"Earth, while I am yet alive,
It is upon you that I put my trust,
Earth, who receives my body...
We are addressing you,
And you will understand."
- ASHANTI.
ADAMELE - A Hunter.
RHEDA -
A Deer.
YINKA -
A Village woman.
BABU -
An elder and Holy Man.
TUKA -
The Bird God. (When he speaks it is as if more than
one voice spoke)
EFO
- A Neighbor of Yinka's.
NARRATOR
FX: JUNGLE BIRD CALLS, ANIMAL SHRIEKS &
CICADAS. THEN A FURIOUS BEATING OF WINGS AS A
HUGE BIRD ALIGHTS ON A TREE TOP. THE OTHER
NOISES BECOME STILL. A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
THE NOISES ARE SLOWLY STARTING UP AGAIN WHEN A
DISTANT KEENING OF WOMEN'S VOICES AGAIN STILLS
THEM. THE KEENING (MAY BE A RECORDING)
BECOMES LOUDER AND CONTINUES AT VARYING LEVELS
OF INTENSITY BENEATH THE NARRATOR'S SPEECH.
NARRATOR: Death has come to the village again. The
hunter Adamele has lost his beloved young
wife. Her body, wrapped in white robes, is
placed beneath a mound of stones in the
graveyard in the forest. (PAUSE)
What words
of comfort can Babu, the holy man, offer as he
takes the dried cake from his attendant and,
holding it over the stones, crushes it to
powder?
(FX: A DRY CRACKLE)
BABU:
(SPOKEN - NOT INTONED) Oh M'Tobe -
Our Sister begins her long journey,
Taking nothing with her;
Where she is going she will need nothing.
Watch over her M'Tobe -
For she is once more a frightened child,
And will weep in your world,
As she wept here.
Take her in your arms M'Tobe,
And calm her fears.
(THE WOMEN'S KEENING BECOMES LOUDER AS BABU
STOPS SPEAKING. FX: STONES BEING TIPPED FROM
BASKETS UPON STONE.)
ADAMELE: (A LOUD GROAN OF RAGE AND GRIEF.)
BABU: Come Adamele, this grief
is not manly. Come
back to the village. There is nothing for you
here. Come, leave the women to their sorrows.
We men must make preparations for the new day.
We cannot afford the luxury of grief.
ADAMELE: Why? Why is it so? Why must-
BABU:
(INTERRUPTING) Come, you know better than to
ask such things. Let me take you home. The
darkness approaches and only the women must be
here when the last light leaves the forest.
(THE WOMEN'S KEENING RECEDES AS THE PAIR WALK
AWAY) You will remain in mourning for a time
of course. But then we must see about finding
you a new wife. She'll soon take your mind
off-
ADAMELE: (INTERRUPTING) No! I will never re-marry!
BABU: But you have no
choice. It is the custom of
our people and the-
ADAMELE: (INTERRUPTING) And
the will of M'Tobe. I
know. But I cannot bear the thought of
another woman in my arms! All my hopes are
back there!
BABU: No-one's hope
is the grave my boy. That is
our only certainty. But no-one hopes to take
the path before their time. You can return
tomorrow if you wish, but she will have left
by then. There'll not be much point. But now
you must join us in the prayers for a good
hunt.
ADAMELE: Must I join the hunt tomorrow?
BABU: Adamele! I am
surprised at you. Grief is a
private meal. You will have to face its taste
alone. But the food of our people must be
gathered by all!
ADAMELE: You are right Babu, forgive me.
BABU: There is no need.
Come we must hurry,
darkness falls.
( SILENCE. [HERE MAY BE SUNG THE SONGAPPENDED]
THEN FX: JUNGLE SOUNDS RESUME AND
THE NOISE OF SOME ANIMALS MOVING THROUGH THE
UNDERGROWTH. NARRATOR SPEAKS)
NARRATOR: The funeral was observed by some deer who had
come to graze at the edge of the forest. Now
most of the animals have left to seek a place
to pass the night. But one doe still eyes the
silently weeping women with a puzzled
expression and shakes her head. Then she is
gently butted by a fellow doe who has returned
to fetch her. (PAUSE) And watching
from his
tree top perch, Tuka the bird-god smiles
before taking to the air.
(A MIGHTY BEATING OF WINGS. MUSIC - POWERFUL,
RHYTHMIC BUT WITH A POIGNANT MELODY)
NARRATOR: The next evening the god watches as the young
hunter returns to weep over the stones and the
young doe returns to shake her head at the
man's tears. It is a scene he will watch with
amusement for many nights until one night the
exhausted Adamele drops into sleep on the
grave and the doe dares to approach closer.
(FX: SOFT CLATTER OF HOOVES ON STONES.
SNIFFING. BREATHING. SILENCE.)
NARRATOR: All that night the doe kept her vigil until at
dawn she sprung back into the forest as the
first light awoke the young hunter. Adamele
weary and stiff and troubled by strange dreams
rose and took the path to the village,
forgetting his bow. Once he had gone the doe
again came out of hiding only to be startled
by a voice from above.
TUKA: (SHOUTED
DOWN FROM ON HIGH) Are you not
Rheda, the speckled one?
RHEDA: (HESITANT) Yes.
TUKA: It's alright. You can talk.
RHEDA: Who are you?
TUKA: I am Tuka.
RHEDA: Tuka! Tuka of the mountains?
Tuka of the
plains?
TUKA: Tuka of the rivers and lakes. The same.
RHEDA: Then I may speak with you.
