DRAGANADRAGANA
KRSENKOVIC BRKOVIC
THE MARVELOUS STAR
(Translator: Nada Crvenica)
I
(It is the starry sky. The whole background - from the floor to the ceiling - is covered by a large number of bright, twinkling stars going on and off. The light is blue and diffused. The Little Star is bored. She doesn’t know what to do with herself. The Oldest Star appears, distinguished and full of self-importance.)
THE OLDEST STAR: There you are, at last. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. (The Little Star gives a heavy sigh. She changes position.)
THE OLDEST STAR: Why are you sighing?
THE LITTLE STAR: I’m so bored.
THE OLDEST STAR: You are bored! It’s hard to believe. Judging by what you did, I wouldn’t say that you can’t have fun. Listen to me, Little Star. As I am the Oldest Star, and in the name of everything I have done for you so far, and for the sake of my reputation... let’s say dignity, I’ve had to look for you ... in order to have a word with you.
THE LITTLE STAR: I don’t feel like talking now.
THE OLD STAR: What sort of words are these? And how dare you contradict me, the oldest and most respected star?
THE LITTLE STAR: I’m sad. My heart simply aches and tears apart because of my sorrow.
THE OLDEST STAR: You only play. And you are playing right now, as well. And do you know, little one, what you did at yesterday’s summit of stars?
THE LITTLE STAR: I didn’t do anything. I was just flying after the comet.
THE OLDEST STAR: You must be joking when saying that. If you really don’t understand, it’s even worse for you. You did do something. And it is the first time that such a thing has happened since our order came into existence. You know our order very well, and you also know that it mustn’t be broken. And you... Not only did you leave your path, not only did you fail to listen to those who’re older than you and who were speaking so wisely and prudently, but you were running around! You were running after the comet. And in the end, you caused her to go off her path. You caused confusion, disturbance, unrest, and on top of it all, as a terrible result of your thoughtless behavior - the crash of two stars. They both exploded. They were gone, Little Star.
THE LITTLE STAR: (quietly) I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do it. I only wanted to have a look at the comet’s tail, to give it a pull. Then I saw the meteors coming straight towards her, they were this big, and could have destroyed her, made her explode, so I had to grab her quickly, like this, and move her away from their road. And the comet gave me a smile, she gave me such a nice smile.
THE OLDEST STAR: It’s not your duty to help anyone, it doesn’t become you. That’s why everyone is angry with you. Very angry...(She was interrupted by the crying of a small Koala. This voice echoes in space. The Little Star gets alert and lively.)
THE LITTLE STAR: What’s that? Who’s crying?
THE OLDEST STAR: Where are you going?
THE LITTLE STAR: To find out whose voice that is and why it is crying.
THE OLDEST STAR: But...You’re not supposed to go down to the Earth. It is strictly forbidden... Come back, Little Star, you’ll bring everybody’s anger on yourself and your punishment will be inevitable... Can you hear me? That mustn’t be done.(The Little Star starts off towards the Koala’s voice. The Oldest Star stands staring after her.)
II
(It’s nighttime. Seven-year-old girl Sanja sleeps in the bed in her room. Above her head and her pillow, there is a small Koala, and at the foot of the bed sits a Teddy Bear, as big as Sanja. It’s peace and quiet in the room).
(A star shows up at the window. It seems to be able to see inside. The light of the full Moon reaches the room, streaming onto the floor. The peace is interrupted by a quiet sobbing, the same one we heard in the previous scene.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: Who’s there? Who’s crying?
THE KOALA: I am.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Who says “I am”?
THE KOALA: I do.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Ah, it’s you. You just came this morning and you’re already crying.
THE KOALA: I didn’t come, I was brought here. Then I was presented to this girl.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Mind your words when you are talking about my Sanja! Just listen to her! “Presented to this girl”. As if she were anyone... not Sanja. You must never say such a thing again, do you hear me?
THE KOALA: Yes, I do.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Good. It has to be known here who is who and what is what. And you must be more careful, as you might wake her up. You never stop talking.(It’s been quiet for some time. Then sobbing can be heard again.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: What’s the matter with you now?
