Scene I—Along the Road
Reading edition
Sanja. Dear, dear, there goes one of my finest dumplings rolling down the hill. That will never do. I cannot lose that one. I must run and catch 151it. [Runs after it. As she goes she meets Lord Jizu.] Good morning, my Lord Jizu! Have you seen a rice dumpling fall this way?
Lord Jizu. Good morning! Yes, I saw a dumpling. It went past here. It went down the hill skipping as if it had legs.
Sanja. Oh, thank you. Then I must skip after it.
Lord Jizu. No, no. Do not go on. An ogre lives down there. He may do you harm.
Sanja. But I must have my dumpling. [Laughing.] Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! [Goes on.]
[To Second Lord Jizu.] My good Lord 152Jizu, have you seen a dumpling pass this way?
Second Lord Jizu. As if it had wings! It flew past me.
Sanja. Then I must hurry to catch it.
Second Lord Jizu. You must not think of that. There is a wicked ogre below. He does not like old women. He will be cruel to you, and he might eat you up.
Sanja. But I must have my dumpling. He’ll not eat an old woman like me. [Laughing.] Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! [Goes on.]
[To herself.] If I ever catch that dumpling, I’ll eat every bit of it 153myself. Tee-hee-hee! [To Third Lord Jizu.] My good Lord Jizu, have you seen my dumpling pass this way?
Third Lord Jizu. Yes, it passed but a moment ago. Do not think of searching for it. The ogre who lives beyond is cruel, and he’ll surely eat you.
Sanja. He’ll not eat an old woman like me. Tee-hee-hee! [They hear a terrible noise. Ogre comes.]
Third Lord Jizu. Here comes the ogre. Get behind me. Be quick!
Ogre. [Deep voice.] Good morning, Lord Jizu! I smell meat.
Third Lord Jizu. Good morning, Ogre. Is it not dumpling that you smell? 154I saw one pass along this road a little while ago.
Ogre. No, indeed. It is not dumpling. What I smell is meat.
Third Lord Jizu. I do not smell it. Are you sure it is not rice dumpling? It seems to me that I smell a little of it about you.
Ogre. That is not strange. I saw the dumpling rolling my way. I caught it and ate it. It was good. I wish I had the one who made it. What I smell now is meat, meat, meat; juicy, young, tender. [Sanja bursts out laughing.]
Sanja. Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee!
Ogre. [Seeing Sanja.] Who are you?
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Sanja. I am the one who made the dumpling. Tee-hee-hee! Why did you eat it?
Ogre. Because it was good.
Sanja. You couldn’t eat me for that reason. Tee-hee-hee!
Ogre. No, I shall not eat you. You shall come home with me and be my cook. As long as you cook your dumplings for me I will not harm you. [Sanja goes with the ogre.]