Three Plays From Nineveh Against War And Oppression w1k3z

Three Plays from Nineveh Against War and Oppression

By Nahidh Al- Ramadhani Muyassar Al- Khashab Bayat Maree

Translated from Arabic By Dr. Muyassar Qassim Al- Khashab

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Cover paint: Bayat Maree

Introduction

The following plays represent a new group of playwrights who have witnessed hard circumstances of war during both the domination and liberation of Mosul city (2014- 2017). The purpose of presenting them is to throw light on different dramatic works that portray suffering and worry of people in effective events.

They reveal how much people were suffering pre and post ISIS domination on the city. One of the plays " Inside the Whale " is written in Mono-drama technique by Nahidh Al- Ramadani whose works are produced in the Arab region besides Iraq.

The other one"Layla’s Toy" is written by Muyassar Al-khashab that reflects at least one of the cruel events and results of war against civilians, and children in particular.

The third one is written by Bayat Maree "The Seventh Run" a one- act play, which deals with a man who finds no escape of killers except burning his books.

The translator

Inside the Whale

By Nahidh Al Ramadhani

Al-Ramadhani, alludes to the story of prophet Jonah Arabic romanized Yūnus which has been mentioned in the Holy Quran.

Prophet Jonah was commanded to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, for preaching the truth of God. The prophet ignored the advice and warnings. The prophet proceeded to the sea and took a boat that was caught in a storm. Yunis was thrown into the sea where a great fish with capacious belly drew him in. He remained there repenting and glorifying God. When he decided to go back to the same town, he found people following again the same evil ways of life.

Therefore, Ramadhani, the author, expresses in his own modified aspects, the attitude of present-day life against vice and oppression.

Place: Inside a whale. Some dark blue holes of different sizes are seen. Music: sounds of violent sea waves are frequently mixed with sounds of seagulls, which sometimes disappear to hear the pulses of the huge animal instead. Other effective music tools are also involved. [A spotlight is directed to the left side of the stage. A middle aged-man, bare footed with grey beard stands up quietly

with his wide white dress, he moves to the middle of the stage facing the audience, he speaks bitterly]: Who charged me with reforming this world... who? It is a heavy task, or it is an impossible deed. . Why me in particular? [ Sound of a huge wave. The actor slips away, and rolls as if he was hit. He slips down from right to left raising his head, and then he turns around :] I am inside a whale. The whale inside a sea. What a terrible situation is this! O, whale! O, whale! Light cannot make you cleaner, and darkness can’t make you dimmer. O, strong obscure animal! Go farther on your way and sink deeper as you wish.. I no longer care for what happens. I'll finish my voyage and sleep inside you.. people of Nineveh, I don't say goodbye because you are worthless.. [The actor returns to the middle of the left side of the stage. He lays down for a while. Then he gets up and speaks as he is walking] I'll sleep... sleep forever.. I can perhaps end through it all my inner heart pain, and other shocks that my body has undergone.. The last sleep. It is a good end which I have ever waited. But suppose I dreamed, there would be a problem, because what we see of this vision behind death makes me so much hesitating that I may think of stopping it.. I have to be at leisure! Fear goes with death. Death is the unknown world which no traveller has ever come back from behind its borders. It is fear that depresses and forces us to undergo adversities, which we know rather than to escape to unknown world … otherwise, who would submissively accept lashes of time and its humiliation? Who accepts oppression or selfishness of those tyrants? Who can accept boastful rulers or false judges? What carelessness the competent

scholars and scientists find every day? I wish we could end this terrible situation by a dagger? But... It is the fear of a mystery behind death... death, the unknown place, which no traveller comes back from behind its borders. [Roaring of a quick huge wave followed with sudden spot light as if the whale has jumped, and swallowed a large quantity of water. The actor slips down right and left, stumbles over an unexpected thing as he hardly gets up. Being afraid of it, he jumps and soon raises a rusty sword] Sword! in this place! It seems there is no escape of it. Swords follow me to such deep place. O whale.., O whale..! What other things do you have inside you? [He Looks at the sword, and smiles gladly] But it is rusty and dead.. it does not scratch even the whale's smooth mouth.. tortured sword.. how many people have you killed? You have slaughtered so many necks, and now, it is your turn to be exterminated.. your metal is rusted.. your tired body is gradually corroding. Now, taste the flavour of what you have previously done against others... do you ? [In the middle of the stage, the actor stands, raises his sword and kisses its handle and then he presents loudly the normal military salutation... after a short time, he lowers it and speaks quickly and recklessly:] In Nineveh, my city Nineveh, there was once a strong nation who loved so much power, made arms and sanctified them. This nation fought fiercely; battle after battle, achieving victory many times. But for me [Sounds of national military marches fall and rise through his speech].. I was like them.. one of them.. I was a young man who had been intoxicated by heroism, heroes, and by victory garlands that crowned their heads. Victory badges were put on their chests.. it was the way of glory which they told me about. If anyone wanted to follow it, he should have a strong grip, a sharp sword and I had a strong grip to go with them anywhere. I went with them, until we stood against a rival army.. they stood face to face against us. They shouted out fiercely. We shouted too. (sounds of neighing and clatter of weapons) we ed in warfare, and stroke each other.. dust and rattles of fighting rose on every place.. I was stabbing bellies, cutting hands, shoulders and scooping eyes.. we were both shouting and striking against each other. But our hands and swords were stronger than theirs. As soon as the battle ended, victory was hailed.. I was also shouting and raising

