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Tuishi Pamoja
A friendship under African skies
by Sandra Engelhardt & Martin Maria Schulte
(trans. Chris Richardson)
Pupil Script
Scene One - The Story Begins
NARRATOR 1
Welcome! We’re delighted to see so many of you here! We’re going to
tell you a story about an unlikely friendship, between two very different
creatures. And now... listen up! The story’s about to begin.
[Exit NARRATOR. GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS enter. By the end of the song,
ZEBRAS are grouped to Stage Left, GIRAFFES to Stage Right.]
Song - HEY THERE! WELCOME ALONG!
[RAFFI has strayed to Centre, looking across at the ZEBRAS with interest.]
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(calling to RAFFI) Hey, Raffi!
[RAFFI turns to look at MUM.]
What are you doing over there? Get back to the herd this minute!
RAFFI
But Mum...
RAFFI’S MOTHER
No buts! I’ve told you time and again, it can be very dangerous for little
giraffes when they don’t stay with the herd!
RAFFI
(crestfallen) But I only wanted to...
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(interrupting firmly) I know what you wanted! D’you think I haven’t
noticed you gawping at the zebras all the time?
RAFFI
All I wanted to do was nip over there and see if maybe…
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(sighs sympathetically) You just don’t get it, do you!
They won’t talk to you! And they certainly won’t play with you!
[RAFFI’S MOTHER goes to him. Other GIRAFFES begin to show interest,
slowly approaching to listen in on the conversation.]
1
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(puts her arm around RAFFI’s shoulder) I’m sorry, Raffi, it‘s just the way it
is. Zebras and giraffes simply don’t mix. It’s better if they don’t talk to
each other at all.
[ZEBRAS move Upstage, grouping together to look mistrustfully at GIRAFFES.]
Anyway... (points to ZEBRAS, laughs) just look at them, with those silly
stripes! How can they go around looking like that? It almost makes you
feel sorry for them...
RAFFI
But they have children we could play with… Couldn’t I just go and say
hello, and then maybe…
[GIRAFFES, whisper, to make fun of RAFFI. GIRAFFE 1 & 2 move next to him.]
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(shaking her head with a sigh) Oh Raffi, please try and understand...
[RAFFI’S MOTHER walks back to the herd.]
GIRAFFE 1
(teasing) What’s that, Raffi? You want to talk to a zebra? (laughs)
You must be joking! Who ever heard of such a thing?
GIRAFFE 2
(beckoning) Hey guys – listen to this! Raffi’s at it again; he wants to talk
to the zebras!
[GIRAFFES burst out laughing. RAFFI visibly sags, shuffles offstage.]
What an idiot!
GIRAFFE 3
(still laughing and clutching ‘neck’) Don’t make me laugh, you’re giving me
neckache! Everyone knows that animals with stripes are stupid! How
can we possibly talk to them?
GIRAFFE 4
(laughing) And the way they move the whole time...
(capering like a horse) ...with their pathetic little stumpy necks!
(stops capering Downstage) They just look so... well... so ridiculous!
[Laughing and pointing, GIRAFFES fill Centre/Downstage, some capering
like horses to mock ZEBRAS, who respond haughtily.]
Song - GIRAFFE SONG (Giraffes, Chorus)
[GIRAFFES, visibly in good humour, regather Stage Right. RAFFI appears
again, shoulders drooping. ZEBRAS return to their original positions.]
RAFFI
(to audience) I was only looking at the zebras! Talk about making a fuss
over nothing. (glances at GIRAFFES, who ignore him)
(shrugs) Oh well, so long as it amuses them… I don’t care if they laugh
at me. They’re just being stupid.
[Looks across wistfully at the ZEBRAS, but not at ZEA.]
Actually, I think stripes aren’t that ugly at all. Makes a change from
spots all the time!
2
[ZEA steps out of her herd and looks across curiously at RAFFI, who
meets her eye, then turns away abruptly.]
