Monday, February 22, 2010

Don't Forget to Remember

Scripture Reference: Joshua 1,3-4
As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. – Joshua 24:15b
A lesson in remembering God's promises.

Cast:
D.B./PUPPETEER – a good albeit not very bright bunny and his alter ego.
MR. MATT – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
two pieces of string (on one each of D.B.'s paws)
two post-it notes (one on D.B.'s back, one backstage)

(D.B. enters while MR. MATT is on stage.)

D.B.: (tapping head) Think, think, think…

MR. MATT: What's up, Winnie-the-Pooh?

D.B.: I am not Winnie-the-Pooh, Mr. Matt.

MR. MATT: I know, D.B. You just remind me of Pooh sitting and thinking.

D.B.: But I am not a chubby little cubby.

MR. MATT: It was just a joke…

D.B.: I am not even stuffed with fluff.

MR. MATT: Of course not, but…

D.B.: I am stuffed with… (looks down then says in excited but hushed tones) Mr. Matt!

MR. MATT: What is it, D.B.?

D.B.: There is someone down there, and his hand…

MR. MATT: It's okay.

D.B.: (does a double take) Are you sure?!?

MR. MATT: I'm sure. Now what was it you thinking about?

D.B.: (continues to look down but finally focusing on the question) I was thinking about this string on my finger.

MR. MATT: Why do you have a string on your finger?

D.B.: To remember.

MR. MATT: Remember what?

D.B.: I forget.

MR. MATT: Well, think.

D.B.: That was what I was trying to do until you came up and started calling me names.

MR. MATT: I'm sorry about that.

D.B.: And now I cannot think straight knowing that strange man is down there. (looks down and stares)

MR. MATT: D.B.! Don't worry about that now. Were you trying to remember to do something?

D.B.: Of course I was trying to remember to do something. No one needs to remember to do nothing.

MR. MATT: I guess that's true.

D.B.: I remember! I am suppose to read my post-it note.

MR. MATT: Great! Where is your post-it note?

D.B.: I forget.

MR. MATT: D.B.! (pauses) Is it a pink post-it note?

D.B.: Yes!

MR. MATT: Is it square?

D.B.: Yes! Yes!

MR. MATT: And has writing in blank ink on it?

D.B.: Yes! Yes! Yes!

MR. MATT: It's on your back.

D.B.: It is? (tries to turn to see it but can't – keeps turning/twisting)

MR. MATT: Let me get it for you before you twist yourself into a pretzel. (removes post-it)

D.B.: What does it say?

MR. MATT: It says, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." (both look behind the puppet curtain)

D.B.: Oh, yes, I remember now. He is my friend. (looking down) Hello, friend.

PUPPETEER: Hello, D.B. Stop looking at me.

D.B.: Oh, sorry.

MR. MATT: Well, I'm glad we could figure out what you were suppose to remember.

D.B.: Thanks, Mr. Matt. (looking at his other hand) Now, if I could only remember what the other string is for.
(a hand comes up holding another post-it note – reads then turns to Mr. Matt) It says I need to stop talking and get off the stage.
Bye, Mr. Matt.

MR. MATT: Bye, silly old bunny.

Monday, February 15, 2010

The Charlie McCarthy Home for Retired Puppets

Scripture Reference: Numbers 13-14, Mark 13:11

Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. - Mark 13:11A lesson in trusting God.

Cast:
D.B. – a good albeit not very bright bunny
MR. MIKE – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
none

(MR. MIKE is on stage.)

D.B.: (looking back over his shoulder, out of breath, agitated) Phew! I think I got away!

MR. MIKE: D.B., what's the matter? Where have you been?

D.B.: I went to The Charlie McCarthy Home for Retired Puppets this morning…

MR. MIKE: The Charlie McCarthy Home for Retired Puppets?

D.B.: You know. Where puppets go when they get old. I went there to spread some Valentine cheer. You know what they say: You are no bunny until some bunny loves you.

MR. MIKE: And I guess you are that bunny. You are kinda like the Valentine Bunny.