highly my sword. I caught suddenly a sight of those bloody eyes.. eyes of those who were killed from both sides. In one eye, they were all looking at me.. they were full of terror. On their dried lips, I read a question which nobody has ever asked: Why and for what reason are all these losses? Their silent resounding questions were inside me.. I looked at my drawn sword as well as my armours.. they were stunned with blood.. blood.. my arms were related to blood.. blood everywhere.. I took off my helmet and walked in stuffy and bloody mud.. I walked while eagles were hovering around me to get their shares of praise. I avoided touching heaps of dead bodies from both sides in order not to hear their moans. I ran on, while the same question arises: Why? why are all these killings? I broke my sword and did not submit to my leaders. (He breaks his sword on his knee). I took my armor off and walked away but, (he puts his hands on his ears). Moans of those mothers were rising. moans of mothers who were waiting victoriously for their sons. Moans of girls who were curiously dreaming of their bridegrooms to come back safely, and the deep cries of children who lost their fathers. One of the killed still cries alone like me, because he found no one lamenting him in this life.. he wept alone like me when I left my all people to go back to my city, Nineveh. In Nineveh, there was an active nation who was interested in art and respected life, but unfortunately, It is our bad luck that motivated them to practice a strange art.. art of killing.. of death! I returned to see them full of victorious feeling. So, they turned a deaf ear when I asked: For what purpose are all these guards serving? For whom are all these artilleries made or imported? Why do they insist on making such large barges? What are we going to witness? Can anyone tell me? No answer. When I told them that the way which leads you forward may also take you back, they mocked at me. When I said: whenever armies meet, one can find nothing except thorns and weak corns, yet they did not believe me. When I said that glorifying victory means glorifying murderers, they stared angrily at me.. I said: if two sides threaten each other to use weapons, a fourth side will

tragically enter that battle. But when I told them we have to hold funeral ceremonies as soon as we get victory, they were greatly offended and cursed me. They even commanded their gangs to throw me with stones.. City of drunkards whose wine is filled with blood! Being tired, I went along the lands away. Nineveh, I walked far away from you with my bloody feet.. I walked till I met you.. [Violin's music is accompanied with pulses of the whale's heard. He turns left and speaks gently, as if he addresses a woman]. Do you ? Do you your words when you were removing blood from my body? Do you when you said: my young man, where are you going? The life you are dreaming of cannot be obtained. Don't trouble yourself with so much thinking! Be happy every time, and fill your stomach with food.Play and dance day and night! Clean your clothes wash your head and perfume it! Pamper the child and enjoy the woman in your arms. This is man's destiny.. Do you your words to me? I tried many times to execute your charges. But I couldn't.. I failed, because I was tired of that severity which I faced.. I understood the deep secrets in moments of revelation.. then you asked me to be careless, to fill my stomach with food, celebrate and practice enjoyment with her? I am a man who was conscious of everything. I wish I were blind in order not to see what I have seen. I wish I were an idiot in order not to be conscious of anything.. I wish I could avoid all these things and continue my happy life with you.. I wish I could.. [Sounds of violent waves gradually disappear, whereas the actor rolls down.. rises and falls again. He resists and stands slowly up to address the whale :] O, strange, Strange animal, go away! sink deeper. Take me away with you.. go farther and farther.. I should have my own long everlasting sleep without

dreams.. [Lying on a board, his body strikes something. After groping around him, he stands up to see that he touches a skull. He stares at it:] I am inside a whale. The whale is inside a sea. Darkness over darkness. O whale, I can't live alone.. O whale, what other things are there inside you? [Again, he looks at the skull] . − O skull, my partner in this unknown voyage, is this our destiny? What is then the use of life? Does our decisive destiny lead us early to this end? Here there were two eyes. What might these two eyes have seen? Were these eyes of man or woman? Killer or killed? wise or fool? Bold ambitious man or miser? No difference.. what is the difference? I have seen many skulls.. I am unfortunately from Nineveh which has witnessed a long victorious periodl; and victory doesn't come without war. War means heaps of skulls, skulls.. whatever you are..death is nothing but merciless cruelty. However, have we ever built a permanent house? Does hatred among people remain forever? Does flood of a river run continuously? O skull, you were highly great.. and you are now different.. all of us shall have the same destiny. It seems that the question of life and death would remain as it is, except when we live the year between them. But to live, it is rather based on how to find proper answers through all or part of our age. Does the old fox proceed quietly? it is death, which has many tricks to hunt whatever it likes.. this old fox once visited Nineveh in certain trick. there was no war. It was holding scythe which is actually thirst.

