WILHELM:     Jacob:!

JAKOB:           I don't see why it annoys you if I have a little daydream now and then.

WILHELM:     A little daydream!? Now and then!? Last time a tree fell on your head! And before that you almost fell off a cliff! And before that a bear tried to tear you to pieces.

JAKOB:           No she didn't! We'd met before, she was only trying to give me a hug ...

WILHELM:     Never mind about that! But that's enough daydreaming! Let's get going.

JAKOB:           Where?

WILHELM:     What do you mean where? To cut down a tree. Yesterday I saw one which was so tall , it's top was holding up the moon.

JAKOB:           So why don't we go there?

WILHELM:     Where?

JAKOB:           To the moon. You said that it was holding up the moon ... So why don't we go there?

WILHELM:     Because in the story you and I are a woodcutter and not a man on the moon. Got it?

JAKOB:           Got it!

WILHELM:     At last you've got it. Now go on with the story.

JAKOB:           And then a beautiful butterfly landed on Wilhelm's nose ...

A beautiful butterfly lands on Wilhelm's nose

WILHELM:     What's that? Hey! Are you collecting us again? Jakob:!

JAKOB:           ... Wilhelm pulled out his axe angrily ...

WILHELM:     That's not how the story goes! It should be "and the two Brothers Grimm, Wilhelm and Jacob set out to cut down a tree." (He pulls out his axe.)

JAKOB:           ... and hit himself so hard on the nose that he almost fainted ...

.Biff! Wilhelm smacks himself  on the nose so hard that he almost collapses and the butterfly goes limp, its wings fold.

JAKOB:           (Gently stroking the butterfly with his hand) Oh Wilhelm, what have you done ... Poor little butterfly ...

WILHELM:     Where am I?

JAKOB:           Perhaps he's dead, poor thing ...

WILHELM:     (Holding his red and swollen nose) He's been fooling around with my nose!

JAKOB:           You shouldn't have started it! ...Wake up ... Can you hear me? Butterfly ... wake up ...

The butterfly's wings begin to move.

He's alive! Look, Wilhelm, he's alive!

WILHELM:     He is? This time I'll do it right and bang him on the head!.

The butterfly soars up and away right before their eyes.

WILHELM:     Stop! Stop! We'll see you soon again ...

JAKOB:           Look he beautifully he flies ... Wilhelm Have you ever though that we could have been born as  butterflies too?

WILHELM:     What nonsense are you talking now?

JAKOB:           It's not nonsense. We were born as men, but we could have been something else ... Foxes, or rabbits, or something ...

2 The Thousand -year-old-at-least Tree

WILHELM:     Right! Off we go, let's look for that tree and give it what for! ... So, the two brothers set off ... You go on ....

JAKOB:           And off they strolled ...

WILHELM:     What's wrong? Why don't you go on?

JAKOB:           I just thought about something, perhaps the butterfly has got brothers ...

WILHELM:     Jacob. You're always getting nowhere! I'll go on with the story And off they strolled until they came to the old tree which Wilhelm had picked out. the day before ...

JAKOB:           Wilhelm!

WILHELM:     What's that?

JAKOB:           How old do you think it is?

TREE:  Huh! At least a thousand years old ... But perhaps more ...

WILHELM:     Are you asking me seriously?

JAKOB:           Of course I'm serious. Because if it's five hundred years old, then it might have seen the Turkish Emperor!

TREE:              Hah! Seen him? He was always sleeping here in my shade! He really got on my nerves, I couldn't move until he woke up!

JAKOB.          Then King Attila might have slept in its shade too!

TREE:              Slept? The Scourge of God? Not him, never! He was always on the way somewhere! To rome, to Paris.  Always tying up his laces and going.

WILHELM:     Jakob! ... That's enough ... If you break into the story just one more time without any good reason, I'll ...

JAKOB:           But there was a reason ... there was ...

WILHELM:     I don't care! The old tree was so enormous that his very top was holding up the moon, a full regiment of soldiers couldn't have surrounded his trunk. Jakob toppled over onto his back twice when he tried to look up to the very top of the tree ...

JAKOB:           I did what? ... Oh, of course, yes. Twice! ... (Topples over on his back, once, twice.)

WILHELM:     Have you ever seen such a big tall tree,Jacob?

JAKOB:           (Struggling onto his feet) Not me! As tall as that, never! Except ...

WILHELM:     No excepts! You have't and that's all there is to it! Am I making myself clear?

JAKOB:           Yes, Wilhelm. Very clear very very clear ...

WILHELM:     All right ...And have you ever seen anything as broad as this?

JAKOB:           Well ... once ... somewhere ...

WILHELM:     Not once, not anywhere. You haven't and that's all there is to it!

JAKOB:           Would you believe that a tiny little, itsy bitsy, teeny weeny little dot ...

WILHELM:     What are you on about?

JAKOB:           Just that out of a little seed like this came this great big giant of a tree ...

WILHELM:     (Banging his axe on the trunk of the tree) Oh ... I thought you'd just thought of something again ...

JAKOB:           What I thougt of was that this tree is my brother ...

WILHELM:     (Laughs as he chops at the tree) Ha hah ha ha! Your brother! That's brilliant! Ha ha ha ha!

TREE   :           Thank you for calling me your brother, Jacob ...

WILHELM:     What was that?

JAKOB:           Nothing. Just the tree thanking me for calling him my brother ...

WILHELM:     Mmm ... So he thanked you ... I see ... Listen Jacob, are you ever going to grow up?

TREE:              Shall I go on with the story?

WILHELM:     (with a sigh) Go on ... go on with it, Jacob ...

JAKOB:           But it wasn't me who was telling it ...

WILHELM:     Didn't you just ask if you should go on with it?

JAKOB:           It wasn't me who asked ...

