On War + 

Karlchen Schmidt, nine years + 

Petia Orlov, ten years + 

Masha Orlov, eight years + 

Karlchen + 

… Because we Prussians will not allow Russia to rob us of our land. + 

Petia + 

But we say this land belongs to us; we conquered it first. + 

Masha + 

To whom? Is it ours? + 

Petia + 

You are a child, and you don’t understand. “To us” means to our state. + 

Karlchen + 

It is this way; some belong to one state and some to another. + 

Masha + 

What do I belong to? + 

Petia + 

You belong to Russia, like the rest of us. + 

Masha + 

And if I don’t want to? + 

Petia + 

It doesn’t matter whether you want to or not. You are Russian all the same. Every nation has its Tsar, its King. + 

Karlchen + 

Interrupting. And a parliament. + 

Petia + 

Each state has its army, each state raises taxes. + 

Masha + 

But why must each state stand by itself? + 

Petia + 

What a silly question! Because each state is a separate one. + 

Masha + 

But why must it exist apart? + 

Petia + 

Can’t you understand? Because everybody loves his own country. + 

Masha + 

I don’t understand why they must be separate from the rest. Wouldn’t it be better if they all kept together? + 

Petia + 

To keep together is all right when you play games. But this is no game: it is a very serious matter. + 

Masha + 

I don’t understand. + 

Karlchen + 

You will when you grow up. + 

Masha + 

Then I don’t want to grow up. + 

Petia + 

Such a tiny girl, and obstinate already, just like all of them. + 