book by vera morris music by gerald v. castle … · book by vera morris, music by gerald v....
TRANSCRIPT
Book by VERA MORRIS Music by GERALD V. CASTLE
Lyrics by MICHAEL C. VIGILANT
© Copyright 1997, Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that a royalty must be paid for every performance, whether or not admission is charged. All inquiries regarding rights should be addressed to Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., PO Box 4267, Englewood, CO 80155.
All rights to this musical—including but not limited to amateur, professional, radio broadcast, television, motion picture, public reading and translation into foreign languages—are controlled by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., without whose permission no performance, reading or presentation of any kind in whole or in part may be given.
These rights are fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and of all countries covered by the Universal Copyright Convention or with which the United States has reciprocal copyright relations, including Canada, Mexico, Australia and all nations of the United Kingdom.
ONE SCRIPT PER CAST MEMBER MUST BE PURCHASED FOR PRODUCTION RIGHTS. COPYING OR DISTRIBUTING ALL OR ANY PART OF THIS BOOK
IN ANY MANNER IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN BY LAW.
On all programs, printing and advertising, the following information must appear:
1. The full name of the musical 2. The full name of the playwright and composer/arranger 3. The following notice: “Produced by special arrangement with
Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado”
THE JUNGLE BOOK—THE MUSICAL Adapted from the "Mowgli" stories of Rudyard Kipling
Book by VERA MORRIS, Music by GERALD V. CASTLE, Lyrics by MICHAEL C. VIGILANT
CAST OF CHARACTERS (In Order of Appearance)
MOWGLI .................................... jungle boy 97 # of lines
NYRA ........................................ an old lady, storyteller 27 CHITRA ...................................... woman of the village 24 RIKKI-TIKKI ................................ mongoose 19 BALOO ....................................... kindly bear 35 BAGHEERA ............................... panther 31 FATHER WOLF ......................... leads the pack 36 MOTHER WOLF ........................ his mate 16 TABAQUI ................................... jackal 27 KAA ............................................ python 21 MANG ........................................ bat 23 MOR ........................................... peacock 18 WOLF #1 .................................... runs in a pack 24 WOLF #2 .................................... another 21 WOLF #3 .................................... another 18 KING MONKEY .......................... silly simian 34 MONKEY #1 ............................... another 27 MONKEY #2 ............................... another 20 SHERE KHAN ............................ fierce and villainous tiger 48 MESSUA .................................... Mowgli's mother 20 TOOMAI ..................................... village elder 26 COBRA ...................................... guardian of the great treasure 15
Additional WOLVES, MONKEYS, JUNGLE CREATURES, VILLAGERS as/if desired.
* Most roles can be played as either male or female.
For preview only
iii
SYNOPSIS
PLACE: A jungle in India.
TIME: Years ago.
ABOUT THE SETTING
What you’d expect to find in a jungle or rainforest. Some overhanging vines, giant ferns, lush vegetation. STAGE RIGHT we can see some ruins belonging to a long-forgotten Deserted City: an overturned column or statue, some temple steps, large clump of masonry. UP CENTER is Council Rock; a collection of rocks that form something of an elevated platform. DOWN LEfT represents a nearby village. We see the suggestion of a hut, a cooking pot with kindling wood in front. STAGE CENTER and fORESTAGE represent more of the jungle. Entrances and exits UP RIGHT, RIGHT, DOWN RIGHT, UP LEfT, LEfT, DOWN LEfT.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
MC 1 ........ Overture
MC 2 ........Mowgli: Keeper of the Law .................Mowgli
MC 3 ........ Jungle Law .......................................Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Kaa, Mor, Mang, King Monkey
MC 4 ........ Can’t We Be friends ..........................Shere Khan
MC 5 ........ The Monkey Song .............................Monkeys
MC 6 ........ Red flower .......................................Villagers, Mowgli, Rikki-Tikki
MC 7 ........ Jungle Law (Reprise) .........................All
For preview only
1
the Jungle book — the musical
ACT ONEScene One
MUSIC CUE 1: “Overture.”
SETTING: The jungle.
Prior to LIGHTS UP: SOUND EffECTS: ECHOING CHATTER Of MONKEYS, BIRD CALLS, TRUMPETING Of ELEPHANTS. DRUMS. A SPOT or some SPECIAL LIGHTING hits Council Rock.
MOWGLI’S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE.) Ya-la-hi! Ya-la-hi! Ya-la-hi! (MOWGLI runs IN and jumps atop Council Rock. He appears to be a young lad of 11 or 12. He’s confident, strong, boastful. In one hand he holds a handsome, bejewelled dagger.)
MOWGLI: Ya-la-hi! Hear me, people of the jungle. We are of one blood. It is I, Mowgli, the Little frog! You have nothing to fear. I will never leave you. Do you hear me, Baloo? Do you hear me, Bagheera? Do you hear me, Kaa? Do you hear me father and Mother Wolf? I, Mowgli, am singing. (MUSIC CUE 2: “Keeper of the Law.” Sings.)
I can strike quick as a cat,Move quiet as a snake.I’ve got eyes in the back of my head,Challenge me — that’s your last mistake.One hand is flesh,The other a claw.I am Mowgli,Keeper of the law!
I can leap just like a frog,Climb trees as if a bear.I’ve got ears that can hear anything,Call on me — and I will be there.My enemiesShould tremble in awe.I am Mowgli,Keeper of the law!
I am part man, I am part beast.A jungle river flows through my veins.Like father Wolf, I hunt to feast.I cover the ground like the monsoon rains.
(Speaks during instrumental verse.) Let the jungle listen to the things I have done. Shere Khan said he would kill! At the gates in
For preview only
2
the twilight he would kill Mowgli the frog. (Holds up dagger.) Let him come! I am Mowgli! Keeper of the law and guardian of the jungle!
(Sings.) I am part man, I am part beast.A jungle river flows through my veins.Like father Wolf, I hunt to feast.I cover the ground like monsoon rains.
I can strike quick as a cat,Move quiet as a snake.I’ve got eyes in the back of my head,Challenge me — that’s your last mistake.One hand is flesh,The other a claw.I am Mowgli, (Growls like a lion.)Keeper of the law!
End of Scene One
[NOTE: Individual scenes are indicated as such for rehearsal purposes, but the action should flow seamlessly, one scene quickly blending into the next. Use SOUND and LIGHT EffECTS to cover any stage pauses.]
ACT ONEScene Two
SETTING: The village and jungle.
LIGHTS UP: NYRA, an old woman, is at the cooking pot stirring the contents. As she stirs, she singsongs to herself, almost mockingly. Imitating, as best she can, MOWGLI’S voice.
NYRA: I, Mowgli, am singing. Let the jungle listen to the things I have done. Shere Khan said he would kill Mowgli the frog! (Chuckles to herself.) Kill Mowgli? Little did Shere Khan know of the future. What a boastful boy, that Mowgli. (She chuckles again to herself and continues to stir the pot. CHITRA, a woman of the village, ENTERS DOWN RIGHT and crosses to NYRA. She speaks directly to the audience.)
CHITRA: If you’ll be patient, I’m sure I can persuade Nyra to tell the story.
NYRA: (Squinting.) Who’s there? Who speaks? Is that you, Chitra?
CHITRA: Yes, Nyra.
NYRA: Come closer. Don’t make me squint. You know my eyes aren’t what they once were. (CHITRA steps closer.) Did I hear you speaking with someone?
For preview only
3
CHITRA: Yes.
NYRA: Who was it?
RIKKI-TIKKI: (A mongoose, dances IN from DOWN RIGHT and takes CENTER STAGE. He’s mischievous, playful and full of tricks. He chants in lively fashion.) Eye to eye and head to head.Turn for turn and twist for twist.The hooded cobra, again, has missed,Thanks to Rikki-tikki-tavi. (Dances about, gleeful.)Thanks to Rikki-tikki-tavi.Thanks to Rikki-tikki-tavi.Oh, yes.
NYRA: There’s that mongoose again. Must he [she] follow you everywhere you go? (To RIKKI-TIKKI.) Begone!
CHITRA: He means no harm.
NYRA: No harm? Last week he turned over my cooking pot and spilled the stew. Yesterday he stole an egg.
RIKKI-TIKKI: An egg. There’s nothing Rikki-tikki-tavi enjoys more than an egg. Oh, yes.
NYRA: Especially when the egg belongs to someone else. (A threatening gesture.) Be off with you! Son of mischief!
RIKKI-TIKKI: (Dances OFF, UP LEFT.)Eye to eye and head to head.Turn for turn and twist for twist.The hooded cobra, again, has missed,Thanks to Rikki-tikki-tavi.Oh, yes.
NYRA: Conceited mongoose.
CHITRA: (To audience.) Like Mowgli, Nyra can understand the language of the jungle creatures. I never know what they’re saying.
NYRA: Get yourself a proper pet. A tame monkey or a parrot. A mongoose may be fine for trapping snakes, but otherwise it’s nothing but aggravation. One thing after another. Overturned cooking pots and stolen eggs.
CHITRA: Nyra.
NYRA: Eh?
CHITRA: (Gestures to audience.) We have visitors.
For preview only
4
NYRA: Visitors? (NYRA steps beside CHITRA. Squints into audience.) So we do, so we do. (To CHITRA.) And there’s no need to tell me why they’re here. (To audience.) Visitors come to this village for only one reason, to hear the story of the jungle boy. The one the wolves named Mowgli. (Chuckles.) What a peculiar name to give a child. for it means Little frog. Did you ever hear the like, Little frog? (Hand up for emphasis.) Only I, Nyra, know the true story. You’ll have to pay something. A good storyteller is worth a coin or two. I can’t be expected to tell this strange account week in and week out without something to show for my trouble.
CHITRA: Our visitors gave me a coin of worth.
NYRA: A coin of worth, eh? I’ll be the judge of that. Let me see it. (She holds out her hand. CHITRA produces the coin and gives it to NYRA. The storyteller promptly bites the coin to see if it’s genuine. It is. A smile crosses NYRA’s face. Quickly, the coin disappears into the folds of her costume. She takes a step toward the audience.) Make yourselves comfortable while I tell you a story from the book of the jungle.
RIKKI-TIKKI: (Dances back IN from UP LEFT.)Eye to eye and head to head.Turn for turn and twist for twist.The hooded cobra, again, has missed,Thanks to Rikki-tikki-tavi.Oh, yes.