[Putting the skull on a high place, he addresses it frequently] Thirst.. Nineveh was once intoxicated in glory which attracted thousands of people. but one year, the sun smiled for a long time and clouds disappeared. it smiled through long days whereas stars were brightening at night. Eyes of people were curiously looking for any ing cloud, or any drop of rain.. our necks were tense because our heads were up day and night.. there was nothing..no rain.. no leaves, and no grass as well. [Embracing his knees, sound of wailing wind is heard] The grain.. grain remained so deeply underground that they were decayed.. many wells were dried.. the river itself was thirst. Its heavy waves no longer rise near beaches. On the contrary, small dried muddy places have extensively appeared. Day after day.. the river weakened and dried completely, except for a narrow flow which is similar to a wounded snake.. sheep and horses were so much emaciated that their bones were clearly seen.. horses' eyes were also languished and there was no neighing.. sparrows and butterflies emigrated.. Cats and dogs could not find their food, they accordingly went away lest they might be eaten.. people started to eat rats, wood and thorns. Girls' beauty started to fade.. Children's bellies were swelled and heroes' muscles got thin.Termites, which were corroded, ate war wheels.. Warriors exchanged their weapons for only a piece of sour bread, whereas dust scattered and covered everywhere. [He stands up suddenly, speaks excitedly, and steps quickly on the stage] Only rulers and night watchmen could escape because they monopolized what had remained of grain and arms. Such materials were well kept by cruel guards who might kill anybody soon. They were working all the day in return of a handful of barely. I was running in Nineveh alleys. knocking at doors, and calling them: people of Nineveh, it is time. to meet together.. to be united as one hand, and break the locks, all forces and walls will then fall and guards will be defeated... Where is your ion? Did hunger humiliate, and make you careless? O, people of Nineveh, don't sell your children.. Don't kill your daughters. O, people, don't eat the bodies of your fathers. [Turning right as if he addresses another man, while sound of strikes on drums continue..]

You! You were encouraging me to repent my attempt.. I said I was tired like them.. hungry and poor..I have nothing to give others.. I was hopeless, but you were encouraging me to go forward. boats are- fully among them. You did not pity me, or any of my stumbling steps. You showed no mercy.. I thought one day I could perhaps change anything successfully. Who are you? and why did you choose me? What a heavy burden you have particularly put on my shoulders! [Sounds of drums rise quickly] I tried frequently to escape from you but I couldn't.. you live deeply inside me.. Whenever I try to get rid of you, or avoid this struggle and the wasteful agony, your hidden eyes follow me.. Could I have been escaped from you or from people of Nineveh.They were so much exhausted that they could not rise again after they had been trodden by invaders' horses? they couldn't resist or raise their weapons against those who easily occupied their home, and killed a lot of people though they were ready to die. [Sounds of cries and horses' hoofs are mixed with sounds of drums] Nineveh, your high walls were destructed.. your castles were burned, and your bridges were all destroyed while your people were shocked. Even the invaders themselves could not believe what they see. Isn't a chance for them to train themselves on fighting! No, it is not fighting.. it is rather killing.. killing. It is the summit of their victorious moment.. victory of conquerors which lies in the bottom of defeat. [quick strikes on drums] I shouted to you: don't surrender! Don't be desperate. The way which takes you backward, leads you also forward. Eyes of the invaders who were intoxicated with victory tell me that they are going to their end. People of Nineveh immensely asked and begged you not to surrender, but to be hopefully constant. I told you that the centres on the wheels of life turns quickly. The circles turn and turn, and no one can stop them.. I shouted loudly and cried, but people were asking me to be steady and try.. I tried to do something.. I tried to stand between you and them.. I addressed myself as a crazy..do you ? But I received no answer. Do you how many times I ran after masses of people escaped from hungry, invasion and humility? I asked them to be patient, to stay and resist.. it was useless.They were only gazing at me without a word, or answer.. even words which did not prevent disgrace, lost their meanings.. it seems there is nothing to be said. but I wanted to say something.. to say.. I didn't stop repeating words.. have I anything else to say? [ He turns right as if he addresses a woman. Violin music goes with the animal's

heart pulses. He speaks gently to her] You were encouraging me continually to migrate..to take care of myself.. to leave this torture to any place..to build a warm house..to fill my stomach with delicious food, and to play with a baby who catches my finger and enjoy with you.. what a beautiful life it would be! I tell you frankly that I couldn't once forget your sweet voice. In my imagination I built my house and furnished it with everything we both wished. I resided in my dreams, because I couldn't build it in Nineveh.. my city which is decaying, and which I couldn't leave in such critical situation.. I wish I could have changed anything for its interest.. I wish I could. [With his last words, the sound of violin rises gradually.. the actor lies on his knees putting his face in his hands.. roaring at high waves.. the actor rolls right and left.. light shines and fades whenever he tries to stand up] O, what is this? [He cries.. lights increase.. the actor catches his head as he feels headache. He bends down and picks a large black book up..] They say that some books cause a headache, but this book is about to kill me. (Rubs his head and addresses the whale) A book inside you. What other surprises do you hold on your old pages? (As he turns its pages, a large number of them which are scattered on the stage are torn one after the other).. Ink of wisdom flows. Wisdom and letters are so much confused. Should I arrange letters to make words, and arrange words to make sentences? Words.. words.. if they are arranged well, they would be mine, and then truth may be lost. Who wrote these words? what did the writer want to say? Does the book contain events of the precursors? Does it tell us their stories and histories? If so, do all such tales make us judge future? Are they useful? words.. words, which were written by their writers, are expected to be immortal. They are now so much effaced that I can't read any of them. Is it a book of wisdom? What is then the use of wisdom? What is the use of wisdom for a man like me waiting for his death inside a whale? Why does wisdom come so late? [He raises his open-handed arms in the middle of the stage]

