.) SCENE 3 (The CHILDREN prop up a hut that represents s home.) Thank you Azalee for helping me get home. No problem. It was my pleasure.

9 7. Would you like to come in and meet my sister Masani? No thank you. I must be getting back to my own home. Maybe you could stay for dinner. It's getting late. I really should get going. Could you at least sing me a song before you go? Well, okay. Just one song, then you must let me go as promised. Okay. (Flute plays as she sings.) TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE, CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE (The singing continues under 's narration.) Hearing the turtle sing once again, Kambo could not resist the idea of having his sister Masani hear it as well. You see, Masani always teased Kambo, and treated him like a fool. But if he possessed a singing turtle, she would have to respect him. So Kambo decided he would break his promise to Azalee and keep her captive. (The song finishes.) (Applauding.) That was beautiful. Just beautiful.

10 8. Thank you and now I really must be going. ( makes to exit.) (To himself.) Now is my chance. If I don't catch her now, she will walk into the jungle and escape. ( grabs a giant sack from the cart and captures in it.) I'm sorry Azalee, but I can't let you go. I just have to show you off to my sister. (Calling to offstage.) Masani! Masani! Come here quickly! ( pulls a costume and gives it to the child who will be.) What do you want? I distinctly remember asking you never to call me, never to use my name, and never to look for me again. Didn't I leave you in the jungle to be lost forever? Yes you did, but I had a guide show me the way back home. Well, good for you. I'm going back to sleep. No wait. Don't you want to meet my guide? No. But it's a turtle. So what? A singing turtle. A singing what? Turtle. And her name is Azalee. Turtles can't sing and turtles don't have names.

11 9. This one does. Kambo, you are a fool. I am going. No, wait. (He pulls off the sack, revealing.) Okay, Azalee. Do your thing. (The flute plays, yet does not sing.) Come on, sing. (Still she does nothing.) Maybe she needs a little encouragement. (He claps, but does not respond.) I don't know what's wrong. She was just singing a minute ago. (Sarcastically.) I think I know what's wrong. Maybe she won't sing because she's a turtle. Maybe she won't sing because she doesn't like you. Well, I don't have to stand here and take this kind of abuse from a fool and his non-singing turtle. (As soon as exits, the Flute plays and sings.) TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE Masani, come back! She's singing now!, CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE I'll go find my friends. They'll believe me. (The singing continues as puts the sack back over s head and exits.), CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE

12 10. (Hearing the singing, returns.) Who is that singing? Kambo is that you?, CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE Where is that singing coming from? (She removes the sack and discovers singing.), CHILDREN TROUBLE DOES NOT LOOK FOR MAN IT IS MAN WHO LOOKS FOR TROUBLE (The music stops.) Oh, my! A singing turtle! Kambo was right for once. Hi, my name is Azalee. And she talks too. You must be Masani, Kambo's sister. And she knows my name. Would you like to be my friend? Of course. You re a singing turtle. Who wouldn't want to be your friend? Do you wanna play a game? No. I want to show you off to all of my friends. Then I will be the most popular girl in the village, because I ll have a singing turtle. I would love to sing for you and your friends.

13 11. Let's go then. But, first I think I should get cleaned up. It was a long journey here to your village and I've been trapped in this bag for a while now. I'm pretty dirty. You don't want to present me while I'm all dirty, do you? No, I do not. You must be perfectly clean. Everything must be perfect for your grand debut. Why don't you take me down to the river, so I can take a quick bath? Hmm, that sounds like an excellent idea. Let's go. ( and walk as if traveling to the river. The chanting stops as drumming begins and the CHILDREN take down the hut and create a river with streams of blue material.) SCENE 4 (Over the drumming.) Masani and Azalee go down to the river to clean Azalee up for her big debut. Masani is totally unaware that Azalee has tricked her and plans to make an escape. When they make it to the river, Masani places Azalee in the water, and as soon as she lets her go (The drumming stops and the CHILDREN gasp.) Azalee swims away quickly, deep into the river so that Masani can not catch her. No! You tricked me stupid turtle. Now what am I to do? I've lost my singing turtle. Correction, you've lost Kambo's singing turtle.

14 12. That's right. It was Kambo's turtle. And he's going to return home pretty soon and look for his turtle. I'd better replace it. But where would I find another singing turtle? I don't know. Please, Mchawi. You've got to help me. Let me see what I have. (He goes to his cart and pulls out costume for MUNORU, a frog. He gives it to the child who plays MUNORU.) How about a Frog? His name is Munoru. Does he sing? No. Does he dance? No. Does he do anything? He can speak. He can? That's fantastic. Okay, speak Munoru. Ribbit. MUNORU Does he say anything else? I don't know. Ask him. Munoru, can you say anything else? Croak. MUNORU

15 13. Is that all you can say, "Croak and ribbit?" MUNORU Ribbit. Croak. Don't you have anything else? That is all I have. Then it will have to do. Get in the sack Munoru. We are going home. (They exit.) SCENE 5 (The CHILDREN gather around as he narrates.) Masani takes Munoru the frog home with her and leaves him where Kambo had left Azalee, hoping that Kambo won't notice the difference when he returns. Meanwhile, Kambo has gone to visit his friends, the twins Akwete and Akwetee, to tell them of his singing turtle. (Entering.) Akwete! Akwetee! Where are you! ( pulls out costumes and gives them to the children who will play and E.) I am here! E I am here too! I am so glad I found you both. I have something to tell you. Have you grown fins to swim underwater like a fish? E Or have you grown wings to make you fly like a bird?

