[The Camel nods and disappears among the cane.]

Now I do not wish to wait for him.  I am in a hurry to get home, I am.  So I’ll sing a little song I know.  The farmer then will come and drive the camel out.

[He goes.  Soon he is heard singing in the distance.  Enter the FARMER and the BOYS with clubs.]

FARMER.  I see no jackal here!

A BOY.  I am sure I heard him singing!

ANOTHER BOY.  I heard him, too!

FARMER.  We must look for him and drive him out.

[The CAMEL enters, eating cane.]

FIRST BOY.  Look, look!  A camel!

SECOND BOY.  Look, father!  A camel!

FARMER (to Camel).  So it was you who was singing, was it?  Drive him out, boys!  Quick!  Beat him with your clubs!

[They rush upon the Camel and beat him as he runs from the field.]

SCENE III

TIME:  a little later.
PLACE:  the west bank of the river.

* * * * *

THE JACKAL. 
THE CAMEL.

* * * * *

[The CAMEL lies on the bank half dead from his beating.  Enter the JACKAL.]

JACKAL.  Are you ready to go now, friend?

CAMEL.  Don’t say “friend” to me!

JACKAL.  Why do you speak so strangely?

CAMEL.  Why did you sing so strangely?

[Illustration]

JACKAL.  Oh, I don’t know why!  I always sing after dinner.

CAMEL.  Ah!  Well, let us go.

[He kneels.  The Jackal gets on his back.  The Camel rises and enters the river.  He swims to the middle of the river and stops.]

JACKAL.  Why do you stop?

CAMEL.  I have such a strange, strange feeling.

JACKAL.  Well, swim on.  You need not stop!

CAMEL.  I feel as if I must roll over.

JACKAL.  Roll over!  If you do, I shall be drowned!

CAMEL.  Exactly.  But still I have that feeling.

JACKAL.  Now that is nonsense!  Why should you roll over?

CAMEL.  Oh, I don’t know why!  I always roll over after dinner.

[He rolls over.]

THE ENDLESS TALE

TIME:  a long time ago.
PLACE:  the King’s palace.

* * * * *

KING. 
PRINCESS. 
FIRST STORY-TELLER. 
SECOND STORY-TELLER. 
LORDS AND LADIES. 
GUARDS.

* * * * *

[The KING sits on a cushion in the great hall.  The PRINCESS sits on a cushion by him.  In front of them sits the FIRST STORY-TELLER. The LORDS and LADIES sit near by.]

STORY-TELLER.  “Then the prince married the princess and they were happy forever and ever.”