12.

CAN YOU GIVE ME A SON

Mira: What are you doing? This is my home. Take your hand awayfrom my body. Don’t touch me again.

Jai: Oh, Mira.

Mira: Get out!

Jai: Jai leaves

Mira: Krishna says go; Kali says once

Krishna, you are all I have left now. Even Jai is gone. I have nowhere to go. What shall I do? I think I’m
going to cry. No, I must be brave. Krishna, I never asked you for anything. Can you do something for me?
Can you give me a son? I know it’s asking a lot. But what are friends for- especially if they are gods. O
please, my dear god…

(The dance of Krishna)

(Song of Krishna)

13. DON’T THROW STONES AT A BROKEN TREE

Uda: Better to sink in the sea than among men.

Rana: Our sister is still young. She should play and be gay

Uda: A snake’s poison and a wasp’s sting are better than an unfaithful wife.

Rana: Unfaithful wife?

Uda: All day she dances. All night she dances.

And she sings these vulgar songs. She must have someone inside.

Rana: Is it the Prince? Oh Mother, she is going mad…

Uda: This is known to happen to barren women.

They become possessed of evil spirits.

Rana: I have one foot on land and another in water.

Uda: Crows are black all over the world. This is Kali’s revenge.

Rana: We must move her to another palace. O my glorious ancestors!

Uda: The neem tree will not be sweet even if you water it with milk.

Rana: Don’t harm her.

Uda: The snake stings the one who helps him out of fire.

Rana: Don’t throw stones at a broken tree.

(And he leaves)

Uda: A stain removes evil. The witch must die.