WILHELM:     So who asked then?

TREE:              It was me Wilhelm! And if you'll let me, I'll get on with the story:

And so The Thousand-year-old-at-least Tree asked Wilhelm if he could go on with the story, then he grabbed Wilhelm by the scruff of his neck and growled at him: "Why are you hurting me Wilhelm?"

WILHELM:     (In fear) Me?

TREE:              Yes you ... you are Wilhelm, aren't you?

WILHELM:     Oh, oh, Sometimes I don't know myself if I'm me or if I'm Jacob ...

JAKOB:           Please let my brother go. I'm sure it's a thousand times worse than what he did!

WILHELM:     He's right! ... So much worse!

TREE:              And the butterfly? You hurt him too, if I'm not mistaken ...

WILHELM:     Butterfly? What butterfly are you talking about?

TREE:              Now come on! Don't tell me you've forgotten? This morning, Wilhelm ... a tired butterfly landed on your nose so that he could have a rest ...

WILHELM:     Oh, that cheeky creature!

TREE:              Cheeky creature??

WILHELM:     I didn't mean it like that.

TREE:              Not like that? Then how did you mean it, if I may ask?

WILHELM:     Well, you know ... like ...

JAKOB:           Let him go ...

TREE:              Like, like this?

WILHELM:     Yes! ... Exactly! ... Like that!

JAKOB:           Please, oh please ... Sir ...

TREE:              I'll have you know, Wilhelm Grimm, that butterfly is my messanger!

JAKOB:           Now, Wilhelm You'd better think of something ...

WILHELM:     Messanger? Your messanger? Why didn't you say so at the beginning? If only I'd known! Nobady told me! He didn't say a word!

TREE:              It's not because he's mine that you're not allowed to hurt him, Wilhelm!

WILHELM:     Of course not!

TREE:              It'because he's a living creature!

WILHELM:     That's what I always say to Jacob ...

TREE:              And life deserves respect!

WILHELM:     But he just daydreams and never pays attention ...

JAKOB:           I just ... Well ...

TREE:              Are you trying to say that it's Jacob's fault that you, here and now,want to cut me down? ... Answer me Wilhelm!

JAKOB:           Wilhelm ...

WILHELM:     Well ...

JAKOB:           Wilhelm ...

TREE:              I'm listening, Wilhelm! Answer me please!

JAKOB:           Wilhelm!

TREE:              It isn't enough that you have a heart of iron, but you tell lies aas well!? But you can't fool me, Wilhelm! I know that you are not telling the truth. I'm going to punish you!

WILHELM:     Oh no, please ddon't! Please!

TREE:              Turn into abutterfly, Wilhelm, a dumb and silent butterfly! Let your body be light and white! Let your wings be thin and slim!

WILHELM:     No! Help! No! Jakob! (The T.ree once more grabs Wilhelm, who in an instant becomes a butterfly)

JAKOB:           What a pretty butterfly! ... Poor Wilhelm! ... Couldn't you turn him back into Wilhelm again? After all he is my brother ...

TREE:              Your brother will have to stay a butterfly until he does three good deeds. Now, come closer Jacob ...

JAKOB:           But I haven't done anything ...

TREE:              I have a reward for you ... Don't be afraid ... just so you won't feel lonely, I'll give you two companions! (From the Tree's stomach comes a fox and a rabbit) Fox. whose mind is more cunning than anyone elses!

FOX:               Hello Jacob!

TREE:              Rabbit ...

RABBIT:          (With a stutter) He-he-he-loo, Ja-Ja- ...

JAKOB:           ...Kob ... Jakob:

TREE:              He has alittle stutter but he has legs that are swifter than the wind. You be a brother to them, Jacob. I'm getting old now, Wilhelm My brinches are getting thin and my back slippery ... It's not certain that I'll be able toprotect them if the Ice Witch catches them.

ICE WITCH:   (At the sound of her name, chatters with an enormous set of teeth) cch -cch-cch-cch-cch-cch cch!

The animals huddle together chattering with cold.

TREE:              Can you hear her chattering? (Shakes himself) Brrrr! she's shivering with cold!

JAKOB:           And the sound the Ice Ditch. is making?

TREE:              Not the Ice Ditch, Jacob But the Ice Witch! ...

ICE WITCH:   Cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch ...

TREE:              Her body is cold that her bones will freeze if she doesn't warm herself up with young people ...

JAKOB:           Warm herself up?!

TREE:              Yes, that's what I said. Warm herself up. She's a very clever old woman, She'll cuddle and huddle up to you until she's warmed herself up ...

JAKOB:           Poor woman ...

TREE:              Poor woman?! Jakob! Whoever she pulls into her arms, dies! Run, get away!

JAKOB:           I'll talk to her.

TREE:              To who?!

JAKOB:           The Ice Witch, that's who ...

TREE:              The Ice Witch!

ICE WITCH:   Cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch!

TREE:              Talk?! To her?! Do you know how many have tried?

RABBIT:          Hun-hun ...

FOX:               Hundreds, thousands, millions!

RABBIT:          Kni-kn-

FOX:               Knights, heroes bold, splendid men at arms!

TREE:              But all in vain! ... They were like a slowly lazy frog on the ice.

JAKOB:           A slow lazy frog on ice? What does he do?

RABBIT:          Fr-fr-fr- ...

TREE:              Freezes solid inside it! Now, first go straight ahead, then to the left and then to the right. Then once more to the left, twice more to the right and then go straight on for a long way! Then go aslant, once more to the left and then straight on. If you reach there, the ha-ha-ha-ha won't find you ... If I don't say her name she won't laugh! ...

JAKOB:           Whose name>

TREE:              The Ice Witch!

ICE WITCH:   Cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch-cch!

