Gilgamesh - a play

ENKIDU = Is Gilgamesh’s best friend, and he is a wild savage. He is played by Nicholas.

Humbaba = Is a big fat mean Giant, and he is played by Travis.

ANU = Is a powerful God and is played Alethea.

Utanapishtim = is the Survivor of the great flood, also known as ”The faraway”, and is played by Travis.

Bull of Heaven = Is mean and strong and his horns are really sharp, and he's fast and he's played by Travis.

Ishtar = Is The Goddess of Love and she is nasty, and she is played by Miriam.

Urshanabi = Is the Boat Man and is played by Alethea.

Ninsun = Is the Mother of Gilgamesh and creator of everything and is played by Miriam.

Those people I just told you about are the main characters in this story, so let it begin.

Man: Gilgamesh is the great builder of these walls. Look at the fine craftmanship, no one could have done such a superb peice of work except a man who is two thirds god and one third man. But that is not all. Come closer to this gate to see the temple of Ishtar and Anu. Gilgamesh also made this. It's amazing how such a tyrant became a king, and how such a king became a hero. Notice...

( Nintu walks out on stage , where there is held an assembly of gods)

Nintu: Gods, I have gathered you today to discuss the creation of a king to lead the people of Uruk.

Adad: Nintu, as I told you before and many a time, it's your choice. Stop calling an assembly of gods only to watch what you create! You are the goddess of creation. Use your creation.

Shamash: Well, she asked us to discuss a creation and discuss I will. I belive, Nintu ( turning to her ), I believe that we should make this king powerful and swift.

Adad: You and your "powerful and swift ." Everything doesn't have to be "powerful and swift."

Nintu: Adad, if you wish to be tedious please do it somewhere else where we don't have to hear your whining.

( With that she turns to create. Adad tries to get at her, but Shamash pulls him back )
( Nintu picks up a peice of clay and waves her arms about, muttering )

Nintu: I have created Gilgamesh. Now gods, come and bless him and give him gifts before I send him onto the earth.

( So the gods come forth, one by one )

Shamash: Gilgamesh, I bless you and give you the gift of beauty.

Adad: Gilgamesh, I bless you and give you the gift of courage.

( Ea runs in late. He looks around not knowing what to do. Nintu nudges him towards the figure. He shrugs. )

Ea: Gilgamesh, I bless you and give you the gift of--ah-- of wisdom.

Nintu: And Gilgamesh, I bless you and give you the gift of being two thirds god.

( We see Gilgamesh sent to the earth )

Narrative: When Gilgamesh was young he was wild, loved to wrestle, and was proud. Everyone was afraid of being in the path of this raging boy. The nobles were displeased and complained to the gods for help.

Nobles: Gods, please help us have patience with this boy. He always ruins everything; for example, yesterday he tore down the decorations for his eighth birthday, and he's too proud. He only cares for himself. Please do some thing to help us through these hard times!

( While the nobles say this the gods are in the same room and hear them)

Shamash: What can we do to help these people? For I can see their pain.

Adad: And they all rightfully deserve it for they were the same way when they were young.

Ishtar: I think we should punish Gilgamesh, for if we want a good king that is the only thing we can do.

Shamash: Sounds reasonable.

Adad: But how?

Ishtar: We shall create an equal, of course. Nintu!

( Ishtar runs off stage searching for her. Nintu comes without Ishtar)

Nintu: Ishtar said to create an equal of Gilgamesh. Is she correct?

Shamash: Yes.

( Nintu picks up a peice of clay and starts creating Enkidu. She waves her arms and mutters)
( Nintu waves her arms to the gods to get their attention)

Nintu: Gods, notice, I have created an equal to Gilgamesh. But notice, I covered him with hair and I have given him horns. I have made him look different.

Shamash: Excellent! Now, where shall we put him?

Adad: In the ocean?

Nintu: In the skys?

Shamash: No! No! How 'bout in the country?

Nintu: No! No! No! In the gardens of the castle.

Adad: No, that's too witty. How 'bout in the-

Shamash: I know! We should put him in the grassy fields and forest.

Nintu: Excellent!!

( All the gods mutter and wave their arms, and we see Enkidu)

Narrator: Enkidu wandered the fields and became friends with all the animals that lived there. As all friends care for each other, he cared for the animals and released them when they were caught in the traps. The hunter saw what he was doing and complained to his father.

