The stage is divided into three acting areas which should be different platforms at varying levels so they are clearly distinguishable from one another. The levels do not only represent different places, but may sometimes represent different periods in the history of our characters. Lighting effects play a major role in enhancing the fine distinctions of time and space. Otherwise the stage is devoid of sets.

On the highest level sit two soldiers holding machine guns. They could easily be mistaken for silhouettes of statues in some war memorial. MAMA, a worn-out woman in her late fifties enters at the lowest level. She is immediately followed by NANA, a tired girl of about twelve, carelessly dragging a rag doll. Both are carrying small parcels - presumably their provisions, for they are on a journey.

MAMA: Nana, stop biting your nails. I tell you every day that it is bad manners for a young woman to bite her nails.

NANA: I don't want to be a young woman, Mama. I want to be a child.

MAMA: You cannot be a child. Not until we reach our destination. You were born a young woman, and you are going to remain a young woman - and behave like one - until we get there.

NANA: You promised we were going to rest after five miles.

MAMA: It's not five miles yet.

NANA: It says so right there on the signpost. Five miles.

MAMA: They intend for us to go from place to place.

NANA: Mama, I want to sit down and rest.

MAMA: Okay, but only for a few minutes. We must be elsewhere by dawn. They intend for us to wander.

NANA: When are we going back home, Mama?

MAMA: When we are done with wandering. Then we'll go back to help those we have left behind to rebuild from the ashes, as we have done in the past. Over and over again. Like the bird of old Egypt that your teacher taught you about at the school.

NANA: It's called a phoenix, Mama.

MAMA: Like the phoenix of old Egypt that lived for ever.

NANA: It lived for five hundred years.

MAMA: Only?

NANA: Then it built a big nest and set itself on fire. From the ashes a worm came out, from which the bird grew - young with beautiful red and gold feathers.