Once upon a time, there was a nation in Iraq who loved knowledge and wisdom. and wanted to transfer them to others everywhere, and to every age.. this nation invented script which was engrained on tablets. In Nineveh, the wise and the transcribers collected and clarified them, and they were then given to the following generations. But knowledge brought us power which fruited greediness and recklessness, and took people away from wisdom. People, particularly in victorious days, were highly engaged in their arms.. they were sharpening them.. military processions besides Knights duals isolated them from the tablets in order to be more ignorant. People ridiculed the old who kept them. During the dried years, people were engaged in getting pieces of bread. Therefore, ignorance started to increase, whereas during the depleted years, tablets of wisdom were completely neglected. People said: we don't need wisdom that does not protect the walls of the city? Only words.. words. What is the benefit of words? As soon as I left despair in Nineveh and its people who did not listen to my words, I moulded and collected the tablets and sharpened cane pencils. I decided to document all the events on tablets so that people of Nineveh may, one day, read them or transfer my words to other people. [Strikes on drums while he addresses the man...] I know it was your idea. Before I write any letter on a tablet, certain wicked questions haunted me: for whom do you write? Who will read? Who cares for your writing? If your people, among whom you lived, didn't listen to any of your words, then for whom you write? Which one of people around you deserve your sacrifice? Let them pay the price of their recklessness, because they deserve what happened and will happen to them. Why true words are usually unaccepted? Why fake deceitful words are appreciated? What do you write and for whom? [Sounds of violin ..whereas he addresses reproachfully the woman] Aren't these were your anxious thoughts to me? To write or not, this is the question that has immensely haunted me. I still think of it. I was hesitating, but I didn't write and I couldn't also forget it. At dawn of that day, I determined to climb the wall or its remains. I went out. The sun began to shine in front of me.. I was waiting for them to assemble.. to

say what others who proceeded me had said, because the truth lies between what they had said and what I shall say. I waited the best moment to come.. I waited long in order to ask myself: Should I say or not? This is the question which never leaves me or gives me its answer. The shadow which was behind me is now in front of me. The sun reddens.. it is nearly set. I am still standing as a false idol on burned destructed walls.. I waited the proper moment.. there was no moment better than this, because all of them were engaged in their troubles. Amid this noise and confusion, no one would listen to me.. I lost the last hope before the sun sets.. it was useless and I was highly depressed. At that time, I felt quiet of something.. it was the seed of despair in my heart that has changed to a thorn in my mouth.. thorns.. thorns have covered my tongue.. my arms and my whole body. I wished I could strip off my skin. Then, I jumped and ran out of my city. Lights of my city began gradually to fade, and fade step by step, I walked days after days without turning behind me until I reached the sea. I jumped into its high waves so that salt may remove all thorns from my body.. But gentle hands that mistook me a drowning took me out, and put some coverings on me. I remained silent in the boat, till I reached the middle of the sea.. the wind opposed its sails and it was about to drown with all its people. Before I speak to them, people were shocked to see all these thorns on my tongue and my body.. here I realized it is a decisive thing.. I jumped again into the sea.. its salt and waves may.. briefly I threw myself.. that is all.. there was no other choice, but the whale.. (Rubs the whale's belly) the whale was waiting for me.. Who believes that? O, whale..! Are you my last residence? Are you a whale? my grave, or a new womb that will hold me? O whale, do you hear my words, or you do not, like them..? Where are you taking me whale? Do you swim straight or on your back? Are you rising or sinking? O.., tell me!.. are we living at present day, or still in yesterday? Perhaps.. we are in tomorrow or after it. O whale, where am I in, and in what place or time? Do you know.. or are you just running?.. Whale, when I entered inside you; I thought to be alone or.. I could vanish from sight.. but it was all fancy. How can I be alone, while she is with me? How could I be alone