TUKA: Yes, ordinary animals
are only forbidden to
talk to other than their kind by an old
convention of my father's. He's a stickler
for tradition. But I am at least half as
powerful as he these days. But wait, I will
come down.
(FX: AN UNFOLDING OF WINGS AND A RUSH OF
AIR.)
TUKA: So tell me Rheda, why
do you stand here alone
beside this pile of stones? There is no grass
among the rocks. There is nothing to feed on
but stillness and that feeds only those
prepared for the feast. How is it that I find
you in the place of all hunters?
RHEDA: I mean no harm Tuka. But
I am puzzled by many
things.
TUKA: Puzzled little speckled
one? Puzzled by these
stones?
RHEDA: No Tuka. For the stones speak
for themselves.
But it is the woman who lay beneath these
stones and the man whose tears water them that
bewilder me.
TUKA: What do you find perplexing little one?
RHEDA: My people do not chant for their
dead. My
people do not mourn for their dead. When the
lion bears its claw -
Or the hyena its teeth -
The deer who is prepared runs slower -
And yet slower.
When our mates fall to the arrow -
When the vultures cease to circle -
We forage for food with our young.
Why then does this man stand alone?
Why does he burden the stones
With his tears?
TUKA: Of all the animals in
the forest, you alone
have questioned these things. But you cannot
know the answers. Therefore go back to your
people and ask no more. (PAUSE)
Unless....
RHEDA: Unless?
TUKA: No, no, it is too dangerous.
Besides it
hasn't been done for.... No, no, best
forgotten.
RHEDA: Oh tell me Tuka, do you already
know the
answers to my questions?
TUKA: Yes, in a way.
But I cannot explain it to
you. For as a deer you are unprepared to
understand the ways of men. Or to comprehend
his place in the dance of the forest.
RHEDA: But what if I were not a deer... But a woman?
TUKA: (LAUGHS
- A CACKLE -) So little one, you know
the secret of the skin. You have asked many
questions, haven't you?
RHEDA: Then it is true! We can all change our forms.
TUKA: No, no that is
not true. We cannot all change
our forms. It is something only a few can do.
Something only a few can be allowed to do.
RHEDA: Do you think I would be allowed
to become a
woman Tuka?
TUKA: I cannot answer that.
But you can. You have
taken the first step. You have asked
questions. And now you must receive answers
or you will be so lost in thought that you
will fall prey to the weakest of hyena.
Rheda, your questions are your answers. Since
you know change is possible and have proved it
essential, there is nothing to prevent you
from becoming a woman and walking in the man's
world.
RHEDA: What do I do?
TUKA: (SINGS)
The leopard once changed his spots.
And frightened, became a lamb.
The snake would not shed his skin
And so became a man.
I must go now little one. Do you understand
my song?
RHEDA: Yes, yes I do! Thank you
Tuka. But tell me
where would it be best to go to find out the
answers to my questions?
TUKA: Go to the town.
Seek out the market. Do not
be drawn into it. Stand and observe. Listen
to the conversation. Then go to the hunter's
village. Many things will appear strange but
perhaps you will then understand. But be
careful little one, I'm not sure you will like
all that you find.
(FX: A MIGHTY BEATING OF WINGS AND A SWIRLING
RUSHING WIND. NARRATOR'S SPEECH OVER IT)
NARRATOR: (ALMOST SHOUTING)
Adamele, returning to pick
up his forgotten bow was astounded to see a
doe stood on its hind legs over the grave and
spinning in a shaft of blinding light.
(FX: THE WIND HOWLS AND WHIRLS. MUSIC
SWIRLS. THEN SILENCE.)
NARRATOR: (QUIETLY) Where a deer
had stood before, now
stood a beautiful young girl who unsteadily
stepped down from the mound and placed
something beneath some of the stones.
(FX: STONES BEING MOVED.)
NARRATOR: Adamele ducked back behind a bush as the girl
approached the path. Then after she passed, he
crossed the clearing to retrieve his bow. His
curiosity conquered his fear of disturbing the
grave and he removed the stones that Rheda had
placed over her precious deer skin. Stuffing
it under his arm he furtively glanced around
before hurrying back to the village.
Circling high above, Tuka the bird-god started
to laugh.
(FX: THE GOD'S LAUGH REVERBERATES AND
INCREASES IN VOLUME. CROSSFADE TO: AFRICAN
MUSIC. OVER WHICH WE HEAR SOUNDS OF TOWN.
CAR HORNS, SHOUTING. TRADERS ARGUING, ETC.
CROSSFADE AFTER SOME SECONDS TO THE SOUNDS OF
THE JUNGLE)
RHEDA: Tuka? Tuka I have returned!
Tuka are you
there?
(SILENCE - THEN DISTANT ANIMAL CALLS)
RHEDA: Oh I wish he was here. (PAUSE)
But he is a
god. He will hear me though he isn't here.
Oh Tuka, tell me, what right has man to mourn?
The life that clings to his meat is soured by
spite, savagery and selfish demands. Who
could lament the loss of such a life? Who
would not be glad their loved ones had left
such a cruel and uncaring emptiness? (PAUSE)
I
only went to their market Tuka. I did not go
to the hunter's village. I have seen them in
public and I have no heart to witness their
private quarrels and exploitations. Thank the
gods I can escape from it all.
(FX: STONES BEING MOVED. AT FIRST SLOWLY THEN
WITH MOUNTING URGENCY.)
