You shall not covet...

You Fool!

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:13, Matthew 5:21-22

A lesson about the commandment not to kill.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MR. MIKE – the teacher who sets her straight

(MR. MIKE starts on stage.)

DILLY: (enters yelling to someone offstage) You foolish, foolish rooster! I cain't believe you carry on so! Good bye, sir!

MR. MIKE: Dilly! Who are you talking to like that?

DILLY: That fool of a little bantam rooster. He's about as sharp as a sack of wet mice, bless his heart.

MR. MIKE: That's not very nice.

DILLY: I'm sure his mamma loves him, but I'm just saying... Anyway, I didn't come here today to talk about that scoundrel. I understand you are teaching these young chicks about the 10 Commandments. Being the righteous and virtuous chicken I am, I thought I would offer my assistance.

MR. MIKE: I think we have it under control. Today we are talking about "You shall not murder."

DILLY: Well, I'm not sure I'd have much to offer on that anyway – having, of course, never murdered anyone. I don't even like stepping on ants. I do declare that I am quite innocent of this one.

MR. MIKE: Actually, Jesus said anyone who is angry with his (or her) brother is subject to judgement, and anyone who says "You fool!" will be answerable to God.

DILLY: You're joshing me.

MR. MIKE: Cross my heart. Jesus says you are just as guilty before God as a murderer if you call someone a fool.

DILLY: That don't rightly seem fair. Killing someone is much worse.

MR. MIKE: In one sense, that's true. No one is going to prison for name calling. But God cannot tolerate any sin, whether it's murder or calling someone a fool. All sin makes you guilty.

DILLY: Well, tie me to a pig and roll me in the mud. I've never heard such a thing.

MR. MIKE: The Pharisees thought they were more righteous, because they kept the commandments. Do you know anyone like that, Dilly?

DILLY: (whisper) You mean Flora?

MR. MIKE: (whisper) No! (normal voice) Jesus was teaching them – and you – that no one is righteous because of the Law. We are only counted as righteous by having faith in God.

DILLY: Don't that just sauté my gizzard. And there are so many that I've call a fool. I must go at once and make amends. Who to go to first? (running back & forth) That little bantam rooster... No, the cow... No, the pig... No, Mr. Mike... No, Flora... (exits quickly)

MR. MIKE: (stares at stage surprised at Dilly’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all! (exits)

Sabbath and the Rest

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:8-11

A lesson on keeping the Sabbath.

Cast:
OZZIE – an excitable little monster
MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets him straight

(MISS REBECCA starts on stage.)

MISS REBECCA: (pauses after prayer; looks at watch) Ozzie should be here. I wonder where he is?

OZZIE: (from backstage) Yeah, pick me up from church... It's behind The Wall... Not a brick wall, silly. The Wall Chinese restaurant... OK, see you at noon. Bye.(enters and looks around) Why's everyone staring at me? Do I have something in my fur? This stuff attracts everything. The other day I found a slice of pizza in my fur.

MISS REBECCA: That's gross.

OZZIE: Actually, it was yummy. So why is everyone staring at me?

MISS REBECCA: We were just waiting on you. Sounds like you have big plans after church.

OZZIE: I got big plans all day.

MISS REBECCA: Oh, really? Like what?

OZZIE: Well, after church I got soccer practice. My friend Ernie's mom is going to take us.

MISS REBECCA: What else?

OZZIE: Then my folks are going to take Izzie and me to a movie.

MISS REBECCA: That sounds like fun. What are you going to see?

OZZIE: We're going to see Being Elmo. Ozzie like Elmo.

MISS REBECCA: Who doesn't?

OZZIE: Then I have play practice at school.

MISS REBECCA: Oh. What play are you doing?

OZZIE: Pinocchio.

MISS REBECCA: Who are you playing? Jiminy Cricket?

OZZIE: You're just saying that because I'm green.

MISS REBECCA: Well, I...

OZZIE: That's very colorist of you.

MISS REBECCA: Sorry, I shouldn't have made assumptions. Who are you playing?

OZZIE: Jiminy Cricket.

MISS REBECCA: But, I... Never mind. Is that all?

OZZIE: Oh, no! Then I'm going over to Bert's house to play video games. He thinks he can beat me at Monster Trucks.

MISS REBECCA: But he can't?