JAKOB:           So first left, then straight on, or to the right, then left and straight on again? ...

FOX:               I know where to go ... Come on, let's go ... I'll show you the way ...

TREE:              Hurry!

3 The Four in Flight

JAKOB:           So Jacob Set off, so that the wicked Ice Witch ...

JAKOB:           ... shouldn't take the life of his two new brothers ... His heart was heavy because Wilhelm Had been turned into a butterfly, but he felt sorry for little creatures and he trusted the promise t. made to turn Wilhelm Back as soon as he'd done his three good deeds.

FOX:   I've got something terrible to say ...

RABBIT:          W-w-w-w-

FOX:   W-w-w-w-? Why don't you sing?

JAKOB:           Sing?

FOX:   If he sings, he doesn't stutter.

RABBIT:          (Singing) We're lost!

FOX:   We're lost ...

JAKOB:           Lost?

RABBIT:          (Singing) I knew it! I knew it was going to happen! Clever Charlie! ...

FOX:   We came the way t. told us to!

RABBIT:          Now, first go straight ahead, then to the left and then to the right

FOX:   We went first straight ahead, then to the left and then to the right

RABBIT:          Then once more to the left, twice more to the right and then go straight on for a long way!

FOX:   Then once more to the left, twice more to the right and then go straight on for a long way

RABBIT:          Then go aslant

FOX:   Twist across

RABBIT:          (Singing) That's it! That's what we didn't do! We didn't go aslant!

FOX:   Oh yes we did! Just now how did we come if it wasn't diagonally?

RABBIT:          (Singing) Diagonally perhaps, but not aslant!

FOX:   They're the same thing, clever berry!

RABBIT:          (Singing) Oh no they're not!

FOX:   Oh yes, they are!

RABBIT:          (Singing) Oh no they're not!

FOX:   Are, are, are!

JAKOB:           Stop, stop! There's no point in arguing. It's all the same, whether we've lost our way or we haven't. The important thing is, how do we shake her off?

RABBIT:          (Singing) Who?

FOX:   Who?

JAKOB:           You know, ... the Ice ... (pricks up his ears)  Witch ...

RABBIT:          (Singing a little cautiously) The ICE WITCH:?! ...

FOX:   ( A little more courageously) The Ice Witch?! ...

JAKOB:           Ice Witch! Hello! Can you hear us, Ice Witch? ... No answer!

They embrace each other and start to dance.

All:       We got away! We got away! Ice Witch, we got away! ...

A huge flash of lightening, a great roll of thunder. Everything goes dark for an instant.

4. The Black City

When the lights come up again, everything is draped in black. JAKOB: And his brothers gaze around in wonder.

JAKOB:           What's going on here?

FOX:   All the castle!

JAKOB:           Why is it all so black?

F,         All the palace!

RABBIT:          I'll g-g-g-go and s-ss-see!

JAKOB:           All right! But be very careful!

RABBIT:          (Singing) Someone count to three!?

JAKOB:           One ...(Rabbit Doesn't wait but dashes off.) Two! ... A-threeee! (Looks in astonishment at Rabbit, who has arrived back.)You! Here! What are you waiting for?

RABBIT:          (Singing) Me? What am I waiting for? I've just got back, Jakob!

JAKOB:           Aw now, come on!

RABBIT:          (Singing) if I'm not telling the truth, may my teeth never see another carrot!

FOX:   He went and he came back. I saw it ...

JAKOB:           All right, I believe you. ... And what did you see? What's all this sadness and woe about?

RABBIT:          (Singing) The palace is in mourning. They're mourning the king's daughter. The seven-headed dragon!

FOX:   Nooo!

RABBIT:          (Singing) Last night! The monster! He stole the princess for his lunch tomorrow ...

FOX:   Nooo!

JAKOB:           He wants to eat her!?

RABBIT:          (Singing) Exactly!

RABBIT:          That he does! Every year a great feat is his wish, and a girl stuffed with bannas is his main dish!

FOX:   Nooo!

JAKOB:          

FOX:  

The wind carries the sound of a roll of drums.

RABBIT:          (Singing) The king is declaring right now that he will give half of his kingdom and the hand of his beautiful daughter to the man who cuts off all the seven heads of the dragon!

FOX:   Nooo!

JAKOB:           Prepare yourselves, my brothers! We're on our way!

RABBIT:          W-w-w- ... (Singing) W-w-where?

JAKOB:           To take on the dragon! Tosave the king's daughter!

ALL;   

JAKOB:           One more.......and I'll go byself!

ALL:   

JAKOB:           How big is the kingdom?

RABBIT:          (Singing) No end to it, no bend to it, no end!

JAKOB:           And the king's daughter, have you seen her?

RABBIT:          N-n-n-n- (Singing) N-never! But the amn who sells carrots saw her twice with his very own eyes. He said to look at her was to look at the sun, and for her too you need glasses so dark.

JAKOB:           Off we go!

RABBIT:          The c-c-c- (Singing) carrot man says off they went in scores to free the princess. But you can only cut the dragon's necks with the Magic Sword, and no one has found that yet!

FOX:   Magic Sword! Come on dragon, wherever you are, I know how to ahndle you! One head, two heads, three heads, four ...

JAKOB:           (Shouting after them) Stop! Didn't you hear that there's no point in going if we haven't got the Magic Sword?

FOX:   That's too bad! I was just getting ready to handle him!

He stumbles, and slids on his head.

5. The Magic Sword

FOX:   What on earth is that?

RABBIT:          M-m-m-magic s-s-sword!

FOX:   That?! That ugly big lump of steel? The Magic Sword?! ...

RABBIT:          (Singing) Has to be! All we have to do is pull it out! (Groans at them.) Give me a hand! (Fox Puts both hands on Rabbit's ears and starts pulling) Owww, my ears! ...