THE KOALA: I’m sorry, but I can’t help it.
THE TEDDY BEAR: “I can’t help it, I can’t help it”. Do you know what time it is? It’s the nighttime. And it’s the time when everyone sleeps. You should know that much at least. I mean about that sleeping thing, since you are always sleeping. I‘ve been watching you the whole day and you’ve been sleeping all the time. Is that what you are always doing? Always sleeping?
THE KOALA (between sobs): Only when I feel sleepy.
THE TEDDY BEAR: You have beaten me in sleeping. I myself sleep a lot, it’s true, but you...And why are you crying so much?
THE KOALA: I’m hungry.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Hungry? Why didn’t you tell me before? There is some honey in the larder. A pot full of honey. How can you be so hungry with so much honey around?
THE KOALA: But I don’t eat honey.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Is there a soul in the world that finds honey disgusting? (He laughs) I’ve never heard such a thing. Have some strawberries then. Sanja had them yesterday but left some for today as well.
THE KOALA: I don’t eat strawberries, either.
THE TEDDY BEAR: What about raspberries then? Or apples…? Or blueberries…? There’re so tiny, so small and tasty. They make your mouth tingle, but they are sweet. It’s true!
THE KOALA: I don’t know what you are talking about.
TEDDY BEAR: It’s a miracle. I haven’t seen such a thing in my whole life. What do you eat then?
THE KOALA: Leaves.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Leaves? Why didn’t you say so before? There under the window there are as many leaves as you please. Look how many trees there are.
THE KOALA: But I don’t eat any kind of leaves.
THE TEDDY BEAR: What do you eat then?
THE KOALA: Only eucalyptus leaves.
THE TEDDY BEAR: I beg your pardon?
THE KOALA: Eucalyptus leaves. I sleep on them, and when I get hungry, I wake up and eat the leaves.
THE TEDDY BEAR: And you fall asleep again?
THE KOALA: Yes.
THE TEDDY BEAR: On the same tree? Eu... eu...
THE KOALA: …calyptus.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Uh, uh, what a name.(Sanja wakes up. She sits up in bed.)
SANJA: What’s going on?
THE TEDDY BEAR: Ah, nothing, Sanja. Keep on sleeping. And the two of us are just...having a little chat... only to see the night passes.
SANJA: You can’t say “passes” here, but “pass”. I’m always telling you that you don’t speak correctly.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Ok, Ok. You know that I did not go to school.
SANJA: “Did not go to school”. And why are you crying, Koala?
THE KOALA: I’m very hungry. I haven’t eaten for days.
SANJA: Oh, no! I haven’t offered you anything to eat today.
THE TEDDY BEAR: You can’t help it, Sanja, even if you want to.
SANJA: How come?
THE TEDDY BEAR: She is a strange beast, you see. They have foisted a wonderful creature on you, you can bet on it.
SANJA: Shame on you, Teddy Bear. How can you be speaking like that? I wouldn’t expect it from you.(The Koala comes close to Sanja and she starts caressing her. The Teddy Bear gets sheepish.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: No, noo. I didn’t mean it. In fact, because of eu... eu... Well, I’m starting again.
SANJA: What are you talking about? I don’t understand you at all.
THE TEDDY BEAR: This one here... eats only special leaves... Exquisite ones! One can’t even pronounce their name.
SANJA: Is it true?
THE KOALA: Koalas eat only eucalyptus leaves.
SANJA: I’ve never heard of such leaves.
THE TEDDY BEAR: You see. Haven’t I told you? She is very special indeed. What do you say, eu... special leaves! Hmm.
SANJA: Teddy Bear! Koala, dear, what shall we do now? We can’t let you starve.
THE KOALA: I don’t know.
SANJA: We have to do something about it. And where are those leaves of yours?
THE KOALA: In trees.
THE TEDDY BEAR: And they are of the same name. But don’t even try to pronounce it, Sanja. It’s unpronounceable.
SANJA: You’ve been behaving very strangely today, Teddy Bear. I cannot recognize you.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Well, you’d put that sniveling creature above your head, and she woke you up. I have never woken you up in the nighttime. Never. I’ve been thoughtful, and careful, not like some...