NYRA: Chitra, do something about that mongoose. I can’t think straight when he’s about. Running this way, running that way. How can I concentrate?
CHITRA: (Crosses UP LEFT.) Come along with me, Rikki-tikki-tavi. I’ll fix you a nice bowl of warm milk. (EXITS, RIKKI-TIKKI follows.)
RIKKI-TIKKI: (As he EXITS.) Warm milk for Rikki-tikki-tavi.Warm milk for Rikki-tikki-tavi.Oh, yes.
NYRA: (To audience.) That mongoose is in and out of my hut twenty times a day. Into everything, he is. Sometimes I think the mongoose is kin to the monkey people. (Sighs.) Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Mowgli. To begin with, you must see in your mind’s eye the animals who inhabit our story. (NYRA makes a slow circling motion with one hand, and the STAGE LIGHTS DIM somewhat as we supposedly travel back in time.) There’s Baloo, the friendly bear. (BALOO ENTERS RIGHT.) Bagheera, the panther. (BAGHEERA ENTERS LEFT.) father Wolf and Mother Wolf. (They ENTER RIGHT, stand
For preview only
5
beside BALOO.) Tabaqui, the treacherous jackal. (Smiling slyly, TABAQUI ENTERS LEFT and stands beside BAGHEERA.) Kaa, the great python snake. (KAA ENTERS RIGHT, stands beside FATHER and MOTHER WOLF.) Mang, the bat. (MANG ENTERS LEFT, stands beside TABAQUI.) Mor, the peacock. (MOR ENTERS RIGHT, stands beside the OTHERS.) The wolves of the pack. (WOLF #1, WOLF #2 and WOLF #3 [and EXTRAS] ENTER LEFT.) And the monkeys of the treetops. (KING [QUEEN] MONKEY, MONKEY #1 and MONKEY #2 [and EXTRAS] ENTER RIGHT.) The jungle is home to not one but many. There are numerous citizens and you will meet them in time. However... (She looks RIGHT and LEFT, on guard.) there is one you must meet at once. for, without him, our wondrous tale would be quite different.
OTHERS: Quite different.
NYRA: I speak of that cunning and dangerous tiger...
ALL: (With dramatic feeling, almost a loud whisper.) Shere Khan.
NYRA: Yes. Shere Khan. (With a great roar, SHERE KHAN leaps UP from behind Council Rock and stands on the platform. Hands held like claws, the ACTOR waves them in front of his face.)
SHERE KHAN: Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr. (OTHERS, not to include NYRA, EXIT RIGHT and LEFT, as if in fear.) Hear the words of Shere Khan. He is mine, the man-cub. He belongs to me. Only Shere Khan has the right to hunt down the human beings of the village. Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr.
NYRA: (Points to SHERE KHAN, speaks to audience.) Long ago, he came into the village and terrorized all who lived here. There is nothing to fear more than the breath of a man-eating tiger.
SHERE KHAN: Man-eating tiger! (As if boasting.) Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr.
NYRA: In the confusion, Mowgli’s father was struck down by the fearsome cat and Mowgli, barely able to walk, wandered off into the jungle. Oh, wicked, wicked Shere Khan. (FLEES LEFT.)
SHERE KHAN: (A proclamation.) Hear the words of the great Lord Shere Khan! I have the right to rule this jungle. for am I not the strongest and the most merciless? I, Shere Khan, fear nothing. Nothing! Not even the mighty elephant. When the time is right I will make my move and... conquer! Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr. (LIGHTS FADE QUICKLY TO BLACK.)
End of Scene Two
For preview only
6
ACT ONEScene Three
SETTING: Council Rock.
LIGHTS UP: TABAQUI ENTERS LEfT, followed by WOLf #1, WOLf #2 and WOLf #3 [and EXTRAS]. The WOLVES are howling. TABAQUI moves CENTER.
TABAQUI: (Moves CENTER.) There’s no use trying to impress a jackal such as I with your wolf howlings. The cry of a jackal is more than a match. (TABAQUI throws back his head, howls, and the sound is like a spiralling upward wail. The WOLVES are impressed, pull back.) There. What did I tell you? Don’t I have a fine voice?
WOLf #1: Doesn’t matter. Jackals are not welcome at Council Rock. (Points UPSTAGE.) father Wolf and Mother Wolf forbid it.
WOLf #2: You gnaw bones after others have eaten away the meat.
WOLf #1: Because you are too lazy to hunt for yourself.
TABAQUI: Tsk, tsk. What a harsh opinion you have of Tabaqui. Anyway, I am not here by choice. I am here on my master’s business.
WOLVES: Master?
TABAQUI: The great and powerful Shere Khan.
WOLVES: (In awe.) Shere Khan!
WOLf #1: Shere Khan shouldn’t be in this jungle.
WOLf #2: father Wolf has forbidden it.
TABAQUI: Ah, young wolves, you have forgotten something. This is the dry season of the water hole. All jungle creatures are free to quench their thirst. That is the law. Jungle law.
WOLVES: True. That is the law. Jungle law. (FATHER WOLF appears on Council Rock. WOLVES bow their heads as a sign of respect. TABAQUI does the same, but not out of respect. In truth, he respects nothing but the cruel strength of SHERE KHAN.)
fATHER WOLf: What brings you to Council Rock, scavenger?
WOLVES: Scavenger! Scavenger!
TABAQUI: A jackal can’t help being what he is, father Wolf. Can a leopard change its spots?
WOLVES: What do you want? What do you want?
TABAQUI: (Steps closer.) It’s not what I want. I wouldn’t presume. It’s what my master desires.
For preview only
7
fATHER WOLf: Your master is a man-killer, and I have forbidden him from the jungle trails.
TABAQUI: Ah, father Wolf, it is as I told the young ones. This is the dry season. All are welcome at the water hole. Jungle law.
WOLVES: Jungle law.
fATHER WOLf: Shere Khan entered the village, and there he killed a man.
TABAQUI: (Oily.) An accident. (Direct.) He would speak to you on a matter of great importance. He begs you grant him an audience, O wise and majestic father Wolf.
fATHER WOLf: I am feeling generous this morning. I will grant him an audience.
TABAQUI: (Backing OUT, bowing and scraping.) Too kind, too kind. I shall convey your message to my master. He awaits in the tall grass. He has no wish to intrude. Such a gentleman is Shere Khan. (TABAQUI is OUT. MOTHER WOLF joins her husband on the platform rock.)
MOTHER WOLf: What’s this, husband? Conversing with a jackal and granting an audience to a fearsome prowler?
fATHER WOLf: Things are different during the dry season of the water hole.
MOTHER WOLf: They must be when jackals and rogue tigers feel free to wander in and out of the jungle.
fATHER WOLf: Let’s see what the fellow has to say. I am curious. (FATHER WOLF tilts his head upward, howls. OTHER WOLVES do the same. At this point, JUNGLE CREATURES wander IN, attracted by the gathering at Council Rock: WOLVES, BALOO, BAGHEERA, KAA, MANG, MOR, RIKKI-TIKKI, MONKEYS.)
MOR: Imagine. Shere Khan. Here.
MANG: Who would have thought it?
KAA: It’s a bad businessssssssss. (OTHERS murmur agreement.)
KING MONKEY: I hope he’s been well fed.
fATHER WOLf: Silence! (OTHERS bow their heads in respect. TABAQUI ENTERS LEFT.)
TABAQUI: May he enter, great and powerful father Wolf? My master, Shere Khan?
For preview only
8
MOTHER WOLf: I’m not in favor of this.
fATHER WOLf: Let him enter.
TABAQUI: (Calling OFFSTAGE, LEFT.) father Wolf, present ruler of the jungle, awaits your presence, Shere Khan. (SHERE KHAN ENTERS. He can’t help looking arrogant, but he’s doing his best to appear diplomatic. OTHERS don’t trust him, but they do fear him. They step back.)
SHERE KHAN: (Surveying the scene.) Charming, charming. To see so many old friends. Speaking of old, you’re looking splendid, O divine and ancient father Wolf. Sad that most of your teeth are gone and your eyes are dim. Splendid, nevertheless. Quite splendid.
MOTHER WOLf: Say what you have to say and be gone.
SHERE KHAN: Your tongue is sharp, Mother Wolf, but I’ll pretend I didn’t notice. I understand a man-cub from the village wandered into the jungle and has been given shelter here.
fATHER WOLf: What if he has?
SHERE KHAN: Only I, Shere Khan, have the right to hunt man. I demand what is mine. Give me the man-cub.
MOTHER WOLf: Never. He is safe in the wolf den.
SHERE KHAN: (To OTHER WOLVES.) Surely, the young wolves don’t want a man-cub running in the pack?
fATHER WOLf: I decide these things, not you. I know your hatred of man. I know your hatred of those who live in the nearby village. That is why I banished you years ago. Nothing has changed.
SHERE KHAN: No offense, but you’re too old to lead the pack. I say we take a vote! Let’s elect a new leader.
TABAQUI: What a wonderful idea!
fATHER WOLf: You haven’t changed at all. Where others have a heart, you have a bitter root. Hear me well, Shere Khan. You will not have the man-cub.
SHERE KHAN: (Insists.) The man-cub is mine. Give him to me.
fATHER WOLf: You are insolent. The man-cub is under my protection.
MOTHER WOLf: You will never have him.
SHERE KHAN: In that case... (Crafty.) why not send him back to the village? To his own people? It would be a kind thing to do.
TABAQUI: Another wonderful idea! Oh, where do you get such wonderful ideas, Shere Khan?
For preview only
9
MOTHER WOLf: Back to the village? You have taken his scent. You would follow him there.
WOLVES: You would follow him there! You would follow him there!
fATHER WOLf: He stays with us. He will run with the pack. He will learn the ways of the jungle. He will learn jungle law.
OTHERS: Jungle law.
SHERE KHAN: I protest!
fATHER WOLf: Baloo, the bear.
BALOO: (Steps forward.) Here, great king.
fATHER WOLf: Bagheera, the panther.
BAGHEERA: (Steps forward.) Here, mighty monarch of the jungle.
fATHER WOLf: Kaa, the python.
KAA: (Steps forward.) Here I am, father Wolf. Ssssssssss.
fATHER WOLf: You three, bear, panther and python, I charge with the education of the man-cub.
SHERE KHAN: Once again, I protest!
BALOO: I’ve seen the little man-cub in the den, toddling here and there. Why, he looks like a little frog.
BAGHEERA: Yes, yes. He does.
KAA: Quite ssssssssoooo.