FOX:   What are you on about? You can handle a little pain! (Jakob helps by grabbing Fox's tail and starts pulling with all his strength.) Oww, my tail! You're pulling it off!

JAKOB:           Don't be such a baby, Foxie! ... Heave! Heave! All together, heave!

The Magic Sword comes out of the ground, Jakob and the other two tumble backwards onto the ground.

RABBIT:          Ma-ma-ma-gic!

FOX:   Let me have it! ... The Magic Sword!

Dragon effect.

RABBIT:          (With his ears trembling) D-d-d-did you h-h-h-hear that? (Distant footsteps areaudible.) H-h-h-h-hear it? Someone's c-c-c-coming!

FOX:   The ground is shaking! As if the whole mountain is coming towards us!

RABBIT:          C-c-c-an only be the S-s-s-seven-Headed D-d-d-dragon!

FOX:   The dragon! I think you're right ....

RABBIT:          It's all all all ...

JAKOB:           ... all over? Trust in me! I'm going to cut of his heads.Rabbit! you just pack up!

RABBIT:          P-p-p-pack ...!? Why why why ... (almost shrieking in fright) m-m-m-me?

JAKOB:           You're the bravest of us all, that's why.

RABBIT:          (pulling himself together) You're right!

6. The Seven Headed Dragon

The pounding steps come closer and closer, finally the s. arrives. In his hand is a birdcage, in the birdcage the weeping Princess Goldenrodlocks.

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Sing my little lark! My sweet little songstress! A little kiss, just a little kiss! (He blows kisses at the princess in the birdcage.) Now lets hear how well you can sing for us!

STARRYTRESS          I won't sing and that's final!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Of course you will, my birdie irdie! That's what they all said, but they sang for me once we got the fire going underneath them, didn't they heads?  Once the water starts to boil, they sing like kettles! Yes! Kissie wissie! I can't hear you. Nice and sweetly now ... (He starts to sing. Horribly.) Blow the wind, softly softly ..

STARRYTRESS          I said I won't sing!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Kissie wissie! ... Over glade and hill ... (He starts sniffing with all his noses up in the air.) What's this!? Smell it? Mansmell! You smell it too?! Yeeech! What a stink!

RABBIT:          (With a bag in one hand, he starts singing.) Blow the wind softly, softly ...

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            She's singing. Can you hear her? Singing! You go on, my sweet, go on!

STARRYTRESS          I wasn't singing! And I'm not going to either!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            How can you say that? I heard you! We all heard you, didn't we heads, we all heard you!

RABBIT:          Blow the wind softly, softly ...

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Wonderful, wonderful! Go on, go on!

STARRYTRESS          Don't you understand, I'm not singing -and that's that! Itold you once and for all!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            But I heard you!

STARRYTRESS          Not me!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            So who was singing then?

JAKOB:           I was!

.           And who are you?!

JAKOB:           Jakob Grimm! And I've come to set the princess free and take her as my wife!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            (Roaring with laughter) Ha ha ha ha-ha-ha! You little jumping jackling! Going to set her free! Like in a fairy story! And take her aas your wife! Ha ha ha-ha-ha-ha!

STARRYTRESS          Get away, I'm done for anyway!

JAKOB:           Never! So long as I have life in me, I'll set you free!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            It's your good fortune that you sing so sweetly. I'm not going to kill you, I'm going to lock you up in my birdcage and for my feast you can sing for me! Out! Quick! I need the room!

STARRYTRESS          Run, run away!

FOX:   Blow wind softly, softly ...

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Oh isn't that beautiful!

FOX:   All your heads will come off ...

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Whaere are you? Where are you singing?

JAKOB:           Here! (He cuts off one of the dragon's heads.)

Rabbit nimbly catches the head as it falls.

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            What was that? It was like something stung me! Where's my head?

Hey! One of them's missing! Hey!

JAKOB:           One?! I think two of them! ...

STARRYTRESS          Please, I'm begging you, run for it! ...

JAKOB:           Now? When I'm doing so well!?

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Where are you? You've cut off two of my heads!? You're going to pay for that! You bloodthirsty beast!

STARRYTRESS          I'm, I'm going to faint (faints)

FOX:   (Singing) Fi-di-di-diddle ee

RABBIT:          ... Diddle-dum!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Where are you? How many of you are there?

JAKOB:           Mind your heads! Go on, count them! Four! ... No not four ...

(He cuts off more heads. Rabbit doesn't manage to catch them in his bag. They bounce, he jumps after them.) Three ...

RABBIT:          Not so quickly, Jakob! Not so quickly!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Stop it! I'll kill you, I will!

FOX:   (singing)  Blow wind softly, softly ...

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Who was that?

RABBIT:          Me!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Not from you, that singing, no way! And who are you?!

RABBIT:          M-m-m-m-eee? Wh-wh-wh-whooo?

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Yes, you! Who are you?

RABBIT:          (Huge hop. Sings.) A rabbit that can't be scared!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            I'll give you a rabbit that can't be scared!

RABBIT:          Ooooh! Heeeelp!

FOX:   (Singing) Blow the wind softly, softly ...

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            (Spins around.) It can't be ...?!

JAKOB:           And why can't it be? Alley ooops! (Cuts off a head.) Two! And just to even things up between us ... alley oops!

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Jacob Grimm, you are for it!

RABBIT:          (Singing) Blow that wind, softly, softly ...

SEVEN-HEADED DRAGON:            Now I see it! The rabbit that can't be scared! That's a good one! Ha. Ha ha-ha-ha-ha!

FOX    (Singing)And it's off with your head ...

S.         (Turns anxiously towards where the singing is coming from.) Now what's going on?! It was over there before!

RABBIT:          (Singing) In my heart ...