RAFFI
(panicky) Oh no! That zebra has noticed me looking at it.
What should I do? I don’t want to give it the wrong idea!
[RAFFI runs to Downstage Right, where he keeps his back to ZEA.
Cautiously, ZEA approaches RAFFI, who turns around to peek, and is
startled that she not only smiles, but waves.]
(turning away in alarm) Argh, it waved!
Or... (thinking) Maybe it’s waving at someone else?
[RAFFI looks round at ZEA again, who smiles and waves, and again
RAFFI hastily turns away.]
Aargh! Holy hyenas! I hope the other giraffes didn’t see that… What
shall I do now?
[RAFFI edges back to his herd, not looking at ZEA apart from one quick peek.
ZEA’s FATHER emerges from the zebra herd. ZEA waves at RAFFI again.]
ZEA’S FATHER
(in a firm voice) Zea! Not again! What are you doing there?
ZEA
(stops waving with a start) Oh, I’ve... er... I’ve only been shooing flies!
ZEA’S FATHER
(reproachfully) Come on, Zea, I saw exactly what was going on! You were
trying to talk to that giraffe, weren’t you?
ZEA
(looks at the ground, crestfallen) But Dad...
ZEA’S FATHER
I really can’t understand what you find so fascinating about those
spotty creatures with their ugly long necks!
ZEA
Well... It’s just that one of them keeps looking at us…
ZEA’S FATHER
(firmly) I don’t want to hear about it, Zea. The other zebras are already
starting to talk about you. It’s not right to be showing such an interest
in those spindly things!
ZEA
Yes, but...
ZEA’S FATHER
No buts... Surely you haven’t forgotten? It’s always been like this. Zebras
only have eyes for zebras. After all... (taking ZEA by the hand) ...what could be
more beautiful than stripes?
[ZEA’s FATHER leads ZEA back to the herd. Once there, he calls the others
together and loudly encourages them into position to perform the song.]
Song - ZEBRA SONG (Zebras, Chorus)
[ZEBRAS & GIRAFFES regroup in their herds. RAFFI stands Downstage of
his herd. Suddenly all the animals (apart from RAFFI) become jittery.
RAFFI is unaware as he is watching Zea curiously, who is also standing
apart from her herd.]
3
[The animals cry out loudly in fear and run (in herds) to and fro in
panic when the LIONS appear. RAFFI seems to have lost his bearings.]
Incidental - LION MUSIC (a)
[Amid continuing chaos RAFFI can’t find his herd, and calls out for his
mum as LIONS chase the other animals off the stage.]
Scene Two - Night Falls
RAFFI
(pathetically) Mum? Mum? Where are you, Mum?
[etc. ad lib until all are gone. Rubs his feet.]
Oh, now they’ve all gone... I can’t catch them up now, my feet hurt so
much. And it’s getting dark!
[Looks about anxiously, then hunches over and begins to cry. After a
while he shakes his head to pull himself together.]
Oh, stop being such a baby, Raffi! (opens hands out) Why should I miss
the other giraffes? I can’t stand them anyway.
[Rallying himself, he makes a few confident strides downstage.]
(brightly, hands on hips) Actually, it makes a change to be alone for once!
A bit of time without the herd, no-one bossing me about,
no-one laughing at me…
[Sudden change of mood, a gesture to show returning anxiety.]
...But I’ve never spent a night by myself! My mum says it’s much more dangerous for a giraffe on its own... Stupid lions!
[Paces about for a few seconds.]
Silly, isn’t it? So many times I’ve wished the other giraffes would go
away! But now I wish they were here!
[RAFFI walks slowly to central position to sing.]
Song - I WISH YOU WERE HERE (Raffi solo)
[RAFFI wanders aimlessly, shoulders drooping, to crouch miserably
Upstage Right. Enter MEERKATS, alternately sizing up the audience and
Raffi. Once onstage, they stretch their heads, snuffle around and squat
down for a moment, before running, together, several times from one
edge of the stage to the other. The MEERCATS seem to seek shelter. But
curiosity gets the better of them and they quickly peek out again.]