RHEDA: (FRANTIC)
No! No! NO! It is gone. My skin
has gone! I can never return! (SHE STARTS TO
WEEP. AFTER SOME SECONDS CUT TO NARRATOR.)
NARRATOR: Adamele, watching from the trees, where he had
waited all afternoon, chose his moment.
ADAMELE: (COMING FORWARD AS HE SPEAKS)
Young woman!
How dare you defile the graves of the dead!
RHEDA: (CONTROLLING HER SOBS) I was.. I mean..
ADAMELE: Are you not ashamed that you, a stranger to
this place, should act in so callous a manner?
Think of the relatives! Imagine their horror
if they could witness this scene!
RHEDA: (STILL UPSET)
I'm sorry. But you see I left
something important here.
ADAMELE: (OUTRAGED) Beneath the stones?
RHEDA: Yes. I knew no-one would
disturb it there.
Oh, but now someone has stolen it! I am
condemned! Condemned. (SHE SOBS AGAIN.)
ADAMELE: (CONCILIATORY) There, there.
Don't cry. What
could be so important to demand such tears?
RHEDA: Oh sir, without it I shall never
be able to
return home. (MORE SOBS)
ADAMELE: Hey, hey. It's alright. It can't be far,
whatever it is. Perhaps someone in my village
found it and took it home.
RHEDA: Oh sir, do you think it possible?
ADAMELE: Now, now, no need to call me sir. My name is
Adamele. What is your name pretty one?
RHEDA: (RECOVERING A LITTLE) My name is Rheda, sir.
ADAMELE: (CORRECTING HER) Adamele.
RHEDA: Oh yes, Adamele.
ADAMELE: Well, Rheda, let me ask you something. What
had made you so upset before you searched for
your.. whatever it is.
RHEDA: Before?
ADAMELE: Yes, before? I was coming to place
remembrances on... on one of the graves and I
heard you lamenting. I did not listen to all
you said, of course, that would have been
indiscreet, but your voice expressed such
sadness that I could not help but wonder what
painful memory drove you to such despair.
RHEDA: (DESPERATE)
If only I could tell you
everything Adamele... and release my burden.
ADAMELE: Then tell me Rheda. You are a stranger here.
Have you run away from an unhappy home?
RHEDA: No. Nothing like that.
It's just. You see I
am a bush girl. My family live deep in the
forest. We lived a simple carefree life, but
one day I became foolishly curious to see the
world of men... of other men. I would not
rest until I was allowed to venture down the
forest paths and visit the town.
ADAMELE: Is that where you had been when I found you?
RHEDA: Yes, I went into the town..
to the market.
Oh life is so different there! So many people
jostling each other and such greed on their
faces and envy in their eyes. That is why I
want to return home. I know I will never
forget those faces. But I will no longer
remember them in the welcome embrace of those
I know and love.
ADAMELE: And your curiosity?
RHEDA: I have learned my lesson there.
When I get
home I will.. When I get home.. (BREAKING
DOWN) Oh without my skin I will never get
home!
ADAMELE: Skin?
RHEDA: Yes.. er.. The path to my
village is drawn on
the skin. That is why it is so important that
I find it.
ADAMELE: I tell you what Rheda. It must have been
found by one of the villagers. Why don't you
come home with me and while I make enquiries
you can rest and get something to eat.
RHEDA: Thank you Adamele, that is very
kind of you.
I am a little hungry. But do you think you
will find out who took it?
ADAMELE: I am certain of it. Now then, come on, dry
your eyes. It is only a short walk to my
village.
(FX: A BEATING OF WINGS. CROSSFADES INTO
INTERIOR YINKA'S HUT. FX: A POUNDING OF
YAMS. IN A PAUSE - FX: A RUSH MAT DOOR SWEPT
ASIDE)
EFO:
(AT DOORWAY) Good morning neighbour Yinka, am
I disturbing you?
YINKA: Efo! Good morning.
No, of course not. These
Yams can wait. (POUNDING STOPS)
Won't you
sit down?
EFO:
(COMING IN) Ooof, I'd rather stand. I have
been squatting on my haunches all morning
doing the washing.
YINKA: I'll make us a drink, eh?
EFO: No need to bother on my account.
YINKA: Oh, right. (PAUSE)
Well.. the weather has
been fine these last few weeks. It should be
a good harvest.
EFO:
A good harvest... yes.. (PAUSE) Yinka
my
friend, I will come straight to the point.
YINKA: Ah, that sounds serious.
EFO: You
realize that I am not one to spread
gossip.
YINKA: (EXAGGERATEDLY INCREDULOUS) Of course not.
EFO:
But, well, you know that your betrothed to
Adamele and will be marrying him after the
mourning period..
YINKA: It had come to my notice, yes.
(PAUSE) Oh,
nothing's happened to him has it?
EFO:
Not exactly. It's just that. Well, I may as
well tell you before someone with less concern
for your welfare does. Last night he brought
home a stranger. A young woman.. Quite
pretty by all accounts. Anyway she stayed all
night.
YINKA: At Adamele's house?
EFO: Where else?
YINKA: Who is she?
EFO: Nobody knows.
YINKA: Perhaps she is his cousin.
EFO: (SKEPTICAL)
Well, that's a possibility, I
suppose.
YINKA: Thank you for telling me Efo.
But Adamele is
coming here this afternoon and I'm sure he
would have told me himself.
EFO:
Don't be too sure with these men my friend.
My Olu went hunting one day and got himself
caught by some slut from the town. Imagine
leaving our village and such a faithful wife
for her. Huh, men!