S.         (Turning) I'll tear you apart!

FOX    (Singing) ... as I lie abed ...

ALL:    (Singing)All we want is your head!

s. turns towards Jacob, who lops off the last of his heads.

STARRYTRESS          I thought you'd never be done!

RABBIT:          What a fight, what a battle!

FOX    The planner wasn't bad either!

JAKOB           A battle and a half! Or seven!

STARRYTRESS          What courage. What can I give you in return for saving my life, so that you'll remember this wonderful day? A star from my hair! It's yours! ...

JAKOB           Thank you ... But my brothers were of service too ...

STARRYTRESS          Fear not, I shall not forget them! (She pins a star onto Fox's breast.) For you the Pole Star, and for you (pinning a star ontoRabbit's forehead) the Evening Star ...

FOX    Thank you.

RABBIT:          Th-th-th-th-ank you!

JAKOB           At your service!

STARRYTRESS          Jacob ...

JAKOB           I still don't know your name ...

STARRYTRESS          Starrytress ...

JAKOB           Starrytress ... What a beautiful name! Starrytress!

RABBIT:          B-b-b-b-beautiful!

FOX    Beautiful!

STARRYTRESS          I prefer Rosie ... or Gertie ...

JAKOB           Starrytress ... The whole world in one name ...

STARRYTRESS          The whole world?

JAKOB           (pointing to the night sky)  Stars and worlds in their millions! ... The Great Bear! The Pole Star! Up there! ... Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are ... Amazons all of them! The Plough, so plain to see! ... Starrytress ...I've never heard a name so beautiful ... Starrytress ... Even to say it is wonderful ...

RABBIT:          Pssst ... pssst ....

FOX    You're psssing at a time like this?!

RABBIT:          She's s-s-s-s-sleeping ...

J,          She's gone to sleep ... Princess Starrytress has gone to sleeep ... Starrytress   Starrytress    Have you ever heard a name as beautiful as that? ...

RABBIT:          N-n-n-never ...

FOX    Perhaps ... Chicken leg. That would be almost as nice ... if there is such a name ...

JAKOB           She's in dreamland ... she's dreaming ... I'm going to lay my head down too ...(He lays his head on Starrytress's lap.) Brother Fox ... stand guard ... (Falls asleep.)

FOX    Yes, you rest yourself. What a battle it was ... I wouldn't mind taking forty winks myself ... Brother Rabbit, will you stand guard for a minute? Just so that I can close my eyes for a bit ... (Falls asleep.) ...

RABBIT:          Of course, of course, Just you sleep ... I'll stay awake ... (He slowly dozes off.) for as long as I can ...

9. The Conniving Constable of the Kingdom

MARSHALL:  Heh heh heh!  Now that was a real battle! Blood everywhere! And here's the dragon. And here's the king's daughter too! And who is this? Who is this vagabond? I've never seen him around here ... That's the one who conquered the dragon, that's for sure ... Yes, that's the way it happened! ... And the way I'm going to tell the story at the court .... Heh heh heh! Won't it be good! ... The c.! ... The c., the great hero! That's it! The man who rescued the princess from the seven-headesd dragon! What a heroic deed!But if I'm going to do that, I'll have to cut off this young knight's head! ... (He cuts off Jacob's head) Just like that! That's the way to do it! (Puts the head into a plastic bag.) We'll put it in here with the others ... There we are, all's well ... Just in case someone was to come looking for him ... (Throws the princess over his shoulder.) Now Starrytress, off we go! We'll bring the great news with us! Your father the king will be so happy! Heheh heh heh heh! ... Half the kingdom will be mine and the hand of the king's daughter too! Already I can feel the crown on my head! Heh heh heh heh heh heh!

8. Wilhelm's First good Deed as a Butterfly.

The c. has hardly left when a white butterfly arrives and flutters over his brother's dead body.  He rises above the gently snoring animals and slowly descends on Fox's nose. Rabbit produces a huge sneeze and turns over, but the butterfly lands again on his nose.  Fox lashes out in his sleep and, when he finally wakes up, there is no trace of the butterfly.

9. Bitter Awakening

FOX    I dreamt that something fluttered onto my nose! And I was sleeping so well! ... I can't even remember when I last had such a good sleep ... (He catches sight of Jacob's headless body.) What1 What's this?! Where's your head? Rabbit! Sleeping on guard! Rabbit! Can you hear me!? Wake up!

RABBIT:          What, what, what! ... What's up?

FOX    What's up? Can't you see?! You went to sleep! And just look what ha[ppened to poor Jacob! Someone cut off his head. And it's your fault! And now we're all alone again!

RABBIT:          Don't cry, Fox. I'll only start too!

FOX    Well cry then! I know of wonderful stuff for sticking things on with, all you need are tears and a handful of magic swallowtailed grass, but it only grows a long way from here ...

RABBIT:          N-n-n-nooo problem ... I'll be back so quick you won't know I'm gone ...

FOX    Are you leaving or have you come back?

RABBIT:          You may be goodlooking, you may be clever, ... but your eyes are no good at all. What's this in my hand? Magic swallow tailed grass!

FOX    Come on then, we have to cry! ... We're all alone, all alone ...

RABBIT:          All alone ...

FOX    I'll get his head ...

Fox places a head in a plastic bag togehter on Jacob's neck.

RABBIT:          A ding and a dong, a dong and a ding, ahead on a neck is the thing ...

FOX    Right, it's done.

Fox carefully lifts the bag off Jacob's head -and finds himself staring into the eyes of one of the dragon's heads.

FOX    (to Rabbit) Can you see what I see?

JAKOB           (yawning widely as the animals realise in consternation that they've just stuck a dragon head onto Jacob's neck.) Oh what a lovely dream I had .. Starrytress ... Starrytress where are you?