SANJA: What should I have done with her?
THE TEDDY BEAR: Put her in the basket, with other toys. She doesn’t belong here. Least of all above your head.
SANJA: Now you have really gone too far. If you go on like this, I’ll get angry with you.
THE TEDDY BEAR: I can go to the corner. I may even leave if I bother you… For ever.(He gets seated in the corner, on the opposite side of the room. Sanja comes up to him and puts her head into his lap. The Teddy Bear caresses her.)
SANJA: Don’t be silly, Teddy Bear, you little bear. You know I think the world of you.
THE TEDDY BEAR: I knew it before...And the one...over there?
SANJA: She is cute, too. You should know that I don’t love you less because she is here.(The Teddy Bear is still doubtful.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: And you...you are still hungry, aren’t you?
THE KOALA: Very much.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Very much. As if you haven’t eaten since you were born. Ok, Sanja. I won’t mention it any more.
SANJA: What do we do?
THE TEDDY BEAR: Go and find those eu... those special leaves.
SANJA: Find them? But how?
THE TEDDY BEAR: I’ll tell you. We’ll set off on a journey together, prying and snooping around, asking for directions, and we’ll find them in the end. It’s easy.
SANJA: What are you saying? Snooping around...
THE TEDDY BEAR: All right, all right, if my language is not good enough for you, I can... (he stands up, ready to leave. Sanja pulls him back and he sits down in a sudden and abrupt way.)
SANJA: On second thoughts, I think you’re right. She is hungry, and something has to be done, which means - we have to set out. It’s really simple.
THE TEDDY BEAR: (he gets up and jumps merrily). We’re leaving, we’re leaving.
THE KOALA: Let’s get a move on. I’ll fall asleep out of hunger.(The Teddy Bear furtively pushes her by his elbow. The Koala gives a cry.)
SANJA: What’s happened?
(The Teddy Bear holds the Koala and secretly keeps his paw on her mouth.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: Nothing, she is very hungry, and because of the hunger... there are some noises coming from her stomach.
SANJA: What do you think, Teddy Bear, what way should we take?
THE TEDDY BEAR: It’s simple - through the wall.
SANJA: Through the wall? But you can’t go through it, can you?
THE TEDDY BEAR: Who says so?(He leaves through the wall in a steady and confident way.)
THE TEDDY BEAR’S VOICE: Come on, what are you waiting for?
(Sanja comes close to the wall, feeling it in disbelief.)
Come on, why are you hesitating? Take a step. It is the simplest thing in the world.
(Sanja gives a try and passes through easily. Their joy and playfulness can be heard.)
Hey, you sleeping one! Shall I come and pick you up?
THE KOALA: (who has gone to sleep, winces) Ah, me... now, now, I’m coming... (She passes through the wall as well.)
THE TEDDY BEAR’S VOICE: I knew from the beginning that you’ll only be a troublemaker. Well, my pals, let’s move on.(Their steps are heard moving away. It can be clearly seen through the window that the star moves and vanishes. The empty room gets quiet again.)
III
(Sanja, the Teddy Bear and the Koala get to a narrow, winding road vanishing somewhere in the distance. At its very end, deep in the background of the stage, a mild, blue misty circle of light catches one’s eye - not wider than 30cm, at the lower edge of the floor.
In semidarkness gently rolling fields on both sides of the road can be discerned, covered with white and red flower blanket. There are dandelions and the flowers of red, large and unusual petals.
Scared and upset, they are looking back and glancing round timidly.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: O-o-o! It’s so dark here!
SANJA: Teddy Bear, my dear Bear. Where have we got to?
THE KOALA: A path.
THE TEDDY BEAR: You are very clever, we can bet on it...Of course we are on a path, we can see that ourselves.
SANJA: But...there is no one to be seen. It’s so quiet, isn’t it?
THE TEDDY BEAR: Please don’t be afraid, Sanja. I’m here with you, you mustn’t forget it. If anyone turns up, I’ll punch him with this paw, this way, and he’ll fly away over five mountains. Five, not five, five’s nothing. Over six mountains, actually. Look how big it is.
SANJA: It is indeed. And that makes me feel at ease.