whereas people of Nineveh stick in my head? All the forts that had been destructed, I rebuilt them in my heart and my imagination.. the trees which were cut, my soul still sits under their shades.. the birds that had departed, I still hear their lyrics.. even the river which was dried up, I feel its sweet water on my lips. O, whale.. I caused a heavy burden to you because you are holding me. While Iam holding both a destructed city and a nation that looks for salvation.. O whale, you may leave me at any time. but I never leave them.. I tried many times to do it, but I couldn't.. I couldn't.. Shall I go back to that pain? Shall I return to the city which denied and hated me? O, whale, are you trembling? Do you think that I am seriously talking? Please don't go away.. don't sink so deep? Throw me out, whale, and let me return to my city.. I'll use my two naked arms to swim. Perhaps, I reach..and reach you. Nineveh, do you believe in my first words I uttered once..? They were moans of painful heart.. my city, don't be angry, you are my mother.. city of Al-hadbah, I am returning to you.. I am coming back to Dijlah water. * O, houses and streets of my old city, I'll come back [music]. are my words lost? it doesn't matter if their echoes are lost in your valleys.. have I lost my age? Let it be lost.. it is for my people's interests.. O, whale, throw me out.. throw me, and let my two free arms struggle against the waves. I may reach you, even if I drown.. I don't care.. it is better than decaying here inside your endless nights.. I may reach you or I may die. but.. but I shall try.

-Curtain-

*It is a famous local place near Dijlas River in Mosul City.

Layla's Toy

By Muyassar K. Al- Khashab

In time of war, everything seems to be blind, bombs, killers, generals and the victims are usually people. This story is rather depicted from a real tragic event in my city, 2017.

Characters: - Layla - Mother -The Representative - Chorus - Children

-I-

[A simple old district in Mosul. houses are arranged in an old traditional design .. A bird frequently sings inside a box up near a window. Children are playing, dancing and singing popular songs.. their laugh is mixed with innocence., sounds of shooting bullets are far away heard from time to time.

Layla, one of the children, holds a large beautiful toy in her bosom.. she dances happily together with the rest of children] O, my beautiful toy How much I love you! You're my wing in a trip Towards a dream and a bright Eid. (Popular songs are loudly heard ... the Representative of the district appears through this interesting atmosphere in his traditional costume.) He tells the story: Children as flowers and Happy butterflies..they were jumping and singing. They are as beautiful as rainbow circles.. They were hard hours of critical moments I witnessed everything: How doors were damaged.. How walls fell down after walls It was a painful scene..!

- 2(The pretty girl, Layla, continues her game.. Birds were flying here and there, but suddenly: A bomb falls amid them.. some people are injured.,Others are taken away to be medicated. Through dust and smoke, a crying woman looks for her daughter

here and there: " Layla, Layla"! She calls. Then she stops near a hole among rubbles.): Layla! my child do you hear me ? . Layla...! O, God! I am your mother,please (Puts her ear near a hole, no answer.. cries and goes to another hole calling for her daughter : Layla! Layla! (She hears then a weak mourning inside rubbles..) She is here (surprisingly). . (to people). alive...! She is certainly here. Layla...! I hear her gentle voice..(The Representative of the district appears.. and takes part with people in cleaning the place especially around the hole and speaks:) Be quiet! …don’t remove big stones; please! (Mother repeats her calls through the holes of rubbles. and Layla’s voice rises): I am here.. alone.. mum..! Mother- (to others) she calls me.. .. thanks God ! Be quiet.. she's... The Representative :( to her mother) Be patient..! Let's take the little girl out of rubbles...! Mother – ( near the hole)

May God keep her safe … O, Great God! ( she hears a weak voice of mourning): Be brave Layla! Layla- but I and... Mother-O,...! Layla-. the toy … Mother-( curiously) Yes,.. Layla-.. are thirsty.. Mother- One minute.. we'll take you out.. Layla- Mum..! Mother- yes, what.. Layla- flames...! Mother- what.? Layla- follow me Mother: O,God .! Layla: as an octopus. Mother- O, could you move a little away.. Layla- mum.. flames go violently around. me Mother- God keeps her safe.. please. Layla -.. but, may burn my toy or kidnap it. Mother- wait, my dear ..!

Mum- moth... er (The chorus sings whereas the Representative cleans the place with others :) Layla – Mum.. please ! Mother- Dear, what is there? Layla- Mum.. Mother-Yes, icannot hear you.. Layla- a terrible face.. Mother- Close your eyes. Layla- draws me nearer. Mother- Don’t worry...! Layla-.. and goes around me as if.. it’ll attack me. Mother- O, God! (Turns to people around her) .. Please, help me. (Addressing her daughter) All neighbours, all girls, birds, and your uncle are with me to help.., Wait.! Answer me! O, God, help us! Layla- Mum..!, a dark night revolves. around me (coughing) Mother-O, darling! Layla- ..and my toy.. Mother- …Yes, is it broken.. burnt? Layla: No, No,.. Mother: Never mind!

yes, speak ! Layla- its legs are.. (pause) Mother- what...? Layla...! Layla- Toy’ s legs are… burning Mother- Be careful …avoid fire...! Lean on ...! Layla- Mum.. I see nothing .. except …. Mother-except what..? Layla- an old thread on black shoes.. Mother- O, God ! My lovely child Layla- Mum.. I wish …I.. Mother-Yes, you wish what.. (Layla's voice mixes with some voices outside the hole calling: "God is great " ... let's raise the burnt stones.. Mother- (continues fearfully) Layla. I will buy you that beautiful swing..