OZZIE: Of course not. I'm a monster!

MISS REBECCA: Makes sense. Anything else?

OZZIE: Yeah, then I gotta soccer game.

MISS REBECCA: I thought you already had soccer.

OZZIE: That was practice. This is a game. We're playing the Palmer Polecats.

MISS REBECCA: Are they any good?

OZZIE: They stink! (pauses for laughter from the kids) Cause a polecat is a skunk, and skunks stink. Get it? It's a joke. (pauses for laugh) Anyway – then I go home and do my homework & go to bed.

MISS REBECCA: That's awfully late to start homework. Why didn't you do it yesterday?

OZZIE: I was too busy.

MISS REBECCA: Too busy? Today seems too busy.

OZZIE: Yeah, I got a lot going on. I almost didn't make it to church.

MISS REBECCA: Well, that wouldn't have been good. Have you ever heard of Sabbath Rest?

OZZIE: Is that when my mom and dad take a nap on Sunday afternoon?

MISS REBECCA: No. It has to do with the fourth Commandment, which says to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. That means setting aside one day of the week as different, where we focus on things of God and not of this world.

OZZIE: So my folks shouldn't take a nap?

MISS REBECCA: A nap is fine. In fact, I am a strong advocate of naps. It means you shouldn't push God out. You should focus on Him everyday, but more so on Sunday.

OZZIE: I see what you mean. I'm so busy, I have no time for God. I'll see about clearing my schedule for next Sunday.

MISS REBECCA: That would be great.

DILLY: (offstage) Ozzie, honey.

OZZIE: Just a second. (leans down to hear whisper then returns) Oh that’s right. I’ll have to start in two weeks.

MISS REBECCA: Why do you have to wait?

OZZIE: I forgot I have to help Dilly clean her house.

MISS REBECCA: Can’t she do it without you?

OZZIE: No, she says I’m the best dust mop she’s ever used. (exits)

MISS REBECCA: Ozzie!

You Shall Not Steal.

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:15

A lesson in honesty.

Cast:
MAX – A not-so-bright but loveable ape.
MR. WISEMAN – The wise man of the jungle; helps apes carry out the Creator's plan.

(MR. WISEMAN is already on stage. MAX comes in singing.)

MAX: (To the tune of "Sugartime") Well now, 'nanners in the morning, 'nanners in the evening, 'nanners at suppertime…

MR. WISEMAN: You sure seem happy today, Max.

MAX: I sure am. I just found a whole bunch of bananas. And I'm going to have 'nanners in the morning, 'nanners in the evening, 'nanners at suppertime…

MR. WISEMAN: Well, it sounds like your lucky day. Say, I'm feeling a bit peckish, would you mind if I had one of your bananas?

MAX: No, help yourself. I have lots. In fact, I'm planning on sharing them with Mr. Heb.

MR. WISEMAN: I don't recognize that name. Is that a friend of yours?

MAX: No. Never met him. But the bananas are from him.

MR. WISEMAN: How do you know the bananas are from him?

MAX: His name was on the box.

MR. WISEMAN: His name wouldn't happen to be H-E-B, would it?

MAX: Yeah, that' s it. Mr. Heb. It was spelled out H-E-B.

MR. WISEMAN: That's not a person; that's a store. Those bananas were being delivered to the H-E-B. There's probably some poor delivery man looking for them now.

MAX: Really?

MR. WISEMAN: Yes. And when he doesn't find them, he is going to be in big trouble.

MAX: I just figured Mr. Heb didn't want them any more, so that's why I took them.

MR. WISEMAN: Max! If you take something without permission, that's stealing.

MAX: Even if I just find it lying on the ground?

MR. WISEMAN: Even if you just find it lying on the ground. It belongs to someone. You need to try to return those bananas.

MAX: Okay. Can I ask for a reward?

MR. WISEMAN: No.

MAX: Would that be stealing, too?

MR. WISEMAN: No, but it would be rude. You shouldn't do what's right to get a reward. You should do what's right, because it's right and pleases God.

MAX: (sadly) I understand. I'll return them.

MR. WISEMAN: Good boy, Max. And I'll tell you what. When you're done, come back to my house for banana splits.

MAX: (excited) Oh boy! You're the best, Mr. Wiseman.

MR. WISEMAN: Yes, I am, Max. Yes, I am.

(Both exit.)