YINKA: Yes. (EXAGGERATED)
Whatever could have
possessed him?
(FX: A BEATING OF WINGS. CROSSFADE TO
INTERIOR - ADAMELE'S HUT. RUSH MAT DOOR
RUSTLES.)
ADAMELE: (COMING IN - WHISPERS) Rheda? Rheda?
RHEDA: (MOANS AND YAWNS) Oh I was tired.
ADAMELE: Here, I have brought you some breakfast.
RHEDA: Thank you Adamele.
ADAMELE: Did you sleep well?
RHEDA: Yes. Though I did have some
unpleasant
dreams.
ADAMELE: Well, they're nothing to worry about. Here
eat up.
RHEDA: (WORRIED) What is this?
ADAMELE: My people call it gary. The sauce is palm
oil and groundnuts. (PAUSE) Before
you ask.
I have made enquiries all over the village, but nobody has
seen it at all. I'm afraid an animal must
have scented the hide and dragged it off into
the forest.
RHEDA: But the stones would have been disturbed.
ADAMELE: Er, yes. I suppose they would have. How
strange.
RHEDA: You have asked everyone?
ADAMELE: Everyone.
RHEDA: Then I shall never be able to return home.
ADAMELE: It's not as bad as that. One of our chiefs
goes to pay homage to the Oba today.
I'll have him spread your story throughout the forest.
Then when your people hear where you are
they will send someone to fetch you.
RHEDA: I'm afraid it won't be that simple.
ADAMELE: Of course it will. In the meantime, you can
stay here if you like.
RHEDA: But won't I get in the way?
ADAMELE: Not at all. I'll enjoy having you here.
Besides, if you feel awkward you can always
make yourself useful.
RHEDA: Adamele. Since I have slept
I can think more
clearly and I can tell you that if my skin is
not found I can never return to my people.
ADAMELE: Never? Why?
RHEDA: Do not ask me why.
For I cannot tell you.
Please accept what I say as true.
ADAMELE: Alright. But the skin may still be found you
know.
RHEDA: But if it isn't?
ADAMELE: I would ask you to stay here... as my wife.
RHEDA: As your wife?
ADAMELE: I know it sounds... Well, I know it is
a bit
sudden, but...(PAUSE)
RHEDA: Adamele, I don't know what to say.
ADAMELE: Then don't say anything. I don't expect your
answer yet. Your skin may be found and you
may yet return to your people. But in a few
days... Perhaps then you will give me your
answer.
RHEDA: Yes, perhaps then.
ADAMELE: Come, drink up. It's fresh this morning.
RHEDA: (DRINKS.
THEN PUTS BOWL DOWN) Is it fitting
that I stay here. I mean if I am to be your..
I mean, if you seek me for a wife.
ADAMELE: Of course. It would be different if you were
from this village, but since you aren't, we
are not breaking custom. Anyway the wives
will gossip whether you stay here or not.
RHEDA: Adamele, you have been very kind.
ADAMELE: Nonsense. I'm just doing what any man would
to help another human being.
RHEDA: It is so reassuring to hear
you say that.
After the market and..
ADAMELE: Rheda. Look, what you saw yesterday is the
way of the townsfolk. Here in the village we
have no desire to lie and cheat. You'll get
to like it here. I know you will. (PAUSE)
Now, I must go. (FROM DOORWAY)
Rheda..
RHEDA: Yes?
ADAMELE: (SOUND OF A KISS BEING BLOWN) I'll see you soon.
(FX: REED MAT CLOSES. SILENCE)
RHEDA: Oh Tuka, I don't understand it.
I don't
understand any of it. It was all so simple
yesterday. Now what shall I do?
NARRATOR: But Tuka, though he heard her from afar, did
not reply, though he frightened a flight of
migrating swallows with his laugh.
(FX: EXTERIOR - TUKA'S LAUGH. CROSSFADE
TO
INTERIOR - YINKA'S HUT. SOUND OF SOMEONE
WORKING ON A TAPESTRY.
YINKA: Why is it I can never get the lines
straight?
My mother was such a good seamstress. I wish
it ran in the family.
(SWISH OF RUSH MAT.)
ADAMELE: Good Morning Yinka. I hope I'm not too early.
YINKA: (SHE
STOPS WORKING) How could you be Adamele?
Come in. Don't just stand there. Sit down.
(PAUSE) Well, how are you today?
ADAMELE: Fine, fine. (PAUSE) Yourself?
YINKA: Well, well. (PAUSE)
You don't seem yourself
this morning Adamele.
ADAMELE: How so?
YINKA: As if you had something on your mind.
ADAMELE: No. Nothing. It's nothing.
YINKA: Surely you can tell me, your betrothed.
ADAMELE: Yinka, I... (PAUSE)
YINKA: (QUIETLY) Then she's not your cousin.
ADAMELE: You've heard then?
YINKA: This is a small village Adamele.
As well you
should know. (PAUSE) Who is she?
ADAMELE: She's just a girl in trouble who I found in
the forest.
YINKA: In trouble eh?
ADAMELE: Not that kind of trouble. She's lost.
YINKA: A big girl like her, lost?
ADAMELE: I know it sounds foolish. But she comes from
a place deep in the forest.
YINKA: And you two just happened
to stumble across
each other in the bush. Alright Adamele.
If you won't tell me who the girl is, you
might at least inform me as to her plans. And
your intentions towards her for that matter.
(SLIGHT PAUSE) I think I have the right to
know.
ADAMELE: Yinka, you know I find it hard talking to you and...