Layla- Mum, I wish.. I were with you.. (Mother extends her hand inside the hole crying...) Mother-My daughter.. I am here.. near you.. Don’t be scared.. be brave! I, Selma, and Zahra are waiting. for you.. Layla- (in low and faint voice) Mum... ‘’

Mother- yes, please! Layla- Can I.. Kiss you! (Mother digs anxiously, and takes out some torn dresses ..) Mother- Wait! I'll bring you a swing, a beautiful toy..and.. (she continues digging, and extends her hand deeper down the hole. and shouts hopefully ): I've touched her ..! .. Touched her nice head...! ( Amid hopeful shouting and encouragements, tmother catches gradually a head and pulls it out of the hole, whereas people are standing and praying "God is great!" One- Let me pull with you..

Other- Pull...! Draw her quietly.! [All people are curious and happy mistaking that they are drawing the child Layla, but it was actually Layla's burnt toy. All people were suddenly shocked. . Sad atmosphere and silence prevail. Stones fall down mixed with smoke and sand. Severe cries loudly are raised by the mother who turned painfully back to people: Layla, my daughter! Where is Layla? (She tries to go back to the rubbles but the Representative stops her..) (Sad music) (The Chorus sings certain local song): Why does time of death visit us here? Unfortunately, it comes.. How much we played and waited for hope!

Softness will certainly come after hardship..after hardship..

-3(The Mother is still shocked for losing her daughter..) (sad music) Mother- Layla: I will buy you a swing. You'll play again here … at the middle of the district.. The bird is still singing on that tree Tomorrow, I'll grant you a toy and everything you want.. Stretch your hand...! I shall draw you out of that losing hole to security.. (Stands with some kids playing and dancing..) Stretch your hand to me.. to play and sing together.. Layla, I wish I were a bird to tell a story to everyone and everywhere..goodbye Layla…! (sad and happy music) (Here the Representative of the district progresses to the middle of the stage with quiet music): They were really hard days, People and children were lost or wounded Others were buried, but Patience is my friend,

And life, in spite of bitterness, goes on.. Martyrs as Layla, Omar and Suhad wouldn’t be forgotten They ’d be immortalized …

-Curtain-

The Seventh Run

By Bayat Maree

The following play is chosen to present a very critical moment of a man who witnessed impressive circumstances during the terrible domination of Mosul city (2017) by ISIS. "The Seventh Game" is a one-act play to have come out of this aggression which is full of violent behaviour and threatening against the city and its innocent people. The playwright Bayat Maree (1963- ) masters his dramatic technique and shows the audience that theatre has its own ways of expressing man's inner feeling in challenging such contradictive situation of life. The play presents a simple faithful man who found no confidence, and freedom along his life. He was suffering of fear and worry since he was a pupil in school. Being now a moderate educated man, he has different types of modern thoughtful books which caused him so many troubles that he was not rather waiting for " Godot" as much as waiting for tragic end.

M. Q. al- Kh. --[Place is crowded with various types of books. many arranged antiques here and there …they all refer to an educated man living here alone…He seems worried and full of fear.] (A dialogue starts):

He: Books.! Books have the taste of coffee . Days have taught us every cup of it has its story.. we always certain words, lines.. we imagine things and dream. O, dream, how much we remained awake for the sake of you! How hard to dream of a dream which does not fit reality, but only to shape a picture of it in your mind. (Rolling a big barrel to the middle of the stage and speaks to it:) Come and stand here, my friend.! I'll make you a beautiful tank, but help me tell no one of what I am going to do.. What to do is only to hide my crime, which I really do not know.! (Hearing a noise outside the place, he tries to stop rolling the barrel) Be quiet, damn! They may find out our place and burn us ...! They are professional killers, who actually kill, or burn people. Please barrel, stop your hard sound.. I have to burn everything quickly before we are burnt (he goes to the window, and looks outside). it seems that we have a lot of time to conceal everything.. we must be cautious ... I expect them to reach us and knock at the door. They will, then, attack us, and inspect for anything. (Too much frightened, and wandering as a mad here and there, he takes many books, magazines, and some prizes down the roofs and puts them near the barrel to burn).. Holding a book in his hand) O,how old you are! Though your papers are yellow, you are still effective and new. Sorry, fire will swallow you as it once swallowed my thoughts for long years.. (Throws papers into fire and cries .. he looks at a burning book and counts:) ..seven.. eight.. nine.. ten.. chapter two ...! O, "Roots of Humanism"! a book of humanism, you worth to be burnt because humanism no longer exists in our destroyed world … (He gets another book) "The Story of Civilization" by Yule Diorant. (laughs).What an idiot person you are..! Yes, civilization...(cries) which civilization do you speak about? Wars burn everything here and there.. lies.. lies. There is no civilization..(takes another book): "Man and Spirit" by Ivanov (another book) "The Nature of Humanism". Noam Chomsky. Michael Foch.. lies… lies.. all titles do not attract me.