THE KOALA: I’m hungry, hungry (wailing)
THE TEDDY BEAR: I am hungry, I am hungry! Aren’t you ashamed of wailing all the time? Can’t you see that we have set out on this journey to look for those leaves of yours.
SANJA: Don’t talk to her like that, she’s so small... Look... Dandelions. There are so many dandelions, a whole field of dandelions.(Sanja is running around the field on the left side of the path. The Teddy Bear, secretly so as not to seen by Sanja, shakes a finger at the Koala. He runs towards Sanja.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: Yes indeed. It’s so beautiful.
(Sanja picks a dandelion and blows its seeds into the Teddy Bears’s face.)
SANJA: Look, they are flying. Teddy Bear, they’re flying indeed.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Hurray!(The Teddy Bear skips around the field, Sanja runs about, running her hand through dandelions, so that a small cloud of white fluffy seeds lifts up. The Koala watches them for some time, and then she falls asleep on her feet. She is a comical figure while trying to keep her head up in her dream, but it keeps swaying, falling down on her shoulder.)
SANJA: It’s so nice here. And all those flowers. I’ve never seen any like these. Mmm, how they smell! Like the flowers in our back garden, after the rain.
THE TEDDY BEAR: That’s true... There are so many of them...All the way ... up to the end of the road...(Suddenly, the light is gone, except for the bluish light in the background of the stage. A lightning flashes and it thunders in the distance. It flashes brightly several times with deafening noise and an unusual sound like laughter. Then, everything gets quiet in a minute. The light is back, and the Bad Fairy turns up behind a bush, with a long magic wand. Sanja and the Teddy Bear get scared stiff! They are watching her carefully. The little Koala wakes up, and when she realizes who the fairy is, starts trembling.)
THE BAD FAIRY: What’s this? Who are you? And who has let you ruin my salad?
THE TEDDY BEAR: Actually, they’re only dandelions.
THE BAD FAIRY: I know they’re dandelions, and not only that, you heap of fat (she hits him on his head with the magic wand). Do you think that dandelions can’t be salad? (She hits him with her wand again) But you didn’t know it, did you, you empty-headed furry creature!
THE TEDDY BEAR: Now, see here, I do not allow anyone to insult me and...
THE BAD FAIRY: Shut up or I’ll turn you into an owl or a toad. Or rather into a worm (she bursts into laughter) that would be so good. So much fat in a tiny worm.
THE TEDDY BEAR: But this is not fat, these are muscles. I do gymnastics and lift weights. I have no fat...
THE BAD FAIRY: I’m the only one who talks here! Don’t forget it, or...I’ll crush you like this, and like this, you worm.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Aaaah! (He hides behind Sanja.)
SANJA: Sorry, good lady, we didn’t know it’s your…
THE BAD FAIRY: What did you say? Good lady... Are talking to me? Don’t you dare to say it again! Ever again! Ever! Have you heard me? Or it will be bad for you. I do not do any good! Ever! Not to anyone! I despise it. I’m the worst and the most malicious and the meanest fairy from time immemorial. No one can match me. They are all in my power. And I rule them all. (She catches a sight of the Koala who has fallen asleep standing upright. She hits her with her magic wand angrily.) You! Hey, you! (The Teddy Bear pushes the Koala with his elbow, so she suddenly wakes up.) When I am talking, everyone has to listen to me. Yes... And what are you doing here? Why didn’t you call me in the first place to ask for permission to go this way?
SANJA: Our friend Koala is very hungry and we have set out to look for some food for her.
THE TEDDY BEAR: (peers behind Sanja’s shoulder) She eats only leaves. And only the special ones.
SANJA: My parents presented her to me yesterday, and I hadn’t known she was hungry until I got to sleep. So she wept and we had to set out on a journey. Where we live there is no eucalyptus, and she only eats...
THE TEDDY BEAR: ...its leaves. Haven’t I told you?
THE BAD FAIRY: Shut up, you piggy, or I’ll skin your fur. I need a fur coat, really. And I like the colour of yours.(She bursts into malicious and loud laughter. The Teddy Bear, scared, squats behind Sanja’s back. But he keeps peering and staring furtively at the Bad Fairy all the time.)