FOX    Yes, where's Starrytress gone? (Taps his head.) I'll be forgetting my own head next!

RABBIT:          We'll have to sssslice it ...

FOX    How can you say something like that?

JAKOB           (suspicious) What are you two whispering about?

FOX    Who, us? ... Whispering?

RABBIT:          Have to ...

JAKOB           You're hiding something from me.

RABBIT:          Come on, get the sword and ..Come on!

JAKOB           What do you want with that sword, brother Rabbit?

FOX    Which sword? With this? It's a sword is it? I never noticed! ...

RABBIT:          Do it!

JAKOB           turning to Rabbit) What?

With one blow Fox cuts off Jacob's head.

FOX    Fetch the real one!

Fox puts Jacob's head in place.

FOX    We're all alone ... Go on, cry ... Good ...Mix it up ...

RABBIT:          A ding and a dong, a dong and a ding, ahead on a neck is the thing

JAKOB           (yawning) Oh what a lovely dream I had .. Starrytress ... Starrytress where are you

FOX    Yes, where's the princess? I knew someone wasn't here! And I said so, didn't I?

RABBIT:          S-s-s-sso you did!

JAKOB           Perhaps she's gone home.

FOX    That's it, home! She's gone home! Why didn't I think of that?

RABBIT:          Everywhere's fine, but there's no place like home!

From the castle comes the sound of bugles and drums, all the black drapes are removed from the walls.

JAKOB           Perhaps she's already arrived ... They've takenall that black off the walls. Off you go, brother Rabbit! Find out what those purple banners are for.

RABBIT:          I'm mmmm gone!

In the Royal Castle

The c. is rehearsing the wedding music with the princess.

MARSHALL:  Taa

STARRYTRESS          Taaa

MARSHALL:  Ti ti

STARRYTRESS          Ti ti ...

MARSHALL:  Triola? ... Now ... What's it like?

STARRYTRESS          Awful ...

MARSHALL:  My dear Starrytress, don't be so terribly parlando! Grazioso ... Pianssimo ... Da capo al fino ... Give me an A.

STARRYTRESS          Never!

MARSHALL:  I said an A please!

STARRYTRESS          Never, ver!

KING: What, fighting on such a beautiful day?

MARSHALL:  How good you are here, sire! ...

STARRYTRESS          How good you're here Papa!

MARSHALL:  (different tone) What do you say about that synchopy? Good?

KING: Wonderful, my lord c., wonderful!

STARRYTRESS          Papa, I'd like to say something.

KING: Right now? The guests will be here any moment. The wedding ceremony ...

MARSHALL:  Yes, the wedding ceremony! And it's important for the wedding ceremony that the duet sounds good.

STARRYTRESS          What duet?

MARSHALL:  The one for two, my dear.

STARRYTRESS          There'll be no duet!

KING: What!?

STARRYTRESS          Only with the one who saved my life!KING:      That's what I said,Starrytress. A duet with the one who saved your life!

MARSHALL:  And that's what I say too! Duet. That's for two, correct me if I'm wrong, sire ...

KING: Oh you're not wrong, my lord c. ...

STARRYTRESS          But you are Papa! It's not this man who saved me!

KING: (Looking puzzledly at Rabbit, who is crossing, he can't believe his own eyes.) I don't understand ...

MARSHALL:  Your majesty ... I think the royal princess is a little ... the shocking experience ...

KING: It's not that I don't understand ... I don't understand, what are rabbits doing in the royal palace?

MARSHALL:  Sorry?

KING: I don't understand, what are rabbits doing in the royal palace?

MARSHALL:  Sorry?

KING: Didn't you see them?

MARSHALL:  So what am I suposed to have seen, your majesty?

KING: Rabbits ... Just now ... I'msurprised you didn't see them, c. ...

MARSHALL:  (suspicious of the king's state of mind) Where should I see them, your majesty?

KING: Here! there! And there was a star on his fur!

MARSHALL:  a star ... on his fur ...

STARRYTRESS          That was my star, Papa! I gave stars to those who saved me!

KING: To a rabbit?! ... Come now, daughter, you really have been upset ...

MARSHALL:  No need to be surprised, your majesty! It was a terrific battle ... The blood steaming ... The death moans ... (Imitates one) Aaaargh! The death screams! (Imitates one) Aaaaaah! Until finally that horrendous beast rolled onto his side and breathed his last ... Not a sight for a girl's eyes ...

KING: My poor little one ...

STARRYTRESS          There's nothing wrong with me Papa.

STARRYTRESS          I don't wish to bore your majesty, but if you had seen how I sliced off the dragon's fiery heads! All seventy-seven of them! Swoosh, swoosh!

RABBIT:          Swoosh swoosh! Swoosh swoosh!

MARSHALL:  What's that!?

KING: I told you there was a Rabbit in the palace. Raise the alarm!

11 On the Dragon's Hill

RABBIT:          (Sings as he hurries back) There's to be a wedding! A wedding! And a huge feast! Wedding ceremony! The c. is marrying the king's daughter!

JAKOB           The c.!?

FOX    The c.!?

J,          What c.?

RABBIT:          D-d-d-don't know!

JAKOB           Right! I'll go  and take alook at this c. myself!

FOX    We're going too!

12 In the Royal Castle

STARRYTRESS          No, no, no and no! I'll only marry the one who killed the dragon!

KING: But my dear, it was the c. who killed the dragon.

STARRYTRESS          No it wasn't Papa! I saw it Papa! It was a young chevalier, slender and sweet to look at.

MARSHALL:  (Holding up the musical instrument.) Here I am!

KING: (Making a wry face.) Yes, my lord c. ... (To Starrytress) Perhaps you didn't see it very clearly, my dear? ...

STARRYTRESS          But I di and I spoke to him too! I gave him a star from my hair and the other stars to his brothers.