(He looks suddenly at a small box and addresses:) Oh, this is the store of my secrets.. You have kept safely my own private secrets for a long time.. you are faithful. (Opens it as if talking to something inside) you are still waiting here (takes out a girl's photo) How long have you been looking, with your beautiful eyes, for the same hope I have looked for? I told you many times there is no hope, but you never listened. (Hears the girl's voice) (Voice): I love you; I love you ...! What love do you speak about? It's useless, I frequently told you that I want to leave a way. I told you that since we were meeting on the flat roof of the house, or in the public garden, or near the door of your school, here and there in our city.. you will get nothing of me.. there is no love in this homeland.. they have restrained.. and buried it. (cries). I loved her too much but I was so apprehensive of her. She may think I do not exchange it with her.She was too young, tying her two braids on both sides of her neck, like two breaches of grapes, and her rosy face like a sunset between them. When she smiles, I feel my heart has just leapt out of my body. I feel being a captive to her innocence and tenderness.There was nothing stronger than love except the idea of leaving (cries). In deed I couldn't actually expect that she would leave me to an unknown world.. a cursed plane bombed the house with all her family.. Curse on war! (Hears sounds of bombs and explosions ... the place changes then to a military camp) Yes, sir, we have to sacrifice everything for it (a voice giving him military commands). Yes, the homeland..(ironically) yes, sir, even if we feel hungry for what is important is the homeland that represents honour and pride.. (so tired that he falls down whereas the homeland calls him: stand up!) Yes, I am exhausted.. (exhausted ! No, you are treacherous!).. No, no, you never

say this, I have never known treachery.. no, we shall protect our homeland with blood.. "Right, left", "left, right". Homeland, we shall defend you.. (he shouts hysterically). (Starts to burn again some other papers and throws them into fire. He repeats): we’ ll defend your homeland, and conquer enemies.. (He hears the sound of their foot hold outside) Surely, they are coming back (goes to look outside the window). I have to burn the books as quick as possible.. they have no mercy, they're criminals. They would not forgive me if they found all these books with me. How much I repented.. how much I wished to be stupid, naïve or even to be an animal.. to be a man who only eats, drinks and doesn’t think.. yes, it is better than what I feel now.. if I were only one of them, I would not have been worried, and followed by such criminals as I face. (Acting with the voice interrogatively :) They will come in soon, and their leader will sit here, whereas the rest may sit there. I would stand frightened as humiliated slave.. their trivial questions will attack me: -You, what is your name? -My name is … (scared). .please ,repeat your question, ? - we ask about your name, animal, have you forgotten your name? Do we remind you in our way? -No, no, sir, my name is Zahira/ what? / Sorry, my name is Maher. Yes, Maher. -Up to the meaning of your name, in what thing are you skilful … in treachery? -No, I swear in God, I never betrayed anyone. -Good, good, what are these books concerned with?

-Books, they are books -You animal, we know they are books (Interruption) No, I have to burn all these books.. they may lead me to a tragic end. (Continues burning his papers ... he gets another school book) Oh, it's Sixth Class Primitive English Book (Turns its paper and reads :) -Hello, Sami! -Hello, Samir! -Where are you going? -I am going to school (cries) false … false. In my way to school, I would have slipped away, and wandering here and there as a wretch. The voice : Maher! -Yes, teacher. -Pay attention to your lesson, least you.! (re) Adnan, my teacher of English language, was a little severe with pupils. "I want you to get benefit of your lessons", he always says. Once I asked him so critical question that he got angry, and hardly answered me: "Teacher! does the chicken lay an egg or the egg comes from a chicken?" "Boy- he shouted – try not to puzzle me, it is a trivial question … read your lesson..then he asks me"! The pupils have all laughed at my question, and soon he began to hit me. "You are the naughtiest pupil in our classroom.."(He imitates the teacher Adnan in moving his hand up and down with his stick. hitting him on

his hands while the boy cries).. O, it is only a question, my teacher." Go back to books and review your lessons..! (He continues burning books) "Homeland Geography", "Modern History", "Economy", "Science" and "Biology".. lies in lies. He reads some papers of a "History Book". "He was a great leader, and invaded many countries in that period.. until he reached". which leader? How did you reach that far places (ironically) and your armies behind you kill or injure thousands of people? Of course, they even call you "the victorious".. blood.. everywhere there is blood (pictures of human torn bodies). (With himself) For whom is this arm? perhaps for that body.. how small is this foot.? It is beautiful.. it is rather for a child, and whose eye is this..? (He begins to collect and arrange different parts of human body, or even in order to shape a toy, and speaks to it.) Are you Ahmad or Khalid.? who are you? what? You have no name.. impossible? All people have names.. how do they acquaint with each other.? alright. I'll call you Fadel to speak with each other.. do you like it? Ok, Fadel are you hungry? (The voice):" No, I am not, you can say, I don’t eat". What? you don’t eat.. how! Aren't you a man of flesh and blood (The voice:) No, war has swallowed all things.? as you see.. I was a man of flesh and blood when war broke out, and swallowed everything. So, I lost myself as a child.. I was living happily alone.. my father was fetching me some toys(airplanes, small cars and bicycles). I was interested in playing with children. We played together until.. curse on that explosion which destroyed the toys, and made our bodies scattered pieces.. What are the causes of that war? We still ask about.. the war has killed you, but for what reason we buried our sons.? Curse on war..! curse on war.! O, the war has killed you.! How can I believe in this speech (He comes back) why? because like you, I have been killed.. I mean the war has destroyed me.. the difference between us is being half a live and half- dead, curse on war! How much I wished to be dead as you. Yes, you have left me to fear, or to unknown days. Indeed, the war has opened a tunnel of nightmares in front of me .. I am desperate.. I wish I were dead for (losing that stick of dream.. a man without dream.)