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse! (pointing at RAFFI) Look!
MBILI
(pointing at audience) Tik-tik-tik what’s all this?
TATU
Ch-ch-ch my tail and whiskers! And so late in the evening!
4
[All three look back and forth rapidly between Raffi and audience, visibly
confused, until MOJA stops suddenly, clearly indignant.]
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse! What a cheek! (overly cross) The impertinence of it!
[MBILI & TATU turn to look at him, then at each other, in surprise. MOJA
is noisily and increasingly upset, they become baffled, shrugging etc.]
Such a performance... just when we need a well-earned rest!
What’s with the puzzled faces? It’s obvious! We have to put a
tse-tse-tse stop to this!
MBILI
(to TATU, cupping mouth with one hand) That’s going a bit far!
Tik-tik-tik what’s up with him?
TATU
(to MBILI) Ch-ch-ch I dunno! Perhaps the heat went to his head?
[MBILI & TATU look at each other and shrug simultaneously.]
RAFFI
(pitifully) I wish my friends were here... (lies down to sleep)
MOJA
I tell you, we have to do something about it! We can’t have every random
runaway giraffe spoiling our night’s rest. Tse-tse-tse
[MBILI & TATU nod, conceding agreement.]
Tatu, go and tell that giraffe to get lost. He’s been getting on my nerves
long enough.
TATU
(to MOJA, anxiously) Ch-ch-ch you want me to go and tell him?
Ch-ch-ch all by myself? Ch-ch-ch.
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse, of course!
[TATU reacts with comically transfixed alarm. MOJA ignores him,
immediately turning away to MBILI.]
And you, Mbili, (jerks thumb at the audience) That lot are getting on my
nerves too! Give ‘em your best evil stare...
[MOJA demonstrate for MBILI who has a go. TATU watches.]
…yeah, kinda… Tell ‘em you’ll count to three, and you want every single
one of ‘em gone… or else!
MBILI / TATU
(looking at MOJA questioningly) Or else what?
MOJA
(rolls eyes impatiently) You just don’t get it, do you!
(looking upwards) Tse-tse-tse, you can’t get the staff these days!
[MOJA glares at audience, Raffi, Mbili and Tatu in turn,
muttering under his breath until his next line.]
TATU
(to MBILI, pointing at MOJA) Ch-ch-ch… He’s the stupid one!
MBILI
(nodding) Tik-tik-tik. (jerks thumb towards RAFFI) I don’t think
that little giraffe is bothering anyone at all.
5
[TATU nods, links arms with MBILI; they exit, speaking as they go.]
TATU
(nodding) Ch-ch-ch and I’ve always said: a giraffe a day keeps the doctor
away… Hang on, how does that saying go?
MBILI
Sounds about right to me… or should that be tik-tik-tik… ‘apple’?
[MOJA suddenly notices the other two leaving.]
MOJA
(commanding tone) Tse-tse-tse! Oi! Mbili! Tatu!
Come back this instant! You can’t just...
(panicky) Tse-tse-tse, wait for me! I’m afraid all alone in the dark!
[MOJA runs to catch up as TATU & MBILI exit. Before leaving, MOJA
addresses the audience.]
(dramatically) And the dream spirits come at night! Tse-tse-tse…
[MOJA exits. Enter DREAM SPIRITS, moving, encircling RAFFI.]
Song - DREAM SPIRITS (Chorus)
[Exit DREAM SPIRITS. Enter ZEA, looks around dreamily.]
ZEA
Oh, isn’t this wonderful… I love the night, with all its mysterious noises!
And then the silence… it’s all so peaceful!
(lowers her head sadly) But I’m not allowed to like the night so much. My
father goes on at me about how dangerous it is… he reckons.
