Curtain Rises
Fusang, a very large tree with wide branches can be seen at the centre back of the stage. The King, Queen and 10 sons sit in its branches.
Fusang
(Majestically)
I am the tall and mighty tree known as Fusang.
Since the universe began, I have been spreading my branches here
in Tanggu on the edge of the Eastern Sea.
Eons ago my leafy arms were home to the celestial king Di-jun,
his queen Xihe and their children,
the ten Suns.
Each morning when the jade rooster awakened the world with its raucous crowing, Queen Xihe would call to one of her glowing children.
Queen Xihe
(Impatiently)
Sun One come quickly. The six jade dragons are are hitched and ready to take flight. They are eager to pull our dazzling chariot across the sky to bring light and heat to the waiting world below.
Sun One
Here I am Mother. Just give me a second to climb in behind you.
(sighing as he climbs in)
I'm in and ready for our trip across the sky.
Queen Xihe
(To the dragons)
Off to the skies my dancing dragons of jade.
Chariot flies slowly across the sky from east to west and returns to Fusang.
Fusang
After a night of rest, the Queen repeats the journey with the next Sun.
Queen Xihe
Hurry up Sun Two, the jade dragons are getting restless. Even they know that the world below anxiously awaits our appearance on the horizon.
Sun Two
(Climbing into the chariot)
I'm here, I'm here.
(To the dragons) Off to the skies you great green globe-trotting gargoyles!
Queen Xihe
(Admonishing)
Sun Two you must not speak to the dragons with such disrespect.
Besides, it's my job to set them to flight.
Fusang
And so it went.
Each day Queen Xihe took a different child with her on her voyage to bring warmth
and light to the people of the Earth.
But after ten thousand years,
the Suns became bored with only
having a turn to fly every tenth day.
Sun Three
I'm tired of this!
Sitting around and cooling my rays
for nine days in between treks is really getting to be a bore!
Sun Four
You're right! And it's even worse at our age to have to go with our mother. The least she could do is let us drive the chariot!
Sun Five
It's really starting to get me burned!
Suns Six, Seven, Eight
What can we do instead?
Sun One
I know. Let's all go up at the same time.
It'll be a blast to play together in the sky over the world.
Sun Nine
Mother will be so steamed!
Sun Ten
So what!
Let's go ... on three ... 1, 2, 3 ......
All Suns jump into the sky and stay there playing over the Earth.
Fusang
All ten Suns danced and frolicked together
in the air.
Poor Queen Xihe was so upset.
Queen Xihe
Children, come back at once.
It is dangerous for you all to go
at the same time!
Suns One to Five
(In a sassy manner)
No! We're tired of riding with you.
It's time we had some fun for ourselves!
Queen Xihe
(Angrily)
My naughty children, you will ruin the Earth!
Suns Six to Ten 4
We don't care.
We'll give the world enough light and heat
to last the next ten thousand years!
Fusang
Those wretched children ignored their mother's entreaties.
As the years passed, the Earth was greatly harmed by their aerial mischief. The searing heat dried up rivers and ignited the crops. Many people died of thirst and hunger or perished when the wild beasts, forced out of the incinerated forests, needed to quench their thirst on blood.
King Di-jun despaired when he saw the havoc wreaked
by his disobedient sons.
King Di-jun
(Almost weeping ..... then with resolve)
Oh what an unnatural disaster
my sons have caused.
I must find a way to stop the devastation!
(calling off-stage) Yi, my celestial archer, come here.
Yi
(running in immediately)
Yes my king, what would you like?
King Di-jun
Yi, my mighty warrior, I want you to save the world by bringing
my wayward children back to Fusang.
Take this red bow and quiver of magic arrows. They know your reputation and will treat you with respect. I'm sure that if you simply threaten them with an arrow, they will quietly follow you home
like meek little lambs.
Yi
I will do as you say.
(Exits)
Fusang
This seemed like a sensible solution
to the problem. Surely the ten Suns would not challenge the great archer,Yi!
(Pause)
Unfortunately, Yi was not prepared for what he found
when he reached the Earth.
Yi
Oh disaster!
What a dreadful catastrophe these Suns have brought upon the world.
No wonder the people feel such hatred for the once beloved royal Suns.
(Pointing bow and arrow up towards the sky and calling out)
Ten Suns, listen to me. Your father, King Di-jun, has sent me to bring you home to Fusang. Follow me now or I must shoot.
Sun One
(laughing tauntingly)
Go ahead and shoot mighty Yi.
We have no intention of coming home!
Sun Two
(Copying the tone of his brother)
You could never hit us.
Your puny little arrow would turn to cinders before it even got close!
All Suns
(Continuing to brazenly taunt the archer)
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
We're not frightened by your cute red bow and pointy arrows.
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
Yi
(Furious)
You cheeky, disrespectful children are making me so angry with your nasty taunts. I must teach you a lesson with
my magic arrow!
(Shoots at Sun One)
Sun One
(Struck by arrow)
Ahh! I'm falling!
(Falls out of the sky)
Rest of the Suns
(in shocked rage)
You killed our brother! You will fry for that!
Fusang
Enraged, the other nine Suns attacked Yi.
Diving out of the sky, they spit deadly darts of flame toward him.
The archer had no choice but to protect himself by shooting his arrows at the angry balls of fire. The people cheered
and urged the archer on.
As each each Sun was extinguished, the Earth cooled a little more.
Finally realizing the error of their ways, the remaining Suns dashed for home hoping to escape the wrath of the archer.
Suns Eight, Nine, Ten
We have been foolish. Let's get out of here. If we run to Fusang, we can hide in the safety of it's branches.
Fusang
Yi continued to chase his prey and only one Sun made it back home to take refuge in my limbs. Before that last arrow was released,
King Di-jun interceded.
King Di-jun
Yi, you must stop now!
Those errant children gave you no choice, but the last must be spared.
Without his light and heat, the rest of the people of Earth cannot survive.
Yi
Yes my king. I will let him live.
(Exits)
Queen Xihe
Alas, nine naughty children are gone.
Come my last child.
You must now ride quietly behind me for every one
of the 365 days each year.
(Sun gets in and chariot takes off)
Fusang
And so the rains came to water the parched earth and bring new life.
The people settled back into their routines, happy to see one Sun rise in the east each morning and set in the west each night.
Curtain
