The Tortoise and Society


Author: Doctor Terence Rajivan Edward
Date: 2008


Scene 1


The TORTOISE is being interviewed after his famous race with the hare.


INTERVIEWER: Congratulations Tortoise. That was mighty close in the end but you won. How do you feel about your victory?
TORTOISE: I feel great. All the training I put in has paid off.
INTERVIEWER: Nobody expected you to win. Do you have anything to say to the public?
TORTOISE: My message for the world is this: slow and steady wins the race. If this can be remembered, then my victory has been worthwhile.
INTERVIEWER: And what plans do you have after a victory that will surely become a defining moment in the history of the sport?
TORTOISE: I would just like to settle down to a quiet life. That is all I have ever wanted.
INTERVIEWER: Thank you, Tortoise, for sharing your thoughts and plans with us. From now onwards, we shall admire you, and not the hare, as the fastest creature alive.
The INTERVIEWER exits the scene, leaving a pensive TORTOISE behind.
TORTOISE: The fastest creature alive… I did just beat the hare in a race. But am I the fastest creature alive? Am I not just that slow old tortoise, whom even snails sometimes overtake? Oh, well. I am sure I will be thought of like that again soon enough. When everyone sees how slowly I move, they will forget all about how I reached the finish line first.


Scene 2


The TORTOISE is walking slowly somewhere. A jogger comes along.


JOGGER: Hi Tortoise.
TORTOISE: Hello there. Enjoying a morning jog, are you?
JOGGER: Yes, that's right. Why are you moving so slowly?
TORTOISE: This is my normal pace.
JOGGER: Your normal pace? Come, come. Your big secret is out now.
TORTOISE: My big secret?
JOGGER: Everyone knows now that you are the fastest creature alive.
TORTOISE: The fastest creature alive?
JOGGER: Yes. Anyway, I must be on my way. But I am sure you will overtake me soon!
The JOGGER leaves the scene.
TORTOISE: The fastest creature alive? Why I am just a slow old tortoise. How long is this crazy misperception of me going to last?


Scene 3


A CHEETAH is lazing in the sun. The TORTOISE approaches slowly.


TORTOISE: Hello Cheetah.
CHEETAH: So you're the one they now think is the fastest in the world. First it was the hare and now you.
TORTOISE: Yes, I am afraid that now it is me. But really I am not.
CHEETAH: You don't have to tell me that. I already know. I am the fastest creature alive and one day everyone is going to know it.
TORTOISE: Are you even faster than the hare?
CHEETAH: The hare is a tortoise compared to me! But what is the point of racing him? It's you I need to race if I want to show the world who really is the fastest.
TORTOISE: Me?
CHEETAH: Yes, you. When shall we race?
TORTOISE: But I don't want to race.
CHEETAH: Are you afraid to lose?
TORTOISE: No, no. I am just a slow tortoise. Of course, I will lose.
CHEETAH: That's right, Tortoise, of course you will.


Scene 4


The TORTOISE is lying on a couch, speaking to a THERAPIST.


TORTOISE: My troubles all began after I won that race against the hare. Ever since then, nobody has been able to see me for what I am: a slow moving creature.
THERAPIST: A slow moving creature. Is that what you are?
TORTOISE: Of course. Tortoises are legendary for their slowness. And I am no different.
THERAPIST: Why did you decide to race against the hare?
There is a pause.
TORTOISE: It's a difficult question. Let me think.
There is silence for a while.
THERAPIST: Does it have something to do with your family?
TORTOISE: My family?
THERAPIST: For instance, your mother. Does it have something to do with your mother?
TORTOISE: My mother… Now let me see.


There is silence as the TORTOISE contemplates this suggestion.