Chapter X: The Dramatization of New Testament Parables

Many of the New Testament parables present interesting problems for dramatization. The selection should be limited to those which involve dramatic situations and unity of structure. The simplicity and conciseness of words and actions in many of the parables are qualities which call forth a ready and free response from children.

Among the parables which have been worked out by the dramatic club are _The Good Samaritan_, _The Wise and Foolish Virgins_, _The Great Supper_, _The Talents_, _The Prodigal Son._

In the case of these short parables the story was not told first, but the parable was read to the children directly from the Bible. There was no discussion as to the truths supposed to be taught, the emphasis being placed entirely upon the story element involved. The customs of the times and the division of the story into scenes were discussed as fully as was done with other stories. Usually one or two meetings were all that were necessary for working one of these parables into dramatic form. When it was completed, the result was not a finished product, as the words and action had been interpreted with slight variations each time. The children learned the story by heart, as it is given in the Bible. This influenced their words when they were dramatizing.

Several parables were given together at the meeting when parents and friends were invited. One child recited the Bible version just before the play was given. This feature added interest and dignity to the occasion.

The parables were given in the following order:

THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS

[_Ten virgins with their lamps are waiting for the
bridegroom._]

_First Virgin:_ The bridegroom tarries; let us rest here
awhile.

_Other Virgins:_ Yea, let us rest.

[_They all sit down and go to sleep._]

_A Cry Without:_ Behold, the bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to
meet him!

[_All the virgins get up hurriedly. The five wise ones,
with oil in their lamps, stand in readiness. The five
foolish ones are in great confusion._]

_First Foolish Virgin:_ We have no oil! Our lamps are gone
out!

_Second Foolish Virgin_ [_speaking to the five wise
virgins_]: Give us of your oil--we have none.

_First Wise Virgin:_ Not so, lest there be not enough for
ourselves and for you. But go ye rather to them that sell,
and buy for yourselves.

[_The foolish virgins hasten away._]

_A Cry Without:_ Behold, the bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to
meet him!

[_The_ BRIDEGROOM _comes in, followed by a few
attendants. He walks by, and the five wise virgins
follow him. They go in a door which is closed after
them. The foolish virgins come hurriedly back and rush
to the door. They beat on it and call out several
times._]

_Foolish Virgins:_ Lord, Lord, open unto us!

[_The door opens and the_ BRIDEGROOM _stands there._]

_Bridegroom:_ Depart, I know you not!

END

During the work on this play the question arose as to the kind of lamps that were used at the time of the story. The children looked up pictures and descriptions, and from these they made themselves lamps out of plasticene or clay. Fig. 8 is a photograph of one of the scenes taken out of doors. The lamps can be seen, also the simple costumes which the children worked out.

THE GREAT SUPPER

[_The_ MASTER _of the feast stands in his door and
speaks to his servant._]

_The Master:_ Go, bid my friends come to the supper, for all
things are now ready!

[_The servant bows; the_ MASTER _goes into the house.
The servant walks down the street, and as he meets
people he delivers his_ MASTER'S _message._]

_Servant_ [_to the men as they come by_]: My Master bids
thee come to his feast, for all things are now ready!

_First Man:_ Say to thy Master that I have bought a piece of
land and must needs go and see it. I pray thee have me
excused.

[_The servant bows and the man passes on. The servant
delivers the message to the second man._]

_Second Man:_ I have bought five yoke of oxen; I must go to
prove them. I pray thee have me excused.

_Third Man:_ I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot
come.

[_The servant goes back to his_ MASTER'S _house; the_
MASTER _comes out to meet him._]

_Servant_ [_falls on his knees before his_ MASTER]: O sir, I
did as thou commandedst, but one by one they made excuse,
and would not come to thy supper. One man had just bought a
piece of land and must go to see it; another had bought five
yoke of oxen, and was on his way to prove them; and another
had just married a wife. All begged that thou excuse them.

_Master_ [_shows great anger_]: What! They that are bidden
refuse to come to my feast! Go out quickly into the streets
and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the maimed, and
the halt, and the blind!

[_The_ MASTER _goes into his house, and the servant
again walks down the street._]

_Servant_ [_as he meets the lame, the halt, and the blind_]:
Come! My Master invites you to a great supper, which is now
prepared at his house!

[_Each person, or group of persons, bows and thanks him
with such remarks as_]--

_Maimed, Halt, Blind:_ We thank thee; we will be there. We
gladly accept this invitation.

[_The_ MASTER _stands in the door to receive his guests
as they come. When they are all in, the servant comes
back to his_ MASTER.]

_Servant:_ Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet
there is room.

_Master:_ Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel
them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto
you that none of those men that were bidden shall taste of
my supper!

[_The servant bows_; _the_ MASTER _goes in._]

END

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

SCENE I

PLACE: The road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

CHARACTERS: A Traveler, Thieves, a Priest, a Levite, a
Samaritan.

[_A man comes along the road carrying his bundle over
his back. Many thieves rush out from ambush and attack
him. Some knock him down and rob him, while others are
looking anxiously up and down the road. After beating
and cutting the man they go off, thinking that he is
dead._

_As the traveler lies groaning and begging for water, a
priest comes along the road, but when he sees the man he
passes by on the other side of the road. Also a Levite
comes along, and after looking at the man passes by on
the other side of the road._

_Then a Samaritan comes along, and as soon as he hears
the groans he hastens over to the man. He kneels down
and looks at him and speaks._]

_Good Samaritan:_ What is this--a man! Hast thou been hurt,
my friend?

_Man:_ Oh, help me! Thieves fell upon me and took all I had,
and have left me here to die.

_Good Samaritan:_ I will help thee, my good friend; thy
wounds shall be bound. Drink this wine. It may help thee.
Art thou able to get on this beast of mine? I will take thee
to the inn where thou wilt be cared for. [_He helps the man
to rise and supports him as he hobbles off. They both go
out._]

SCENE II

PLACE: The Inn.

CHARACTERS: The Samaritan, the Traveler, the Innkeeper.

[_The_ GOOD SAMARITAN _brings the man to the door of
the inn and knocks. The_ INNKEEPER, _appears._]

_Innkeeper:_ Good day, sir.

_Good Samaritan:_ Here is a wounded man. Take care of him.
Here is money, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I
come again I will repay thee. [_He gives the_ INNKEEPER
_some money. The_ INNKEEPER _takes the man._]

_Traveler_ [_to_ GOOD SAMARITAN]: God bless you, my friend!

END

THE PRODIGAL SON