YINKA: Then just answer me one question.
A simple
yes or no will do. Does her arrival affect
us?
ADAMELE: Not really.
YINKA: With you that means yes.
I can't understand
it Adamele. The girl's a complete stranger.
You can't possibly expect to marry her.
(SILENCE) So it is serious then.
Have you
asked the girl? (PAUSE) I said
have you
asked the girl to marry you.
ADAMELE: (SHEEPISHLY) Yes.
YINKA: And what did she say?
ADAMELE: She said she would give me her answer in a few days.
YINKA: And in the meantime she's going
to spend the
long nights under your roof. Really Adamele,
has she no shame? And you? You surely can't
have much respect for the girl if that is how
you treat her.
ADAMELE: She's a stranger. Our customs only apply to
our own people.
YINKA: And am I not of your own people?
By all the
gods, I ought to break your neck. Here I am
following custom, waiting for the end of the
mourning period. Do you think I do not long
to share your bed these long nights? You
think I do not wish to feel your arms around
me. I cannot believe you would be so cruel.
ADAMELE: (SURPRISED) Yinka!
I didn't know. I mean I
thought you were marrying me because of
custom. I had no idea. I thought-
YINKA: (INTERRUPTING)
Thought! That's the one thing
you obviously didn't do. Anyway what's so
special about this girl that you suddenly want
to marry her?
ADAMELE: I love her Yinka.
YINKA: Love? How long have you known her?
ADAMELE: I only met her yesterday, but-
YINKA: Yesterday! And you think
you love her. Huh!
Does she think she loves you?
ADAMELE: Yinka. You could not understand. She is
fresh and innocent. She moves with the
natural grace of someone for whom this world
is a wonderful new experience. She is raw and
innocent like a new born child.
YINKA: Nonsense. She is putting
it all on to ensnare
you. She is just a woman Adamele!
ADAMELE: No she... (HE STOPS)
YINKA: (SENSING SOMETHING) What do you mean?
ADAMELE: Nothing. I... (PAUSE)
YINKA: I've known you too long for
that Adamele.
What do you mean? Is the girl more than a
woman?
ADAMELE: I never said that. Forget it.
YINKA: (SUDDENLY
ANGRY) Get out of my home! Go back
to your goddess!
ADAMELE: (SHOUTS) She is not a goddess, she's just...
YINKA: (CALMER)
Just what? Look my boy, if I am to
give up my place as your wife for your
happiness. Surely I have at least got the
right to know who is taking my place?
NARRATOR: (CUTTING IN) Ever
since he had first seen
Rheda's transformation Adamele had burned to
share the secret with someone. This desire
now got the better of his caution. And once
the first words were out of his mouth there
could be no going back on them.
ADAMELE: Alright Yinka. But you must never tell anyone
what I am about to tell you.
YINKA: A curse on my entire house if I
so much as
breath a word.
ADAMELE: Well...
NARRATOR: (CUTTING IN) And
Adamele told Yinka the story
in great detail. Though missing out anything
which could incriminate him, naturally.
YINKA: But why can she not change back
into her true
form?
ADAMELE: Oh, something had taken her skin from where
she had hidden it.
YINKA: Something... Or someone?
ADAMELE: I have asked the whole village and no-one has
been near the graveyard.
YINKA: Except you. (PAUSE)
ADAMELE: You understand now, don't you Yinka?
YINKA: Yes, I think I do now. Well,
don't worry.
Your secret will be safe with me.
ADAMELE: Thank you Yinka. I am sorry about you and me
but...
YINKA: Stop whining. Well good luck
to you both I
say.
ADAMELE: We can still be friends, can't we?
YINKA: Of course. Now run on home to your dear one.
ADAMELE: (NOT CATCHING SARCASM)
Thank you for your
understanding. I really do value our friendship.
NARRATOR: So saying Adamele left Yinka to continue
working on the tapestry she was weaving.
Yinka glanced down at the speckled doe which
she had worked on for so many hours and..
YINKA: (A CRY OF
RAGE!) (FX: TEARING IN HALF OF
TAPESTRY. - SHRILL MUSIC AND THE BEATING OF
WINGS. CROSSFADE TO NARRATOR.)
NARRATOR: Rheda grew bored waiting for Adamele's return
and took to rearranging the things in the
young widower's house. She was just standing
back to admire the order she had created from
chaos when Yinka bustled in unannounced.
YINKA: Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was in.
RHEDA: If you're looking for Adamele,
he is out ...
out hunting.
YINKA: Yes I know. He doesn't usually
come back till
just before sunset. (PAUSE) I
often come in
and cook for him. He's particularly fond of
venison. Oh I'm sorry I haven't introduced
myself. I am Yinka, a close friend of
Adamele.
RHEDA: I am Rheda.
YINKA: What a pretty name. (PAUSE)
I hope you don't
think it impolite of me to ask, but who are
you? Are you one of Adamele's cousins from
his grandmother's village?
RHEDA: No.. I'm not his cousin.
I am from a village
in the forest. I lost my way and Adamele has
been very kind-
YINKA: (INTERRUPTING)
Yes, he's got a heart of gold
Adamele. Can you cook?
RHEDA: Well I... Er No..
YINKA: What a shame. Still I suppose
you won't mind
me preparing the meal then.
(FX: MOVING OF POTS AND JARS)
YINKA: Really, I can't leave him alone
for five
minutes before he's moved everything around.
Look at this place! I knew exactly where
everything was before, but now!
RHEDA: It wasn't Adamele who tidied up, it was me.
