Page 69 - English Class 05

Characters:

1. Akbar 5. Messenger

2. Birbal 6. Denu, the washerman
3. Cour ers 7. Kusum, the washerman’s wife

4. The town-crier 8. Denu and Kusum’s children

Scene 1

(It’s a winter morning. Akbar and Birbal are pacing the floor in the palace balcony. The
balcony offers a good view of the river.)

Akbar : Birbal, I have heard that the water of this river is extremely cold. Is
that true?

Birbal : Yes, Your Majesty, I have also heard the same.

Akbar : What do you think will happen, if a man stands in the cold water all

through the night? Will he die?

Birbal : Certainly , Your Majesty, no ordinary man can survive a er staying for
such a long me in the cold water.

Akbar : (Thinks for a while and says) I have an idea!

(The emperor whispers certainly : surely

something in Birbal’s ear. ordinary : one with no special quali es
Birbal is surprised at the whispers : speak in a very low voice
emperor’s words.)

Scene-2

(A ernoon. Town market place. A town-crier beats his drum loudly and people come

leaving their work and gather around him.)

Town-crier : (Loudly) Listen! Listen! By the order of the emperor, anyone who
stands in the cold water of the river in front of the king’s palace all
through the night will be amply rewarded. Listen! Listen!

(He moves to another busy area to make the same announcement.)

(People stand in groups and discuss the announcement. Nobody is

ready to accept the challenge. Denu, a poor washerman also listens to
the announcement and whispers in his wife’s ear.)

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