16 14. No, I tried to do all of that last week. I have something better than that., E Well, what is it? I have in my possession Yes., E A most magnificent beast Yes., E That can do the most magnificent thing., E Well, what is it? Are you ready for this? Yes!, E It is a turtle that can sing., E (They both look at each other in confusion for a moment, then burst out in laughter.) A turtle that can sing? Impossible! E Unbelievable! Ridiculous! E Highly unlikely! But it is true. And I can prove it.

17 15. Then prove it. E Where is your turtle? She is at home, in a sack. I left her there, and I will bring you to her. She sings the most beautiful song, though it is only one song she sings. If this is true E And if you have found a singing turtle Then you will no longer be known as Kambo the Fool. E You will be known as Kambo the Great, master of the singing turtle. But, if this is another one of your tall tales E You will be shunned forever And, forever known as Kambo the Great Fool. E The Greatest Fool., E The Greatest Fool that Ever Lived! I promise you that I am telling the truth. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth. Come see for yourself. Okay. We will. E But first we must go tell the princess, Amira.

18 16. Excellent idea. Once Amira hears my singing turtle, she will give me great honors. Maybe she will even fall in love with me and make me her prince. You go and get your turtle ready. AKWETTE We'll go get the princess. And we'll all meet back at my house. ( and E exit.) Kambo. (Kambo looks around for the voice calling him.) Kambo, over here. Oh, hello Mchawi. Kambo? Yes? Do you remember your promise you made to Azalee? Well, I promised to let her go once she showed me home. And what was your other promise to her? I can't remember. Think hard Kambo. Oh, I don't know. You promised not to tell anyone that she can sing.

19 17. Oh, yeah. I did promise that didn't I? Yes, you did. And yet you have told many people about her. I did, didn't I? Well? Well, what? You have broken your promise to Azalee. Don't you feel bad? Not really. I mean, I will let her go like I promised, but, after she sings for the princess. I said I'd let her go after she took me home. I didn't say how soon I would let her go. And what of your promise not to tell of her singing? That was a mistake. An honest mistake. I really didn't mean to tell anyone, it just kinda slipped out. Anyway, what's the big deal if a few people know that she can sing? I mean, what's the worse that can happen? ( shrugs and exits.) Poor Kambo. What a fool he is. He has no idea what trouble is waiting for him back at home. SCENE 6 (The CHILDREN rebuild s hut. and MUNORU, with the bag still over HIS head, enter and wait for s return.) Now, listen Munoru. Kambo will be home any minute. Just act natural and he won t notice the difference.

20 18. Ribbit- MUNORU And don t speak. ( enters.) Oh, Kambo. It's so nice to see you. Did you have a nice walk? Nice to see me? Since when has it been so nice for you to see me? Oh, I don't know. I've just been sitting here thinking about how bad I've treated you over the years. And I asked myself, "Masani, why do you treat your brother Kambo so poorly?" And I couldn't think of one reason why I treat you so bad. I mean, besides that fact that you are a fool. And I said to myself, "Masani, from now on, you are going to treat your brother with the love and respect he deserves." And from that moment on, I made a vow to treat you with the love and respect you truly deserve. (After an awkward beat.) What did you do? Nothing... Nothing... Why do you ask? Cause you're talking all nice and junk to me, and the last time you were nice to me, you were trying to make up for killing my dog Bobo. Bobo is not dead. He's just asleep, for a very long time. Azalee... Azalee? Azalee, my singing turtle! You did something to Azalee! Oh, Azalee your singing turtle.

21 19. How could you forget about a singing turtle? Where is she? I would assume she is right there in the bag you left her in. But, of course, I wouldn't know. I had forgotten that you even left her here. ( removes the sack, revealing MUNORU.) Oh, no! What have you done? I didn't do anything. It's a frog! A frog! Oh, I forgot to tell you. I accidentally lost Azalee. How do you lose a singing turtle? They are as slow as any other turtle! I accidentally let her go in the river. In the river? And you call me a fool? Well, I'm sorry. Sorry? You replaced her with a frog! Ribbit. MUNORU Well, that was the best I could do. Croak. MUNORU, E (From offstage.) Kambo. Kambo where are you?

22 20. Oh, no! Who's looking for you? Its Akwete and Akwetee. They are coming to see Azalee. Well, just tell them that she's not here. But they have brought the princess with them. Do you mean, Amira, the princess of our village? Yes. And she has come to see the singing turtle? Yes. You're in big trouble. Me? Listen sister, you lost Azalee, so you are in this just as deep as I am. ( and enter. and place MUNORU back in the sack.) There you are Kambo. E Why didn't you answer when we called? You are alone? Please tell me the princess couldn't make it. Of course she can make it.