Hunter: Father ! Father! A wild beast is in the woods and fields! He's setting free all the animals that are in the traps. Each morning the traps are empty and I have nothing to eat for dinner. I won't be able to live anymore. I won't shine as I once did before. I will die a slow horrible death.--and but only because of this--this-- Beast!

Father: Son, calm yourself. It is not as bad as you think.

( Father beckons son closer and tells him)

Father: We can devise a way to get rid of this horrible creature you speak of. I suggest you go to the town of Uruk and ask the almighty Gilgamesh what he thinks would be the best option to take.

( Son is about to leave when the father pulls him back and cries)

Father: Wait! I've got it! Ask the almighty Gilgamesh for a priestess ( he beckons son closer), for maybe she will attract him and drag him out of the forest.

( Son grins, nods quickly, and runs off stage)

Narrator: So the son went to Uruk and asked the almighty Gilgamesh if he could borrow his valuable priestess. The hunter asked the priestess, in turn, if she would come with him to persuade the beast to come to humanity. She, of course, agreed willingly, and back they went to the fields and forests where Enkidu lurked.

Hunter: Here--here is where I saw the beast.

Priestess: Thank you, I will do what I can.

( Hunter comes up to her and whispers)

Hunter: Does that mean I can leave?

Priestess: Yes.

( Hunter runs off the scene)

Narrator: The priestess went into the woods and sat on the bank of the river to comb her hair. She combed nervously and endured the pain as each stroke brought more hair to the ground. All of a sudden she saw a large hairy shape. She tried to scream, but she couldn't make a sound. The shape came closer and closer. For the shape was Enkidu! He too had seen a shape, but instead of being scared of this shape he liked it.

( Enkidu slowly come up to the priestess and they stare at each other for long time, then he sits by her)

Narrator: The priestesss and Enkidu spend seven nights together. In those seven nights the priestess taught Enkidu all about being a human and soon he was as human as any human could be. On the last day of his becoming human he realized something, something that hurt, something that made his insides crawl in sadness--

Enkidu: Priestess!! PRIESTESS!! I have been killed. Something has happened to me. All the animals I had once lived and played with are running away from me with fear that makes me heave with sadness. And I cannot run the speed I used to. I--I--I ( He starts to sob)

( Priestess runs to him)

Priestess: Enkidu! Enkidu! But you have gained knowledge. (Enkidu tries to turn away) And knowledge--knowledge serves you more that anything in life--knowledge--knowledge--

Narrator: The priestess convinced Enkidu to leave the grassy plains and woods. And she led him to the house of the father of the hunter. Enkidu had meals with the family, but he was not used to the customs.

Enkidu: What is this brown, soft substance they call bread? And this, what is this? This red liquidy stuff that tastes of stale water. What is that?

Priestess: That, Enkidu, is what all humans eat. To receive the tasting of this bread and this wine is the first step of you receiving human customs.

Father: You should be proud, Enkidu, that this kind priestess is giving you such a great path for you to lead on your trail to humankind.

( Father smirks to son behind his back)

Hunter: Yes, she is a kind lady to do such a service for you!

( Hunter shows graditude to priestess and grins at his father, who glares back at him)

Father: Anyway, Enkidu, you bettter get cleaned up.

Narrator: So Enkidu "Cleans himself up"-- when all of a sudden--

Hunter: FATHER!!

Enkidu: What?

( Hunter comes running on stage and then realizes his mistake)

Hunter: Oh no, not you!

Enkidu: What do you want?

Hunter: Nothing concerning you.

( Hunter turns away)

Enkidu: Wait! I can help!

( Hunter stares at him )

Hunter: Fine, if you insist. The sheep are in terrible danger. A wolf is in their lair and it will tear them to pieces.

( Enkidu runs off)

Enkidu: WHERE?!

( Hunter points off stage and Enkidu runs there)

Narrator: Enkidu wrestled and killed the wolf, then he brought him back on his shoulders to the hunter. Ever since that moment the hunter and Enkidu became the best of friends. And Enkidu felt a weight slip off him, for he had climbed another step of the ladder to humanhood. After that experience ( which the priestess had planned all along), the priestess and Enkidu left the father and his son the hunter, and journeyed three days to Uruk. During those three days Enkidu learned more and more about being a human, and he became a human little by little. Meanwhile, while all this was happening Gilgamesh had a dream. He ran to his mother for her wise counsel.

Gilgamesh: Mother! Mother! I had a horrible dream! Tell me what it means.

Nintu: Very well, Gilgamesh, pour out your thoughts.