D.B.: Mr. Mike! There is no Valentine Bunny.

MR. MIKE: I know. I was just…

D.B.: It is the Easter Bunny.

MR. MIKE: I realize that, but…

D.B.: There is no cute furry animal for Valentine's Day.

MR. MIKE: It was just a little joke. (holds up thumb and forefinger apart about an inch to indicate a small amount)

D.B.: Jokes that small should not be our on their own.

MR. MIKE: I guess not. So why are you so upset?

D.B.: (becoming agitated again) It was a terrifying experience. The place was full of giants.

MR. MIKE: Giants?!? (glaring)

D.B.: They were huge and… They were so big that… I felt like I was a teeny weeny little… No, there were no giants.

MR. MIKE: I didn't think so.

D.B.: But it was still scary.

MR. MIKE: How was it so scary?

D.B.: They were all… worn. They had bare patches in their fur. Their stuffing was not all where it is suppose to be. And…

MR. MIKE: And?

D.B.: (quietly) And they smelled kind of funny.

MR. MIKE: D.B.!!

D.B.: Well, they did. They smelled like mothballs.

MR. MIKE: That's no reason to be scared. They've had a long life and have earned of those worn patches.

D.B.: I suppose.

MR. MIKE: And they probably feel a little lonely in the, the…

D.B.: The Charlie McCarthy Home for Retired Puppets.

MR. MIKE: Exactly. If God has called you to serve there, you have to trust him that you will be okay.

D.B.: But what will I say to them? Can I ask them what it was like to around when there were dinosaurs?

MR. MIKE: They aren't that old!

D.B.: Oh.

MR. MIKE: Just talk to them. Say hi. Ask them how they are doing.

D.B.: And tell them that Jesus loves them?

MR. MIKE: Exactly. And they might just like to have someone listen to them. Can you do that, D.B.?

D.B.: Of course I can. I have big bunny ears which are great for listening.

MR. MIKE: So are you ready to give it another try?

D.B.: I sure am. I am going there now.

MR. MIKE: Just trust God to take care of things.

D.B.: I will. Bye, Mr. Mike.

MR. MIKE: Bye, D.B.

Monday, February 8, 2010

No Worms for Mom

Scripture Reference: Numbers 22-24
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.  But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man's voice and restrained the prophet's madness. - 2 Peter 2:15-16
A lesson in listening to God.

Cast:
OZZIE – a mischievous little monster
MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
none

(MISS REBECCA is on stage.)

OZZIE: Miss Rebecca! Miss Rebecca! I have a question for you! I have a question for you!

MISS REBECCA: Calm down, Ozzie. What is it?

OZZIE: Tomorrow is my mom's birthday.

MISS REBECCA: That's great.

OZZIE: No, it isn't. I haven't bought her a gift yet, and I need some help.

MISS REBECCA: What do you need?

OZZIE: I need some ideas of what to get her.

MISS REBECCA: Well, you could get her…

OZZIE: Because she's an awesome mom.

MISS REBECCA: Yes, she is, and I bet she'd like…

OZZIE: And I need to get her something really awesome.

MISS REBECCA: Of course. What about…

OZZIE: Not like last year.

MISS REBECCA: What did you get her last year?

OZZIE: A worm.

MISS REBECCA: No, that's not really a mom gift. This year you could get her…

OZZIE: I'd love to get a pet worm for my birthday. That would be sweet.

MISS REBECCA: Yeah, that's really more a little boy gift. A mom gift would be…

OZZIE: They don't like worms or lizards or race cars or even Star Wars stuff for their birthdays.

MISS REBECCA: Mom's are funny that way. Have you thought about…

OZZIE: So this year I want to get her a mom gift that'll make her smile.

MISS REBECCA: That's very thoughtful of you, so you could get her…

OZZIE: Because she's a really awesome mom. Did I mention that?

MISS REBECCA: Yes, you did. (silence)

OZZIE: So do you have any ideas?