[ZEA moves as she speaks, to Downstage Right. Meanwhile, RAFFI
wakes up, but doesn’t notice ZEA. As she speaks, he stands and moves
anxiously and slowly to Downstage Left.]
(defiantly) What rubbish! What’s so different about the night? It’s just
as dangerous in the day, as we saw with the lions earlier on…
[ZEA begins to move backwards dreamily to Downstage Centre, as RAFFI
does the same, but anxiously glancing left to right.]
RAFFI
(scared) Oh, this is so creepy! And so awfully dark! Such dreadful noises
all the time… and I had such a strange dream… of dancing spirits…
(stops) Or was it a dream?
[RAFFI and ZEA are closer, but not back to back quite yet.]
ZEA
(looking up dreamily) …and how beautiful the stars are!
How can I feel alone when I’m looking at them?
RAFFI
(sighs anxiously) If only it wasn’t so dark…
(looking up) Those stars hardly give any light at all!
[Suddenly they bump backs and cry out simultaneously.]
RAFFI / ZEA
Aargh! (swinging round and staring at each other)
(yelling in alarm) A-a-r-g-h!
6
[Then, suddenly, they stop yelling but stay looking at each other.]
RAFFI
(relieved) Phew, it’s just a zebra! (annoyed) What are you doing creeping
up on me like that?
ZEA
(crossly) Whaddya mean, “just a zebra”? What are you doing here, in
the middle of the night?
RAFFI
None of your business! I don’t have to explain myself to anyone in
stripes! I wouldn’t give a smelly hippo’s tail for the lot of you!
[RAFFI folds his arms and turns his back stubbornly on ZEA, who sticks
out her tongue rudely behind him.]
ZEA
(indignant) Charming! I should have remembered the golden rule: don’t
mix with spotty, long necks!
[ZEA turns away stubbornly. They stand back to back, looking furious.
Each sings to the other’s back, with plenty of theatrical gestures, while the
other steals curious peeks, turning quickly back whenever their eyes meet.]
Song - TAKE A LOOK AT YOU (Raffi, Zea)
[RAFFI & ZEA sit down Downstage Left and Right respectively, pretending
not to notice each other. Enter MOJA, MBILI & TATU.]
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse the cheek of it!
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik what a terrible racket – in the middle of the night, too!
TATU
Ch-ch-ch you were right after all. We should have chased them away!
MOJA
(indignantly points at ZEA) And now there’s a zebra too! Tse-tse-tse!
[MOJA, MBILI & TATU stand Centre Stage, looking from RAFFI to ZEA.]
TATU
Why were they making such a noise? Ch-ch-ch.
MBILI
Young people today - no manners at all! Tik-tik-tik.
[Again, they look from one to the other.]
TATU
At least they’ve gone quiet again. Ch-ch-ch. Let’s go back to sleep before
they turn up the volume again.
[TATU makes to leave, expecting the others to go with him.]
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik wait a minute! (moves closer to ZEA)
They look rather sad, somehow...
[MOJA, MBILI & TATU creep up to ZEA, stare at her, then run across to
inspect RAFFI, before scuttling back to Centre.]
MOJA
(sudden idea) Tse-tse-tse of course! They must’ve realised they were too
loud! Now they’re ashamed of themselves…
7
MBILI
You think so? Tik-tik-tik… (shakes head dubiously) I’m not so sure…
TATU
Maybe they’re lost and afraid ch-ch-ch. All alone without their herd…
Poor things!
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik if they’re afraid on their own, why don’t they get together?
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse exactly! They could cheer each other up by telling stories!
TATU
Brilliant idea! Ch-ch-ch why don’t you go over and suggest it?
MOJA
(alarmed) Go over? Tse-tse-tse to one of them?
MBILI
(smiling broadly) Exactly! Tik-tik-tik great idea!
[MBILI & TATU push a befuddled MOJA towards ZEA.]