Gilgamesh: I was walking around my palace when a star came down and blocked my path. I loved the star. And little by little all the servants gathered, for they loved the star also. It was so shiny and glittery.Soon everyone loved that star. We gazed at it a long time, when I suddenly remebered where I was to be headed, and I tried moving the star with my foot, but it stayed on the ground fixed. It just stayed there, Mother. It wouldn't move!!

( there is a long silence)

Nintu: Well that is to be expected, son.

( Anyother long silence. Gilgamesh looks agasted.)

Nintu: Go on.

Gilgamesh: ,Anyway I couldn't move it. So I had to--

Nintu: Yes--

Gilgamesh: I had to--

Nintu: Yes--

Gilgamesh: I had to--

Nintu: What?!

Gilgamesh: I had to fight with it!!

Nintu: Thats It!?

Gilgamesh: Well, yes.

Nintu: ( laughs ) Your dream means that you will meet a man named Enkidu, and he will be a great friend to you.

Gilgamesh: That's all?

Nintu: Yes.

Gilgamesh: What about the fighting?

Nintu: Go to bed! It's alway fighting, isn't it?

( Gilgamesh walks off stage only to come back on again)

Gilgamesh: Mother!

Nintu: Yes?

Gilgamesh: I had another dream. Only this time--

Nintu: Gilgamesh, it means the same thing. It had to do with an ax, right?

Gilgamesh: Yes.

Nintu: Well then, you will meet a man named Enkidu, now go to bed.

( Gilgamesh runs off stage, and then shortly yells, MOTHER!)

Nintu: GO to bed, Gilgamesh.

Narrator: Meanwhile, while Gilgamesh was having his dream, Enkidu and the priestess walked to the city of Uruk.

( Man--in the beginning scene--meets them at the gate)

Man: King Gilgamesh is abusing his power. He is not so mighty as he once was before.

Enkidu: What is he doing?

Man: He just isn't doing his job. And he throws parties every night for his pleasure. We are all worn out from dancing, and yet there is another party tomorrow. We have so much work to do, like our crops and fields, and if we don't come we are punished.

Enkidu: How dare he do such a cruel thing as that. I will help you.

Narrator: So Enkidu went into the city with the priestess and looked at all the sights. One sight they went to was the temple of Ishtar and Anu.

(As they gaze up at it, Enkidu suddenly turns around to see Gilgamesh coming their way. He sticks out his foot to block his path.)

Gilgamesh: Why is your foot blocking my path to the temple?!

Enkidu: (walking forward) I heard you are abusing your power.

Gilgamesh: In what way, pray tell me, for I see no default in my reigning.

Enkidu: You are having parties every night. And why?! Only to suit your own pleasure.

Gilgamesh: What's wrong with that?

Enkidu: It is not the right of a king to tire everyone to their fullest contempt for his own pleasure. These people have work to do. Give them a chance to do it. Don't you want an organized kingdom?

Gilgamesh: And why, stranger, are you doing this? I am the king and I could kill you with a wave of my hand.

Enkidu: I am not afraid of you. You are a coward.

(With that the men fall upon each other, fighting as hard as bulls would.)

Priestess: How horrible! Two wonderful men fighting in combat.

Narrator: The two men fought as two wasps would each other. They ripped, struck, and cut. The priestess watched horrified at this vicious event. A crowd gathed to watch the excitment. When all thought it was the end of both of them they grew tired and suddenly stopped.

Enkidu: You fight well, Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh: You too, stranger. And what be your name?

Enkidu: Enkidu.

Gilgamesh: Why--why you're the man from my dream.

Enkidu: What dream?

Gilgamesh: Oh it doesn't matter. Will you come and eat at the banquet tonight?

Enkidu: I would love to.

Narrative: After that moment Enkidu and Gilgamesh became the best of friends. Friends that would stand together. Friends that would fight for one another. Friends that would. . . .

Gilgamesh: We should have greater journeys and explore beyond the river. We can travel great distances and get fame all over the countries!

Narrator: Enkidu prayed to Shamash, the sun-god, for help.

Enkidu: Oh Shamash, please help me. Should I help Gilgamsh or not help him? Show me the right path to take.

Shamash: YOU SHOULD HELP GILGAMESH FOR YOU ARE HIS DEAREST FRIEND, ENKIDU.

Narrator: So Gilgamesh and Enkidu went traveling to find Humbabah the Giant and kill him. They brought men out of the city even if they were afraid to die.

Gilgamesh: Men, halt! We have traveled enough. We have come to the Cedar Forest. {cheering in the back ground}

Narrator: They heard a rumbling of rocks by the mountain of the gods.