MOTHER WOLf: That will be his name. Little frog. Or, in jungle talk, Mowgli.
OTHERS: (Jumping up and down.) Mowgli! Mowgli! Mowgli!
fATHER WOLf: He can do us no harm. Let him be accepted.
OTHERS: Let him be accepted! Let him be accepted!
SHERE KHAN: Surely you jest.
fATHER WOLf: Once the dry season of the water hole has passed, I order you to leave this jungle. Take care that one day Mowgli does not hunt you.
MOTHER WOLf: father Wolf has spoken.
WOLVES: father Wolf has spoken!
SHERE KHAN: And to think I approached this audience with the utmost politeness.
For preview only
10
TABAQUI: The most polite tiger I ever saw. Has anyone ever seen such a polite man-eating tiger?
fATHER WOLf: (Sweeping gesture LEFT.) Leave!
SHERE KHAN: I leave, father Wolf. But remember this. The man-cub... this Little frog, this Mowgli... is mine. (He growls.)
OTHERS: (Ad lib.) Go away!You heard father Wolf!Mowgli stays!Begone!Out! Out! (SHERE KHAN gathers as much dignity as possible, under the circumstances, and EXITS LEFT.)
TABAQUI: (Following OUT.) Ignore them, Shere Khan. They’re not your sort. (He’s OUT. OTHERS FOLLOW after SHERE KHAN and TABAQUI, taunting them.)
OTHERS: (Ad lib.) Don’t come back!Stay away!You’re not wanted!Out of the jungle!Go from this place!Be gone! (LIGHTS FADE. SOUND EFFECT: JUNGLE NOISES.)
End of Scene Three
ACT ONEScene four
SETTING: The village and jungle.
LIGHTS UP: MESSUA, MOWGLI’S mother, is heard WAILING inside the hut.
MESSUA’S VOICE: My little baby! My little Nathoo!
CHITRA’S VOICE: You mustn’t worry, Messua. The men will find him.
MESSUA’S VOICE: They should have been back by now. (MESSUA and CHITRA ENTER from hut. Or, if you are only using the suggestion of a hut, they can APPEAR from behind it. MESSUA is terribly distraught. CHITRA tries to comfort her.)
CHITRA: You must be patient.
MESSUA: How can I be? Nathoo is all I have. The man-eating tiger has killed my poor husband.
CHITRA: The men of the village will find that terrible tiger and punish him.
For preview only
11
MESSUA: I am not thinking of the tiger. I am thinking of my Nathoo. (SOUND EFFECT: HUNTING HORN from DOWN RIGHT.)
CHITRA: There. What did I tell you? The searchers are back. (MESSUA, excited, moves RIGHT. In a moment, the village elder, TOOMAI, ENTERS DOWN RIGHT. He carries a spear.)
MESSUA: Toomai, you have found little Nathoo? (Sorrowfully, TOOMAI shakes his head.)
TOOMAI: Not a trace of the baby. (MESSUA sobs. CHITRA steps to her, puts one arm around her shoulder and tries again to offer comfort.)
CHITRA: There, there, Messua. Don’t give up hope. (To TOOMAI.) You will look for him tomorrow, won’t you, Toomai?
TOOMAI: I will send men into the jungle tonight with torches. If we don’t find Nathoo, we will search again in the morning. You must be strong, Messua.
MESSUA: He is so little. So helpless. (Calls out.) Nathoo! Nathoo! (VOICES from the jungle, SEARCHERS from the village, echo back.)
VOICES: Nathoo! Nathoo!
CHITRA: Come with me, Messua. You must rest. (She guides a sad and sobbing MESSUA back to the hut. They EXIT into or behind it.)
TOOMAI: (Aloud, to himself.) What’s the use of searching for the child? That tiger has eaten him by now. How I’d like to have that tiger’s hide hanging on the wall of my hut. Or I could sell it in the city for a handsome price.
VOICES: Nathoo! Nathoo!
TOOMAI: I’m tired of looking for a child that won’t be found. I’ll find a quiet place to nap. Let the others think I’m searching. (TOOMAI EXITS RIGHT. NYRA ENTERS LEFT, steps CENTER, addresses audience in her role of storyteller.)
NYRA: The men of the village never found Nathoo and, as the years passed... five, ten, twelve... Messua grew accustomed to the lonely life. Life was far from lonely for Mowgli, however. He grew strong, running with the wolf pack, and he was as inquisitive as Rikki-tikki-tavi. Poor Baloo was at his wit’s end trying to educate the boy. Mowgli hated sitting still for lessons. (BALOO ENTERS UP RIGHT. With him are MOR and MANG. NYRA chuckles when she sees them. EXITS LEFT.)
BALOO: Have you seen him, Mor?
For preview only
12
MOR: I see Mowgli every day. What of it?
BALOO: He’s been neglecting his lessons.
MANG: Lessons, lessons. A lively lad like Mowgli wants play, not lessons.
BALOO: He plays too much. (Calls out.) Mowgli!
MANG: Have you heard the news?
BALOO: What news? (Calling again.) Mowgli!
MOR: They’re saying father Wolf is getting too old to lead the pack.
BALOO: That again. Who says?
MANG: We hear things.
BALOO: Such big ears for a peacock and a bat. (Again, calls.) Mowgli!
MOR/MANG: Mowgli! Mowgli! Little frog! (KAA ENTERS LEFT, BAGHEERA behind him.)
KAA: Not a sssssssssign of the man-cub.
BAGHEERA: No telling what he’s up to. I hope he hasn’t been visiting the monkey people. He’s always asking questions about them.
MOR: The monkey people are so silly.
BAGHEERA: Clamoring over stones, proclaiming themselves kings and queens of the jungle.
KAA: Ssssssilly creaturessssssss.
BALOO: Oh, where is he? Late for lessons again. (MOWGLI jumps UP from behind Council Rock. He does not have the dagger.)
MOWGLI: Here I am, father of all kindly bears!
BALOO: I don’t feel kindly at the moment.
BAGHEERA: Kaa and I went looking for you.
MOWGLI: Don’t be angry with me. I have much to do. I must see everything there is to see in the jungle. (He jumps DOWN, moves to OTHERS.) Greetings, Mor! Greetings, Mang!
MOR/MANG: Mowgli.
MOWGLI: Baloo, there is something about Mang that I do not understand.
BALOO: I’m listening.
MOWGLI: (Points to MANG.) Mang is a bat.
For preview only
13
MANG: I am.
OTHERS: (Confirming.) He [She] is.
MOWGLI: I thought bats only came out at nighttime.
MANG: You forget, Mowgli, I am an unusual bat.
MOWGLI: That explains it.
BALOO: Questions and answers, questions and answers.
BAGHEERA: Questions and answers... that’s how one gets an education.
KAA: Ssssssssssooooo true.
BAGHEERA: Have you been studying the fish in the river, as I instructed you?
MOWGLI: The big fish and the little fish and all the fish in between.
BAGHEERA: That is good to hear.
KAA: When you were little, you used to throw ssssstones at me, Mowgli. I am happy to ssssssee you’ve gotten over that.
MOWGLI: Oh, Kaa. I only did that when I was an ignorant child.
MOR: You are still a child, but not so ignorant. (KING [QUEEN] MONKEY, now wearing a crown lopsided on his [her] head, ENTERS LEFT.)
KING MONKEY: Look who’s here! Look who’s here!
OTHERS: Who?
KING MONKEY: Me! Me! Me! King Monkey. Monkey King. Monkey, monkey, monkey. Lucky you, lucky me.
BAGHEERA: We have no time for silly monkeys.
KING MONKEY: I’ve come with an invitation.
MOR: What sort of an invitation?
KING MONKEY: I’m having a birthday party and I want to invite the man-cub.
OTHERS: Mowgli?!
KING MONKEY: He is the man-cub, isn’t he? And if he is the man-cub, I want him at my party.
MANG: That crown looks silly on your head.
KING MONKEY: It doesn’t look silly. It makes me look distinguished. You’re jealous, that’s all.
For preview only
14
KAA: Jealousssssssss?
KING MONKEY: Everybody knows the monkey people are the wisest and the cleverest and the handsomest folk in the jungle. We are envied by everyone. (He produces a mirror and admires himself. OTHERS laugh; KING MONKEY does take himself seriously.)
KAA: No more foolishnessssssss. It is time for school.
BAGHEERA: Kaa speaks wisely.
MOWGLI: School, school. Always school. Still, it’s good to know things, isn’t it? (MOR, MANG and KING MONKEY sit on the ground, eager to hear the day’s lesson.)
MANG: Oh, I nearly forgot.
BALOO: What?
MANG: I heard it from the other bats last night.
BAGHEERA: What, what?
MANG: Shere Khan is back in the forest.
OTHERS: Shere Khan!
MOWGLI: (Fiercely.) Shere Khan had better watch his step.
KAA: Careful, Little frog. Careful.
BAGHEERA: He has never lost your scent.
MOWGLI: Baloo, why does Shere Khan hate me so?
BALOO: Because he fears you. He hates what he fears.
MOR: If Shere Khan destroys you, he destroys his fear.
MOWGLI: I think hating is a waste of time. He’d better watch his manners.
BALOO: Come, come, Mowgli. Make us proud. To start, let me hear you recite our jungle law.
OTHERS: Jungle law! Jungle law! (MOWGLI jumps back onto the Council Rock platform.)
MOWGLI: Hear me, people of the jungle! (MUSIC CUE 3: “Jungle Law.” Sings.) We are of one blood,Ye and I.We share the same land,Water and sky.It is jungle law
For preview only
15
We are taught to abide.So with hand in claw,We live side by side.
(Speaks during instrumental verse.) Drinking comes before eating. When the jungle is dry, all are free to quench their thirst at the water hole without fear of harm. That is jungle law!
ALL: (Sing.) We are of one blood,Ye and I.We share the same land,Water and sky.It is jungle lawWe are taught to abide.So with hand in claw,We live side by side.
MOWGLI: (Speaks during instrumental verse.) Never hunt for pleasure — only for food. Treat all things of the jungle with respect. The trees and the vines, the streams and the hills. That is jungle law!
ALL: (Sing.) We are of one blood,Ye and I.We share the same land,Water and sky.It is jungle lawWe are taught to abide.So with hand in claw,We live side by side.So with hand in claw,We live side by side.
BALOO: (At end of song.) That is jungle law.
BAGHEERA: We are pleased with you, Mowgli.
