60 THE MEASURES TAKEN AND OTHER LEHRSTUCKE THE MERCHANT: Of course not. I was too late. I’m ruined. THE JUDGE: Now I will deliver the verdict. The court accepts as proven that the coolie approached his master not with a stone but with a water-bottle. But even if this is granted, is it not more likely that the coolie was going to strike his master with the water-bortle than that he was going to give him water. ‘The porter belonged to a class that has good reason to feel discriminated t. For a man of the porter’s kin only reasonable to defend himself against an unfai of the water. Nay more, men of his it and one-sided approach to things, their inability to look deeper than reality, must inevitably regard it as right and just to avenge themselves on their tormentors. On the day of reckoning they stand only to gain. The merchant did not belong to the same class as his porter. He had to be prepared for the worst from him. The merchant could not believe in an act of friendship on the part of a porter whom he had admittedly tormented. Common-sense told him he was seriously threatened, The uninhabited character of the was bound to inspire him with alarm. The absence of police and law courts made it possible for his employee to extort his share of the drinking water and encouraged him to do so. The accused therefore acted in legitimate self-defence, regardless of whether he was threatened or only had reason to feel threatened. Under the circumstances he had reason to feel threatened, The accused is therefore acquitted, the comy of the dead man’s widow is dismissed. THE PLAYERS: So ends The story of a journey. You have heard and you have seen. You have seen what happens time and time again. But this we ask of you: ind it disquieting! xplicable! What is customary, let it astound you. What is the rule, recognise it to be an abuse Aa ane a eae dale HE WHO SAYS YES School Opera After the Japanese No Play Taniko as translated into English by Arthur Waley Translated by Wolfgang SauerlanderCharacters ‘The Teacher The Young Boy The Mother The Three Students ‘The Great Chorus Written 1929-30. Collaborators: E. Hauptmann, K. Weill. st produced on 23 June 1930 at Zentralinstitut fiir Erziehung und Unterricht, Berlin, by Brecht and Weill. HE WHO SAYS YES 63 1 THE GREAT CHORUS: What we must learn above all is consent. Many say yes, and yet there is no consent. Many are not asked, and many Consent to wrong things. Therefore: What we must learn above The teacher in area 1, the mother and the young boy in area 2. ‘THE TEACHER: | am the teacher. I keep a school in the city and [ have a pupil whose father is dead; he has only his mother to look after him. Now I will go and say good-bye to them, for I shall soon be starting on a journey to the mountains. A terrible disease has broken out among us, and in the city beyond the mountains live several great doctors. He knocks at the door. May I come in? THE BOY enters area 1 from area 2: Wh teacher. The teacher has come to visit us! ‘THE TEACHER: Why have you not been to my school in the city for so long? ‘THE BOY: I have not been able to come because my mother has been ‘THE TEACHER: I had no idea your mother too was tell her at once that I am here, ‘THE BOY calls to area 2: Mother, the teacher is here. ‘THE MOTHER sitting in area 2: Ask him to come in. THE BOY: Please come in. Both go to area 2. THE TEACHER: It is a long time since | was here. Your son tells me you too have fallen ill. Are you better now? THE MOTHER: No, I am not better. So far there is no known medicine for this disease. THE TEACHER: We must find one. That is why I have come Please64. THE MEASURES TAKEN AND OTHER LEHRSTUCKE to say good-bye. Tomorrow I shall be starting on a journey across the mountains to get medicine and instruction. In the city beyond the mountains there are great doctors. ‘THE MOTHER: A relief expedition through the mountains! Yes, indeed, I have heard that great doctors live there, but I have also heard that the journey is dangerous. Will you take my child with you? ‘THE TEACHER: Itis not a journey that a young child could make. ‘THE MOTHER: Well. I hope you return safely. ‘THE TEACHER: I must go now. Good-bye. Goes to area 1. THE BOY follows the teacher to area 1: There is something 1 must say. The