Enkidu: I knew I shouldn’t of come here. What am I to do?

Gilgamesh: Why such a weary face, Enkidu? We have come to this place looking for glory and fame. We are on an adventure!

Enkidu: No, you have come for fame and to banish all evil from this world, but I come here as your friend. For you I come to this wretched place.

Gilgamesh: You have done all this for... { Humbabah enters the scene and says}

Humbabah: WHO IS COMING TO MY CEDAR FOREST AND RUINING MY TREES? IF I FIND YOU I SHALL SHRED YOU TO PIECES! HA.

Gilgamesh: It is I, Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, and I shall kill you and banish all evil from this world!

Humbabah: Ha, ha, you couldn’t kill a sea rat if you tried. I shall have great pleasure in killing you!

Gilgamesh: Then let us fight.

Narrator: Shamash supports Gilgamesh and sends seven winds to surround Humbabah.

Humbabah: Oh Shamash, greatest of the gods you are! Why do you do this to me?

Narrator: Enkidu gives a pep talk to Gilgamesh.

{Gilgamesh jumps on the giant, takes his ax, and cuts off Humbabah’s head! Then all the young men take the cedar trees that they cut down to Uruk.)

Ishtar: GILGAMESH, O GILGAMESH, will you marry me? I will give you a golden chariot and everything you want.

GILGAMESH: NO! You were the one who hurt all your lovers. Tammuz the young handsome shepherd man that you loved so dearly, and the beautiful blue bird who sang so sweetly, but YOU broke his wing and left it lying like a miserable piece of dirt. The beautiful black stallion who ran like the wind so tall and proud, but you tortured it to death! Then next the strong herdsman, you turned him into a wolf. Your father’s gardener, who brought you a bouquet of flowers each morning when you awoke. AND GUESS WHAT YOU DID TO HIM? YOU TURNED HIM INTO A MOLE! THAT'S WHY... I WON’T MARRY YOU!

Narrator: Ishtar goes to Anu, her father, and cries.

Ishtar: Gilgamesh has hatefully insulted me! He said all the terrible things I have done in the past. He refused to marry me. How despicable! Father Anu, give me the bull of heaven so I can punish him for insulting me in that way.

Au: My precious daughter that I love so much, you were the one who started it.

Ishtar: FATHER! IF YOU DON’T GIVE ME THE BULL OF HEAVEN I WILL BRING THE DEAD FROM THE UNDER WORLD AND HAVE A REVOLT AGAINST THE GODS.

Au: Daughter, I have no choice but to give the bull of heavens. I do it with a heavy heart because I love Gilgamesh so much.

Narrator: Ishtar, when hearing those words, went out of her way to get the bull of heaven. She ripped the chains, and the bull glared with madness with its nostrils breathing fire, while it was charging to Uruk. Who would stop him?

Narrator: Out of nowhere Enkidu sprang and took the bull on, one on one. He started wrestling with the bull. After a while Gilgamesh started to help. Together they killed the bull by chopping off its head.

Narrator: That night after a long feast over their victory over the bull of heaven.

Enkidu: I wonder why the bull of heaven attacked Uruk. Maybe it was because Gilgamesh insulted Ishtar...yes. Ishtar, she cursed us.
(Enkidu sees Ishtar hiding and throws a rock at her).

Narrator: The next day the gods have a council.

Anu: Gods and goddesses, I have been troubled because Gilgamesh and Enkidu have been unstoppable, and I am afraid that sooner or later they might want to have revenge on us. So I came up with the idea to have Gilgamesh die.

Enlil: No, that's unreasonable. Gilgamesh is a great king, and he is very handsome. I say we should have Enkidu die.

All gods: Yes, I agree.

Narrator: A couple of weeks later Enkidu got very ill and at the hour of his death he said these words --

Enkidu: I CURSE THE GODS WHO MADE ME ANDTHE PRIESTESS WHO BROUGHT ME HERE!

Shamash: Don't say that, Enkidu. Without the gods that made you, you woundn't have spent some of your days with the lions and all the other animals. Without the priestess you wouldn't have met Gilgamesh. So instead of cursing them, wish them well.

Enkidu: I wish the gods well who created me. I wish you well, priestess, because without you I wouldn't have met Gilgamesh.

Narrator: And at those words Enkidu died, with Gilgamesh at his side.

(Gilgamesh weeps for his dead companion.)

Narrator: For a couple of days Gilgamesh wept for Enkidu, but after a while Gilgamesh decides that he was determined to find out how to become immortal. Gilgamesh went to his mother Ninsun to ask her what he could do.