THE BAD FAIRY: There she sleeps again. (She gives the Koala another hit with the magic wand) I’ve given you an order, I think. You’re really making me annoyed!
SANJA: When she’s hungry, she falls asleep.
THE BAD FAIRY: That’s none of my business! Everyone has to obey me. My power is absolute. I can do everything and that’s why everybody has to pay me due respect. If not... I do not forgive.
SANJA: Good lady, let us pass this way and find the tree. We won’t bother you again and we won’t harm you in any way. (She shows the dandelion field with her hand)
THE BAD FAIRY: You won’t harm me... ha-ha-ha… (she laughs, bending to the ground) Listen to me very carefully, you little one. No one can affect me. As long as I have this wand here, I can do anything. Get lost to where you’ve come from... You are too skinny, and this one is full of fat. That’s why I’m keeping this one. Mmm... she’s like a cake. Juicy meat. She’ll make a good dinner. (The Koala fights her. It makes the Fairy even angrier) I do not forgive insults...The preparation of the meal in my castle will be great fun.
SANJA: No, not her. She’s mine. Let go of her, please.(The Bad Fairy drags the Koala. Sanja runs after her, pulling the Koala to the other side. The Teddy Bear lends her a hand. Suddenly, the Bad Fairy hits him strongly on his head and he falls down, but he immediately gets to his feet again and comes up to Sanja. The Bad Fairy is stronger and she takes the Koala away. They are gone. She roars with laughter. Her voice fades, followed by the sound of flight, so that it is clear that she has flown away. The voice is more and more silent, until it dies away.)
SANJA: Let her go...bring her back...she’s mine...
(Sanja and the Teddy Bear are crying loudly and uncontrollably. The Teddy Bear is trying to soothe her. He is patting her shoulder.)
THE TEDDY BEAR: Don’t cry. (He sobs) We’ll go... together...and we’re going to find her ...even if she hides her at the end of the world...Don’t cry, please.
SANJA: She’s so small. And she’s hungry...
THE TEDDY BEAR: Oh, it’s so sad...Please don’t cry...my heart is bleeding...(Sanja is soothing the Teddy Bear now)
SANJA: We are going... yes... let’s get a move on. We’re going to find her...
THE TEDDY BEAR: Are we? You’re not crying any more, are you?
SANJA: Nooo.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Sure?
SANJA: Nooo.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Not at all?
(Sanja shakes her head. They wipe the tears of each other. They don’t notice that the Little Star is coming up to them.)THE LITTLE STAR: Don’t cry. I’ll help you.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Aaaah! Who’s this now?
THE LITTLE STAR: I’m the Little Star. I heard and saw all that the Bad Fairy did to you. She is powerful, it’s true, but she isn’t the most powerful. So you shouldn’t be frightened.
SANJA: And you’re going to help us find our Koala?
THE LITTLE STAR: Yes, I am. The Bad Fairy likes blowing her own trumpet. And she talks a lot. But one shouldn’t speak so much. It’s better to keep quiet. Then you can see more, understand more and do more.
THE TEDDY BEAR: You will show us how to leave this place, won’t you? And where we should go?
SANJA: And how to find our dear Koala?
THE LITTLE STAR: It won’t be easy for you to find her. The Bad Fairy has taken her to her castle, and it is well guarded. Two kingdoms are around it, and all the people are her subjects. And at the entrances of the castle stand terrible guards-monsters, who won’t let in anyone without the Fairy’s permission. You’ll have to be very clever to get into the castle.
THE TEDDY BEAR: And we have to go through... both of them?
LITTLE STAR: It’s the only way to reach the castle. But, don’t worry. If you come across any difficulty or get into trouble, just call me. I’ll see you and hear you.
THE TEDDY BEAR: Hurray! Sanja, that’s terrific.
SANJA: Thank you, Little Star.
LITTLE STAR: Not at all. Don’t mention it. Just promise me that you’ll stop crying.
THE TEDDY BEAR: We promise.(Little Star laughs at his comment.)
LITTLE STAR: Let’s go.
(They are starting off.)
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