Rhodopsis, the Egyptian Cinderella

Narrator: The Greek historian Strabo recorded the story of an Egyptian Cinderella around the first century BCE. Long ago by the blue waters of the Mediterranean pirates captured a young maiden and sold her as a slave in Egypt. Her owner was a kind, but vague man who spent most of his time beneath a sycamore tree thinking deep thoughts. He never noticed how the servant girls treated the slave girl, Rhodopsis.

Scene I: (a garden by the river)

Meri: The Master says that today we must grind the grain, bake the bread, weed the garden and wash the linen.

Nekatu: What a lot of work. And it so hot.

Tiy: Let’s make Rhodopsis Rosy Cheek do it. I don’t like her. She’s not Egyptian.

Meri: That’s a good idea. Let Strawhead do our chores.

Tiy: Rhodopsis! Rosy Cheeks!

Rhodopsis(Enters.) Here I am.

Nekatu: The Master says you are to grind the grain and bake the bread.

Rhodopsis: And will you help me.

Tiy: Of course, we will fetch the mortar and pestle for you. (All 3 servants laugh.)

Meri: Here they are.

Nekatu: Aren’t you going to thank us, Pink Skin? (All 3 laugh again.)

Narrator: And the three girls ran away leaving all the work to Rhodopsis. When she at long last finished, they had still more work for her.

Meri: Rhodopsis of the frizzy hair, the Master has more work for you.

Rhodopsis: Can’t I rest for a while? I’m so hot from the baking.

Tiy: No, Miss Pink Skin. The garden needs to be weeded.

Rhodopsis: But won’t you help? I will get so sunburned if I do the whole thing myself.

Nekatu: Certainly, well help. We will chase away any geese that venture into the garden. (All 3 laugh.)

Narrator: So Rhodopsis toiled in the hot sun while the lazy girls sat in the shade and threw an occasional rock at an errant goose. After many hours Rhodpsis finished. They had still more work for her.

Meri: Well, Peculiar Eyes, are you finally done?

Rhodopsis: Yes, and I am hot and weary.

Nekatu: Then you are in luck. Your next task takes you to the cool riverbank.

Tiy: We have exhausted ourselves sorting the linen for you. Now you must carry it down to the Nile and wash it.

Narrator: So wearily Rhodopis carried the laundry down to the riverbank.

Scene II: (the banks of the Nile River) (Rhodopsis is washing clothes in the river. Her master is sitting under a sycamore tree. Rhodopsis is unaware of his presence.)

Rhodopsis: Come little birds. Keep me company while I do the wash. I’ve brought you some crumbs.

Birds: (twitter and sing while they whirl around Rhodopsis)

Rhodopsis: My little monkey friend, I have a sweet fig for you.

Monkey: (chatters and cavorts around Rhodopsis)

Rhodopsis: And my hippopotamus friend, let me scratch your ears. Now if you will all help me with this wash we can dance and play afterwards.

(The animals help with the wash. They move in a dance-like manner. As they dance the Master stands up.)

Master: I will have to reward this charming girl in some way. I know just the thing for such a wonderful dancer. I’ll go take care of it now.

Scene III: (the garden)

Narrator: A few days after this the Master has some good news.

Master: Girls! I have heard the Pharaoh is holding an open court for all his subjects in nearby Memphis. You have worked hard. I give you all permission to go and enjoy yourselves. And by the way Rhodopsis, I had these golden slippers made especially for you. Such nimble feet should be suitably shod.

Rhodopsis: They will be the perfect thing to wear to Pharaoh’s court. Oh, thank-you, thank-you!

Master: I’m delighted that you are pleased with them. Now I am going to sit below my tree and contemplate the nature of the heavens.

Tiy: Why has the Master given you such a beautiful present? Have you been telling tales?

Meri: We are freeborn Egyptians, not slaves like you. We deserve a gift not you.