MOWGLI: I am pleased that my teachers are pleased. Can I go and play now? I promised the elephants a game of hide-and-seek. (KING MONKEY jumps up and dances about.)
KING MONKEY: What fun! Hide-and-seek! Hide-and-seek! Oh, how I love a game of hide-and-seek! Let me come with you, Mowgli. I’m good at hide-and-seek.
BAGHEERA: You’re also good at tossing coconuts from the treetops. I’ve been hit more than once.
KING MONKEY: It’s fun! It’s fun! Tossing coconuts. It’s fun!
BAGHEERA: Not to me.
For preview only
16
KAA: Ssssssssilly monkey.
KING MONKEY: Oh, Mowgli, you must come to the Deserted City. We can scamper about and hide in the ruins. Such fun. Look carefully at my crown! Isn’t it lovely? I found it in the treasure room.
BAGHEERA: What treasure room?
MOR: Ignore him. He’ll only tell you a silly monkey lie.
BALOO: The monkey people really are impossible.
MANG: (Tenses.) Quiet.
MOR: What is it, Mang?
MANG: Something comes this way.
MOR: (Jumps up.) Not Shere Khan? (OTHERS react, stand.)
MANG: No. Much smaller. But swift.
BAGHEERA: I wonder who it could be?
RIKKI-TIKKI: (Whirls IN from LEFT.)Eye to eye and head to head. Turn for turn and twist for twist.
OTHERS: The hooded cobra, again, has missed,Thanks to Rikki-tikki-tavi.
RIKKI-TIKKI: Ah, yes. Greetings.
MOR: What takes you from the man village on such a fine day?
RIKKI-TIKKI: I hope I’m not interrupting anything.
BAGHEERA: We are teaching Mowgli the ways of the jungle.
OTHERS: Jungle law.
RIKKI-TIKKI: Mowgli already knows all there is to know about jungle law.
BALOO: Not so.
RIKKI-TIKKI: The man-cub is very smart.
MOWGLI: If I am, it’s thanks to father and Mother Wolf and my teachers, Baloo, Bagheera and Kaa.
RIKKI-TIKKI: Kaa, is he here?
KAA: Hiss, hiss. Go away, go away. Make him go away, Mowgli. You know how mongeese upset me.
MOWGLI: I promise he won’t harm you.
For preview only
17
KAA: (Relieved.) Thank you, Mowgli. I trust your word.
MOR: Well, Rikki-Tikki, why are you here?
RIKKI-TIKKI: Have you heard the news?
MANG: You mean about Shere Khan? We know about that.
RIKKI-TIKKI: No. About father Wolf. He was on the hunt, and he missed his kill. (OTHERS are horrified.)
OTHERS: (Hushed tone.) father Wolf missed his kill?
MOWGLI: I don’t believe it.
RIKKI-TIKKI: It’s true. The news is spreading through the jungle.
BALOO: (Worried.) When the head wolf misses his kill, jungle law says another can take his place.
RIKKI-TIKKI: The news has traveled very quickly. Soon everyone in the jungle will know.
BAGHEERA: This is serious.
MOWGLI: I must go to father Wolf. (Runs OUT, RIGHT.)
KING MONKEY: Why don’t we all go? It might be fun.
MANG: (Alert.) Whatever we do, I think we’d better do it fast.
RIKKI-TIKKI: Why?
MANG: Shere Khan is close. I sense it.
OTHERS: Auuuugh! (They run OFF, RIGHT. A pause. Then... )
SHERE KHAN’S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE LEFT.) I want you to understand I have only your best interests at heart. (He ENTERS with WOLF #1, WOLF #2, WOLF #3. [EXTRA WOLVES can be added.])
SHERE KHAN: But I simply do not understand how such intelligent wolves as yourselves can be led by an old wolf who has lost his skill in hunting. Alas, father Wolf’s time has come and gone. Here today, gone tomorrow.
WOLf #1: He has always been our leader.
WOLf #2: Always.
WOLf #3: We obey him in all things.
SHERE KHAN: Bad enough that you permit the man-cub to run with you. But to have a leader who’s past his prime. Tsk, tsk. I feel so sorry for you.
For preview only
18
WOLf #1: Hmmmmm. I shall have to think about this.
WOLf #2: Who would have thought it? father Wolf missing his kill.
WOLf #3: It never happened before.
SHERE KHAN: There’s a first time for everything. A great tragedy. Such is life. Don’t let me detain you. I’m sure you have things to do. Run along. If you see the man-cub, give him my best. Hee, hee, hee. (Howling, WOLVES run OUT, RIGHT. When they are gone... ) Tabaqui!
TABAQUI: (Slinks IN from LEFT.) You growled, O great and powerful Shere Khan? Do I have the honor of serving you in some way?
SHERE KHAN: Keep spreading word of father Wolf’s disgrace. Tell the people of the jungle Shere Khan has called a meeting at Council Rock for tonight. When the meeting is over, father Wolf will rule no more. (Snaps.) Well, what are you waiting for? Be about your business.
TABAQUI: Happy to serve you, Shere Khan. It’s a privilege. Who could ask for anything more? (Bowing and scraping, he EXITS LEFT.)
SHERE KHAN: The young wolves are easily persuaded. (To audience.) Now, to Council Rock and the end of father Wolf! (SHERE KHAN lopes OUT, RIGHT, as the LIGHTS QUICKLY FADE TO BLACK. SOUND EFFECT: JUNGLE NOISES.)
End of Scene four
ACT ONEScene five
SETTING: Council Rock.
SOUND EffECTS CONTINUE through the opening of this scene. ALL THE ANIMALS we have met so far ENTER from RIGHT and LEfT and take positions to the sides of Council Rock platform. fATHER WOLf and MOTHER WOLf ENTER RIGHT. fATHER WOLf takes his position atop the platform. MOWGLI APPEARS EXTREME DOWN RIGHT on fORESTAGE. ANIMALS slowly murmur in animal talk. WOLVES howl, MONKEYS chatter, etc.
LIGHTS UP: Night. fATHER WOLf holds up his hand for silence. SOUND EffECTS and the animal talk CEASE.
fATHER WOLf: Hear me, people of the jungle! This meeting is declared open! (Looks about.) Where is Shere Khan?
MOTHER WOLf: Show yourself, prowler of the jungle.
OTHERS: Where is Shere Khan? Where is Shere Khan?
For preview only
19
TABAQUI: He’ll be here. Never fear.
BALOO: Where are you, Shere Khan? (SHERE KHAN ENTERS LEFT. MOWGLI tenses.)
KAA: Hisssssss. Hisssssss.
OTHERS: Hissssss. Hisssssss. (SHERE KHAN takes the hissing as a sign of approval.)
SHERE KHAN: Thank you, thank you. I’m overwhelmed by my reception. flattered, even.
OTHERS: Hissssss. Hissssss.
SHERE KHAN: (Irritated.) I heard you the first time.
MOWGLI: Say what you have to say, Shere Khan.
SHERE KHAN: (Notices MOWGLI.) What have we here? Ah, it’s the Little frog. The man-cub. (To FATHER WOLF.) Does he now speak for you, father Wolf?
MOWGLI: No one speaks for father Wolf.
MANG: Mowgli, it is not your place to speak out.
SHERE KHAN: You should teach your pupil better manners, Baloo.
fATHER WOLf: Mowgli means well.
SHERE KHAN: I bear him no grudge.
OTHERS: Hissssss. Hissssss.
SHERE KHAN: No, honestly. I mean what I say. I have only one thought in mind. What’s best for the jungle. I want to like everyone. I want everyone to like me.
OTHERS: Hisssss. Hisssss.
SHERE KHAN: Can’t we be friends? (MUSIC CUE 4: “Can’t We Be Friends?” Sings.) We’re different, yes, it’s true.But you like me, then I’ll like you.Can’t we be friends?I know we’ve had some spats,But why fight like dogs and cats?Can’t we be friends?
Don’t you want a tiger for your buddy?I’ll defend you anytime, anywhere.Who couldn’t use another friend?After all, it’s a jungle out there.
For preview only
20
forgive me, if you can,Once in a while I eat a man.Can’t we be friends?Don’t let my little flawsPrevent us from shaking paws.Can’t we be friends?
Don’t you want a tiger for your buddy?I’ll defend you anytime, anywhere.Who couldn’t use another friend?After all, it’s a jungle out there.
Got troubles, don’t we all?I’m here to help, give me a call.Can’t we be friends?Let by-gones all be gone,Get to know the real Shere Khan.Can’t we be friends?
Don’t you want a tiger for your buddy?I’ll defend you anytime, anywhere.Who couldn’t use another friend?After all it’s a jungle out there.
fATHER WOLf: (At the end of the song.) You have called for this meeting. We are listening.
SHERE KHAN: You are blunt, father Wolf, and I shall be the same. (Hard tone.) I have spoken to some young wolves. They think it’s time for change. You are too old to lead the pack. (General reaction.) When you took the man-cub in, it was the beginning of your decline. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
MOTHER WOLf: You only say that because you fear Mowgli.
SHERE KHAN: fear? fear! (Snarls.) I fear nothing! Nothing! (WOLVES howl.) You hear that, father Wolf? The young wolves agree with me. Besides, the man-cub is rightfully mine.
fATHER WOLf: Eating man is against jungle law.
BALOO/BAGHEERA/KAA: Law of the jungle! Jungle law!
SHERE KHAN: Laws can be changed. (With growing fierceness.) You must accept what is what, father Wolf. You are finished.
TABAQUI: Your teeth are soft.
WOLf #1: fit only for chewed meat.
WOLf #2: Abdicate.
For preview only
21
WOLf #3: Resign.
WOLf #1: You have missed your kill.
MOTHER WOLf: Shame on you, young wolves. Shame.
SHERE KHAN: Don’t despair. I have good news.
MOR: Good news? from you?
MANG: Impossible.
TABAQUI: Nothing is impossible for Shere Khan.
SHERE KHAN: I shall lead the pack. (General reaction of disbelief.)
MONKEYS: You, you? You, you? You, you? Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!
fATHER WOLf: You?!
SHERE KHAN: And why not? It’s my destiny to rule the jungle.
fATHER WOLf: By what right?
OTHERS: What right? What right?
MONKEYS: Tell us.
SHERE KHAN: Because I, Shere Khan, fear nothing!
TABAQUI: Did you hear that? Shere Khan fears nothing.
