monologue 222

start

Understand!

Understand!

The first word I ever heard out of any of you was that word "understand".

The first word I ever heard out of any of you was that word "understand".

Little Antigone gets a notion in her head-the nasty brat, the willful, wicked girl; and they put her in a corner all day, or they lock her up in the cellar and she deserves it.

Little Antigone gets a notion in her head-the nasty brat, the willful, wicked girl; and they put her in a corner all day, or they lock her up in the cellar and she deserves it.

Why didn't I "understand" that I must not play with water - cold, black, beautiful flowing water because I'd spill it on the palace tiles.

Why didn't I "understand" that I must not play with water - cold, black, beautiful flowing water because I'd spill it on the palace tiles.

Or with earth because earth dirties a little girl's frock.

Or with earth because earth dirties a little girl's frock.

Why didn't I "understand" that nice children don't eat out of every dish at once;

Why didn't I "understand" that nice children don't eat out of every dish at once;

or give everything in their pockets to beggars;

or give everything in their pockets to beggars;

or run in the wind so fast that they fall down;

or run in the wind so fast that they fall down;

or ask for a drink when they're perspiring;

or ask for a drink when they're perspiring;

or want to go swimming when it's either too early or too late, merely because they happen to feel like swimming.

or want to go swimming when it's either too early or too late, merely because they happen to feel like swimming.

Understand?

Understand?

I don't want to understand.

I don't want to understand.

There'll be time enough to understand when I'm old...

There'll be time enough to understand when I'm old...

if I ever am old. But not now.