The Man enters from the door of his house left, seats himself and sings:

The Woman enters from her house right, seats herself and sings:

The Man:

The Woman:

Both:

The Story Teller enters through the curtains and speaks:

Story Teller. Praise be to Allah, the King of all Kings, the Creator of all things! Who like to a carpet hath spread, the Earth to our tread. And even as a tent, set up the firmament, overhead. And on Mohammed, his Prophet among men, the blessing of blessings again and again, Amen. (He sits.) But afterwards. Verily the works and words of those gone before us have become examples and admonitions to the men of our later day. And of such a kind is the story of Hajj, the beggar, who lived his life in this our peaceful city of Baghdad, one thousand years and one year ago. Now it is the tale of his day of the days that I will relate unto you, O auspicious listeners. Do ye take heed therein of the lesson taught by Fate, which the poets call Kismet. And mark well the chances and changes of time foredoomed to mortal man: lifting him now high, now sinking him low, even as the bucket in the well. (He rises.) But Allah alone is all knowing.

He withdraws.

The Man and Woman rise and sing:

Then they turn and re-enter their respective houses. They have not seen each other.