KING MONKEY: Oh, dear. This isn’t much fun after all. I’d rather play hide-and-seek. What do you say, monkeys? Hide-and-seek? I’ll hide first, and then you try to find me. (Chattering foolishly, KING MONKEY scampers OFF LEFT. Chattering even louder, MONKEY #1 and MONKEY #2 [and EXTRAS] scamper OUT after him.)
MONKEY #1: No, no, I want to be first.
MONKEY #2: No, no. Me first. Me first.
MONKEY #1: Me! Me!
RIKKI-TIKKI: I’ll join you. (He scampers OUT after the MONKEYS.)
MOWGLI: Shame on you, Rikki-tikki.
SHERE KHAN: Their absence is of no concern. They are easily distracted. (MOWGLI steps CENTER.)
MOWGLI: You are not welcome here. (Gestures LEFT.) Go play hide-and-seek with the monkeys and the mongoose.
SHERE KHAN: Insolent brat! (He holds up his paws and spreads his fingers, preparing to pounce.) GGGGGrrrrr. GGGGGrrrrr. GGGGGrrrrr. (MOWGLI takes an aggressive stance.)
For preview only
22
MOWGLI: Come on, come on, you poor excuse for a bungalow cat. Mowgli’s not afraid of you.
SHERE KHAN: You should be. (Just as SHERE KHAN is about to leap, BALOO steps between him and MOWGLI.)
BALOO: Stop! Harm a hair on his head and you’ll have me to deal with.
BAGHEERA: And me.
KAA: Me, too. Hisssss.
BALOO: He is our pupil.
SHERE KHAN: I wouldn’t soil my claws on a soft bear and a moth-eaten panther and a hissing reptile. I have my pride.
TABAQUI: (Jumping about and applauding.) Did you hear that, everyone? Not only is Shere Khan afraid of absolutely nothing, he is filled with pride!
MOTHER WOLf: You call it pride? I call it arrogance.
SHERE KHAN: Enough has been said already. (To FATHER WOLF.) I will return in two days’ time when the sun rises. You will give me your answer. I advise you to think carefully, old one. Very, very carefully. (Covertly, to audience.) His life could depend on it. (SHERE KHAN walks OFF, LEFT, in regal fashion.)
TABAQUI: (Following.) Oh, you’ll make a great ruler! What a pleasure to serve one such as you. (He’s OFF.)
fATHER WOLf: (Heavy-hearted.) Hear me, people of the jungle. This meeting is declared over. (Sorrowfully, ALL except MOWGLI, FATHER WOLF and MOTHER WOLF wander OFF. FATHER WOLF steps from the platform and moves to MOWGLI.) I never thought this day would come.
MOWGLI: The young wolves won’t vote to let Shere Khan lead the pack.
fATHER WOLf: The decision is mine alone.
MOWGLI: You mustn’t abdicate.
fATHER WOLf: So, now the Little frog is telling his father Wolf what he must do?
MOTHER WOLf: Mowgli didn’t mean it that way.
fATHER WOLf: I know. (Puts his hand to MOWGLI’S shoulder.) You are a good Little frog and a good son. (He moves to MOTHER WOLF and, together, heads low, they EXIT.)
For preview only
23
MOWGLI: (Calls after them.) Shere Khan will never rule! This I swear! (Faces audience as LIGHTS start to FADE.) Hear me, people. We are of one blood, you and I. Shere Khan will never rule. So says Mowgli, Keeper of the Law and Guardian of the Jungle! (He throws up his arms as if in triumph. SOUND EFFECT: JUNGLE NOISES UP FAST AND LOUD. BLACKOUT.)
END Of ACT ONE
[NOTE: If you wish an INTERMISSION, it comes at this point. If not, the action is continuous.]
ACT TWOScene One
SETTING: The Deserted City/Jungle.
Prior to LIGHTS UP: SOUND EffECT Of MONKEY VOICES, SINGING/CHANTING HAPPILY.
MONKEYS’ VOICES: (In darkness.) Monkey see, monkey do,We are not in a zoo!We romp around and play with glee,In jungle bush, from tree to tree!(LIGHTS UP. MONKEYS are discovered in a circle, dancing round and round, carefree as can be. They sing “The Monkey Song” in unison, a cappella.)
MONKEYS: Monkey do what he please.Monkey think life a breeze.Monkey sing, monkey dance.Monkey like to step on ants.Monkey like to sing song.Eat banana all day long.
Monkey swing through the trees.Monkey taunt, monkey tease.Monkey like to tell joke.Monkey people happy folk.Monkey make trouble spread.Throw big nut right at your head!Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! (Delighted by their play, the MONKEYS chatter foolishly and circle faster and faster. During the chanting, MOWGLI ENTERS from LEFT and observes. Faster and faster circle the MONKEYS, laughing and chanting.)Monkey see, monkey do,Monkey see, monkey do!(They are circling so fast that it appears they could not stop, even
For preview only
24
if they wished to. Finally, they can spin round and round no more and, exhausted, they fall to the ground, laughing.)
MOWGLI: Greetings, King [Queen] Monkey. I salute you on this day of days. (MONKEYS scramble to their feet.)
MONKEYS: It’s the man-cub.
KING MONKEY: What’s so special about this day? It’s a day like any other.
MOWGLI: How can that be? It’s your birthday.
MONKEYS: Birthday?
KING MONKEY: It’s my birthday, you say?
MOWGLI: You invited me.
KING MONKEY: I did? When?
MOWGLI: Yesterday. Don’t you remember?
KING MONKEY: Yesterday is a long time ago.
MONKEYS: Who can remember yesterday?
MONKEY #2: Remembering tomorrow is hard enough.
MONKEY #1: Let’s toss coconuts at Baloo.
MONKEY #2: Better Baloo than Shere Khan.
MONKEY #1: Don’t say that name.
MONKEY #2: I know. Let’s take Mowgli prisoner.
MONKEYS: Prisoner! Prisoner!
MOWGLI: Whaaaaaaa?
MONKEY #1: And we won’t let you go until you tell us the secret of the red flower.
MOWGLI: Red flower? Oh, I know what you mean. My teachers have told me. The red flower is what man calls “fire.”
MONKEYS: fire?
KING MONKEY: What makes the red flower glow?
MONKEY #1: What makes it bright?
MONKEY #2: What makes it hot?
KING MONKEY: Answer the question, Mowgli. What is the secret of the red flower?
For preview only
25
MOWGLI: I don’t know the secret, Your Tailship. Baloo says fire can be both good and bad.
MONKEYS: Good and bad? Good and bad? That doesn’t make any sense. Hahahahahaheeheeheeheeheehohoho. Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! (Foolish as foolish can be, the MONKEYS roll on the ground.) Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!
KING MONKEY: I thought, since you’re a man-cub, you’d know the secret of man’s red flower.
MOWGLI: I only know what I’ve been taught by Baloo and Bagheera and Kaa.
KING MONKEY: Well, if you don’t know the secret of the red flower, you will have to pay a forfeit. You will have to stay with us monkeys and play and play and play. (MONKEYS jump to their feet.)
MONKEY #1: Mowgli’s our prisoner. Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!
MONKEY #2: You must tell us riddles.
MONKEY #1: That sort of thing. It’s what’s expected of a monkey’s prisoner.
MOWGLI: I am Mowgli! I am no monkey’s prisoner.
KING MONKEY: The gift! The gift! Where’s my birthday gift?
MOWGLI: I didn’t bring one. I didn’t know I was supposed to.
KING MONKEY: No gift? In that case, you shall have one.
MOWGLI: But it isn’t my birthday.
KING MONKEY: Pretend not to notice.
MOWGLI: (To audience, sighing.) These monkey people try one’s patience. (KING MONKEY crosses to the ruins of the Deserted City. MONKEYS clamber after him, chattering. “Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!”)
KING MONKEY: What shall it be? What shall it be?
MONKEYS: A bonnet or a bee? A bonnet or a bee?
KING MONKEY: We shall see.
MONKEYS: We shall see.
KING MONKEY: How about... (He dips behind some ruin and comes up with a magnificent, bejewelled dagger. It’s the weapon MOWGLI held in ACT ONE, Scene One.) This?! (He scampers back to MOWGLI, MONKEYS behind him.) Happy birthday, Mowgli.
For preview only
26
MONKEYS: Happy birthday! Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! (MOWGLI is fascinated by the dagger. He takes it and holds it in his hand, as if it were the most splendid thing in the world.)
MONKEY #1: Do you like it, Mowgli?
MONKEY #2: Does it please you?
MOWGLI: (In awe.) Never have I seen such a wondrous tooth.
MONKEYS: Tooth! Tooth! He thinks it’s a tooth. HAHAHAHAHAHA! Tooth! Tooth! Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! (Again, MONKEYS drop to ground and roll about.)
MOWGLI: With such a tooth as this, Shere Khan will walk in fear.
KING MONKEY: Don’t talk about that unpleasant tiger. You’ll spoil the fun. (MONKEYS stand.)
MOWGLI: (Still admiring the dagger.) Where did you get such a tooth? (Casually, KING MONKEY points to the ruins.)
KING MONKEY: Over there.
MONKEY #1: There are lots more.
MONKEY #2: In the treasure room below the ruins.
MONKEY #1: Let’s toss coconuts at Mowgli.
KING MONKEY: Let’s toss dice.
MONKEY #2: No, no. Let’s dance. Everybody dance.
MOWGLI: I don’t know how to dance.
KING MONKEY: No problem, Mowgli. Just follow along.
MONKEYS: (MOWGLI barely has time to put the dagger in his waistband. The MONKEYS grab him and form their dance circle. They spin about and chant.) Just follow along. MUSIC CUE 5: “The Monkey Song.” Speak.) Monkey see, monkey do! (Sing. [Split lines among MONKEYS as desired or sing in unison.])Monkey do what he please.Monkey think life a breeze.Monkey sing, monkey dance.Monkey like to step on ants.Monkey like to sing song.Eat banana all day long.
Monkey swing through the trees.Monkey taunt, monkey tease.Monkey like to tell joke.
For preview only
27
Monkey people happy folk.Monkey make trouble spread.Throw big nut right at your head!
KING MONKEY: (Sings.) You can’t take life too seriously,At least that’s what I’ve found.Don’t worry ’bout this, don’t worry ’bout that.Instead, just monkey around!
MOWGLI: (Music continues. MONKEYS chase him around, teasing, throwing coconuts, making monkey sounds. Speaks.) Stop it!... I don’t want to play!... Let me go! (During the chase, BAGHEERA, KAA and BALOO ENTER and watch action, unseen by others. BALOO is carrying a beehive.)