YINKA: Oh right. I should have known.
Left to
himself he would just let the whole place
gather dust until even the spiders and lizards
choked to death. It was very good of you to
bother. But I think I liked the place better
as it was before. Here, give me a hand.
We'll soon have the place back to normal.
(FX: FURNITURE BEING MOVED.)
RHEDA: (HESITANT)
I think it is more practical as it
is.
YINKA: Yes, it may be for you dear, but
after all,
you'll only be staying a few days, won't you?
Whereas I'll be doing the cooking here for a
long time yet, gods willing.
RHEDA: I am very grateful for what
you have done for
Adamele in the past. But I think you ought to
know that I am to be his wife.
YINKA: His wife?
RHEDA: Yes.
YINKA: But that's impossible. You are a total stranger.
RHEDA: Adamele says that-
YINKA: (INTERRUPTS)
I
don't care what Adamele says.
Babu will never allow it. We can't let the
best men in the village marry just anyone they
choose, you know.
RHEDA: Then you don't think-
YINKA: Impossible my dear.
Adamele would be too
scared of hurting your feelings to tell you
the truth. (PAUSE) I hope he hasn't
been
acting the husband already, has he?
RHEDA: What do you mean?
YINKA: My dear, you are a big girl now.
RHEDA: Oh no. Nothing like that.
YINKA: Nothing lost then. Still,
it was most unkind
of him to lead you on like that.
RHEDA: But he says that he loves me!
YINKA: And do you love him?
RHEDA: I'm not sure I know what is meant
by love.
But I know that all of a sudden, this morning,
the loss of my home and family seemed less
important and I began to look forward to
staying with him as long as I could. But now,
now I don't know what to do... (STARTS TO SOB)
YINKA: There, there. No need to cry.
RHEDA: Oh Yinka. He can't have lied
to me! He's not
like the men of the town. He told me so
himself! He would not have promised to marry
me if he did not think he could-
YINKA: Don't be so stubborn girl.
He cannot marry
you and that is that!
RHEDA: But surely men from the village
have married
strangers before.
YINKA: Yes. Foreign women yes!
RHEDA: (HESITANT) What do you mean?
YINKA: I mean marriages between
humans from different
villages are not uncommon. But a marriage
between a man and a beast is obscene.
RHEDA: (GASPS)
YINKA: You are only a deer from the bush.
You think
I would stand by and let you steal my
happiness? A woman may be jealous of another
woman, yes, that is natural. But I will never
give my husband up to an animal such as you.
RHEDA: But how do you-
YINKA: Adamele told me of course.
RHEDA: But how does he know?
YINKA: (TRIUMPHANT)
Then I was right. It seems
Adamele is more cunning than either of us gave
him credit for.
RHEDA: No, stop! I won't listen!
YINKA: But you must... (SOURLY)
my dear. This
morning Adamele told me how he had watched you
transform yourself into a woman. He also told
me you could not change back. When I asked
him why, he seemed reluctant to tell me.
RHEDA: It is my skin. Someone
has stolen my skin.
Oh Tuka, why did I ever suggest this?
YINKA: Someone has stolen your
skin. Think girl.
The only one who had been near the grave that
day was...
RHEDA: (SHOCKED) Adamele!
YINKA: Yes, it must be he who has your skin.
RHEDA: How could he be so deceitful?
YINKA: He is a man Rheda.
RHEDA: But why would he...
YINKA: You are very attractive as a woman
Rheda.
There are no lengths to which a man like
Adamele would not go to possess such a prize.
That is why a woman must always be one step
ahead of a man. You have only the form of a
woman. Without a woman's heart you could
never hope to be anything other than his
chattel. (AMICABLY) I bear you no grudge
of
course. I know Adamele of old, Rheda. He is
more suited to marrying me.
RHEDA: (STRONGER)
Yinka. I was so trusting. But I
have learned my lesson. I will never trust
another man as long as I live.
YINKA: Or another woman I hope.
Or the lesson is
only half learned. (PAUSE) What
do you
intend to do now?
RHEDA: I will demand my skin. If
he knows where it
is. Then I will return to my people.
YINKA: We must all learn to live with
our own kind
Rheda. I can accept him for what he is,
because in our world I am not likely to get
much better.
RHEDA: (PASSIONATE)
The sun has not yet set on my
first full day as a woman and already I feel
this flesh begin to crawl like maggots over my
bones. Yinka, I forgive you. You did what
you thought right. But please, leave me alone
now. He will be home soon and I must face him
alone.
YINKA: I understand. (GOING)
I did not mean you any
harm Rheda. I hope you know that.
RHEDA: Yes, yes, please, just go.
(FX: SWISH OF MAT DOOR.)
NARRATOR: Left alone, Rheda angrily picked up a pot from
the centre of the table and was about to dash
it to the floor in frustration when Adamele
entered.
ADAMELE: Rheda! What are you doing! That pot was made
by my wife. Here give it to me. Thank you.
Now tell me what is the matter?
RHEDA: (COLD & DISTANT) Did you have a good hunt?
ADAMELE: I haven't been hunting. It is true I went
into the forest with my bow, but I have spent
the whole afternoon in a dream, thinking only
of you.
RHEDA: That's very flattering, I'm
sure. But it will
not feed your stomach.
ADAMELE: Rheda, let us not talk of such things now.
Tell me, have you given any thought to my
proposal?
RHEDA: Yes, I have. I have given
it a lot of thought
and I can tell you now Adamele that had it
been an honest proposal I would have accepted
it.
