Read the play. Then answer the questions.
Bouki Rents a Horse
This play tells a story about Bouki and Ti Malice. These characters appear in many folktales from the country of Haiti. Ti Malice often tricks other characters to teach them a lesson and to help his friends.
Characters:
BOUKI, a farmer
MOUSSA, Bouki’s friend
TOUSSAINT, a rich man
TI MALICE, Bouki’s friend
ACT 1 SCENE 1
(It is early in the morning. Bouki is talking with Moussa.)
BOUKI: Moussa, may I borrow your donkey? I need to take the vegetables I grew to the market.
MOUSSA: I’m sorry, Bouki. My donkey ran away yesterday, and I can’t find him anywhere. Why don’t you rent a horse from Toussaint?
BOUKI: Toussaint will charge me a fortune to use one of his horses!
MOUSSA: What else can you do?
BOUKI: You’re right. I will go see Toussaint.
(Bouki walks offstage, and Moussa goes into his house.)
ACT 1 SCENE 2
(It is later the same day. Bouki walks up to Toussaint, who is standing outside.)
BOUKI: Toussaint, do you have a horse I can rent?
TOUSSAINT: I do. He’s as big as a house and strong as iron. I’ll let you rent him for one day for the bargain price of fifteen pumpkins.
BOUKI: Fifteen pumpkins! But I only have five!
TOUSSAINT: That’s okay. You can give me five now and the other ten tomorrow when you come to get the horse.
(Bouki frowns, but he shakes Toussaint’s hand.)
ACT 2 SCENE 1
(It is the next day. Moussa and Ti Malice are standing outside with a donkey. Bouki comes out of his house.)
MOUSSA: We found my donkey! Do you still need him?
BOUKI: (disappointed) No. I already gave Toussaint five pumpkins to rent his horse.
MOUSSA: Just tell him you don’t need the horse anymore.
BOUKI: Toussaint will never give me my five pumpkins back.
TI MALICE: Bouki, I have an idea. I will trick Toussaint and help you get your pumpkins back.
(Bouki and Ti Malice walk offstage).
ACT 2, SCENE 2
Outisde Toussaint’s house
(Later that day, Toussaint is out front with a horse when Bouki and Ti Malice walk up.)
Toussaint: Here is my horse. Do you have the ten pumpkins?
TI MALICE: Just a minute. First, we will have to see if the horse is big enough. (Takes out a tape measure and begins measuring the horse’s back.)
We will need space for you, Bouki. Then we need space for me to sit behind you. Then our wives need space too!
TOUSSAINT: Four people can’t fit on a horse! That’s impossible!
TI MALICE: (still measuring)And we will need a spot for Bouki’s three childen.
TOUSSAINT: Seven people? No way! I’m not renting my horse to you.
TI MALICE: Incorrect, my dear man. Bouki already paid for him. Now, where shall we put the baby? And the vegetables?
TOUSSAINT: Forget it, the deal is off!
TI MALICE: Are you trying to back out of the deal? Bouki has already paid you.
TOUSSAINT: Here, take your five pumpkins back.
TI MALICE: But you rented him to us for fifteen pumpkins. You’re only giving us five back? Do you think we are fools?
TOUSSAINT: Enough! Take the fifteen pumpkins and leave me alone.
(Toussaint throws the pumpkins at Bouki, jumps on his horse, and rides away quickly. Bouki and Ti Malice fall to the ground, laughing.)
How do the stage directions appear in the play?