Nekatu: Well, it doesn’t matter, you won’t be wearing them to Pharaoh’s Court.

Rhodopsis: But the Master gave us all permission to go.

Nekatu: You know how forgetful he is. He wants you wash the linen, grind the grain and weed the garden. We will be leaving in as soon as we have changed our clothes and fixed our hair and makeup.

Tiy: That’s right. You may come if you finish all those chores.

Rhodopsis: But that is so much work. It will take me the entire day.

Meri: Oh, that’s a shame. You may see us sailing by as you wash the linen in the river. I’m sure your animal friends will admire your new slippers.

(They laugh and run off.)

Rhodopsis: Why do they hate me so? I will wear my new slippers and I will dance with my animal friends. It may not be the Pharaoh’s Court, but the riverbank is cool and green. And my new slippers will sparkle in the light.

Scene IV: (the riverbank)

Rhodopsis: Little birds, Monkey, Hippo! The Master has given his staff permission to attend the Pharaoh’s Court. I can go if I finish my chores. Perhaps if you help me I can get the linen washed before Meri, Tiy, and Neakatu leave.

(The animals begin to help with the wash. As they work, the 3 servant girls pole by in their boat.)

Meri: Are your animal friends helping you?

Tiy: Oh, too bad you still weren’t able to finish. We must be off.

Nekatu: Be careful not to ruin your new golden slippers. (She splashes Rhodopsis.) Oh, what a shame. Your lovely present is all wet. The Master will be angry with you for being so careless.

(They quickly pole away.)

Rhodopsis: My new shoes! I must set them to dry in the sun. What is that shadow? It’s a falcon. (She bows.) Greetings, Proud Horus. Since I could not go to Pharaoh, has Pharaoh come to me?

(The hawk circles the sky, then swoops down and grabs one of her shoes.)

Stop! Stop! Please leave me my slipper. How can I dance in one shoe.

(She throws herself down on the riverbank sobbing. The animals gather around her.)

Scene V: (The Pharaoh’s Throne Room)

Narrator: The Pharaoh, Amasis, sat on his Great Throne wearing the crown of the Two Kingdoms. Around him swirled dancers, musicians, courtiers, soldiers and his curious subjects. Pharaoh thought how he would much rather be in his chariot hunting or fighting the enemies of the Two Kingdoms. Suddenly the Falcon’s shadow passed over the crowd.

(The falcon circles over the court. He drops the slipper in the Pharaoh’s lap, circles again and flies off.)

Amasis: Why this is a golden slipper. What could it possibly mean. Horemheb, my counselor, come here I need your advice.

Horemheb: What is it that your most gracious excellency desires?

Amasis: A bird flew overhead and dropped this golden slipper into my lap? What does it mean?

Horemheb: But that was not just any bird, Ruler of Two Lands. It was a Falcon, God of the Sky and symbol of your power on earth. The God is bringing you a message.

Amasis: But a woman’s slipper?

Horemheb: But look at how exquisite the slipper is. The God has chosen a wife for Pharaoh. He wants you to take a wife and father a son to rule the Two Kingdoms after you.

Amasis: But where am I to find this woman?

Horemheb: You must try the slipper on the foot of every woman in the Two Kingdoms till you find the woman that Horus has chosen for you.

Amasis: You are right. Dismiss this crowd. Call my soldiers. Order the royal barge with the purple sails. I have a task to fulfill. I must no longer sit here in this crowd. I will go the dock. (He exits.)

Horemheb: People of the Two Lands. The God Horus has spoken to Pharaoh. He is leaving Memphis to do the God’s bidding. He is sorry, but the court is dismissed. You must all return to your homes.

(As the crowd is leaving, the 3 servants arrive.)

Tiy: Where is everyone going?

Nekatu: Have we come too late?

Horemheb: The Pharaoh has dismissed the court. He has received a message from the God Horus.

Meri: What sort of message has he received.

