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Episode: Author: 10 Ibrahima Ndiaye The monkey and the tortoise
LEARNING BY EAR 2010
SHALL I TELL YOU SOMETHING? AFRICAN FABLES FOR A
CULTURE OF PEACE
EPISODE 10: „THE MONKEY AND THE TORTOISE“
AUTHOR: IBRAHIMA NDIAYE
EDITORS: YANN DURAND, STEFANIE DUCKSTEIN,
NAÏMA GUIRA
TRANSLATION: NATALIE GLANVILLE-WALLIS
PROOFREADING: TONY DUNHAM
CHARACTERS:
- NARRATOR (male, 40 years old at least)
- TORTOISE (female, about 20)
- MONKEY (male, about 20)
- ELEPHANT (male, about 40 or older)
- BUTTERFLY (female, about 20)
Episode: Author: 10 Ibrahima Ndiaye The monkey and the tortoise
INTRO / PRESENTER: Hello and a warm welcome to all our dear Learning by Ear friends. Unfortunately, we have to start with some bad news, because this is the tenth and last episode in our series about African fables for a culture of peace. But never mind! And as it is the very last, we hope it will be a very entertaining one. We are going to hear all about a quarrel between two very different animals. One is very cheeky and the other is very hard working. Listen in now to: „The monkey and the tortoise“.
**1. MUSIC (play as background for the entire script)
- NARRATOR:** In the animal kingdom, one year it happened that the rainy season was so generous, everyone dreamed that the harvest was going to be the biggest they had ever experienced. 3. SFX: Strikes of a hoe
4. NARRATOR:
The tortoise, who had worked relentlessly in her field, had a very good harvest. She proudly reaped marrow, pineapples and many sweet potatoes. However, she was not quite satisfied.
5. TORTOISE (complaining to herself): “Oh! If only I could have some maize as well! A little variety would be good for me! Now, I have to go to the market to exchange some of my products for some maize. “
Episode: Author: 10 Ibrahima Ndiaye The monkey and the tortoise
11. TORTOISE (horrified): “I-I-It’s unbelievable! I-I-It is impossible. It was here just a few moments ago, and now it has disappeared! What a horrible thing to happen. But I can’t see anyone around who could have stolen it! Nevertheless, I know I am not imagining things!” 12. BUTTERFLY: “Hihihi, really? Are you sure?” 13. NARRATOR: Along came a little butterfly who had witnessed the whole scene. 14. TORTOISE: “Oh, Miss Butterfly, of course I am sure. Did you see anybody?”
15. BUTTERFLY:
“Take a look up there!”
16. NARRATOR: The tortoise looked up the tree and could not believe her eyes. The monkey, sitting on a branch, was greedily and noisily eating everything that she had spent so much time and effort harvesting. He had already eaten up many sweet potatoes and half a marrow. 17. TORTOISE (screaming): “Stop that immediately! That basket and all its contents belong to me.”
Episode: Author: 10 Ibrahima Ndiaye The monkey and the tortoise
18. MONKEY (sniggering): “Sorry, I do not know what you are talking about. I found this basket abandoned on the path.” 19. TORTOISE (shouting exasperated): “But I only laid it down because I was so desperately thirsty! And if you do not give it back to me immediately, I will take the case to our judge, the elephant.” 20. MONKEY: “I’m not stopping you. (keeps on eating, talking on with a mouthful of food) I know the law, and it states the following: He who finds an object on the path, is allowed to keep it. That’s how it goes, the found object belongs to he who finds it. Finders, keepers.” 21. NARRATOR: At these words, the tortoise began to think. She thought so hard she felt hot under her shell and began to sweat profusely. That evening, she paid a visit to the elephant. She related her case and demanded justice. The butterfly and a lizard appeared as witnesses, for they had been at the scene. And of course the monkey was there too but he would have none of it: 22. MONKEY: “In this case, there is no room for discussion. The basket was abandoned on the road. I found it. I kept it. According to the Law of the Savannah, the found object belongs to he who finds it. Finders, keepers. Is that true or not, elephant?”
Episode: Author: 10 Ibrahima Ndiaye The monkey and the tortoise
29. MONKEY (panic cries): “Hey! Help, stop thief, stop her! What are you doing with my tail?” 30. NARRATOR: The tortoise could not answer though, because she wanted to make sure that she would not lose her hold. However, the butterfly who was passing by, shouted from above, 31. BUTTERFLY (laughing): “Monkey, I have the impression that the tortoise has just found your tail on the road and has decided to keep it! Oh, and look who is coming here. It’s our judge, the elephant!” **32. ELEPHANT: roars sounds
- ELEPHANT:** “It is true, butterfly, what you say… Of course, monkey, you can take the case to court. However, I warn you, it will be in vain, for here as well, the law of the savannah is valid, just as it was in the case of the tortoise’s basket: the found object belongs to he who finds it first. Finders, keepers. As for you, tortoise, you can now cut off the monkey’s tail. Maybe you can use it later to swat flies.”
Episode: Author: 10 Ibrahima Ndiaye The monkey and the tortoise
34. MONKEY (panic cries): “No! I beg you. Use my beautiful tail as a flyswatter? Never! Listen, please give me back my tail and I’ll give you your basket back. With an extra bag of sweet potatoes.” 35. ELEPHANT: “That is not enough to save your tail. You have to give back the aforementioned basket. And in addition a bag of sweet potatoes and a bag of maize.” 36. NARRATOR: Although he was very upset, the monkey had to agree. Smiling broadly, the tortoise let go her grip. She thanked the elephant from the bottom of her heart and went home satisfied. That evening, her dinner consisted of marrow and sweet potatoes, and she ate with a great appetite, for she was happy that justice had been done. Thus our fable goes to sea, and he who will smell its perfume first, will go to heaven. 37. Music
