SCENE: _A Desert._ In the desert the magician Tchelio meets the Prince
and pronounces an incantation against the cook who guards the three
oranges in the near-by castle. As the Prince and his companion, the
jester Truffaldino, head for the castle, the orchestra plays a scherzo,
fascinating in its ingeniously woven web of fantasy. Arriving at the
castle, the Prince and Truffaldino obtain the coveted oranges after
overcoming many hazards. Fatigued, the Prince now goes to sleep. A few
moments later Truffaldino is seized by thirst and, as he cuts open one
of the oranges, a beautiful Princess steps out, begging for water. Since
it is decreed that the oranges must be opened at the water’s edge, the
helpless Princess promptly dies of thirst. Startled, Truffaldino at
length works up courage enough to open a second orange, and, lo! another
Princess steps out, only to meet the same fate. Truffaldino rushes out.
The spectators in the balconies at the sides of the stage argue
excitedly over the fate of the Princess in the third orange. When the
Prince awakens, he takes the third orange and cautiously proceeds to
open it. The Princess Ninette emerges this time, begs for water, and is
about to succumb to a deadly thirst, when the Jesters rush to her rescue
with a bucket of water.