MOJA
(resisting) Hang on, what’s the rush! At least let me comb my fur and
blow my nose... Tse-tse-tse... Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
[Once he’s in front of ZEA, MOJA summons up all his courage, pulls up
to full height, MBILI & TATU hide behind him.]
Tse-tse-tse... (to ZEA) Hey you there!
[ZEA doesn’t respond.]
MBILI
(from a safe distance) Tik-tik-tik you’ll have to speak up!
TATU
Ch-ch-ch tap her on the shoulder!
[MBILI & TATU encourage MOJA from a safe distance.]
MOJA
(nervously) Tse-tse-tse hey you there!
[MOJA taps ZEA on the shoulder, then beats a hasty retreat. RAFFI
turns around and takes an interest from where he sits.]
ZEA
(without turning round) What do you want?
(turns round, looks at MOJA) Well, well, who’s this little guy?
[ MBILI & TATU are cautiously inching up to MOJA.]
Or should I say: who are these three little guys?
MOJA
(emboldened) Tse-tse-tse d’you mean you don’t know?
We’re Moja, Mbili and Tatu! And this is where we live!
TATU
(hands on hips) Ch-ch-ch exactly! So you don’t get to ask the
questions, we do! Is that clear?
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik that’s right! So what’s your answer?
ZEA
(confused) Huh? (annoyed) Well you have to ask me a
question first – or did I miss something?
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse, oh, I see! (to ZEA) Erm, well, our question is...
8
MOJA
(to the other two) ...what did we want to ask again?
TATU
(quietly to MOJA) Ch-ch-ch why she’s not sitting with that giraffe!
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik oh yes. (to ZEA) So! Why are you sitting (points) here... and
the giraffe’s (points) over there?
[RAFFI sees ZEA looking at him, and quickly turns away.]
ZEA
Well, as you’ve correctly observed, that’s a giraffe! Ugh!
Everyone knows that zebras and giraffes have nothing to do with each
other, and there’s no way I’m about to change that! (folds arms)
[MOJA, MBILI & TATU gawp in disbelief, shake heads etc.]
MOJA
(to the others) Tse-tse-tse let’s see if he’s in a bad mood too…
[They cross over to RAFFI. TATU taps him on the shoulder.]
TATU
Ch-ch-ch please explain why you are sitting here moping on your own!
MBILI
(dramatically) Tik-tik-tik totally disregarding all the many dangers lurking
out there in the night…
RAFFI
(defiantly) Hah! Dangers? I’m not scared... much...
And a zebra is the last creature I would ask for help!
[RAFFI folds arms crossly, glaring at ZEA. MOJA, MBILI & TATU return
to Centre, shaking their heads, baffled.]
MBILI
(to TATU) So young but so grumpy! Tik-tik-tik.
TATU
(to MBILI) So young but so stupid! Ch-ch-ch.
MOJA
Ever heard of lions? (to Raffi) Eh? Tse-tse-tse.
(to Zea) Eh? Tse-tse-tse
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik from what I hear, they love nothing better than the juicy
meat of young animals…
TATU
(giggles) Ch-ch-ch, we’ve got no worries there, there’s no meat on us!
[They giggle together.]
ZEA
(defiantly) I’ll be fine! You’ve no need to worry about me.
RAFFI
(defiantly) As if a zebra could be any help against lions anyway…
[As soon as the music starts, LIONS enter, all react with alarm.]
RAFFI / ZEA
Help!!
Incidental - LION MUSIC (b)
9
[All panic and flee in same direction. RAFFI & ZEA are apart at first, then
run together and exit holding hands, LIONS in pursuit.]
Scene Three - The Next Morning
[GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS enter, as at the start. ZEA’s FATHER standing apart
looking around. ZEBRA 1 & 2 join him, ZEBRA 3 & 4 follow to listen.]
ZEBRA 1
(to ZEA’s FATHER) Hasn’t Zea come back?
ZEA’S FATHER
(sighs) No, and I’m starting to get worried. It’s not the first time she’s
sneaked off at night, but she’s usually back before sunrise…
ZEBRA 1
Maybe you should have been stricter with her. After all, a lot of lions
have been prowling around here recently.
