SCENE I—_Along the Road

_Sanja._ Dear, dear, there goes one of my finest dumplings rolling down the hill. That will never do. I cannot lose that one. I must run and catch it. [_Runs after it. As she goes she meets Lord Jizu._] Good morning, my Lord Jizu! Have you seen a rice dumpling fall this way?

_Lord Jizu._ Good morning! Yes, I saw a dumpling. It went past here. It went down the hill skipping as if it had legs.

_Sanja._ Oh, thank you. Then I must skip after it.

_Lord Jizu._ No, no. Do not go on. An ogre lives down there. He may do you harm.

_Sanja._ But I must have my dumpling. [_Laughing._] Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! [_Goes on._]

[_To Second Lord Jizu._] My good Lord Jizu, have you seen a dumpling pass this way?

_Second Lord Jizu._ As if it had wings! It flew past me.

_Sanja._ Then I must hurry to catch it.

_Second Lord Jizu._ You must not think of that. There is a wicked ogre below. He does not like old women. He will be cruel to you, and he might eat you up.

_Sanja._ But I must have my dumpling. He’ll not eat an old woman like me. [_Laughing._] Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee! [_Goes on._]

[_To herself._] If I ever catch that dumpling, I’ll eat every bit of it myself. Tee-hee-hee! [_To Third Lord Jizu._] My good Lord Jizu, have you seen my dumpling pass this way?

_Third Lord Jizu._ Yes, it passed but a moment ago. Do not think of searching for it. The ogre who lives beyond is cruel, and he’ll surely eat you.

_Sanja._ He’ll not eat an old woman like me. Tee-hee-hee! [_They hear a terrible noise. Ogre comes._]

_Third Lord Jizu._ Here comes the ogre. Get behind me. Be quick!

_Ogre._ [_Deep voice._] Good morning, Lord Jizu! I smell meat.

_Third Lord Jizu._ Good morning, Ogre. Is it not dumpling that you smell? I saw one pass along this road a little while ago.

_Ogre._ No, indeed. It is not dumpling. What I smell is meat.

_Third Lord Jizu._ I do not smell it. Are you sure it is not rice dumpling? It seems to me that I smell a little of it about you.

_Ogre._ That is not strange. I saw the dumpling rolling my way. I caught it and ate it. It was good. I wish I had the one who made it. What I smell now is meat, meat, meat; juicy, young, tender. [_Sanja bursts out laughing._]

_Sanja._ Tee-hee-hee! Tee-hee-hee!

_Ogre._ [_Seeing Sanja._] Who are you?

_Sanja._ I am the one who made the dumpling. Tee-hee-hee! Why did you eat it?

_Ogre._ Because it was good.

_Sanja._ You couldn’t eat me for that reason. Tee-hee-hee!

_Ogre._ No, I shall not eat you. You shall come home with me and be my cook. As long as you cook your dumplings for me I will not harm you. [_Sanja goes with the ogre._]