The Bowl of Rice

By Anita Young

The Bowl of Rice
Persons in the Play

The Beggar
The Blindman
The Singer
Children
The Soldier
Soldiers
That-Which-Gave-Me-The-Rice

Time: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
Place: Somewhere in China

***

Scene One

A side-street in a large city in North China. To the right, running from down left to up right, the gate of a Chinese courtyard with a bit of the wall to either side. To the left, a tree whose black sharp outline rises against the sky. In distant silhouette low rounded hillocks upon which cluster the houses of the city.
As the curtain rises distant shouting is heard. There is a glow of flame light in the sky, which fluctuates as does the sound, growing, however, in intensity until at the end of the play the crimson light is wavering against the wall also.

(A Blindman enters, stumbling in hurried flight.
(He is a rather tall man, dressed in a green blouse
(with a ragged edge and rather short green trousers.
(He carries a bamboo flute. He encounters the body
(of the Beggar with his stick and cries out.

Blindman

Ai yah - what's this!
(The Beggar looks up, startled. He is a young fellow,
(rather thin and undersized. He is dressed in a piece
(of sacking tied in with a rope around the waist.

Beggar

Spare me - oh -

Blindman

I won't hurt you, I'm only a blind man - What's the matter? Why are you lying on the ground? Did a soldier stab you?

Beggar

No, I sleep on the ground - I'm a beggar, Hsien Hsung.
(Distant shouting is heard again and the Beggar
(draws the rice bowl closer to him.

Blindman

Oh - a beggar -

Beggar

I was dreaming of a big bowl of rice and of wedding drums - and I rolled over - and you hit me - I was scared-dead!

Blindman

So was I! But you're not afraid to sleep in the street tonight? If you had rolled over in front of a soldier like that he might have struck you without thinking -

Beggar

If you'd struck a soldier like that he might have slashed you before he'd seen what you were.

Blindman

Certainly true! It's a dangerous night to be out in, but we haven't any choice -

Beggar

- And as for that - people who can lock themselves up in houses aren't any better off -
(He jumps up as the sounds in the distance rise
(clamorously, then grow more faint. A flare of
(light is seen against the sky. The Blindman turns
(facing the sound.

Blindman

I've been walking all night trying to get away from that -

Beggar

It's no use to run, they're burning everywhere, - I reckoned that up long ago. - So I've been sleeping -

Blindman

Do you think the whole city will burn?

Beggar

Burn? Ai yah - yes - But you can't see the flames -
(The distant murmur rises.

the big flames over there behind the tree with the crow's nest in it!

Blindman

(Despairingly, as he turns his face to the sky.

No - no. There is no longer any justice in heaven!

Beggar

That I don't know certainly, but I'd say that it was the natural thing to happen when the soldiers haven't been paid for a year -

Blindman

They'll be here sooner or later. - They're not sparing anybody. And yet it's possible for people like you and me to escape. We haven't anything they'd want. And so long as there's a corner free of fire to crawl into we are as well off as ever -
(The light of the fires becomes more intense, then
(becomes fainter as the sound dies.

Beggar

That's how I'd reckoned it. - The soldiers will be looking for people who have furs and fine furniture. - If we don't get in their way they won't notice us any more than the rats in the walls -

Blindman

Yet men kill rats. - If they kill, they kill. I am too tired to go further.

Beggar

Please sit down, please sit down -
(The Blindman squats, a little to the right of the
(wall.

Blindman

What is this I smell?

Beggar

Smoke, perhaps.

Blindman

It smells like food.
(He rises and gropes toward the Beggar, his hand
(trembling with eagerness. The Beggar backs away,
(protecting the rice bowl with his elbow.

Beggar

I have a little rice scarcely worthy of your notice.

Blindman

Thank you - thank you. If you could give me just a mouthful.

Beggar

Here it is.
(He half grudgingly guides the Blindman's hand to
(the bowl.

Blindman

You are kind.
(He takes a little rice and tastes of it as though he
(has found something precious.

It is excellent rice!

Beggar

(Watches him eat for a moment. Eagerly.

Where do you suppose I got this rice?
(The Blindman, fascinated by the rice, does not an-
(swer.

Where do you suppose I got this rice?

Blindman

(The Blindman reaches toward the door and feels its
(surface with his hand. The Beggar steps away from
(it, upstage to the left.

Beggar

Not this time. - Look - do you see that door? - Well, there's a door in front of you. - This afternoon when I passed by I saw a young girl standing there buying goldfish from a peddler. She was as beautiful as a fairy woman, but there was nothing malicious about her. - You know how the moon looks through the willows.
(He touches the Blindman's arm, a gesture which
(asks forgiveness for his carelessness.