mother listens at the door. ‘THE TEACHER: What have you got to say? ‘THE BOY: I want to go to the mountains with you. THE TEACHER: ‘As I told your mother We are going on a difficult and Dangerous journey. You can Not possibiy come with us. Besides How can you leave your mother When she is not well? Stay here. It is utterly ~ Impossible that you should go with us. THE BOY: Precisely because my mother is ill I must go with you to get Medicine and instruction for her from the great doctors In the city across the mountains. THE TEACHER: I must speak again to your mother. He goes back to area 2, The boy listens at the door. ‘THE TEACHER: I have come back. Your son says he is going with us. I told him he could not leave you when you were ill Ttold him itis a difficult and dangerous journey. I said it was quite impossible for him to go. But he said he must go to the city beyond the mountains to get medicine and HE WHO SAYS YES 65 ‘THE MOTHER: I have listened to his words. I do not doubt what the boy says - that he wishes to go with you on your dangerous journey. Come in, my son. The boy enters area 2. Since the day Your father left me Thave had none But you at my side. Thave not had you Out of sight or mind For longer than I needed To cook your meals To mend your clothes and Earn money. THE BOY: All that you say is true. Yet nothing can move me from my purpose. THE BOY, THE MOTHER, THE TEACHER: I (he) will go on the dangerous journey To get medicine and Instruction about curing your (her, my) illness In the city beyond the mountains. ‘THE GREAT CHORUS: They saw no plea Could move him. Then the teacher and the mother Said with one voice ‘THE TEACHER, THE MOTHER: Many consent to wrong things; he, however Does not consent to illness, But holds that Illness should be cured. THE GREAT CHORUS: Then the mother said: THE MOTHER: Ihave no strength left. If indeed it must be Go with the teacher But return swiftly.66 THE MEASURES TAKEN AND OTHER LEHRSTUCKE 2 ‘THE GREAT CHORUS: The men started On their journey to the mountains ‘The teacher and the boy Were among them. The boy was not equal to the exertion He strained his heart A quick return was called for. At dawn at the foot of the mountains He was hardly able to drag His weary feet. The teacher, the three students and, last, the boy with a jar, enter area I. ‘THE TEACHER: We have climbed quickly. There is the first hut. We will stay there a little while. ‘THE THREE STUDENTS: We obey. They step up on the dais in area 2, The boy detains the teacher. ‘THE BOY: There is something I must say. ‘THE TEACHER: What have you got to say? THE BOY: | am not feel 1g well. Such things may not be said by those ‘ours. Perhaps you are tired because you are imbing. Stop and rest a while. He steps up on the not used to dais. ‘THE THREE STUDENTS: The boy seems to be tired from climbing. We must ask the teacher about it. ‘THE GREAT CHORUS: Yes. Ask him. ‘THE THREE STUDENTS, to the teacher: We hear this boy is d from climbing. What is the matter with him? Are you ‘THE TEACHER: He is not feeling well, but there is nothing wrong with him, He is tired from climbing. THE THREE STUDENTS: So you are not troubled about him? pe HE WHO SAYS YES 67 THE THREE STUDENTS, among themselves: Did you hear that? The teacher said This boy was only tired from cli But is he not looking very strange? Right behind the hut is a narrow ridge, ‘Only by gripping the sheer rock with both hands Can one traverse it. We hope he is not ill, Because if he cannot go on, we must Leave him here. They call down to area 1 with bands cupped to their mouths Hike megapbones. Are you ill? - He does not answer. - We must ask the teacher. To the teacher: When we inquired before about the boy, you told us he was only tired from climbing. But now he is looking very strange. And he has sat down. THE TEACHER: I sec he has falle1 him over the narrow ridge. THE THREE STUDENTS: We will try. Production note: The three students try to carry the boy over the ‘narrow ridge’. The players must construct the ‘narrow ridge’ with cubes, ropes, chairs, etc., in such a way that the three students can manage to cross it alone, but not when they carry the boy. THE THREE STUDENTS: We cannot get him over the ridge and we cannot stay here with him. No matter