MISS REBECCA: I have plenty of ideas.

OZZIE: Well, spill 'em, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: I've been try, but you won't be quiet long enough to listen.

OZZIE: Sorry. In case you haven't noticed, I am a little excitable.

MISS REBECCA: I think we've all noticed.

OZZIE: Oh. (pause) So anyway, I'll be quiet now, so you can tell me your ideas.

MISS REBECCA: I think the best thing you could give her a card.

OZZIE: A card?

MISS REBECCA: Yeah. Make a card with pictures and maybe a poem. Moms love that kinda stuff.

OZZIE: Even more that worms?

MISS REBECCA: A lot more than worms.

OZZIE: Thanks, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: My pleasure, sweetie. All you had to do was slow down and listen to get the answer.

OZZIE: You're right as usual. Well, I'm off to make my mom a card.

MISS REBECCA: I'm sure it'll be a big hit.

OZZIE: Oh, no!

MISS REBECCA: What now?

OZZIE: I almost for about my dad's birthday. (exiting) Mr. Jeff! Mr. Jeff! I have a question for you! I have a question for you!

MISS REBECCA: Ozzie!

Monday, February 1, 2010

The Cupboard Was Bare

Scripture Reference: Exodus 16:1-17:7

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. – Deuteronomy 6:5A lesson in God's provision.

Cast:
D.B. – a good albeit not very bright bunny
MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
Cell phone (could be offstage)
Cell phone/text SFX

(MISS REBECCA is on stage when D.B. enters.)

D.B.: Hi, Miss Rebecca. Do you have a carrot I can borrow?

MISS REBECCA: No. I don't usually carry carrots on me, D.B.

D.B.: How about some lettuce?

MISS REBECCA: No.

D.B.: Celery?

MISS REBECCA: No.

D.B.: A rutabaga?

MISS REBECCA: No, D.B. I don't have any veggies on me.

D.B.: How about a slice of cheese?

MISS REBECCA: No, cheese.

D.B.: A stale piece of bread?

MISS REBECCA: No.

D.B.: Any chewed gum?

MISS REBECCA: No.

D.B.: Do have some pocket lint?

MISS REBECCA: Pocket lint? Why are you asking me all of the weird questions? Is there a problem, sweetie?

D.B.: Well, I went to the refrigid-rator at home, and there was no food. My mom does not care about me any more, and I am going to starve to death.

MISS REBECCA: I'm sure that's not true.

D.B.: Oh, but it is true. I felt like Old Mother Hubbard – the cupboards are bare. My mother just does not care about us any more.

MISS REBECCA: I believe that there's no food, but I know your mom still cares about you.

D.B.: Then why has she not bought any food?

MISS REBECCA: I don't know that, but I do know that you can trust that your mom still cares for you.

D.B.: I am not so sure about that.

MISS REBECCA: Well, have you ever gone down for breakfast and had no food to eat?

D.B.: No, but…

MISS REBECCA: Have you ever opened your lunch box at school and found it empty?

D.B.: Well no, but…

MISS REBECCA: Do you always have food on the dinner table?

D.B.: I know, but…

MISS REBECCA: Have you ever actually starved to death, D.B.?

D.B.: Of course not, Miss Rebecca. Do not be so silly. I could not be talking to you if I had starved to death.

MISS REBECCA: I'm not the one being silly. Your mom has always taken care of you, and you don't look like you've missed any meals. Why don't you have faith in her now?

D.B.: You are right. I am a silly little bunny. (cell phone/text SFX) Wait I have a text from my mom.

MISS REBECCA: What does it say?

D.B.: (reluctantly) She is at the store and wants to know if I want Honey Nut Carrot-Os for breakfast.

MISS REBECCA: See, D.B., you should have trusted your mom to take care of you, just like she has always taken care of you.

D.B.: You are right, Miss Rebecca. I am going to go help my mom carry in the groceries then give her a big hug for taking such good care of me.

MISS REBECCA: That is an awesome idea.

D.B.: Bye, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: Bye, D.B.