Or how it must look to those who can see - ? She was like that, half hiding behind the vine-leaves in her shyness -

Blindman

I have never seen a face, but I can imagine what a face might be -
(He leaves the door, walking to the left and up-
(stage..

Beggar

How strange never to have seen a face - ! Well - as I was saying - she looked so kind, - so like the Goddess of Mercy, Kwan Yin herself, that I spoke to her.
(He returns to the door. As he speaks the next words
(there is excitement in his voice.

And she ran in and brought me fresh rice, newly cooked and hot, with even a little meat in it! - I tell you - it's the first time I ever had such rice!

Blindman

So you've been waiting around ever since hoping to get more!

Beggar

(Laughing.

Oh, yes - and hoping to see her again.
(Seriously.

The sight of her face was worth a whole wedding feast!

Blindman

A rare thing for a beggar to say! - Have you always been a beggar?

Beggar

Always. The first thing I can remember is being jogged on my mother's back as she ran after rickshaws.

Blindman

You are fortunate that you have never been anything else. It is hard to beg for things that you once took by right!

Beggar

You were once a great man - ?

Blindman

In a manner of speaking -

Beggar

Your gracious name, Hsien Hsung?

Blindman

(Recoiling.

No - it is better than everyone be nameless tonight -

Beggar

Safest, you mean - ? Well, my name wouldn't make any difference to anybody. It's Li - just plain Li - and I'm called "The Little" which, if you change the inflection, becomes "The Laughing" which is just as good. Then, as for my possessions - the only thing I have is this nice bowl here.
(Sounds and flame-light rise again.

Blindman

Yes, in our misfortune we are fortunate tonight.

Beggar

Everyone respects a blind man and there's no value in a beggar.
(He now walks swiftly to the left and whirls around
(and the end of the sentence as though he saw already
(that desolation. He stands still, then, looking
(across the stage at the door.

As you have said, we won't be much worse off when all the doors have burst and the streets are white with ashes. - And yet - I'll tell you a queer thing. - If the girl in that house is destroyed, the saving of my life will be no better than death to me.

Blindman

You're an odd person! But she must be very beautiful to make you say such a thing.
(The sounds die away in the distance.

Beggar

Since I have seen her I have faith again in Kwan Yin. - Surely the face of the goddess has been given to this girl!

Blindman

Was she so very like the goddess?

Beggar

In more ways than I can tell you. - It's a pity you're blind, - you ought to see for yourself.

Blindman

If only I could!

Beggar

But, - do you suppose this girl could be the goddess herself disguised?

Blindman

(As he speaks the first words the Blindman spreads
(his arms above his head, then brings his hands
(down, clasped, to his forehead. As he finishes speak-
(ing his hands sweep downward as though he were
(flinging something off. The sounds in the distance
(rise in crescendo as he begins to bring his hands
(down.

Why are we always longing for the divine, and why when we have seized it - do we so often awaken from the impossible dream in the arms of a devil?

Beggar

I don't understand you.

Blindman

It doesn't matter. - But tell me, have you thought of the fact that your goddess might just as easily be - an evil spirit? Believe me, they are often very beautiful!
(During the last words the shouting in the distance
(dies away and one becomes conscious, little by lit-
(tle, of a faint and distant music.

Beggar

An evil spirit? - No. - Yet there was a strangeness in her dress and her face was strange.

Blindman

I hear music.

Beggar

Music tonight? Who could be making music?

Blindman

(As though he had not heard

Does it come from within the house?
(The Beggar hurries to the door.

Beggar

I cannot hear it.

Blindman

But I hear it.
(There is a pause.

Beggar

Yes - I hear it now, too.
(He goes toward the left, pauses and listens.

It sounds like street singers.
(He goes to the end of the street, looks down it and
(returns..

It's a story teller and his children with drums and cymbals.

Blindman

I thought it must be the thing within.
(Enter the singer dragging by the arm two children
(who sink upon the ground as he lets go of them.
(He is very simply dressed, his clothes tattered. The
(Children are twelve years or so of age. Their clothes
(are also tattered. One child holds a pair of cymbals,
(the other a stringed instrument.

Singer

Come, you. - Well, no one wants us tonight.

I Child

We've walked miles and miles.

II Child

(Wails.

I'm so tired.

Singer

(Kicks him.

Shut up - always howling!
(To the Beggar and Blindman.

No weddings, no birthdays, no celebrations anywhere! That's what happens when the soldiers are discontented.

Blindman

How is it that you are wandering the streets on such a night?