ADAMELE: What do you mean "had it been honest"?
RHEDA: There's no use pretending Adamele.
You have
lied to me. You have told me nothing but lies
since we first met.
ADAMELE: Rheda!
RHEDA: No, let me finish! I know
now that you know
the truth of my origins.
ADAMELE: Yinka! The vicious tongued sow!
RHEDA: Stop insulting your friend and listen!
ADAMELE: I'm sorry Rheda I..
RHEDA: I put my trust in you Adamele.
In you I
thought I understood what caused you humans to
weep at the grave side. You told me the liars
and cheats lived in the town, but now I know
that they live everywhere. There doesn't
seem to be a human mouth from which
insincerity won't fall. Let me go Adamele.
Give me back my skin. Yes, I know you must
have it. Give it back to me and let me return
to my family and my own way of life.
ADAMELE: (SOUNDING HONEST) But Rheda,
I swear to you,
by all the gods, I haven't got it.
RHEDA: (NOT LISTENING)
I know that having a deer for
a wife would be a curiosity but... (STOPS)
What? You really haven't got the skin?
ADAMELE: I swear it on my wife's grave.
RHEDA: You are lying!
ADAMELE: (PLEADING) Listen
to me Rheda. Rheda, please
listen to me. How have I lied to you?
RHEDA: You knew! You knew all along.
Yet you kept
up your vile pretence!
ADAMELE: It was for your own good my love.
RHEDA: (SKEPTICAL) For my own good?
ADAMELE: Yes. Once I realized you could not return to
the forest as a deer, I wanted to win you as a
woman. Can't you see? If I had let you know
that I knew your true origin, you would always
have the nagging doubt that I wanted you as my
wife out of... What did you call it?
RHEDA: Curiosity?
ADAMELE: Exactly. Whereas I loved you as a woman from
the moment I set eyes on you.
RHEDA: (RESISTING)
And my skin? What about that,
eh? Yinka tells me you were the only one to visit the
cemetery that day!
ADAMELE: (SMOOTHLY) Rheda, that I
can't explain. It
is true I am the most likely suspect. I can
tell you that I even saw you hide it there.
But you must believe me, I didn't take it. I
was as puzzled as you at its disappearance.
RHEDA: (CRACKING)
But if you were the only one from
the village to visit the grave...
ADAMELE: Yes, I was the only one from the village. But
that doesn't mean I was the only person in the
area. It could have been a stranger, or even
a god.
RHEDA: (WANTING
TO BELIEVE HIM) Tuka! It might have
been him.
ADAMELE: Tuka? The bird God?
RHEDA: Yes, it was he who showed
me how to change my
shape.
ADAMELE: But that's it! You know how he is famous for
his mischief. He must have taken it.
RHEDA: But he didn't see me hide it!
ADAMELE: Can you be sure of that? Can you be sure that
he wasn't watching from the high branches of a
tree?
RHEDA: Well no, I can't be sure.
ADAMELE: Rheda, you must believe me. Everything I have
done up to now has been for love of you.
RHEDA: But Yinka says.
ADAMELE: Yinka! Rheda, Rheda my love. You are
new to
the world of men. Can you not see she is
embittered by jealousy? She would tell you
anything if she thought it would stop you
loving me. You do love me, don't you?
RHEDA: I don't know anymore!
I cannot get used to
deciding who is telling the truth and who is
lying. We deer cannot lie. We can only say
that which is! I want so much to believe you.
I do not want to believe that your tears at
the grave side were not from your heart.
ADAMELE: You saw me at the funeral?
RHEDA: Yes and for many nights after.
That is why I
asked Tuka to allow me to change skins. I
wanted to find out why humans clung to life
and mourned its passing so vehemently. We
deer accept death as naturally as we accept
sunshine or rain or a cool evening breeze.
ADAMELE: Have you found that out?
RHEDA: I thought I had. Something
inside of me
wanted to forget my past and build a new life
with you. Yes, I think that was part of it.
But now? After all this? I just don't know.
I want to. I want to.. Oh I don't know what
I want to do. (SHE SOBS)
ADAMELE: There now Rheda my love. Come and lie down.
It has been an upsetting day. Lie down.
That's it. Get some rest. (SILENCE)
RHEDA: Wait, Adamele. If Tuka took
my skin he would
bring it back if I asked him to. I know he
would.
ADAMELE: But how can you get in touch with him? We men
try many times but we can never be sure he
hears us.
RHEDA: Too many of your kind keep birds
in cages. He
turns a deaf ear to your pleas because of
that. But I am sure he will remember me.
ADAMELE: Right, so first thing in the morning I'll take
you down to his shrine and you can ask him
there.
RHEDA: That won't be necessary.
If I speak to the
first bird I see they will tell him and he
will find a way to answer me.
ADAMELE: That can wait till morning surely.
RHEDA: There is a sparrow's nest
outside in the
compound. I will go now and ask her to
deliver my message to him.
ADAMELE: Do you want to leave me now Rheda?
RHEDA: No, Adamele. You don't understand.
I shall
ask Tuka if he will return the skin, or if he
knows where it is. Then I will be certain
that you are telling the truth.
ADAMELE: Then you don't trust me?
RHEDA: In all fairness, how can you ask
me such a
question?
ADAMELE: I'm sorry Rheda, it is just that.. Well, we
humans have grown to mistrust some of the
forest gods and as you say Tuka has no love of
mankind.
RHEDA: That doesn't mean he would lie!
There's no
need to worry, since you haven't got the skin.
