The swan and the princess

           The swan and the princess

Characters

Suddodhana : the King of Kapilavastu          

Siddhartha : the Prince of Kapilavastu

Devadatta : Siddhartha’s cousin

The Chief Minister and four other Ministers of the King

The Guard

[Suddodhana is sitting on his throne. His Ministers are sitting around him. The Chief Minister is saying something to him. Just then the guard enters and bows to the King.] (Throne, bows)

Guard: Long Live the King! Sir, Prince Devadatta wants to come in.

King: Bring him in.

[The guard bows and goes out]

Chief Minister: I wonder why Prince Devadatta wants to see the King at this time

Second Minister: Perhaps he wants to complain against someone. (perhaps, complain)

[The guard enters with Devadatta. Both of them bow to the King]

King: What is it, Devadatta? Why have you come to me at this time?

Devadatta: Sir, the Prince will not give me my swan. I want justice from you.(justice)

King [smiling] Be calm, Devadatta. Has Siddhartha taken your swan from you? (calm)

Devadatta: Yes, sir, he has. I shot it and it fell on the ground near the Prince. He picked it up and said he wouldn’t give it to me.

King: That’s very naughty of Siddhartha. [to the guard] Go and call him. [The guard bows and goes out] (naughty)

Third Minister [softly to the Fourth Minister] he Prince is a good lad. He can’t do a thing that’s wrong.

Fourth Minister: I agree with you.

[The guard enters with Prince Siddhartha, who has a white swan in his arms. Siddhartha bows to the King,]

King: Siddhartha, Devadatta says that you’ve taken his swan. Is that the swan which you took from him? 

Siddhartha: Your Highness, Devadatta has complained about this swan, but it is not his swan. It’s mine..

Devadatta: No, Your Highness, it is not his. It is mine. I shot it with an arrow. Siddhartha is telling a lie. (lie)

King: Be calm, Devadatta. You say that the swan is yours because you shot it. Is that right?

Devadatta: Yes, sir, that’s quite right.(quite)

King: What do you say, Siddhartha? Why do you say that the swan is yours?

Siddhartha: Your Majesty, Devadatta shot this swan but I saved its life. That’s why it’s mine..

Ministers: Hear! Hear!

King: Listen, Siddhartha. A kshatriya can’t give up what he has shot. Do you agree with me? (listen)

Siddhartha: Yes, I do, sir, but a kshatriya can’t give up a suppliant either. This swan came to me for protection. I can’t give it up..(supplient, either)

Devadatta: Your Highness, this is injustice. I shot the swan, so it’s mine.

King: Well, boys, I’m puzzled. It’s a strange case. I don’t know how to decide it. [to the Chief Minister] Can you help me?  

Chief Ministr: I’ll try, Your Highness.

King: Very well, then. Please go ahead