Horemheb: He is searching the Two Kingdoms for the woman the gods have chosen for him.

Meri: Who is this most fortunate of women?

Horemheb: He knows only that she will fit into an exquisite golden slipper delivered to him by a great falcon.

Nekatu: A golden slipper?

Horemheb: Do you know something about this slipper?

Tiy: She knows nothing. She is only curious.

Horemheb: Well, I must go and make arrangements for the Pharaoh’s search. (Exits.)

Meri: You don’t suppose it could be Rhodopsis?

Nekatu: It couldn’t be. She has sunburned skin, frizzy gold hair, and peculiar green eyes. She’s not even Egyptian!

Tiy: Well, we must hurry back and make sure the Pharaoh never finds her.

Narrator: The Pharoah sailed along the Nile, pulling up to every dock in search of his bride. But nowhere did he find the woman who fit the slipper. Then the royal vessel sailed close to where Rhodopsis was wont to do the wash.

Scene VI: (The banks of the river)(The 3 servants watch while Rhodopsis does the wash. Her animal friends hover nearby.)

Tiy: Rosy Cheeks, I think you missed a few spots.

Rhodopsis: If you would help, this would be much easier.

Nekatu: We are helping. We’re supervising.

Rhodopsis: I see a boat with purple sails floating down the river. I wonder who it could be.

Meri: (Whispering to the others) Do you think it’s the Pharaoh? We must get her out of here.

Tiy: Rhodopsis, I think the geese have invaded the garden. You must go chase them away.

Rhodopsis: But what of the linen?

Nekatu: We will take care of it, but you better hurry.

(Rhodopsis runs off.)

Meri: That was quick thinking. Here comes the Pharaoh’s boat.

(The 3 girls bow. The animals hover around curiously.)

(The barge pulls up. Two soldiers leap out.)

1st Soldier: The Pharaoh is searching for a foot to fit this slipper.

Tiy: Oh, I think I had one like it. Let me try it on.

Nekatu: No, no. You borrowed a pair like that from me.

Meri: You are both mistaken. The slippers were originally mine.

2^nd Soldier: We can easily see to whom the slipper belongs if you will try it on. (All 3 unsuccesfully attempt to put on the slipper.)

1^st Soldier: None of you are the owner of this slipper. Are there any other maidens living here to whom this slipper may belong?

Tiy: No. we are our Master’s only servants.

2^nd Soldier: Then we must take our leave.

(Suddenly the monkey snatches the slipper and runs off.)

1^st Soldier: Come back here you little thief.

(The birds fly around his head. The Hippopatamus knocks down the other soldier.)

Amasis: (Jumping from boat) Quickly. You must catch that monkey or I will never find the bride promised to me by Horus.

(The monkey returns leading Rhodopsis.)

Rhodopsis: What is happening? What did you need little monkey?

Amasis: I thought you said there were no other maidens here?

Nekatu: She is not Egyptian, oh Father of Two Lands.

Amasis: She must try on the shoe regardless. Give me that slipper little monkey.

Rhodopsis: My slipper! Where did you find my slipper, little monkey?

Tiy: She’s lying! She’s just a slave!

Rhodopsis: Why I have the other slipper right here. (She puts on both slippers and twirls around.)

Amasis: I have found my Queen.

Meri: But she doesn’t even look Egyptian!

Amasis: But she does! Her eyes are the green of the Nile, her hair as feathery as papyrus and her cheeks the pink of a lotus flower. Rhodopsis, will you be my wife?

Rhodopsis: You honor me, oh Great Pharaoh.

Amasis: Bow down to your new Queen you evil schemers. Would you make these three wretches your slaves?

Rhodpsis: I need no lazy slaves, but may my friends come with me?

Amasis: Of course, my Queen of the Rosy Cheeks.

Narrator: And the royal barge sailed away. The monkey perched up front. The birds flew overhead. And the hippopotamus swam alongside.