Singer

We haven't earned enough money in the last week to rent sleeping quarters.

I Child

Do we have to sleep on the ground again tonight?

II Child

Ai-yah!
(Sounds rise in the distance and a great flare of light.
(The Singer kicks at the Children.

Singer

Well, we're not going to sleep here - huh! It's too near the fires. Get up!
(To the Beggar and Blindman.

You can't imagine what trouble it is to drag these howling brats around a burning city. I'm ready to jump down a well.
(To the Children.

Come on.
(He goes across the stage to the left. The Beggar
(picks up his bowl of rice as the Singer and the
(Children come near it.

Blindman

Why go on?

Singer

You can't pay us for our singing. We've got to have money tonight. We've got to have food.

Children

Food!

Singer

(Indicating the door.

I don't suppose anyone is in there.

Beggar

Yes - there is someone in there.

Blindman

Perhaps if she heard she would reward you.

Singer

Well, I'll knock and see.
(He goes to the door and knocks loudly.

Beggar

(To the Blindman.

Will she answer? - I shudder as though I was about to die -

Blindman

I am afraid we are bewitched -
(Seizes him.

Tell me - did she look as though she might be a fox girl?

I Child

Knock again!
(The Singer thunders at the door.

Blindman

(Catching at the Beggar.

Had she a sweet voice - very high and clear?

Beggar

Her face was like light!

Singer

Open there!

II Child

Won't someone answer?

Blindman

We have eaten of her rice, - and if there is any power in her we are under its influence!
(The Singer turns from the door.

Beggar

Nobody will come out tonight - they're afraid of the soldiers.
(To the Children.

Come on.
(They pick up their instruments as though to go
(on.

Beggar

(To the Blindman.

Shall I - if I offer the rice . . . If they play she may come again.

Blindman

It is an insane night, - yes - and in such a night it is unsuitable that all should be bewitched who pass by -
(Fire-light rises again.

Beggar

(More loudly.

We have no money, but if you'll stay with us I'll give you all the rest of my rice.

Singer

Well, let's see it. I'm hungry enough to eat hay.
(The Children grab the bowl.

Here - get out!
(He throws them off, flings them a few grains and
(takes out a fist full.

It's good - to eat - where did you get it? It's unusually good -
(The Children pick up the grains from the floor with
(little hungry whimpers.

Beggar

You will sing for us!

Singer

(Looking up.

I really know some very good songs. It's a pity there isn't someone worthy to hear them -
(Goes on munching.

Well -
(Wiping his hands.

We'll consider the rice as payment. Here.
(Gives the Children the bowl. They fall upon it eag-
(erly, their cries and laughter rising.

Singer

(Rises unsteadily.

How dizzy it makes you to eat after a long fast! I feel as though I could fly up like a skyrocket and knock my head against the stars!
(The attention of everyone is focused on him as he
(staggers, his arms swaying above his head.

Blindman

It is right that men should be bewitched! Yes, it is right that we should all have eaten of that rice.

Singer

What do you mean?
(To the Beggar.

Is he crazy?

Beggar

Yes, he's crazy - and I am, too, and you are or will be -
(A kind of hysterical laughter catches all of them
(for a moment.

Singer

(Somewhat alarmed.

Has the terror of the night taken away your wits?

Beggar

No - not the terror of the night.
(He is looking toward the door.

Singer

He is raving mad!
(The Children scream and cower.

Beggar

(In a low voice.

It's only that I am always waiting for that door to open.

I Child

Is it opening?
(The Singer and the Children run away from it up-
(stage left.

Singer

Come on -
(Catching a Child by the shoulder.

Beggar

No, - sing for us - sing. It's no use to go - you will only meed soldiers everywhere.

Singer

I'd rather meet a soldier than a madman, or that -

Beggar

You ate my rice, - besides, can't you feel your courage rising? Isn't there a terrible warmth about your heart?

Singer

Yes - I don't like to think so - but
(Fiercely and loudly.

Tell me what's in that house.

Children

No - no - no -
(As the Singer starts for the Beggar the Children
(drag at his feet.

Singer

Tell me what's there or I'll kill you! What's there?
(He catches the Beggar by the throat.

Beggar

I don't know -

Singer

(His hands dropping, scornfully.

You don't know? Then why are you looking at it like that? Who did you expect to open the door?

Beggar

That which gave me the rice.

Singer

What kind of a thing gave you the rice?

Beggar

It was shaped like a young girl - pins of jade and true pearl in her hair.

Singer

You've seen some merchant's daughter.

Blindman

(Earnestly and quietly.

Haven't you ever heard stories, sung songs of goddesses, fairy women, fox-girls - ?

