One Small Girl

The story begins on the night of a flood. Many huts washed away, many peasants drowned by Agwe's angry waters. But one small girl was spared. An orphan plucked from the flood by Agwe— Sheltered in a tree by Asaka— And sent on a journey by the gods. A journey that would test the strength of love— Against the power of death— On this island of two different worlds! The story of Ti Moune! One small girl in a tree Torn from her mother Crying in fright One small girl Tossed by sea And left to face The stormy night One small girl Holding tight At last, the storm subsided And the morning sun glowed And two old peasants Came cautiously down the road Mama Euralie. Tonton Julian (spoken) Asaka is smiling again, Julian. This morning, she smiles. Last night, she tried to blow our heads off! Hahahaha! Ah, Julian, just listen to those birds! Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo Coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo coo Waah! What kind of bird is that? Look! There! (sung) One small face, two small knees Why are you up there? What is your name? (sung) The girl can't speak And they're to blame Agwe probably meant to kill her! Then she'd be dead. It's possible he forgot Shh! The gods don't forget Then they had some reason to spare her life It's best that we don't know what One small girl... One small girl... Better not But we're too old for children. And we have no room and no food. And not knowing quite why, they followed their hearts back to the tree, gently lifted the terrified child down... No! And discovered she could speak after all. One small girl In the way Constantly hungry Learning too quick! One small girl hard at play She makes me smile Ah, she scares me sick! And they scolded and teased and held her And mended the clothes she tore [ERZULIE, PAPA GE, ASAKA, AGWE, STORYTELLERS (DANIEL, ARMAND, MEN, WOMEN)] And the hut was crowded And food was scarce And somehow, their lives held more One small girl To live for They named her "Desire'e Dieu-Donne'," or "God-Given Desire. " But in their affection, they called her simply— Ti Moune What does "Ti Moune" mean, Mama? It means "Little Orphan. " You're our sweet little orphan. We found you, and now your life is forever in our care. Why? Because the gods willed it. Why? Perhaps they saved you for something special. What is it? Ti Moune, if we knew why the gods did the things they do, we would be gods ourselves! Someday I'm going to ask them, Mama! Foolish girl! Run and hide! Sweet as a eucalyptus And terrible as a tempest Banging a drum And humming a tune Ti Moune falling And running and calling and growing And growing and growing and growing Up too soon One small girl— One Not so small Lost in those daydreams Day after day Call her name No, don't call Her ears don't hear She's far away And I know that she's getting older I know that it's meant to be And my arms can't hold her and keep her small But all that my heart can see Is one small girl One small girl One small girl One small girl One small girl One small girl One small girl In a tree Ooh, ooh way ooh ooh, ooh way ooh