what, we must go on. ‘An entire city is waiting for the medicine we are expected to bring back. Though we say it with dread, if he cannot come with us we must leave him here in the mountains. THE TEACHER: Yes, perhaps you must. I cannot gainsay you. But I think it is right to ask one who has fallen ill whether the others should turn back on his account. I have great sorrow in my heart for this creature. I will go to him and tell him tenderly what fate awaits him, THE THREE STUDENTS: Pray go. They stand facing each other. THE THREE STUDENTS, THE GREAT CHORUS: ‘We will ask (they asked) him whether he wants us (wanted them) You must try to carry68 THE MEASURES TAKEN AND OTHER LEHRSTUCKE To turn back on his account. But even if he should want us (wanted them) to do so We will (they would) not turn back But let him lie here and go on. ‘THE TEACHER bas climbed down to the boy in area 1: Listen carefully to me. As you are ill and cannot go on, we must leave you behind. But itis right to ask a person who has fallen whether the expedition should turn back on his account. And Custom also ordains that he who has fallen ill should answer You should not turn back. THE BOY: I understand, ‘THE TEACHER: Do you ask us to turn back on your account? ‘THE BOY: You should not turn back! ‘THE TEACHER: Then you consent to being left behind? ‘THE BOY: | will think about it. Pause for reflection. Yes, 1 consent. ‘THE TEACHER calls out from area 1 to area 2: He has answered in accordance with necessity. ‘THE GREAT CHORUS AND THE THREE STUDENTS, tbe latter as they are climbing down to area 1: He has said yes. Go on! The three students stop. ‘THE TEACHER _ Go ahead, do not stand still For you have decided to go ahead The three students remain at a standstill. ‘THE BOY. I want to say something. I beg you not to let me lie here, but to hurl me into the valley, for I am afraid to die alone. ‘THE THREE STUDENTS: We cannot do that. ‘THE BOY: Be still! I demand it! ‘THE TEACHER: You have decided to go ahead and leave him behind. Itis easy to decide his fate But hard to carry out the decision. Are you ready to hurl him into the valley? HE WHO SAYS YES 69 ‘THE THREE STUDENTS: Yes. The three students carry the boy onto the dais in area 2. Support your head on our arms. Don’t exert yourself. We will carry you gently. The three students place themselves in front of the boy at the rear edge of the dais, hiding him. THE BOY, invisible: T well knew that if I came on this journey I might lose my life, Only the thought of my mother Induced me to join you. Take my jar Fill it with medicine And bring it to my mother When you return. THE GREAT CHORUS: The friends took the jar And, sighing for the sad ways of the world And its bitter law Hurled the boy down Foot to foot they stood together At the edge of the abyss And blindly hurled him down None guiltier than his neighbour And flung clods of earth And flat stones After him.HE WHO SAYS NO School Opera ‘After the Japanese No Play Taniko as translated into English by Arthur Waley Translated by Wolfgang SauerlanderCharacters The Teacher The Young Boy The Mother The Three Students ‘The Great Chorus Written 1929-30, Collaborators: E. Hauptmann, K. Weill HE WHO SAYS NO 73 1 THE GREAT CHORUS: What we must learn above all is consent. Many say yes, and yet there is no consent. Many are not asked, and many Consent to the wrong things. Therefore: What we must learn above all is consent. The teacher in area 1, the motber and the young boy in area 2. ‘THE TEACHER: I am the teacher. I keep a school in the city and Thave a pupil whose father is dead; he has only his mother to look after him. Now I will go and say good-bye to them, for 1 shall soon be starting on a journey to the mountains. He knocks at the door, May I come in? ‘THE BOY enters area 1 from area 2: Who is it? Oh, it’s the teacher. The teacher has come to visit us! ‘THE TEACHER: Why have you not been to my school in the city for so long? ‘THE BOY: I have not been able to come because my mother has been ill. ‘THE TEACHER: I didn't know that. Please tell her at once that Tam here. ‘THE BOY calls to area 2: Mother, the teacher is here. ‘THE MOTHER sits on a wooden chair in area 2: Ask him to come in. THE BOY: Please, come in. Both go into area 2. ‘THE