Scene II—On the Seashore

Turtle. Dear me—not a monkey to be seen anywhere! Well, I’ve waited and waited. It’s very hot here on the sand. I’m sleepy. I’ll just take a nap. [Sleeps. Monkeys (three) come.]

First Monkey. [Seeing turtle.] What’s this?

Second Monkey. I don’t know. I never 124saw anything like that before. Now, I see, it’s a big stone.

First Monkey. So it is.

Third Monkey. I don’t believe it.

Second Monkey. Well, you just put your paw on it and see. There, it’s as hard as it can be.

Third Monkey. I know. It’s a great shell. [Touches the turtle.] A big hard one, hard all over. [Turtle wakes and catches monkey.] Oh, oh, oh! Let me go.

Turtle. No, I will not let you go. Be quiet and do what I tell you, and I will not hurt you. Your brothers have run away. You must come down under the sea with me.

[They go out together.]

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