KING: To his brothers?

STARRYTRESS          Yes, to Rabbit and Fox.

KING: Yes, well, er ... Yes .. to his brothers ... Or to those er ...

STARRYTRESS          They're one and the same, Papa.

KING: The brother of a man is a man, my dear, and the brother of an animal is animal.

STARRYTRESS          Oh, no, that's not so!

MARSHALL:  But it is

STARRYTRESS          You just stick to your strings, you're a blister not a man!

KING: Daughter!

MARSHALL:  The key, my dear, which key?

STARRYTRESS          Sharp!

KING: Now that's enough! You can't speak like this to the hero who dragged you from the jaws of death! Now, the duet!

STARRYTRESS          Never! Not with that lying rogue!

KING: I promised your hand who plucked ypou from the dragon's arms. And a king has to keep his word1 Now, the duet!

MARSHALL:  Ha ha! Did you hear that, Starrytress? You'll be my bride ... Duet!

STARRYTRESS          Never!

13 Wilhelm the Butterfly's Second Good Deed

KING: What I say, I've said!

STARRYTRESS          I'd rather die!

KING: Honest c., in keeping with my promise, from this moment on and for all time, half of my kingdom is yours and yours too is my dau ... hmmm hmmm ... yours is my dau ...

A butterfly has flopped onto the king's moustache and is holding the king's lips closed with his wings. The c. draws his sword and in trying to kill the butterfly almost kills the king.

STARRYTRESS          I'll get you ...

KING: Watch my head! Son-in-law, watch how you saw!

The butterfly flies up and adroitly avoids all the swipes made at him.

STARRYTRESS          Take thaT1 Take this!

The butterfly lands on Jacob's shoulder, who has arrived unnoticed.

STARRYTRESS          That's him, Jacob Grimm! It was he who defeated the dragon! .. And here's his brothers. (She draws the animals towards her.) Fox and Rabbit! I told you I wasn't dreaming, Papa!

JAKOB           Starrytress! And I thought you'd fled from me to your home!

STARRYTRESS          But why would you think that,Jacob?

KING: Now I really don't understand! I thought the c. had brought you home. Isn't that what happened, lord c.?

MARSHALL:  You can be a thousand per cent sure of that, sire!

JAKOB           While we were resting after the exhausting battle, he came and treacherously stole the princess!

FOX    But before that, he lopped off Jacob's head!

RABBIT:          Id-id-idiot!

FOX    Why? Did he or did he not lop off Jacob's head?

JAKOB           (in disbelief) What???

STARRYTRESS          (on the verge of fainting) What???

KING: (completely suspicious) What???

MARSHALL:  What? I have never heard such blather!

FOX    Blather? He wouldn't be here if we hadn't glued his head back on.

JAKOB           What!!!

FOX    (Getting more and more complicated and confused.) Your head, Jacob! or rather the dragon's head! First we stuck on a dragon's head by mistake ... then I cut it off ... my fault, all my fault! I fell asleep, then so did Rabbit ... then tears and the magic swallo -tailed grass, a ding and a dong, and the dragon head by mistake, then I cut it off and you got that one, the right one ...

MARSHALL:  I think he's completely off his head, sire ...

STARRYTRESS          There's the star, Papa! He got it from me! And here's one on Fox too, and on Fox too!

MARSHALL:  They kidnapped the princess! Where's my sword! Treason off with their heads!

STARRYTRESS          Papa, who do you believe, your own daughter or this scoundrel?

KING: A king can only believe his own eyes, daughter.

JAKOB           If that is so sire, allow me to ask the c. which sword he used on the dragon?

MARSHALL:  What do you mean which sword, this one right here, of course!

JAKOB           Here's one of the dragon's heads. Let the lord Marshall show us how he did it!

MARSHALL:  (embarrassed) Heh heh heh ... Bare-faced provocation, your majesty, you mustn't think ...

STARRYTRESS          Go on, show us!

MARSHALL:  But it's so childish, sire ...

KING: Let us see ..

FOX    Now Marshmallow, it's only one of his heads! En garde!

RABBIT:          C-c-c-cut!

MARSHALL:  (charging to slice at the head.) Huuuuuurrrrah!

The sword, as if it has a life of its own, avoids the head, and with its own power brings the Marshall to the floor.

MARSHALL:  My sword! It's become so heavy! My oh my!

JAKOB           The dragon can only be conquered with the magic sword, sire. (He draws out the sword.) An ordinary sword isn't poerful enough!

MARSHALL:  Have mercy, sire, have mercy!

KING: Mercy for a scoundrel!? For a good for nothing!  I exile you! Allegro, allegretto!

STARRYTRESS          Tempo giusto!

RABBIT:          P-p-p-presto!

FOX    Accelerato!

JAKOB           Da capo al fine!

ALL:   

STARRYTRESS          Now do you believ me, Papa?

KING: What do you mean? everything has been prepared for the wedding ceremony. And I can hardly wait to keep my promise! Come,kneel before me, Starrytress my daughter, and Jakob, her saviour from the dragon ...

Starrytress and Jacob kneel before the king, whoturns to the Rabbit and Fox.

KING: And you my children, what are you waiting for?

STARRYTRESS          But Papa, the children of men are men too, or are they?

Suddenly the form of the chattering Ice Witcharises in front of them. Rabbit and Fox, shivering, huddle around Starrytress and Jacob.

ICE WITCH:   Cch cch cch cchcch! ... At last! I've managed to find you my little ones! Brrrr! I'm so cold! Can you feel how her breath makes you numb!

KING: I can't even move ..

FOX    It can only be the ICE WITCH:!

ICE WITCH:   (shaking with cold) Cch cch cch cchcch! ... All of me is so frozen ...