TEACHER: It is a long time since I was here. Your son tells me you too have fallen ill. Are you better now? THE MOTHER: Do not worry about my illness. It is of no consequence. ‘THE TEACHER: I am glad to hear it. I have come to say good-bye for 1 am soon starting on a scientific expedition to the74 THE MEASURES TAKEN AND OTHER LEHRSTUCKE mountains. In the city beyond the mountains there are great teachers. THE MOTHER: A scientific expedition to the mountains! Yes, indeed, I have heard that great doctors live there, but I have also heard that the journey is dangerous. Will you take my child with you? ‘THE TEACHER: It is not a journey that a young child could make. ‘THE MOTHER: Well. I hope you return safely. ‘THE TEACHER: I must go now. Good-bye. Goes to area 1. THE BOY follows the teacher to area 1: There is something I must say, The mother listens at the door. ‘THE TEACHER: What have you got to say? ‘THE BOY: I want to go to the mountains with you. THE TEACHER: As I told your mother We are going on a difficult and Dangerous journey. You can Not possibly come with us. Besides How can you leave your mother When she is not well? Stay here. Itis utterly +" Impossible that you should go with us. THE BOY: Precisely because my mother is ill I must go with you to get Medicine and instruction for her from the great doctors In the city across the mountains. ‘THE TEACHER: But will you consent to everything that may happen to you during the journey? THE BOY: Yes. ‘THE TEACHER: I must speak again to your mother. He goes back to area 2. The boy listens at the door. ‘THE TEACHER: I have come back. Your son says he is going with us. I told him he could not leave you when you were ill. HE WHO SAYS NO 75 I told him itis a difficult and dangerous journey. I said it was quite impossible for him to go. But he said he must go to the city beyond the mountains to get medicine and instruction about curing your illness. THE MOTHER: I listened to his words. I do not doubt what the boy says - that he wishes to go with you on your dangerous: journey. Come in, my son! The boy enters area 2. Since the day Your father left us Thave had none But you at my side. Ihave not had you Out of sight or mind For longer than I needed To cook your meals To mend your clothes and Earn money. THE BOY: All that you say is true. Yet nothing can move me from my purpose. THE BOY, THE MOTHER, THE TEACHER: I (he) will go on the dangerous journey And get medicine and Instruction about curing your (her, my’ In the city beyond the mountains. THE GREAT CHORUS: They saw no plea Could move him. Then the teacher and the mother Said with one voice: ‘THE TEACHER, THE MOTHER: ‘Many consent to wrong things; he, however Does not consent to illness, but holds that Iness should be cured. THE GREAT CHORUS: Then the mother said: THE MOTHER: Thave no strength left.76 THE MEASURES TAKEN AND OTHER LEHRSTUCKE If indeed it must be Go with the teacher But return swiftly. 2 THE GREAT CHORUS: ‘The men started Or their journey to the mountains. The teacher and the boy Were among them. The boy was not equal to the exertion He strained his heart A quick return was called for. ‘At dawn at the foot of the mountains He was hardly able to drag His weary feet. The teacher, the three students and, last, the boy with a jar, enter area I. ‘THE TEACHER: We have climbed quickly. There is the first hut. We will stay there a little while. ‘THE THREE STUDENTS: We obey. They step up on the dais in area 2. The boy detains the teacher. ‘THE BOY: There is something I must say. ‘THE TEACHER: What have you got to say? THE BOY: am not feeling well. THE TEACHER: Be still! Such things may not be said by those ‘who travel on errands like ours. Perhaps you are tired because you are not used to climbing. Stop and rest a while. He steps up on the dais. THE THREE STUDENTS: The boy seems to be ill from climbing. We must ask the teacher about i ‘THE GREAT CHORUS: Yes. Ask him. HE WHO SAYS NO 77 THE THREE STUDENTS, to the teacher: We hear this boy is ill from climbing. What is the matter with him? Are you anxious about him? THE TEACHER: He is not feeling well, but there wrong with him. He is only tired from climbing. THE THREE STUDENTS: So you are not troubled about him? Long pause. THE THREE STUDENTS, among