KING MONKEY: (Sings.) You can’t take life too seriously,At least that’s what I’ve found.Don’t worry ’bout this, don’t worry ’bout that.Instead, just monkey around!
MONKEYS: (Sing. [OPTIONAL: Lines split among MONKEYS.]) Monkeys not like giraffes.Monkey live life for laughs.Monkey jump, monkey run.Then go lay out in the sun.Take it slow, I tell you.Little man, life is a zoo!(At the end of the song, MONKEYS continue to taunt and tease.)
BAGHEERA: How many times have we told Mowgli to stay away from the monkey people?
KAA: Too many timesssssss.
BALOO: Never mind about that. We must rescue him. That’s why I brought along this beehive. It should do the trick.
MONKEYS: (Sing, a cappella.) Monkeys not like giraffes.Monkey live life for laughs.Monkey jump, monkey run.Then go lay out in the sun.Take it slow, I tell you.Little man, life is a zoo!Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!
MOWGLI: (Interjecting.) Silly monkeys. Let me go. I don’t want to play!
BALOO: Here goes! (He tosses the beehive at the MONKEYS. It drops to the ground. SOUND EFFECT: BEE ATTACK. [Consult PRODUCTION
For preview only
28
NOTES.] Immediately, MONKEYS stop dancing and begin to run around as the BEE ATTACK begins. MOWGLI and the MONKEYS frantically slap at the attacking bees.)
KING MONKEY: Oh, me, oh, my! What’s this?
MOWGLI: Bees! Bees! Stinging bees!
MONKEY #1 & #2: Bee attack! Bee attack! Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!
MONKEYS: (Slapping at themselves, trying to ward off the attack.) Bees! Bees! Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz. (Again, they fall to the ground and thrash about. MOWGLI kicks the beehive OFFSTAGE.) Oh! Stop! No! Ouch! Bees! Bees! Bees! (BALOO, BAGHEERA and KAA think the sight of the bee-crazed MONKEYS is the funniest thing they’ve ever seen. They laugh. The MONKEYS try to escape. They leap to their feet, still swatting the air about them, and rush OFFSTAGE. Or the director may wish to have the MONKEYS leap from the STAGE and run UP THE AISLES of the auditorium, all the time swatting at the pursuing “bees.”)
MONKEYS: (Continuing.) Bees! Bees! Bees! Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz. Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! (MOWGLI slaps at a final bee as his teachers cross to him.)
BALOO: Let that be a lesson to you, Little frog.
BAGHEERA: Try to be friends with the monkey people and you’ll be stung for your trouble.
KAA: We have warned you many timesssss.
MOWGLI: But it was the King Monkey’s birthday, only it wasn’t. It was mine. Only it wasn’t.
BAGHEERA: Mowgli sounds as foolish as the monkey people do.
MOWGLI: I’ll keep my distance in the future. (Displays the dagger.) Look at what the King Monkey gave me. Is it not a splendid tooth?
BAGHEERA: It is a bejewelled dagger. It is not a tooth.
MOWGLI: Let Shere Khan beware!
BALOO: Alas, tomorrow morning he will return to Council Rock and, I fear, father Wolf will be overthrown.
BAGHEERA: The wolves of the pack say Shere Khan should lead because he is afraid of nothing.
MOWGLI: But you said he was afraid of man.
BALOO: Shere Khan will rule in the jungle. That is not the home of man.
For preview only
29
MOWGLI: He must be stopped.
BAGHEERA: He is as strong as the water buffalo and as clever as the fox.
MOWGLI: My tooth will banish him.
KAA: Don’t be so sssssure, Little frog.
BALOO: Listen carefully, Mowgli, for I am going to tell you a secret that might defeat the mighty Shere Khan.
BAGHEERA: (Looks LEFT and RIGHT.) Whisper it, Baloo.
KAA: for the jungle is full of earsssssss. (BALOO steps closer to MOWGLI. The jungle boy tilts his head toward BALOO and the bear whispers something in his ear. A look of absolute amazement covers MOWGLI’S face.)
MOWGLI: Yes, yes, yes. I understand, Baloo. (SOUND EFFECT: THUNDER. LIGHTS flicker. ALL react.)
BALOO: Wouldn’t you know it. A storm.
BAGHEERA: Had I known, I would have brought along my umbrella. (Another THUNDERCLAP. BALOO, BAGHEERA and KAA hurriedly EXIT, DOWN RIGHT.)
BALOO: Hurry, Mowgli.
MOWGLI: What has a frog to fear from water? Ha, ha. (Again, he admires the dagger and recalls the words of the MONKEYS.) “There’s lots more... in the treasure chest below the ruins.” Let’s see what I’ll find. (He moves quickly to the ruins. Drops to his knees and pretends to start a climb. Almost at the same moment, a KING [QUEEN] COBRA APPEARS from behind some stone, swaying from side to side in menacing fashion. [NOTE: If you wish, you may use a hand puppet for the COBRA. Consult PRODUCTION NOTES.])
COBRA: Hiss. Hiss. Hiss. (Startled, alarmed, MOWGLI falls back. COBRA, continuing, the voice threatening and angry.) Am I nothing that you ssssseek to take from my treasure vault? Hiss. Hiss. Hiss. (MOWGLI, on his knees, kow-tows.)
MOWGLI: Oh, forgive me, greatest of all cobras! The monkey people did not tell me the treasure had a guardian.
COBRA: They are sssssilly and useless. I allow them privilegesssss because it amusessssss me to do so.
MOWGLI: (Stands.) Is the treasure yours?
For preview only
30
COBRA: No. Centuries ago the Great Raja, lord of the jungle, put his treasure in the stone vault below the city. He made me the warden, the guardian of all his rubies and pearls and sapphires and gold coins without number.
MOWGLI: I should like to see the treasure.
COBRA: Never. All who attempt to enter the treasure vault perish. I am a fierce guardian. My venom takes no prisonersssss. How is it that a man-cub speaks the language of the jungle?
MOWGLI: I have good teachers.
COBRA: Hiss. Hiss. Hiss. I warn you. Stay back.
MOWGLI: One little look, greatest of all cobras.
COBRA: Never, never. Hissssssss.
MOWGLI: All I want is a peek.
COBRA: Begone, I say! Hiss! Hiss! Hiss! (MOWGLI stares the COBRA in the eye. He sways his body from side to side. COBRA can’t pull his eyes from MOWGLI.) What are you doing? Stand still. Your motions hypnotize me. I cannot turn away. Stop it, I say. Stop it. Hiss. Hiss. Hiss. (COBRA moves his head from side to side, following MOWGLI’S body motion. Suddenly, MOWGLI stops and, with a yell, jumps behind the COBRA and puts the dagger to its skin.)
MOWGLI: Auuuuuugh!
COBRA: Wretched boy. You have sealed your fate. Hissssssss!
MOWGLI: Not so. (With the dagger, he forces COBRA’S mouth open and looks inside.) It is as I thought. Your poison fangs are withered in the gum. The Great Raja’s guardian of the treasure vault has outlived his venom. (He releases his grip, jumps from the ruins.)
COBRA: Now you will tell men where there is great wealth. They will come and plunder, but stealing brings no happiness.
MOWGLI: In that case, I will never tell where the treasure is.
COBRA: You lie. All men lie.
MOWGLI: I, Mowgli, do not lie. (Holds out the dagger.) Here. Take it back. I don’t want what’s not mine.
COBRA: No. Keep it and learn a lesson. See what happens when man’s eyes turn greedy.
MOWGLI: I thank you, Great Cobra. Now I must leave you. I have important work ahead.
For preview only
31
COBRA: (Crushed.) I am powerlesssss.
MOWGLI: I will tell no one you have lost your venom.
COBRA: I am so ashamed. Ashamed. Kill me.
MOWGLI: I do not like talk of killing. One kills only for food. Jungle law.
COBRA: Let me hear it again. Your name. Tell me.
MOWGLI: Mowgli. (MOWGLI runs OUT, RIGHT.)
COBRA: (In awe, swaying from side to side.) Mowgli. Mowgli. Mowgli. Hisssssss. (COBRA drops from sight. SOUND EFFECT: THUNDERCLAP. BLACKOUT.)
End of Scene One
ACT TWOScene Two
SETTING: The jungle. Night.
LIGHTS UP DIMLY: WOLf #1, WOLf #2, WOLf #3 [and EXTRAS] gambol in from LEfT.
WOLf #1: It will seem very odd to have a man-eating tiger leading the pack.
WOLf #2: I don’t like the idea.
WOLf #3: Nor do I. Still, Shere Khan makes a good case.
WOLf #1: He is strong.
WOLf #2: And father Wolf is growing weak.
WOLf #3: Old and weak.
WOLf #1: It is a serious matter when the leader of the pack misses a kill.
WOLf #2: If he misses too many, the young cubs will starve.
WOLf #3: (Uneasy.) Even so, a tiger?
WOLf #1: Better a tiger to rule in the jungle than a father Wolf who misses a kill.
WOLVES: True, true.
WOLf #2: We young wolves must think of our future. (MANG and MOR [and EXTRAS] hurry IN from LEFT.)
MANG: All the bats are talking about the meeting at Council Rock.
For preview only
32
MOR: The elephants and the crocodiles can talk of nothing else.
MANG: The water hole is filled with gossip.
MOR: Everyone wonders what will happen in the morning.
MANG: I’m going to be early because I want a good place to hear and watch.
MOR: I know one thing.
WOLVES: What?
MOR: I will not give my allegiance to Shere Khan. When he looks at me, I know he is thinking of food.
WOLf #1: If father Wolf abdicates, you will give your allegiance to Shere Khan, or you will have to leave the jungle.
WOLf #2: I, too, want a good place to hear and watch.
WOLf #3: Let us hurry before the whole jungle arrives. To Council Rock!
OTHERS: To Council Rock! (WOLF #1 throws back his head and howls. OTHER WOLVES do the same. They run OFF, RIGHT. MANG, MOR [and EXTRAS] follow, on the run.)
End of Scene Two
ACT TWOScene Three
SETTING: The village.
LIGHTS UP: VOICES Of CHITRA and MESSUA from Off LEfT.
CHITRA’S VOICE: The burning charcoal will last a long time. It will burn until morning.