Sir, (addresses the boy) I have no dream. I am only holding a bag of dream in my memory..I hold actually a bag of crying and pain, and all aspects of gardens seem to be graves in my eyes.. I can't stand between war and non- war line, (He tries to throw the toy into the barrel to burn.) Yes, to satisfy the desire of war and who encourages it. (Sound of footsteps outside is coming nearer and nearer ... Again, he goes to look outside the window). Damn! They are attacking my neighbour's house.. They'll soon come to my house.. Let me burn quickly the rest of books so long so they are looking for everything.. they try to frighten people and preoccupy them to avoid talking about war, and its catastrophes.. (Dialogue: addressing the audience:) If you want to agree with them, you will certainly have to take part in wars.. (to someone) you sir, if you want to refuse them, you will always be scared and frightened.. (The sound comes gradually nearer and nearer) They are coming.. damn...! I have to hurry up burning everything. (tries to throw quickly more books into fire.) What is this? (Holding a certificate and reads:) "According to your great efforts in serving your homeland, we grant you this certificate ... it is a bright mark and a witness of your sacrifice.. (sound of clapping). I thank you for your certificate you have granted me.. I wouldn’t forget it ".. (picks up other medals and certificates) Certificate, medal, prize. .(Puts them into fire) lie in lie.. where are those who granted me such honourable things? I was completely an idiot when I let you

come upon my shoulders.. I don’t need any of your words and your decorated certificates.. (He continues burning) To hell.! (someone knocks at the door) (voice:) Open the door.. quickly.! Who are you? (Increased knocks and no answer..). . who are you? Curse! what am I going to do? They will jail me.. (comes nearer to the door) I shall be heavily tormented.. Sir, you mistook the address..I am the man who once granted him all these prizes, certificates and medals.. yes, I am the man.. the same man. (the voice:) Open the door! Why do I open it? I can show you my identity card.. a citizen as you said once..of a first degree..and you gave me the impression that I am protected and secured.. Have you forgotten your promise, or there is something I don’t know? I was a moderate man who submits to your regulations a long many years of my life. I did not leave my duties, or reduced taxes.. absolutely, I have never practiced treachery in my life.. I took part in all battles against enemy.. I was faithful in my work … then, what is the problem? (The voice:) Open the door, least we …! Why do I open the door, sir? I have served faithfully this homeland a long my life, then what do you want? (Uncovering his body)Look! at this terrible wound, and that is a splinter which too much affects me. (He uncovers one of his artificial legs).. I have lost it during the war.. (a harsh voice outside:) we can break the door.. open it …! No, no, I don’t let you take me as a dog.. I don’t care what you do even if you kill me, I do not bend down.. I who glorified, and opened the door of dream, and who respected human culture.. I who defended his homeland and worked seriously day and night for his people.. and who respected his past and future regulations and tradition.. even if you kill me..I don’t submit to your deceived rules.. you can't change me into a weak man …

(Sound of shooting fire directed to him is heard) (voice:) According to the great efforts you performed to serve your homeland, we have decided to grant you this certificate as a concrete guide.. it is an effective witness of your sacrifice and achievement to the next generation.. ( sound of clapping is heard)

-Curtain-

In Brief

Nahidh Al Ramadhani: Dramatist, short-story writer and novelist. Born in Mosul / Iraq (1964) He's got his M.A. in Arabic literature/ drama. Member of Iraqi and Arab Union of Writers. Awarded many prizes by many cultural institutions. His famous mono-plays are introduced in Europe besides other Arabic countries.

Dr. Muyassar Q. Al-khashab: Born in Mosul / Iraq1948 Poet and dramatist. Among his translated productions are: "Murder in the cathedral " by T. S. Eliot, dar al-namrud, Mosul (1984) Various international stories, (t work), 2010 "Two Short Novels" by the English novelist "Doris Lessing". Member of Iraqi Union of Writers He has many editions of Poetry Awarded many "creative Shields" for his poetic and dramatic contributions.

Bayat Maree: Short story writer and dramatist Born in Mosul Graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Baghdad. Among his issued plays and stories: Grifonin Horse (short stories /1995) Ravings (plays / 1999) What have been damaged on Roofs (stories / 1979) Awarded many prizes by many cultural institutions Many of his plays were presented on stages by different Cultural Institutions. Member of Iraqi and Arab Union of Writers.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Inside the Whale

Layla's Toy

The Seventh Run

In Brief

Nahidh Al Ramadhani: Dr. Muyassar Q. Al-khashab: Bayat Maree:

Table of Contents