STARRYTRESS          I'll warm the poor old lady up. (She starts towards her.)

JAKOB           `Stop, stop! Not an inch further! You'll freezer up if you go to her1

Ice Witch sends a frozen breath at Jacob, who is immediately frozen numb.

JAKOB           Starrytress, take care!

KING: Listen to Jacob, my daughter!

STARRYTRESS          Why? All I want to do is warm her up a little.

JAKOB           Starrytress! Don'teven touch her with a finger! (Tries to move, but he's frozen stiff.) I can't move. She's frozen my bones.

ICE WITCH:   Cch cch cch cchcch! ... Frozen, you're not frozen1 ... Cch cch cch cchcch!You're just a little stiff that's all (Beckons to Starrytress with her arm.) Now come, my pretty little one. Come, warm me up a little ...

KING: Don't move,Starrytress! I forbid you to move1

STARRYTRESS          But how can we let her freeze in front of our eyes?! ...

ICE WITCH:   Yes, yes, come my pet! Come ... (Shakes herself.) Brrrr!  I'll soon be frozen solid!

STARRYTRESS          I'm coming, I'll help you!

JAKOB           (Tries to move.) I'll help1 ... I'll do it! Let me over Ice Witch!

ICE WITCH:   everything in good time, Jacob! Don't worry everyone will get their chance!

RABBIT:          M-m-m-meee!

ICE WITCH:   Now you just be quiet, Rabbit!

RABBIT:          My c-c-c-coat is n-n-n-nice nad warm!

FOX    So's mine!

ICE WITCH:   First the young gir, then the rest of you1 ... (lShe oints her index finger to Starrytress.) Isn't that so, my dear? Just one more step and you'll be able to touch my finger.

JAKOB           No!

KING: No,Starrytress! Don't do it!

Starrytressextends her index finger towards ICE WITCH:.

ICE WITCH:   That's it, my pet. I can already feel your soft and sweet warmth!

STARRYTRESS          I'm cold ... As if icy hands were around my heart ...

ICE WITCH:   Closer ... Just a little closer Not much longer now Then you'll have dreams like you never had before ... Come on now ...

STARRYTRESS          I'm going to have to close my eyes ... I'm falling asleep ...

JAKOB           Nooo! Starrytress! Wake up!

Just before the two finger sv]can touch, a butterfly suddenly flies between them.

Ice Witch         Get away from here at once! (Catches the butterfly.) Now I've got you by the neck. I'll make pancakes from you!

ICE WITCH: raises her hand to strike, but the butterfly's presence breaks the icy spell Everyone hurls themself at ICE WITCH:.

JAKOB           How dare you try to hurt my brothers, all together at the count of three!

A huge scrimmage, with a head popping out of it occasionally, only to be absorbed again into heaving mass.

ICE WITCH:   No, no! Not all at once! I'm boiling! No!

KING: Daughter1

STARRYTRESS          Jacob!

ICE WITCH:   I'm melting, help! Help!

RABBIT:          we're h-h-h-helping you!

FOX    We're really warming you up now! That's what you wanted, wasn't it?

ICE WITCH:   But not this much! It's too much! I'm melting away!

WILLIAM:      Jacob!

STARRYTRESS          Jacob1

JAKOB           Where are you?

STARRYTRESS          Here I am!

JAKOB           (Gently)  dear Starrytress, it's WILLIAM: I'm looking for noWILLIAM:STARRYTRESS            Who is WILLIAM:?

JAKOB           My brother.

STARRYTRESS          The butterfly too?

Jacob and WILLIAM: arise from the huddle.

JAKOB           WILLIAM:, is that really you?

WILLIAM:      Who else, you old balloon!

Starrytress and the others stare in wonder at the Grimm brothers.

STARRYTRESS          Like two eggs! But how will I know which is Jacob?

WILLIAM:      I'm WILLIAM: ...

JAKOB           You can't be! I'm WILLIAM:!

WILLIAM:      Now stop that1 ... Why are you doing that to me, Jacob?

JAKOB           Me?! Why are you doing that to me, Jacob?

STARRYTRESS          (Starting to snivel.) But which is the real one? ...

KING: Now pay attention, daughter! There are times when a king has to reach a decision, and this one of them.

JAKOBThat's right!

WILLIAM:      Let the king decide!

KING: No, no. Decide it between yourselves. For you saved mydaughter's life too.  Half of my kingdom goes to you, and the other half to you. But my daughter goes to the one who loves her most.

JAKOB           Thank you, sire.

STARRYTRESS          Jacob! dearest Jacob1 I knew it was you all along!

JAKOB           And if I ... lets say as a joke ... and if I say I'm WILLIAM:?

WILLIAM:      Now, King Jacob, now is the time for you to start becoming more serious.

STARRYTRESS          Never! Because it's the datdreaming Jacob Grimm that I love!

KING: Hey ... where did the ICE WITCH: go to?

FOX    Beg to report, sire1 Here's her nose1 That's all that's left of her.

RABBIT:          Ice Witch melted away because of the heat of our bodies!

JAKOB           What? Say that again!

RABBIT:          Ice Witch melted away because of the heat of our bodies!

JAKOB           did you all notice that he's not stuttering?

RABBIT:          (uncomprehendingly) I don't get you ... Why should I stutter? (With hands on hip, he straightens himself up and looks around superciliously) Have you ever heard a story so stupid that it has a stuttering rabbit in it? ...

FOX    No such story ...

RABBIT:          What are you trying to hide there? It isn't a carrot is it?

FOX    Is that a carrot? I wasn't aware of that ...

RABBIT:          Let me have it ...

FOX    Why?

RABBIT:          (Taking a bite out of the carrot.) Because when you're not in the wood, only carrots are good!

THE END

C netrights: Magyar Színházi Portál