ZEA’S FATHER
(dismayed) Don’t say things like that!
ZEBRA 2
(putting an arm round Zea’s father) She’ll be all right! She probably just fell
asleep somewhere and didn’t make it back before dawn. I’m sure she’ll
come trotting up any minute.
ZEA’S FATHER
Do you really think so?
ZEBRA 2
She’s bound to! Why don’t you go back to the herd, instead of hanging
round here with a face like a wet weekend at the waterhole!
[As ZEA’s FATHER & ZEBRAS 1-4 return to the herd, RAFFI’S MOTHER
emerges from the Giraffe herd and looks about as if searching. She is
joined by GIRAFFE 1 & 2, GIRAFFE 3 & 4 follow to listen.]
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(anxiously) I don’t understand it. Where on earth can he be?
GIRAFFE 1
Haven’t you found Raffi yet?
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(sighs) No… and no-one’s seen him since the lions came yesterday!
GIRAFFE 2
You don’t mean… (puts hands to mouth, dismayed, then recovers)
But no, I’m sure he’s all right!
RAFFI’S MOTHER
I do hope so. I expect he was just in a huff after you all teased him
about his zebra girlfriend!
GIRAFFE 2
(bursts out laughing) Exactly! (whispers) And have you noticed? The little
zebra is no longer with her herd!
GIRAFFE 1
(reproachfully) How do you know? You shouldn’t even be looking at
those black and white clowns!
GIRAFFE 2
(embarrassed) All I did was casually look over in their direction…
[The other GIRAFFES begin to tease GIRAFFE 2 ad lib comments about
looking at the zebras, liking them, etc.]
10
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(interupting crossly) Oh, stop your nonsense! We have enough to worry about!
[GIRAFFES return to their herd. MOJA, MBILI & TATU enter running, out
of breath, but no-one pays them any attention. As they stand panting,
MOJA points to the two separate herds.]
MOJA
(gasping for air) Tse-tse-tse would you just look at that!
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik no wonder Raffi and Zea were ignoring each other.
They’re all doing it!
TATU
(nodding) Ch-ch-ch! At least Zea and Raffi have got the idea:
when it comes to fending off lions, there’s safety in numbers!
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik come on, we have a job to do. We promised we’d talk to this lot.
MOJA
(shakes his head dubiously) D’you think they’ll listen to us? Tse-tse-tse.
[MOJA, MBILI & TATU all shrug simultaneously, then MOJA turns to the
herds and shouts at the top of his voice.]
Oi, you! tse-tse-tse zebras and giraffes! I have important news!
[Some of the GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS take notice of MOJA and nudge others,
point etc., making fun of MOJA.]
GIRAFFE 1
Look at him down there!
GIRAFFE 2
Aww, isn’t he cute? But what’s he shouting about?
GIRAFFE 3
How can someone that small have anything important to say?
MOJA
(visibly annoyed) Tse-tse-tse no need to be so cheeky! (cunningly) But
maybe you aren’t interested in what happened to Raffi and Zea…?
[ZEBRA 1 & GIRAFFE 4 immediately move to him in response.]
ZEBRA 1
Zea? Have you heard something about her?
GIRAFFE 4
(shouting to GIRAFFES) Come here, you lot! This meerkat has news of Raffi!
[GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS mutter restlessly ad lib, begin to crowd around the
meerkats. ZEBRAS & GIRAFFES intermingle in an effort to hear more.]
[RAFFI’s MOTHER & ZEA’s FATHER push closest to MOJA.]
ZEBRA 2
Be quiet, all of you!
ZEBRA 3
Stop pushing! I can’t hear a word the meerkat’s saying!
GIRAFFE 1
Don’t keep us on tenterhooks! Tell us!
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(urgently) What’s up with Raffi? Come on, tell us!