themselves: Did you hear that? The teacher said This boy was only tired from climbing. But is he not looking very strange? Right behind the hut is a narrow ridge. Only by gripping the sheer rock with both hands Can one traverse it. We cannot carry anyone. Ought we not to follow the Great Custom. And hurl him into the valley? They call down to area 1, with bands cupped at their mouths like megapbones. Are you ill from climbing? THE BOY: No. You see I am standing. Would I not sit down If I were ill? Pause. The boy sits down. ‘THE THREE STUDENTS: We must tell the teacher. Sir, when we inquired before about the boy you told us he was only tired from climbing. But now he is looking very strange. And he has sat down. Though we say it with dread, there has been from ancient times a Great Custom that those who fail should be cast into the valley. THE TEACHER: What, you would hurl this child into the valley? THE THREE STUDENTS: We would. THE TEACHER: It is a mighty Custom. I cannot deny it. But the Great Custom also prescribes that one who has fallen ill should ‘be arked whelaar dvd aeeliieeed earn acne nothing78 THE MEASURES TAKEN AND OTHER LEHRSTUCKE Thave great sorrow in my heart for this creature. I will go to him and tell him tenderly of this Great Custom. THE THREE STUDENTS: Pray go. They group themselves facing each otber. ‘THE THREE STUDENTS, THE GREAT CHORUS: ‘We will ask (they asked) him whether he wants us (wanted them) To turn back on his account. But even if he should want us (wanted them) to do so We will (they would) not turn back But hurl him into the valley. ‘THE TEACHER bas climbed down to the boy in area 1: Listen carefully to me. It has been the law from ancient times that ‘one who falls ill on such a journey as this should be hurled into the valley, - done suddenly to death. But the Custom also prescribes that one who has fallen ill should be asked whether the expedition should turn back on his account, And the Custom also ordains that one who has fallen ill should answer: You should not turn back. If I could take your place, how gladly I would die! THE BOY: I understand. ‘THE TEACHER: Do you ask us to turn back on your account? ‘Or do you consent to be hurled into the valley as the Great Custom demands? a THE BOY, after a pause for reflection: No. I do not consent. ‘THE TEACHER calls from area 1 to area 2: Come down! He has not answered in accordance with the Custom! ‘THE THREE STUDENTS, climbing down to area 1: He has said no. To the boy: Why do you not answer in accordance with the Custom? He who says A must also say B. When you were asked whether you consented to everything that might happen on the journey, you said yes. ‘THE BOY: The answer I gave was wrong, but your question was, even more wrong. He who says A need not necessarily say B. He may realise that A was wrong. I wanted to get medicine for my mother, but now I myself have fallen ill, so it is no longer possible. And because of the altered situation I want to turn back at once. I ask you too to turn back and to take me home. HE WHO SAYS NO 79 Your studies can wait. If, as I hope, there is anything to be learned on the other side, it can only be that in a situation like ours one must turn back. As for the old Great Custom, 1 see no rhyme or reason in it. What.I need is a new Great Custom to be introduced at once, to wit, the Custom of rethinking every new situation, THE THREE STUDENTS, to the teacher: What are we to do? What the boy says is reasonable, though it is not heroic. ‘THE TEACHER: I leave that to you. But I must tell you that shame and disgrace will be heaped on you if you turn back. THE THREE STUDENTS: Is there anything disgraceful about his speaking his own mind? THE TEACHER: No, | see nothing disgraceful about it. THE THREE STUDENTS: Then we will turn back and neither shame nor disgrace shall deter us from doing the reasonable thing, nor shall any old Custom prevent us from accepting an idea that is right. ‘Support your head on our arms. Don’t exert yourself. We will carry you gently. THE GREAT CHORUS: The friends took the friend And initiated a new Custom And a new law And brought the boy back. Side by side they walked together Towards calumny Towards ridicule, with their eyes open None more cowardly than his neighbour.