Singer

Of course.

II Child

What did she look like?

I Child

How was she dressed?

Beggar

Strangely, with a headdress as actors wear them and a long girdle.

Singer

(Laughs loudly

So she was a little actress. No - she's no better than the rest of us.
(The murmur in the distance rises a little and dies away again.

Beggar

No, she couldn't be that. She wasn't that.

Blindman

Perhaps not. If she were a spirit -

Singer

Were her fingers crossed?

Beggar

No, for I remember how beautiful they were holding the rice bowl - but - she had a sixth finger upon one hand!

Singer

That's a bad mark. Such people are always dangerous -
(With sudden fierceness.

And you made me eat the rice she gave you! What have you done to me? My heart is struggling within me like a tiger!

Beggar

I have never been so happy as now - after seeing the face and eating the rice - and so I thought -

Singer

Well?

Beggar

That by her miracle we might be saved.
(The sounds rise in crescendo through the next few
(speeches, after which they fade away.

Singer

Or more utterly doomed than any other thing in this city?

Beggar

It depends -

Blindman

On whether she is the goddess or a fox woman.

Beggar

The only way of telling is to stay.

Singer

I tell you that will be fatal.

Blindman

Oh, must I drag you away with the strength of my hands?

I Child

The soldiers are coming!

II Child

The sounds are growing louder.

Beggar

Go, if you are afraid. I simply wait.

Singer

Do you expect to defend the door when the soldiers come?

Beggar

I shall trick them away.

Blindman

How will you do that?

Beggar

I don't know.

Singer

You're not clever enough to do that.

Blindman

Come away -

Beggar

I dare not. - If she is human she will need me -

Singer

She will need you!
(Laughs.

You will fight and you will die and she will be taken.
(Shakes his head and spits.

No woman of flesh is worth that -

Beggar

You speak without seeing! Whether she is human or devil or divine I can't run away any more than this tree that stands rooted in the stone waiting for fire!
(The sound rises again and becomes greater as the
(Blindman cries above it.

Blindman

Oh - oh - Kwan Yin, Goddess of Mercy! All you little gods and great gods - what help is there in a night of universal destruction? \
(The fire-light is suddenly reflected against his face.

Singer

Of what use is it to cry out tonight? Nothing hears us.
(The sounds become a little fainter.

Beggar

Someone told me of an old man in An-ching who sat in his house and was burned with it because he would not leave it. And yet I hadn't thought that for the sight of a face -

Singer

It is impossible - it is insane to burn yourself for a dream!

Beggar

If you could see it!

Singer

No - no -

Blindman

Perhaps she will open the door and take us in.

Beggar

Sing and she will open the door.

Singer

Well, then.
(Turns to the Children.

II Child

I am afriad.

Singer

Come on or I'll cut your throat!
(They start to play. A Soldier enters, running. He
(is a stocky fellow in gray, his trousers stuffed into
(red boots. He wears a red collar and girdle and car-
(ries a curved short sword. He stops and looks at the
(rigid figures.

Soldier

I thought there was a celebration here. I heard music -

Beggar

No, there's no celebration here.

Blindman

(Plucking at the Beggar's sleeve.

Is it a soldier?

Beggar

Yes - be quiet!

Singer

(Boldly.

There's no celebration.

Soldier

You weren't playing to an empty street!

Beggar

They were playing for us -

Soldier

Good story! Three minstrels playing to a beggar and a blindman in the middle of a burning city!
(Laughs loudly.

Beggar

I tell you it's true. We've been having our fun while you were having yours -

Soldier

Go ahead and have your fun, - but don't try to run away while I have my back turned or I'll -
(He makes a savage gesture toward his knife. There
(is a burse of sound in the distance.

Singer

We wouldn't think of going?

Soldier

Well, wait around - I may need you -
(He starts to go to the door. He sees the Children
(clutching something.

What have you got there?

II Child

Only a bowl of rice.

Soldier

I'm hungry.
(He snatches the bowl from them.

Only a few grains left . . . little pigs -
(He stands eating the rice. He also is fascinated by
(the taste. The others stand tensely watching him.
(He glances at them, at the door, at the rice, and
(drops the bowl upon the ground. He strides toward
(the door.
Well -

Beggar

There's no one there -

Soldier

You're trying to put me off -

Beggar

Really there isn't . . . is there?
(He appeals to the others who shake their heads vio-
(lently.

Blindman

Oh, nobody - no one!

Beggar

You can knock there all night and no one will answer.

Soldier

Well, I don't intend to knock all night. If they don't hurry I'll break it down! OPEN THERE! OPEN THERE!
(There is no answer and he strikes the door with his
(fist.