ZEA’S FATHER
(spitefully to RAFFI’S MOTHER) Who cares what happened to a giraffe…
(to MOJA) Where‘s Zea?
11
[GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS begin arguing ad lib about which is best, stripes or
spots. Some push and shove each other.]
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik (interrupting loudly) STOP!
(pause) So much stupidity all herded together!
(dramatically clapping forehead with back of hand) It’s more than I can take!
[Sudden silence as the other animals stop and look at MBILI.]
MOJA
(reproachfully) Tse-tse-tse they don’t seem very bothered about Raffi and
Zea!
TATU
Ch-ch-ch their silly argument seems to be more important to them!
MBILI
(to GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS) Tik-tik-tik arguing about stripes and spots is ridiculous!
[ZEBRAS & GIRAFFES hang their heads in shame.]
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik embarrassed? I should think so!
TATU
Ch-ch-ch it didn’t take long for Raffi and Zea to figure out they’re better
off together than alone!
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse it doesn’t matter a bit whether you’ve got stripes or spots!
TATU
Ch-ch-ch stupidity comes in all patterns and colours! (giggles)
[All MEERKATS laugh, repeating TATU’s line ad lib. TATU laughs until
MBILI & MOJA dig him in the ribs, after which he’s back on best behaviour.
GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS begin to eye each other shyly.]
RAFFI’S MOTHER
(to Mbili) So are Raffi and Zea ok?
ZEA’S FATHER
Nothing’s happened to them?
MBILI
Nothing’s happened to them… Tik-tik-tik apart from the small
matter of making friends!
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse they’re on their way here now.
TATU
Ch-ch-ch but they’re afraid to come back, because they don’t think
you’ll let them stay friends.
MOJA
(incredulous, to audience) Have you ever heard of such a thing? Tse-tse-tse.
MBILI
(to GIRAFFES & ZEBRAS) So! Whether they come back or not... tik-tik-tik...
is up to you!
[RAFFI’s MOTHER approaches ZEA’s FATHER.]
RAFFI’S MOTHER
You know, perhaps we have been behaving like idiots…
ZEA’S FATHER
(nodding) I’m beginning to agree. We’ve been living side by side for so
long, why shouldn’t we mix with each other and be friends?
12
[ZEA’s FATHER holds out his hand, RAFFI’s mother shakes it. ZEBRAS &
GIRAFFES follow their example. ZEBRA 1 & 2 and GIRAFFE 1 & 2 hold
back from mixing until after their lines during the song.]
Song - TUISHI PAMOJA (Chorus)
[Tuisihi pamoja = we want to live together
Daima milele = for ever and ever
Pronunciation: too-eee-she pah-mwo-jhah, da-ee-ma mee-lee-ler]
[RAFFI & ZEA enter and remain Downstage to one side.]
RAFFI
Hey, look at that! (nudges Zea, points to his herd)
ZEA
Wow, would you believe it! Zebras and giraffes together at last!
[MOJA, MBILI & TATU join them.]
MOJA
Tse-tse-tse they didn’t exactly make it easy for us, did they?
RAFFI
How did you get them to talk to each other?
TATU
(proudly) Ch-ch-ch it all happened quite quickly after what I said!
T/M/M
Stupidity comes in all patterns and colours!
MBILI
Tik-tik-tik they switched on their brains for a change!
T/M/M
About time too!
RAFFI
(pleased, to ZEA) So we can go back to our herds!
ZEA
(to RAFFI) And we can still be friends!
[They link arms and walk towards the mixed herd. GIRAFFES &
ZEBRAS suddenly notice them and cheer with delight! Hugs all round.
GIRAFFE 1 & ZEBRA 1 walk to Downstage.]
Song - FRIENDS AT LAST (Zebra 1/2, Giraffe 1/2, Chorus)
© 2005 Fidula-Verlag, Boppard Upon Rhine, Germany. www.fidula.eu
English Edition © 2011 Starshine Music Ltd.
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