As befitting such a highly respected historian and impressario, Malek will be introducing one of our most popular stories from our past for this auspicious occasion. The history of "The Marriages Between Zones 3, 4, & 5" was of course first recorded by Doris Lessing, some time back in the twentieth century. Malek has researched these records very thoroughly and shed new light on many aspects, in particular on the influence of traditional childrens' songs and games which can still be heard today. We are grateful to him for supplying the following synopsis:

"Al-ith, Queen of Zone 3, ru1ed our country when all was peace and prosperity. Her female-dominated society was without illness, war or inequality. Across the border in Zone 4, a very different society was ruled by King Ben Ata. There, fighting and the art of war were considered among the highest achievements. Both Zones despised each other and the border was never crossed. Despite their self-satisfaction, both Zones fell victim to a strange malaise, the effect of which was a soul-destroying apathy. The Providers commanded that Al-ith should marry Ben Ata. Unable to refuse the command, Ben Ata shows his distaste by physical violence on Al.ith, who, in retaliation with his ex-queen Dabeeb taunts him mentally beyond breaking point.

Having overheard the child Greena's song in Act 1, Al'ith thinks that the answer to all their problems might be found there. With Dabeeb she visits a festival in Zone 4 where they hear very ancient, traditional songs. No real solution is found here and the marriage is only consummated by the birth of Arusi. The serene but short time of understanding felt by all is shattered by yet another command from the Providers. King and Queen are torn apart; Ben Ata is commanded to marry Valishi, the Queen of Zone 5, and Al.ith is banished to her own Zone. At this point, myth, fact and fallacy become confused and we cannot be sure of the end of the story, except to know that the malaise disappeared. But what of Al.ith? Some say she returned to Zone 3, where she remained forgotten and alone to the end of her days. Others say she remained a wanderer on the borders of the two zones, her spirit remaining there even now, haunting the shadowy passes. There are those, of a more mystical nature who say that she went to the border of Zone 2 and eventually passed through to whatever lies beyond. But nobody has ever returned from there to say, so perhaps we shall never know".