froze into ice and he turned into a horrible monster. Now the Chenoo wanders through the forest always looking for food. It eats anything it finds, even human beings! And if the Chenoo sees you, you cannot escape. It has a terrible cry, so loud and piercing that anything close to it that hears the cry will drop dead! Soooo … unless you want to become a Chenoo, too, you must always share your food with others.

UNCLE MUSKRAT. [leaning over MOOSBAS from behind] ARRRGGHH!

MOOSBAS. [falling over in fright] EEEEEYYY!

LITTLE LISTENER. [helping MOOSBAS sit back up] It’s all right. It’s only my uncle being silly.

MOOSBAS. I wasn’t really scared.

LITTLE LISTENER. I can see that.

MOOSBAS. [looking down at his bowl and then turning to the younger child] Red Bird, would you like some more of this fish? This is the best part.

[LITTLE LISTENER’S three brothers have entered from stage left while this is going on. They’ve been engaging in conversation with each other and now come over to LITTLE LISTENER.]

OLDEST BROTHER. Sister, the three of us have come to a decision.

SECOND BROTHER. The hunting is no longer good around here.

THIRD BROTHER. We need to travel to the north where the hunting is much better. We will go far into the forest and camp. Because you love to hear our stories, we would be happy to have you come along.

OLDEST BROTHER. If you choose to come along, as the youngest, you will need to stay behind and take care of our camp. While we are out on the game trails, you will need to repair the bark-covered lodge, gather plants for food, and dry wood for the fire. Then, near the end of the day, you will need to cook our meal in the big pot.

SECOND BROTHER. Will you come with us on our hunting trip?

LITTLE LISTENER. [She looks thoughtfully at the three of them.] Thank you, my brothers. I will travel with you.

END OF ACT 1, SCENE 2