MESSUA’S VOICE: I put the burning coals in the cooking pot. I can warm my hands when the night chill is unkind. (They ENTER. CHITRA carries a small kettle. There’s a red glow within. VOICES OF MOWGLI and TOOMAI from OFFSTAGE DOWN RIGHT.)
MOWGLI’S VOICE: (Protesting fiercely.) Let me go! Let me go!
TOOMAI’S VOICE: Be still, wild thing from the jungle.
MOWGLI’S VOICE: Let me go! Let me go! Baloo! Bagheera! Kaa!
TOOMAI’S VOICE: What names are these? (TOOMAI and MOWGLI appear. EXTRA VILLAGERS can be added, if desired. TOOMAI carries a spear.)
CHITRA: Who is this boy, Toomai?
For preview only
33
TOOMAI: Long have I heard rumors of a wild boy living in the jungle. I caught him spying on the village from the tall grass. Planning some mischief, no doubt. (He pushes MOWGLI CENTER. Wildly, MOWGLI looks about, fearful. He crouches on all fours.)
MESSUA: Why does he crouch low to the ground?
TOOMAI: He has the smell of the wolf on him. Have you never heard of children raised by wolves? They bring bad luck. We must drive this one from the village. He is no better than an untamed beast. ([NOTE: If EXTRA VILLAGERS are being used, they agree with TOOMAI: “Yes! Yes! Drive him from the village!”] MOWGLI tosses back his head and howls like a wolf. OTHERS, afraid, pull back.) Aha! What did I tell you? (RIKKI-TIKKI dances IN, happy as can be. NYRA behind him.)
RIKKI-TIKKI: Eye to eye and head to head.Turn for turn and twist for twist.Oh, yes.
NYRA: Rikki-tikki has eaten my dinner.
TOOMAI: Never mind about that. This boy is dangerous.
MOWGLI: I am Mowgli the man-cub!
NYRA: Mowgli? What a strange name.
CHITRA: How is it he can speak as we do?
TOOMAI: Hmmmmm. That is curious. Answer me, creature. How can you speak the language of man?
MOWGLI: Rikki-tikki-tavi taught me.
OTHERS: Rikki-tikki-tavi? The mongoose? Ha, ha, ha.
TOOMAI: The boy is quite mad.
NYRA: He is if he has anything to do with Rikki-tikki. (MOWGLI tosses back his head again and howls. OTHERS react.)
TOOMAI: I know how to deal with mad things from the jungle. (He now holds the spear like a club and moves to MOWGLI, preparing to strike him. MOWGLI recoils.)
MESSUA: No, Toomai! (She crosses, holds back TOOMAI’s club.) The boy is frightened. You mustn’t harm him. (She goes down on one knee beside MOWGLI.) There’s nothing to fear. I won’t let anyone hurt you. How old are you, boy? (MOWGLI shakes his head. He doesn’t know.)
For preview only
34
CHITRA: He looks about eleven or twelve.
MESSUA: The same age my Nathoo would be.
NYRA: Messua, could this boy be Nathoo?
TOOMAI: Nonsense. He was swallowed by the man-eating tiger years ago. (MESSUA studies MOWGLI carefully. MOWGLI doesn’t know how to react. He pulls back.)
MESSUA: (Gently.) His eyes are the same color. His nose and chin are the same as my dead husband’s. (Excited.) Give me your hand, boy. (Tentatively, MOWGLI holds out one hand.) No, the other one. (He holds out the other hand. MESSUA takes it and turns it over. She gasps.)
CHITRA: What is it, Messua?
MESSUA: He is my Nathoo. This cut on his hand. I remember the day he got it. A monkey bit him and the cut went deep. Nathoo, I am your mother. (OTHERS are amazed.)
MOWGLI: Mother? I know only Mother Wolf.
MESSUA: (Hugs him.) You have come back to me.
MOWGLI: (Stands.) I have come to help father Wolf. I have come for the red flower. (He crosses to CHITRA. He motions for the kettle of glowing charcoal.)
CHITRA: Is this what you mean?
MOWGLI: Yes.
MESSUA: Let him have the kettle, Chitra.
TOOMAI: Don’t be foolish. He’ll set the village on fire. (CHITRA hands MOWGLI the kettle.)
MOWGLI: (Looking into kettle.) How strange the red flower is. It glows. It’s warm.
CHITRA: Red flower? That has a lovely sound. (MUSIC CUE 6: “Red Flower.”)
NYRA: (Speaks.) It does. It does, indeed.
CHITRA: (Sings.) Red flower is bright.Red flower is hot.Cook our food, warm our hands.
NYRA: (Sings.) But touch it, do not!
MOWGLI: (Sings.) Red flower is strong.
CHITRA: (Sings.) Its power can slay.
For preview only
35
TOOMAI: (Sings.) Red flower keeps the tooth of the tiger away.
ALL: (Sing.) Red flower is like a piece of the sun.Red flower gives light when day is done.
MESSUA: (Sings.) Red flower can spark.
MOWGLI: (Sings.) Red flower can flash.
TOOMAI: (Sings.) It can fly with the wind,Turn jungle to ash.
MESSUA: (Sings.) Its magic can makeA sad person grin,
NYRA: (Sings.) for it can even guideA lost boy to his kin.
ALL: (Sing.) Red flower is like a piece of sun.Red flower gives light when day is done.
(Instrumental half-verse.)
Its magic can makeA sad person grin,for it can even guideA lost boy to his kin.
Red flower is like a piece of sun.
Red flower gives light when day is done.
MESSUA: (At the end of the song.) I can hardly believe it. My Nathoo, my boy. Come, Chitra, Nyra, we must tell the whole village. There must be a feast to celebrate the return of my son. (MESSUA, NYRA and CHITRA hurry OFF. RIKKI-TIKKI FOLLOWS [and EXTRA VILLAGERS]. Only MOWGLI and TOOMAI are left.)
TOOMAI: Put down that kettle, boy. (MOWGLI doesn’t move. TOOMAI points the spear. MOWGLI carefully sets the glowing kettle to the ground.) That’s better. (Points to dagger in MOWGLI’S waistband.) I’ve been looking at that fine dagger.
MOWGLI: It is my tooth.
TOOMAI: It was your tooth. I want it. Hand it over.
MOWGLI: The Great Cobra says plunder will bring no happiness.
TOOMAI: Great Cobra? You are truly mad. The dagger, beast. (Reluctantly, MOWGLI holds out the dagger. TOOMAI studies it, his eyes widening.) Never have I seen such a treasure. Where did you find it?
MOWGLI: In the Deserted City.
For preview only
36
TOOMAI: Where is this Deserted City? You will take me there.
MOWGLI: Never.
TOOMAI: Disobey and you die. (MOWGLI, thinking fast, points upward into the sky.)
MOWGLI: Look! It’s Mang, the bat!
TOOMAI: (Looks up.) What? Who? Where? (In that moment of distraction, MOWGLI manages to take the kettle in one hand and grab the dagger from TOOMAI with the other. MOWGLI runs OUT, RIGHT. Confused for a few seconds, TOOMAI quickly recovers.) Come back here, you miserable wolf cub! (He gives chase. Just as TOOMAI is about to EXIT, BAGHEERA leaps IN. He appears to be twice as ferocious and large as SHERE KHAN.)
BAGHEERA: GGGGGrrrrr. GGGGGrrrrr. GGGGGrrrrr.
TOOMAI: Auuuuuugh! (BAGHEERA leaps and knocks TOOMAI to the ground. TOOMAI is shaking in fear. BAGHEERA hovers over him, two hands [paws] pressed to his chest.) Oh. Ah. Auuuuugh. (In the wings, the ACTOR portraying MOWGLI stands as close to BAGHEERA as possible without TOOMAI seeing him. When he speaks, TOOMAI thinks it’s the panther.)
MOWGLI’S VOICE: foolish, greedy man. You would steal and plunder. You would bring thievery to the jungle.
TOOMAI: (Terrified.) Oh, forgive me, wolf-boy. I had no idea you were a great lord who could change his shape. O Great Raja-panther, forgive me. I didn’t mean to steal your dagger or threaten you. I am a stupid fellow who knows no better. forgive me, Great Raja-panther.
MOWGLI’S VOICE: I may forgive, but I never forget. And you, Toomai, I will remember always. Heed my warning. (BAGHEERA backs OFF and OUT.) Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr. Grrrrrrrrr. (Once BAGHEERA is gone, TOOMAI leaps to his feet and runs OFF, LEFT, to alert the village.)
TOOMAI: Everyone, you won’t believe what has happened! A great, fierce prince has visited our village! Messua! Messua!
End of Scene Three
(As the STAGE LIGHTING goes to BLACK, SOUND EFFECTS OF JUNGLE NOISES COME UP LOUD AND COMMANDING. They continue for SEVERAL MOMENTS, long enough for the JUNGLE FOLK, exclusive of RIKKI-TIKKI, to get into position at Council Rock. The SOUND EFFECTS soften and the LIGHTS COME UP. [DAWN EFFECT, if possible, growing brighter as the scene progresses.])
For preview only
37
ACT TWOScene four
SETTING: Council Rock.
LIGHTS UP: The JUNGLE fOLK are arranged for the best STAGE PICTURE. All is quiet for a moment, and then, stately, fATHER WOLf ENTERS RIGHT and takes his place on the rock platform. MOTHER WOLf follows IN, but stands to one side. fATHER WOLf surveys the gathering. ALL are tense, waiting for him to speak.
fATHER WOLf: The dawn has risen.
ALL: The dawn has risen.
fATHER WOLf: I declare this meeting open. Where is Shere Khan?
ALL: Shere Khan!
TABAQUI: (ENTERS LEFT.) Be patient. He wishes to make an entrance. (Motions LEFT.) Stand and cheer. His Magnificence, the one, the only, Shere Khan! (Applauds. No one else does. SHERE KHAN ENTERS.)
SHERE KHAN: I am here, Ancient One. I await your answer.
fATHER WOLf: And you shall have it. I will never agree to you leading the pack. I will never give you Mowgli.
SHERE KHAN: (Rearing up, fierce.) Then I will eat you! I will devour you! (He tosses back his head and growls menacingly. OTHERS react in alarm, shriek. MOWGLI jumps IN from RIGHT.)
MOWGLI: Stop, Shere Khan!
SHERE KHAN: (Snarls.) The man-cub.
