Part 12

FLY

Yes! This same Doctor who tortures you! Look at poor Horse--full of diphtheria!

HORSE

Well, of course, it doesn’t hurt!

FLY

If it hurt, he’d do it just the same. (To the Monkey.) And think how he treats you--you ought to be a member of his household.

MONKEY

People are NEVER kind to their poor relations.

FLY

(To the Dog.)

And, oh, what he hasn’t done to YOU! (The Dog growls. To the Rabbit.) And you’re full of typhoid. (The Rabbit gives a little scream. To the Cat.) And you’ll be the NEXT!

CAT

Meow!!

FLY

And so he must die! (To the Horse.) But if you kick him, his friends will shoot you. (To the Dog.) If you bite him, they’ll think you’re mad! (To the Cat.) If you scratch him, they’ll wring your neck. So you’d better let ME kill him!

ALL

YOU?

FLY

And nobody will ever know! Buzz-z-z! Buzz-z-z-z-z! (His eyes glow red.)

MONKEY

(Contemptuously.)

How can a mere fly kill a man?

ALL

Oh, he can’t! Impossible! No.

MONKEY

A common fly, too. A common house fly.

FLY

So you doubt it, do you? (Proudly.) My friends, it is I who am killing that Boy!