More Portmanteau Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Let me--
AOYAGI
Oh, mother, dear. I am so happy here.
OBAA-SAN (_suddenly becoming the solicitous mother, she handles Aoyagi as one might handle a doll_)
Are you--truly?--Are you warm?--You are hungry!
AOYAGI
No--I am just happy.
[_She nestles close to Obaa-San. There is complete contentment._
OBAA-SAN
I shall bring you--a surprise.
[_She darts into the house. Immediately The Gaki comes in._
THE GAKI
You seem very happy, Aoyagi. And your mother is very happy, too.--And I am hungry now.
AOYAGI
You will not hurt her! Let me go back to the Weeping Willow Tree--
THE GAKI
That would kill her--perhaps.
AOYAGI
No--no--I should be near her then--always.
THE GAKI
But where would I have my food? Not in your heart, not in hers--I should starve and I must live.
AOYAGI
What then?
THE GAKI
See!
[_He points to the road. Aoyagi looks in that direction as The Gaki disappears. Riki comes in. Occasionally one may hear a bit of a lullaby sung in the old cracked voice of Obaa-San_:
See, baby, see The ears of the wolf are long; Sleep, baby, sleep, Your father is brave and strong.
_Riki is a poet, young, free, romantic. He faces Aoyagi a little moment as though a wonderful dragonfly had poised above his reflection in a pool._
RIKI
You are she!
AOYAGI
My--who--are--you?
RIKI
I am a poet--I have sought everywhere for you.
AOYAGI
I am the Lady of the Weeping Willow Tree!
RIKI
You are my love.
AOYAGI
I am the daughter of Obaa-San.
RIKI
I love you so!
AOYAGI
Yes--I love you so!--But I love Obaa-San, my mother--
RIKI
Come with me.
AOYAGI
But Obaa-San--
RIKI
Come with me. b.u.t.terfly, b.u.t.terfly, alight upon the Willow Tree And if you rest not well, then fly home to me. See! I make a little verse for you.
