MAN.  Well—­that’s something—­

ALLIGATOR.  And when thou wouldst cross the river, I’ll carry thee.

MAN.  Of a surety, that’s good of thee!  Perhaps, after all, thou art not so black as thou art painted.  I’ll help thee this time.

ALLIGATOR.  Thanks to thee, master.  I will never forget thy kindness; I will always be thy friend.

MAN.  Why, I am glad to help thee.  Now how am I to get thee to the river?

ALLIGATOR.  Carry me, please, O master!

MAN.  What! carry thee?

ALLIGATOR (nodding).  I’ll get into thy net.

MAN.  Thou get into my small net!

ALLIGATOR.  Only hold thy net open!

MAN (holding his net open).  I tell thee, thou canst never get in!

ALLIGATOR.  See how I fold my arms!  My legs go under—­so!  Now I roll myself up and up and up!  And now I am in—­all in!

MAN.  Well, seeing is believing!

ALLIGATOR.  Please to tie up thy net, master, that I may not fall out.

MAN (tying net).  ’T is done!

(Throwing net over shoulder.)

Thou art heavy!

ALLIGATOR.  I know, it will be hard work for thee, but some day thou wilt see how grateful I am.

[The Man goes, carrying the Alligator over his shoulder and his big stick in his hand.]

SCENE II

TIME:  the afternoon of the same day. 
PLACE:  the river bank.

* * * * *

THE MAN. 
THE ALLIGATOR. 
THE WOLF. 
THE LEOPARD. 
THE RABBIT.

* * * * *

[Enter the MAN carrying the ALLIGATOR over his shoulder.  He stops, throws down his big stick and places the Alligator carefully on the bank.]

MAN.  Our journey is ended, brother.

(Untying net.)

Now then, roll thyself out!

(The Alligator comes out of the net.)

Well, how dost thou feel now?

ALLIGATOR.  Much better, thanks to thee; but I’m very hungry and I find I’m still quite weak.  I pray thee help me down the bank, O master!

MAN (helping the Alligator down the bank).  Now, then, thou art close to the water.

[He turns to go.]

ALLIGATOR.  Just a little farther, please.  I am still so weak!

MAN.  Then I’ll help thee into the water.

(He helps the Alligator into the water.)

Now thou art in; and now I will depart.

[He turns to go.]

ALLIGATOR (seizing the Man’s leg).  Not yet!

MAN.  Let go of my leg!

ALLIGATOR.  Why?

MAN (indignantly).  Why!  Why!

ALLIGATOR (nodding_).  Why and wherefore?

MAN.  Thou art hurting me!

ALLIGATOR.  It will soon be over.