Scripture Reference: Proverbs 9:10
Cast:
EXPLORER – person searching for wisdom
ANNOUNCER – delivers Proverb
Costume:
Possibly dressed like an explorer or Indiana Jones.
Props:
Four boxes sitting on a table. The boxes are labeled: FAME, MONEY, INTELLIGENCE, and FEAR OF THE LORD. The contents of each box is:
FAME: a strobe light (portable)
MONEY: junk –not trash but odds & ends
INTELLIGENCE: dictionary
FEAR OF THE LORD: a Bible
(The EXPLORER enters – perhaps to Indiana Jones music – and examines the boxes.)
EXPLORER: I've been searching the world over for the key to ultimate Wisdom. I've been from Constantinople to Timbuktu. From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli. My latest clue points me to these boxes. One of them contains the key to ultimate Wisdom. Let's see what I have: FAME, MONEY, INTELLIGENCE, and FEAR OF THE LORD. Fear?!? I don't want to be afraid. I think I'll start with FAME. After all, don't we turn to famous people for their opinions and advice? They must be wise.
(Opens box and is blinded by flashes.)
There is nothing in there but the flash of cameras. There is no substance. Nothing. Now that I think about it, there are plenty of famous people who don't display wisdom.
Okay, I'll try MONEY next. Rich people must be wise, or they wouldn't have all that money.
(Opens box and empties out odds & ends.)
This is just… stuff. There's no wisdom in here either. I hope this isn't another wild goose chase. INTELLIGENCE.. Intelligent – smart – wise. This has got to be it!
(Opens box and removes a dictionary.)
Ah! Now we are getting somewhere. (Flips through pages)
(crestfallen) Hey! This is just words – it's a dictionary! Knowing the definitions of all these words might make me smarter, but unless they're put together correctly, they don't give me wisdom. And besides, this is just human knowledge. That fades away. Ultimate Wisdom is eternal. What I need would have come from… (looks at the final box) the Lord. (excited) I think this just might be what I have been searching for all along.
(Opens final box.) Ah! (Removes Bible.)
ANNOUNCER: Proverbs 9:10:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom….
Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:21-35
A western showing we are forgiven and need to be forgiving.
Cast:
SAM – a blustery cowboy
OWNER – a cowgirl ranch owner (this could be made into a cowboy)
COWPOKE – a fellow worker
Costume:
I have done this as both a puppet skit and a skit with actors. If done with actors, they should wear traditional western outfits. This could be as simple as cowboys hats or as elaborate as full cowboy attire.
Props:
none
(The OWNER starts on stage and is joined by SAM.)
SAM: Howdy, ma’am. I was wondering if I could get an advance on my wages?
OWNER: Well, Sam, I was just looking over the books, and I notice you have been taking out quite a few advances lately. In fact, you owe me a million dollars!
SAM: Tarnation! How’d I do that?!?
OWNER: Well, I don’t rightly know, but it’s time to pay up, pardner.
SAM: I-I-I don’t reckon I got a million dollars!
OWNER: Then I’m gonna need to sell your horse. I need to try to get back some of this money.
SAM: (sobs) My horse!! Please, don’t sell my horse! He’s my best friend in the whole world! I’d be lost without Old Pete! (sobs louder)
OWNER: If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s to see a grown cowboy blubber. Tell you what, I’m in a good mood. Forget the whole thing. Your debt’s forgiven. You don’t owe me one red cent. Now get outta here and blow your nose.
SAM: Golly, ma’am. (sniff) I don’t know what to say. I’m as happy as a tick on a bloodhound. Thank you so much!
(OWNER exits the stage. The COWPOKE enters.)
COWPOKE: Howdy, Sam. How’s it goin’?
SAM: Hey, you varmint! I was lookin’ fer you! Where’s that 10 bucks you owe me?!? (starts hitting the COWPOKE)
COWPOKE: Ow! I don’t have the money right now. Ouch! If you’ll just give me a little longer, I swear I’ll pay you back. Ow!
SAM: You lazy, good-for-nothin’ galoot! Give me my money NOW! (keeps hitting the COWPOKE)
COWPOKE: Yow! I don’t have the money. Ouch!
