Scene I—Under the Sea

First Fish. What is the matter, little fish?

Little Fish. Have you not heard? Our sea queen is very ill.

First Fish. Osa, our queen, very ill, did you say?

Little Fish. Yes, yes, we have done everything; but she grows worse.

Second Fish. We fear she must die.

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First Fish. This cannot be. Come, tell me what you have done.

Little Fish. Oh, we fed her seaweed and laid her upon a bank of sponges. Every little fish helped. But she is no better.

First Fish. Our queen Osa! This is sad indeed. Is there no wise creature in the sea who can help us?

Third Fish. There must be. Let us think hard.

Little Fish. I know. Let’s ask the turtle. He’s wise. He goes out of the sea upon the land. Surely he must learn many things there. Perhaps he is just the one to tell us what to do to save our queen.

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Second Fish. Go at once and bring him back with you. [Little Fish goes out.]

First Fish. He won’t be gone long. No one swims faster than our little fish.

Third Fish. Here he comes back already, and the turtle is with him.

All the Fish. Good, good. [Turtle and Little Fish enter.]

First Fish. O Turtle, have you heard that our sea queen is about to die?

Turtle. I know that she is very ill.

Second Fish. Can you not help us to save her? You are wise, Turtle. It’s because you don’t stay down in the sea, but go upon the land, that 122you learn about so many things. What will cure our queen?

Turtle. [Slowly.] Yes, I do learn a great many things on the land. Let me think—I am thinking—yes—I believe—yes—I know, I’m sure I know just what will save her life. I have it—a monkey’s heart—the very thing! I heard about it one day as I was resting upon the shore. A monkey’s heart can cure anything!

All the Fish. Wonderful!

Little Fish. Will you go and get one? O Turtle, you know we would go if we could leave our homes as you can. You will go, won’t you?

Turtle. I will go—at once.

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