Gilgamesh: Mother! Mother! Enkidu died. I don't want to go through the same fate. What should I do?

Ninsun: My son, you have an ancestor, Utanapishtim, who was a mortal. But somehow the gods granted him immortality. Perhaps you should go to him, because I don't know the secret of immortality.

Gilgamesh: Thank you, mother.

Narrator: Gilgamesh set out on his journey. He knew it was far away, but he didn't know exactly where it was. Gilgamesh walked for weeks and weeks until he reached the end of the world in front of him. There was a mountain and a tunnel and two scorpion men.

Scorpion men: Who are you, stranger?

Gilgamesh: I am Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk. I'm two thirds god and one third man.

Scorpion men: Gilgamesh, this tunnel stretches from west to east. The sun goes through it every day, and it leads to paradise.

Gilgamesh: Tell me, scorpion men. I am looking for Utanapishtim, my ancestor. Do you know where he lives.

Scorpion men: Yes, I do. He lives in the garden of paradise. The only way to get there is to go through this tunnel.

Gilgamesh: OK, I'll do it.

Narrator: Gilgamesh starts going into the tunnel. It is completely dark. For the first five hours Gilgamesh starts getting tired. After fifteen hours Gilgamesh starts thinking of turning back. After thirty-three hours he is desperate to be out. Suddenly he feels -- WIND! Rejoicing, he runs as fast as he can. After thirty-six hours he saw light, and he was there.

Narrator: Gilgamesh entered the garden. It was beuatiful with blooming trees and with golden apples that would shine so bright it would blind our eyes. He walked into the garden. After a while Shamash appeared.

Shamash: GIGAMESH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS BEAUTIFUL GARDEN. FOR ONLY GODS ARE SuPPOSED TO BE HERE. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR, KING OF URUK?

Gilgamesh: To tell you the truth, I am looking for the answer to immortality. I am also looking for my ancestor, Utanapishtim.

Shamash: WELL, GOOD LUCK TO YOU, MY FRIEND!

Narrator: When Gilgamesh was walking through the beautiful garden with golden apples and jeweled trees he came upon a strange looking cottage by the side of the sea. And he came upon a woman.

Fish wife: AAAHHH! A wild savage.

Gilgamesh: Quiet woman!! I don’t intend to hurt you. Tell me... what is your name?

fishwife: I am a fishwife. Who are you, savage?

Gilgamesh: I am Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, two thirds god and one third man.

Gilgamesh: Tell me, oh woman, where is the house of my ancestor, Utanapishtim.

Fishwife: Oh Gilgamesh, he lives across the sea which you cannot cross unless you find Urshanabi, the boatman, who carries the dead souls from one side to another.

Gilgamesh: Woman! Where is this man... Urshanabi?

Fishwife: He lives somewhere in the forest.

Gilgamesh: Thank you very much, lady.

Narrator: Then he went through the forest and saw a boat with magical instuments.

Gilgamesh: Urshanabi!! Where are you? Come out now!

( Urshanabi comes in anger )

Narrator : Gilgamesh broke all the clay figures at the sight of him.

Urshanabi: What have you done, Gilgamesh?! You know that now we can’t cross the sea cause you broke the clay figures! If you want to cross you will have to cut down 120 poles that are each 100 feet long.

Narrator: Gilgamesh did as he was told, he cut the 120 poles at the length required. When he was done, he went to Urshanabi and showed him his work.

Urshanabi: Very well, my friend, now we can cross.

Narrator: They crossed half way through the sea with the poles, and when they ran out they set their sail up. When they were almost there, Utanapishtim saw them in the distance and waved.

Gilgamesh: I know that you can live for years with no end, Utanapishtim, but your future looks the same as mine. I had expected that you would wish to battle with me, but here you are being lazy. You appear to no longer be interested in battling with a sword or bow. Tell me, how did you join the assembly of heavenly gods? And how did you get everlasting life?

Utanapishtim: Gilgamesh, I will reveal the secret of everlasting life. And so the story begins this way: You are familiar with the city Shurruck on the banks of the Euphrates River. Well, when the city itself and the gods that live in it got old they decided to bring forth a great flood. Enlil the ruler of all gods at the time called an assembly. He said, The people who live upon the broad earth have become numerous beyond count and they are too noisy. The earth bellows like a herd of wild oxen. The clammer of human beings disturbs my sleep. Therefore I want Adad to cause heavy rains to pour down upon the earth both day and night. I want a great flood to come like a thief upon the earth to steal their food and destroy their lives. Ishtar supported Enlil in his wish to destroy the humans and so did all the other gods, but Ea didn’t agree because he is the one who created the wild humans and the one who helped them survive. He taught them how to plow the land and grow wheat because he loved them.