SAM: Then I am going to the sheriff and have you thrown in jail. (whacks him one last time, and the COWPOKE disappears; SAM walks off)
(After a brief pause, the OWNER enters, obviously agitated)
OWNER: I cain’t believe what I just heard. Some of the hands saw Sam beating up a cowpoke, ‘cause he owed him 10 dollars. And he’s going to have him thrown in jail? Why, that makes me madder than a bee in a bucket. SAM!!!
(SAM enters)
SAM: Yes, ma’am?
OWNER: I just heard what you’ve been up to. You ornery, no-account polecat!! I forgave your debt 'cause you was blubbering, then you go and tangle with that poor cowpoke.
SAM: But that ain't the same thing…
OWNER: Yes, it is. I’ve called the sheriff to come arrest you. You’ll stay in jail ‘til you can pay me back every last dime.
SAM: How can I pay you back if I’m in jail?
OWNER: You shoulda thought of that before you called the sheriff on that poor cowpoke. (leaves)
SAM: (running after her) But, but, but….
(The COWPOKE enters limping and bandaged.)
COWPOKE: Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
(The COWPOKE exits.)
Scripture Reference: Luke 18:1-8
A Dr. Seuss-style parable on the persistence in prayer.
Cast:
WIDOW
JUDGE
Costume:
Modern attire. Because of the cartoonish nature of the dialog, the costumes can caricature the characters. For example, a shawl, granny glasses, and a cane for the WIDOW; a robe, a gavel, and possibly a powdered wig for the JUDGE.
Props:
A table and chair for the JUDGE’s bench.
(The JUDGE is on stage seated at the table when the WIDOW enters from offstage stands before the JUDGE.)
WIDOW: I am the widow; the widow am I.
I come for justice, that is my cry.
I’m here for justice, it’s justice I seek.
In the name of the Lord, please let me speak.
JUDGE: I will not let you speak,
I do not fear this God you seek,
Do not ask me how or why,
I will not help you, Widow-am-I.
WIDOW: Will you help me in the Square?
JUDGE: I will not help you in the Square,
I will not help you anywhere.
WIDOW: Will you help me in a house?
Will you help me with a mouse?
JUDGE: I will not help you in a house,
I will not help you with a mouse,
I will not help you in the Square,
I will not help you anywhere,
Do not ask me how or why,
I will not help you Widow-am-I.
WIDOW: Would you help me in a box?
Would you help me with a fox?
JUDGE: Not in a box, not with a fox,
Not in a house, not with a mouse,
I will not help you in the Square,
I will not help you anywhere,
Do not ask me how or why,
I will not help you Widow-am-I.
WIDOW: Would you, could you, in a cart?
For the Lord, please have a heart.
JUDGE: I would not, could not, in a cart.
WIDOW: You will help me, you will see.
You may help me in a tree.
JUDGE: I would not, could not, in a tree,
Not in a cart. You let me be!
I will not help you in a box,
I will not help you with a fox,
I will not help you in a house,
I will not help you with a mouse,
I will not help you in the Square,
I will not help you anywhere.
Do not ask me how or why,
I will not help you Widow-am-I.
WIDOW: Say!
In the light? Here in the light!
Would you, could you, do what’s right?
JUDGE: Not in the light, not in a tree,
Not in a cart. Widow! Let me be.
Not in a house, not in a box
Not with a mouse, not with a fox,
I will not help you in the Square,
I will not help you anywhere.
Do not ask me how or why,
I will not help you Widow-am-I.
WIDOW: Could you, would you, with a lamb?
JUDGE: I would not, could not, with a lamb.
Not even with Green Eggs and Ham!
Not in the light, not in a tree,
Not in a cart. You let me be!
I will not help you in a box,
I will not help you with a fox,
I will not help you in a house,
I will not help you with a mouse,
I will not help you in the Square,
I will not help you ANYWHERE.
Do not ask me how or why,
I will not help you Widow-am-I.
WIDOW: You will not help me, so you say,
You do not care, and yet I pray
That you will help me anyway.
JUDGE: Widow, will you let me be?
I will help you, you will see.
I’ll grant you justice on this day.
Now won’t you please just go away.
WIDOW: Thank you judge, you are a deuce,
So ends our story – with apologies to Dr. Seuss.
(The WIDOW exits joyful that justice has been done. The JUDGE put his head down on the desk exasperated and exhausted.)