23 21. E Who would miss a singing turtle? ( gives costume to the child who will play.) I am Amira, princess of the village. And I have come to see this great singing turtle that I have heard so much about. Welcome Princess Amira. It is an honor to have you visit me. Are you Kambo, the master of this singing turtle? ( mutters something.) Speak up. I can't hear you. Yes, I am Kambo. And what of your singing turtle? Well, she is Warming up! That's right! She's warming up. She can't sing in front of royalty without being properly warmed up. You know? ( He sings.) ME, ME, ME, ME I will not wait for a turtle to warm up. If she can sing, then that alone is so amazing, that I will not judge her if she is not properly warmed up. But, if she doesn't warm up, her voice will croak. Croak! MUNORU What was that?

24 22. See what I told you? If she doesn't warm up properly, she sings as if she has a frog in her throat. But that noise came from that sack. E What's in the sack? (Leading MUNORU offstage.) It's nothing. Keep it moving folks. Nothing to see here. Is that your singing turtle? No. It's a Sack of grains! That's right it's a sack of grains! With feet? You must think I'm a fool. Remove that sack at once. I assure you, it is not my singing turtle. Remove the sack! (They remove the sack, revealing MUNORU.) Ribbit. MUNORU That is not a singing turtle. E It's not even a turtle. It's a frog! Do you think I don't know the difference between a turtle and a frog?

25 23. But, this is not just any frog. It is a talking frog. A talking frog? E That is as fantastic as a singing turtle. Make him speak. Okay. I shall ask him a question. What is another word for "to die?" Ribbit? MUNORU No, "to die." Another word for "to die." Oh. Croak. MUNORU ( and applaud, while MUNORU bows. ) Very good, very good. See, I told you he could talk. Thank you for coming. It's been real. Wait a minute! ( walks up to MUNORU and inspects him, while and MANASI look on nervously. ) That was amazing! A talking frog! ( applauds.) Wait a minute! E That's not a talking frog. He can only say two words. E Croak and rabbit. MUNORU Ribbit Croak

26 24. You have tricked me. You have brought me here to see a singing turtle, and have presented me with an average frog. He doesn't sing. He doesn't speak. He doesn't do anything. For trying to make a fool of me, I hereby punish you to death by drowning! Take him to the river! (Fierce drumming is played, as pleads for his life. and E grab hold of him and drag him to the river whish is quickly made by the CHILDREN.) SCENE 7 (Over the drumming, reading from a scroll.) As by royal credence of Princess Amira, Kambo has been found guilty of lying to her royal highness and of trying to make a fool of her. As his punishment, he is to be drowned in the river. Though this punishment may be deemed a little extreme, it has been ordered by the princess, thus it must be carried out. (The drumming stops.) Kambo, do you have any last words? Yes, I do. Ever since I met Azalee, I have been fascinated by her beautiful singing. However, it is not until this moment, when I am about to be drowned to the death, that I have fully realized the words of her song: "Trouble does not look for man. It is man who looks for trouble." I have learned that all of the trouble that has lead up to this point was caused by my own actions. I could have avoided this whole dilemma if I had only stayed true to my promise to Azalee, but my greed and selfishness got in the way. For this I am sorry, and I accept my responsibility and my punishment. Even though it may be a little extreme. That was beautiful. (She wipes a dramatic tear from her eye.) Now drown him!

27 25. Before we execute little black Kambo, would anyone like to say any last words in his regard? CHILDREN Nope. Nada. Just kill him. Get it over with. (Clearing his throat.) I said, would anyone like to say any last words in his regard? Oh, you mean me. Nope, I'm good. Azalee! Okay, Okay You don't have to yell. I hear you. (With very little enthusiasm.) Hi. I am Azalee the singing turtle. I'm a turtle, and I sing. Kambo was not lying to you. I really am a singing turtle. I just got away. But he learned his lesson. So can you please let him go? Azalee What? I said please. What more do you want from me? Maybe you should sing us a song, to prove that you can sing. Look, I talked. A talking turtle. It's obvious that if I could talk, then I can sing. Princess Amira, Is that good enough for you. Yes it is. You may set Kambo free. (They all cheer.)

28 26. Now that I am set free and have been proven honest by my singing turtle, will you marry me? I am too young to get married, but I will go out with you on a date. There is nothing cuter than a boy with a talking turtle. (Exuberant drumming begins as They all dance.) (Over drumming.) And so my story ends of Kambo and the Singing Turtle. Kambo has learned his lesson, and is no longer regarded as a fool. He actually grows up to be a great warrior, and soon wins the heart of Princess Amira, whom he weds, thus becoming Prince Kambo. His sister Masani no longer teases him and treats him with love and respect, like a sister should. The twins Akwete and Akwetee grow up to be great counselors to the royal family. And Azalee, floats away in the river, never to return again. This was the first and the last time man has ever heard of a turtle singing. MUNORU What about me? Why you are an average frog. You do what all frogs do. Eat flies and die. MUNORU Sounds good to me. Sounds good to me too. (They all form a dance circle. Each child takes a turn dancing in the middle and then taking their bow. Curtain.)