Beggar

Don't - don't - I'll tell you something strange. There's no man in there - and there's no woman.

Soldier

No man, no woman, - who is there?

Beggar

It's a kind of a girl.

Soldier

Well? Don't be so queer about it -

Blindman

Have you ever seen a fox girl?

Soldier

No, of course not.

Singer

We're sure this girl's such a person.

Soldier

You mean a fox girl - a spirit woman? I was talking with a man the other day - he said there wasn't any such thing.

Blindman

You didn't believe him, did you?

Soldier

(Uncertainly.

I believed him - then.
(Laughs.

It's only a woman, - that's all it can be! You are beating around a red door like dazed beetles around a light! - What are you expecting? Do you think that a woman would open her door on such a night for anyone but a soldier?

Beggar

For our music -

Soldier

Your music!

Blindman

But if she is not a woman -

Singer

She is not a woman!

Beggar

In your heart you believe that.

Soldier

Will you catch me, too, in the net?
(Glares at them, then, uncertainly.

No - no - yet my uncle once - when he was traveling in Szechuan - do you mean you've found a fox-creature in here?

Singer

Yes, truly.

Beggar

I don't believe she is evil. That face could never betray a man.

Soldier

Ho - how long has it been that a thing of beauty could not betray?

Blindman

Many goddesses are devils.

Singer

You've got hold of a devil here!

Beggar

I shall stay and see, - and yet if she is a devil, I shan't care. Tell me, don't fox women often bring pleasure to a man before destruction?

Blindman

A fox woman is usually cruel, making a man eat bitterness until he dies - but a spirit woman is sometimes tender and gracious, grieving over the destroyed lover.

Beggar

Yet for a while the man who loves a spirit must feel great happiness.

Soldier

He's crazy.

Singer

We all are - we've all eaten of her rice.
(There is a burst of sound in the distance.

Soldier

I have not yet a desire for death. - I'll set the house afire and leave it.
(The noise grows in volume as the Beggar speaks,
(then lessens, grows again during the last words of
(the Singer before the song.

Beggar

Not that. If you could see her, - see her first.

I Child

Let us see her.

II Child

(Plucking at the Singer's sleeve.

You play for her.

Beggar

She will come out if you sing -

Blindman

Fox songs are horrible. Sing of a spirit girl.

Singer

I know a song that is worthy to be sung before the red door of destruction!
(After several beats of the cymbals, the Singer be-
(gins, accompanied lightly by the stringed instru-
(ment.

"A student by the name of Chun
Was travelling in the provinces.
He was mounted on a white horse,
A strong horse with scarlet ribbons.
He saw a maiden in the road -
Her feet were as small as lilies
And her face was white as the moon -"

(The faces of all except the Singer have been
(turned toward the door, which now begins to open.
(The Singer senses their tenseness and turns.

Beggar

Look - look -

Blindman

What is it?

Beggar

The door is opening - !
(That-which-gave-me-the-rice is seen within the
(doorway. She is dressed in classical garments of
(ivory silk banded with gold and wears a headdress
(such as one may see in classical plays at the Chinese
(theatre. It is of gold cloth and ivory silk decorated
(with pearl flowers and little silken balls upon gold
(wire. She seems about to speak.

II Child

She's beautiful!

I Child

She wears white.

Blindman

If I could see her!
(There is a burst of sound and the pounding of many
(running feet. Two Soldiers come in from the right.
(The minstrels catch up their things and run off at
(the left.

I Soldier

Nah - wait a minute, you!

II Soldier

Oh, let them run - they're only street-singers. There are much more valuable things in here -

I Soldier

Well, let's batter it down without knocking.

Soldier

(Who, with the Beggar, is standing before the door.

This house is mine - I found it first!

I Soldier

Oh, is that so? - Knock him down, Erh-tze!

II Soldier

There you are!
(He is thrown aside, drags himself to a sitting pos-
(ture and watches the others in a dazed way. II
(Soldier remains standing a little to the right of
(stage centre. In the struggle the Blindman has
(lost his stick and now gropes his way out dazed and
(helpless. The Beggar has leapt to the door.

Beggar

Wait - wait - I'll tell you a strange thing -

I Soldier

We aren't waiting!

Beggar

You don't know what you're doing. - There's something precious in there -
(I Soldier knocks him down. The Beggar drags at I
(Soldier's feet. I Soldier brings his knife down upon
(him.

II Soldier

Well - let's see this precious thing!
(He strides toward the door. A flare of flame-light
(goes up and the murmur in the distance rises to a
(roar as the curtain falls.