Gilgimesh: What happend to all the gods when the flood came?

Utanapishtin: Enlil gave us all time to board a ship that did not let even Shamash's rays to come through. The boat was an entire acre wide and 200 feet high. Then they couldn't find land after the flood so they sent out a dove, a raven, and a sparrow. They waited two weeks and after that time the dove returned, but still there was no raven or sparrow, so they decided to wait a couple more weeks. After that time the sparrow returned. They waited a couple more weeks, but there was still no raven. So they figured the raven found land, and they decided to search for land. They floated upon the waters for twelve days. After the twelve days they found land,and they decided to create more humans. No one was supposed to survive the flood, but my family and I survived.

Gilgamesh: Utanapishtim, tell me how I can get everlasting life.

Utanapishtim: The gods have granted you other gifts, but you will never have the gift of everlasting life.

Gilgamesh: Just give me a chance for everlasting life.

Utanapishtim: If you wish to become one of the heavenly gods and live for days with no end you must first possess the strength of a heavenly god. Even though you are mighty, I will show you that all human beings are weak. Starting on this night I want you to stay on your feet, and stay awake for seven nights and six days.

(Gilgamesh lays down and goes to sleep)

( Utanipishtim turns to his wife )

Utanapishtim: Wife, each day I want you to bake a loaf of bread and place it by his head to show him how long he sleeps or stays awake.

Narrator: So each day that Gilgamesh slept, Utanipishtim’s wife baked a peice of bread and put it by his head and made a mark for that day upon the wall behind him. By the morning of the seventh day Gilgamesh was still asleep and six loaves of bread were by his head and there were six marks on the wall. The first loave had dried out , the second loave had white spots on it, the third one turned one turned black, the forth one had become soggy, the fifth one was stiff, the sixth one was still fresh. Utanapishtim toutched Gilgamesh to wake him up, while his wife placed the seventh loave near the others.

Gilgamesh: What are these loaves for? What am I doing here? Why was I so tired? Did I get everlasting life? How long was I asleep? What are those marks on the wall? Why are there seven of them? Why are are the loafs all moldy? Why did I fall asleep?!

(Gilgamesh looks at Utanapishtim and all of a sudden he knows all the answers)

Gilgamesh: OH!

Utanapishtim: Sorry Gilgamesh. You have lost your chance to have everlasting life.

Gilgamesh: Now I’ll never know what it’s like to be a God!!!!!!!!!!!
( Gilgamesh starts to sob )

Gilgamesh: Now I’ll never have the power to be skilled with the sword, the dagger, the bow, and the ax! I will never have the power to survive a huge flood like they have granted you! I will never have the power to lead gigantic attacks that no one can escape. I will never have the power to live forever! I will never have the power to create storms! I will never have the power to create! And I will never have the power to light the future!

Utanapishtim: It will be okay, Gilgamesh. I will give you this plant that grows in the waters below. I will help you do whatever you wish and stay young. This plant will not help you live forever, but it will keep you young and strong. Urshanabi, take this man back to the walls of Uruk.

( Gilgamesh climbed into the boat )
Narrator: They left Utanapishtim, waving good-byes. And they successfully crossed the waters to a resting point at the cottage of Siduri. Gilgamesh brought the plant on the shore, and there he set the plant along with his clothes while he took a refreshing swim. While he was swimming, a snake came out of the water and smelled the scent of the plant. It glided along the dirt, took the plant in its mouth, and took it back in the water. Along the way it shedded its skin to a younger looking snake. By the time Gilgamesh noticed, it was too late to save the plant.
( Gilgamesh weeps )

Gilgamesh: That was my last chance to shine as I once did.
( Shamash comes out from behind the curtain )

Shamash: I will take you to Uruk, Gilgamesh, for I sense your sadness and you deserve much for this jouney.

Narrator: So Shamash took Gilgamesh back to Uruk. Gilgamesh shows Urshanabi the wall of Uruk, gleaming with pride.

Gilgamesh: No human being will ever be able to build such a city as I did. Climb up upon my wall, examine the fine brickwork, and admire the temple. Gaze at my beatiful, fantastic,majestic,wonderful,terrific,lovely, charming, glorious, superb City!

The End.