MOWGLI: My brother and sister wolves, hear me well. father Wolf has never done you any harm. Yes, he is old, but he is wise. It is not enough to be strong. You must have wisdom, too. Wisdom is what father Wolf possesses. Honor him for that.
fATHER WOLf: I have decided Mowgli will lead the pack until one of the young wolves is strong enough and wise enough to assume leadership. (The WOLVES, easily persuaded, like this idea.)
WOLVES: Yes, yes. Good, good. (Scattering of applause.)
SHERE KHAN: No, no. Remember, I am the only creature without fear. Because I fear nothing, O wolves of the jungle, I must lead.
MOWGLI: You are a coward.
For preview only
38
TABAQUI: What? What? Did you hear what he said, Shere Khan? Are you going to stand for that?
SHERE KHAN: (Threatening.) I am no coward.
MOWGLI: We shall see. (MOWGLI EXITS RIGHT and quickly ENTERS again with the small kettle of glowing charcoal. There’s a stick in the kettle.)
BALOO: What have you there, Mowgli?
BAGHEERA: Looks like a kettle from the village. (MOWGLI puts down the kettle. ALL crane their necks for a better look.)
MOWGLI: It is. And inside, the red flower.
OTHERS: (In awe.) The red flower.
BALOO: fire. (MOWGLI pulls out the stick. It’s aflame. [Consult PRODUCTION NOTES.] ALL gasp. SHERE KHAN throws his paws in front of his face, hunkers low.)
SHERE KHAN: (Trembling.) No! No! No! Don’t come close. Take it away! (Cowering.) Take it away, I say!
WOLf #1: Do you see? Shere Khan is afraid.
OTHERS: (Amazed.) Afraid, afraid. Shere Khan is afraid. (MOWGLI steps closer to the man-eating tiger, poking the fire stick at him. SHERE KHAN cringes and shakes.)
SHERE KHAN: Please, please. I beg of you. I’ll do whatever you command. Take it away. Oh! Oh!
MOWGLI: (Threatening with the fire stick.) Go, Shere Khan, and never return. If you do, I, Mowgli the hunter, will finish you.
SHERE KHAN: (Slinking OFF, totally defeated.) I go. Never to return.
OTHERS: Coward! Coward! Coward!
TABAQUI: I never liked him, you know.
MOTHER WOLf: Away with you, jackal.
TABAQUI: Just because I’m a jackal doesn’t mean I can’t have an opinion. (TABAQUI EXITS. The WOLVES hang their heads low in shame.)
BALOO: (Indicates WOLVES.) Look, Mowgli. The young wolves feel bad.
MOTHER WOLf: They know they were wrong.
fATHER WOLf: (Stepping from the platform.) Thanks to you, Mowgli.
MESSUA’S VOICE: (From OFF, LEFT.) Nathoo! Nathoo! (MESSUA ENTERS LEFT. NYRA is behind her. RIKKI-TIKKI, also.)
For preview only
39
MESSUA: I have found you, son.
MOWGLI: How, my mother?
NYRA: The mongoose showed the way.
MOWGLI: Rikki-tikki.
RIKKI-TIKKI: Rikki-tikki-tavi. Oh, yes.
MESSUA: Will you come home now, my son?
MOWGLI: I am home, Mother. The jungle is my home. But I will visit you often. I make this a promise. (He jumps to the rock platform.) Never forget. Shere Khan lied to you. He said he was afraid of nothing and you believed him. Don’t be easily fooled by words. It is deeds that count.
fATHER WOLf: Such a wise son. He will make a good leader.
BALOO: Don’t forget, father Wolf, he had good teachers.
KAA: Yesssssss.
MOWGLI: (Strong and powerful.) Hear me, people of the jungle. We are of one blood, you and I. You have nothing to fear, for I am always with you. I am Mowgli, Keeper of the Law and Guardian of the Jungle!
ALL: (Cheering and applauding.) Keeper of the Law! Guardian of the Jungle! Mowgli! Mowgli! Mowgli! (MUSIC CUE 7: “Jungle Law-Reprise.”)We are of one blood,Ye and I.We share the same land,Water and sky.It is jungle lawWe are taught to abide.So with hand in claw,We live side by side!So with hand in claw,We live side by side!
(MOWGLI strikes a pose. LIGHTS FADE FAST, leaving the jungle boy in SILHOUETTE. MUSIC segues into instrumental of “The Monkey Song-Reprise” for bows.)
END Of PLAY
For preview only
40
production notes
PROPERTIES:
ACT ONE, Scene One: Jewelled dagger (MOWGLI).
ACT ONE, Scene Two: Coin (CHITRA).
ACT ONE, Scene four: Spear (TOOMAI); crown, hand mirror (KING MONKEY).
ACT TWO, Scene One: Jewelled dagger (KING MONKEY, from behind stone); beehive (BALOO).
ACT TWO, Scene Three: Small kettle with red glow (CHITRA); spear (TOOMAI).
ACT TWO, Scene four: Glowing kettle, fire stick (MOWGLI).
SOUND EffECTS
Jungle noises, drums, animal talk: chattering of monkeys, trumpeting of elephants, bird calls, etc. Thunder, storm effects.
COSTUMES
The key word is “imagination.” for the JUNGLE fOLK, You can make the costuming as elaborate or as simple and basic as you wish. for example, the cast can wear exercise clothing, fleece separates, dark garments. They can wear animal full-masks or half-masks. Even “animal noses” in place of the masks. Or they might carry off the animal look by facial makeup or headpieces. What’s even more important than the costume route you choose is the manner in which the cast moves. Whatever animal the actor is portraying, he or she must walk and move and think like that creature. The voice, too, must suggest the animal portrayed.
The VILLAGERS are dressed simply. Indian saris or long, simple garments for the females; ragged clothing and turban for TOOMAI. MOWGLI can wear a loincloth, pajama bottom, or bloused, thin pants, dyed a neutral color.
fLEXIBLE CASTING
Most roles can be played either female or male. The animal masks or makeup will make this easy. The principal male roles: MOWGLI, BALOO, fATHER WOLf, SHERE KHAN, TOOMAI. The principal female roles: NYRA, CHITRA, MOTHER WOLf, MESSUA. However, there is no reason why NYRA couldn’t be switched to a male role: KOTO, etc. All the other roles, TABAQUI, RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI, WOLVES, MONKEYS, COBRA, etc., are up for grabs. Add as many additional WOLVES, MONKEYS, VILLAGERS and JUNGLE CREATURES as you wish. The animal world will offer many
For preview only
41
possibilities. You might even bring the VISITORS to the village in Act One, Scene One ON STAGE and have NYRA indicate that they should sit in the audience when she says “Make yourselves comfortable...”. If you want a smaller cast, eliminate all the EXTRAS. Use two WOLVES instead of three. Combine the characters of MANG and MOR, eliminate MOTHER WOLf, etc.
MISCELLANEOUS
Get as much green or tropical LIGHTING on the stage as possible. It will help greatly to create a jungle mood.
If you don’t use a mechanical SOUND EffECT for the bee attack on the MONKEYS, have those ON STAGE make the sound of “Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz. Bzzzzz.” Have OffSTAGE ACTORS join in.
BALOO might carry in the beehive on the end of a pole.
When CHITRA ENTERS with the kettle in Act Two, Scene Eight, supposedly there are “glowing” coals within. To achieve this effect, put a couple of “on” flashlights into the kettle and cover the top of the kettle with red gel or paper. Or the bulbs in the flashlights can be red.
The “fire stick” that MOWGLI pulls from the kettle in the final scene can be a flashlight with a red bulb disguised to look like wood. Or you might attach shredded red paper to the stick to suggest flames. Or MOWGLI might simply threaten SHERE KHAN with the glowing red kettle.
for the COBRA, use an actor with mask or facial makeup and a hooded effect to indicate we are dealing with a hooded cobra, or use a hand puppet. That is, the actor concealed behind some rock or prop uses one arm to suggest the reptile’s long body and holds his hand and fingers to suggest the head of the snake. A long white glove or sock works nicely. The actor recites his lines without the audience seeing him or her.
For preview only
42For preview only
Thank you for reading this E-view. This E-view script from Pioneer Drama Service will stay permanently in your Pioneer Library, so you can view it whenever you log in on our website. Please feel free to save it as a pdf document to your computer if you wish to share it via email with colleagues assisting you with your show selection.
To produce this show, you can order scripts for your cast and crew and arrange for performance royalties via our website or by phone, fax, or mail.
If you’d like advice on other plays or musicals to read, our customer service representatives are happy to assist you when you call 800.333.7262 during normal business hours.
Thank you for your interest in our plays and musicals.
www.pioneerdrama.com
800.333.7262Outside of North America 303.779.4035 Fax 303.779.4315
PO Box 4267Englewood, CO 80155-4267
We’re here to help!
DRAMA WITHOUT THE DRAMAWords on a page are just words on a page. It takes people to turn them into plays and musicals. At Pioneer, we want the thrill of the applause to stay with you forever, no matter which side of the curtain you’re on. Everything we do is designed to give you the best experience possible:
WHy PIOnEER:
Maintain control of your casting. We know you can’t always control who auditions. Take advantage of our many shows that indicate flexible casting and switch
the genders of your roles without restrictions. And with Pioneer, you also get access to scripts that were written for the entire
cast, not just a star lead performer like so many other mainstream musicals and plays.
adapt and custoMize.Pioneer helps you manage the number of roles in your production. We indicate where doubling is possible for a smaller cast, as well as provide suggestions where extras are possible to allow for additional actors. Both options will help you tailor your play for your specific cast size, not the other way around.
Be original.Get access to fresh, new musicals that will let your actors develop their characters instead of mimicking the same personalities we see on stage year after year.
take advantage of our teaching tools.Pioneer’s CD Sets include two high quality, studio-produced discs – one with lyrics so your students can learn by ear, the other without so they can rehearse and perform without an accompanist or pit band. You can even burn a copy of the vocal CD for each cast member without worrying about copyright laws. And with payment of your royalty, you have permission to use the karaoke CD in your actual production.
it’s like having an assistant.Use our Director’s Books and benefit from professional features designed by and for directors. Line counts, scene breakdowns, cues and notes – you’ll love our spiral-bound, 8½” x 11” books with the full script only on one side of the page to leave plenty of room for your own notes.
videotaping? We’d Be disappointed if you didn’t!With Pioneer, you’ll never have to worry about videotaping your production and posting it on YouTube. In fact, we encourage it. We understand that your production is about your performers, not our script. Make the experience the best it can be, take pictures and videos, and share them with the community. We always love seeing our scripts come to life.