Tuka will find out who has.
ADAMELE: Yes, I see. Well, why don't we get something
to eat first and-
RHEDA: No, I must go and see the sparrow. Alright?
ADAMELE: (DISTANT) Yes, of course.
RHEDA: I won't be long. We'll have
something to eat
when I get back.
ADAMELE: Yes. Yes, I'll have it ready for you.
(FX: RUSH MAT DOOR. THEN THE BEATING
OF
WINGS. THE MAT SOUND AGAIN.)
YINKA: She's gone then?
ADAMELE: (JUMPS) What? Oh, you gave me a fright.
YINKA: I said, she's gone then I see.
ADAMELE: How dare you come round here after all the
trouble you have caused.
YINKA: Don't be so childish Adamele. She was not for you.
ADAMELE: Isn't that for me to decide?
YINKA: Oh your decision is it.
As usual not thinking
of her feelings.
ADAMELE: Have you come here to gloat?
YINKA: Not exactly. I saved
a young innocent
creature from the jaws of a callous carnivore.
ADAMELE: Like yourself you mean?
YINKA: Yes, I agree. That is why
we are so uniquely
suited. You have the fangs of the snake and
I, its venom. She was much too unworldly for
you to covet. No I'm much more in your line.
ADAMELE: I have to admire your cheek Yinka. But I'm
sorry to have to disappoint you. She's
staying!
YINKA: You're lying! Where is she then?
ADAMELE: She's just gone out for a moment. She should
be back any minute.
YINKA: After all you've said and done?
ADAMELE: She's heard your side of the story. But now
she's heard mine too.
YINKA: The young fool. But you stole
her skin! You
brought her here under false pretenses!
ADAMELE: I did no such thing. You ask her, she'll tell
you!
RHEDA: (RUNNING
IN) She said she'd take the message
in the morning, it's too dark now and.. Oh!
ADAMELE: I told you it could wait, didn't I?
YINKA: Is it true you are staying, you young fool?
ADAMELE: Yinka! I will not have you speak to her in
that way!
RHEDA: It's alright Adamele, I understand.
YINKA: The last thing I want is
your sympathy! You
have no right to take him from me, you hear?
No right! I shall tell the whole village the
truth! I'll stop your marriage. The holy
ones will never agree to you marrying an
animal Adamele!
ADAMELE: Who would believe you Yinka? They would only
think it was your jealousy talking and ignore you.
YINKA: No, enough would believe
me. Maybe not enough
to stop your marriage, but enough to make sure
that the rest of her life in the village is
made as miserable as possible!
RHEDA: Could you really be so cruel and
destroy our
happiness?
YINKA: Why shouldn't I, eh? You tell me that?
ADAMELE: Don't worry Rheda. If she tells the others
and they make you unhappy we will go away and
find some other place to live.
YINKA: I won't let you have him.
(FX: SCUFFLE.)
ADAMELE: Stop that Yinka! You are only making a fool
of yourself. Rheda, go into the kitchen I'll
handle this.
YINKA: I won't have it! Look
at the changes she's
made already to our home. I won't have it!
This doesn't belong here. It should be over
there!
(FX: SOUND OF HEAVY FURNITURE BEING MOVED.)
ADAMELE: Watch out! My wife's pot!
(FX: A CRASH AND A SPLINTERING OF SHARDS.)
YINKA: So that's where you hid it!
RHEDA: (INCREDIBLY SADLY) Oh Adamele!
ADAMELE: No Rheda! Don't go! (RUSHING TO DOOR) Rheda!
YINKA: Give it up Adamele. What's
the use? She'll
be long gone now. The dusk is the deer's
natural camouflage. You've only got yourself
to blame.
ADAMELE: (SOBBING) She's gone Yinka.
I've lost her.
She's gone!
YINKA: There, there. You've still got me.
ADAMELE: I did love her Yinka. In spite of what I did.
I did it because I loved her so much.
YINKA: Yes, yes, I know you did.
Never mind, you'll
soon get over that.
ADAMELE: Never! All my hope has just fled out of that
door!
YINKA: Yes, yes. But we always seem
to get along
without hope somehow, don't we?
ADAMELE: (SOBS)
YINKA: That's it. Get it all
out of your system.
Then we'll put you to bed. You'll feel much
better after a good night's rest.
(HIS SOBS AND HER COOING COMFORT CROSSFADE
INTO A BEATING OF WINGS. OUT OF THIS COMES
TUKA'S LAUGH WHICH BUILDS -LOSING ALL TRACE OF
ITS HUMAN SOUND AS IT TAKES ON MORE OF A
PARROT-LIKE SCREECH. THEN THE SOUND FADES TO
REAL BIRD CALLS. WHICH IN TURN FADE INTO
SILENCE. - CREDITS -)
The following song could be sang by the mourning women in the
opening scene at the grave side.
CHORUS: Those that leave by day,
Vanish in the night,
Leave before the dawn -
Of each day that breaks -
Of each day that breaks.
SOLO: We crawl across the open land.
CHORUS: With each day that breaks-
With each day that breaks.
SOLO: Like ants that build on shifting sand.
CHORUS: Vanished in the night.
SOLO: Our flesh gets caught between our teeth.
CHORUS: With each day that breaks-
With each day that breaks.
SOLO: Our dreams become our only release.
CHORUS: But vanish in the night.
SOLO: Our babies grow - children no more -
CHORUS: With each day that breaks-
With each day that breaks-
SOLO: We envy no-one anymore -
CHORUS: But those who leave by day.