Place:Pharaoh's palace.Characters:King Pharaoh, Princess, Maids, Soldiers, Wise Men, Mother of Moses, Moses, Miriam, Aaron.[King sits on his throne, wise men and soldiers around. Enter messenger.]Messenger:O King, the Princess awaits without and would have speech with thee.King:Bid her enter.[EnterPrincessand a few attendants.]Princess:O gracious King and father, I have a request, and I beg that you grant it.King:Speak, my Princess; do I not always grant what you ask?Princess:Yes, father, and I know that you will grant me this. Several years ago I adopted a son and I ask that you allow him to be educated in your palace.King:Adopted a son! What can be the meaning of this? I never heard of this! Where did you get the boy?Princess:I found him, a little baby, hidden among the rushes by the river bank.King:Why was he hidden? That is strange!Princess:He is a Hebrew boy, O father.King:A Hebrew boy! Did I not command that every Hebrew boy should be killed?Princess:I must take the blame; I had his life spared. Will you not let him be brought here?King:No, I will not! No Hebrew boy shall be brought here!Princess:If you would only see him, he is so beautiful, you would love him as I do. He is without; permit me to show him to you.King:Bring him in.[Maid goes to getMoses.Mosesenters with his mother,Miriam,andAaron.Princessleads him to theKing.]Princess:This is my son. Is he not a wonderful boy?King:He is fair to look upon, but yet he is a Hebrew.Princess:O my father, forget that he is a Hebrew and remember only that he is my son.King:O my Princess, for your sake, I accept this boy. I leave his training to you. May he grow up to be a prince worthy of the house of Pharaoh.End
Place:Pharaoh's palace.
Characters:King Pharaoh, Princess, Maids, Soldiers, Wise Men, Mother of Moses, Moses, Miriam, Aaron.
[King sits on his throne, wise men and soldiers around. Enter messenger.]
Messenger:O King, the Princess awaits without and would have speech with thee.
King:Bid her enter.
[EnterPrincessand a few attendants.]
Princess:O gracious King and father, I have a request, and I beg that you grant it.
King:Speak, my Princess; do I not always grant what you ask?
Princess:Yes, father, and I know that you will grant me this. Several years ago I adopted a son and I ask that you allow him to be educated in your palace.
King:Adopted a son! What can be the meaning of this? I never heard of this! Where did you get the boy?
Princess:I found him, a little baby, hidden among the rushes by the river bank.
King:Why was he hidden? That is strange!
Princess:He is a Hebrew boy, O father.
King:A Hebrew boy! Did I not command that every Hebrew boy should be killed?
Princess:I must take the blame; I had his life spared. Will you not let him be brought here?
King:No, I will not! No Hebrew boy shall be brought here!
Princess:If you would only see him, he is so beautiful, you would love him as I do. He is without; permit me to show him to you.
King:Bring him in.
[Maid goes to getMoses.Mosesenters with his mother,Miriam,andAaron.Princessleads him to theKing.]
Princess:This is my son. Is he not a wonderful boy?
King:He is fair to look upon, but yet he is a Hebrew.
Princess:O my father, forget that he is a Hebrew and remember only that he is my son.
King:O my Princess, for your sake, I accept this boy. I leave his training to you. May he grow up to be a prince worthy of the house of Pharaoh.
End
Ruthwas dramatized by the club during the fall of the year because it is a story of the Hebrew harvest time. In order fully to interpret the life of Ruth it was necessary for the children to secure information concerning the barley harvest in ancient Palestine, and also to become familiar with the old customs involved in the story. Many children brought pictures which illustrated the points under discussion, and some of them contributed by telling what they had been able to read at home. Independence on the part of the children in looking up data was always encouraged by the leader; the information which she had to give enriched and supplemented that which was brought in by them.
During the process of this dramatization constant comparisons were made with our own harvest time, and the study of the Hebrew harvest feasts and festivals served to increase the understanding and appreciation of our one harvest festival at Thanksgiving.
The method of procedure in presenting this story for dramatization follows closely that described in connection withJoseph.The Bible version ofRuthis so simply and beautifully told that it needed very little adapting. When it was first given to the children parts of it were read and parts were told by the leader. Many scenes were then planned, but these were soon cut down to the three necessary scenes. From the first the children used much of the Bible language as they acted the story. The beauty and the poetry of it caused them to remember readily the exact wording in many cases.
Seven meetings were required before the group was satisfied with the play as a product of their best effort. As was the case with the other plays given by the club, the children who were to take the parts in the final presentation were selected by the group and not by the leader in charge. Every child knew each part and could represent any character, but children were chosen for specific parts because they seemed to represent certain characters unusually well.
The dramatization of this story called for much construction work. The reapers made their sickles of cardboard and covered them with gold or silver paper or painted them. They found pictures which gave the shape, and from these they cut the patterns (Fig. 15). One little girl brought a real sickle which had once belonged to a Filipino. It gave her happiness to reap with it, but the others were just as content to use the sickles from cardboard.
The need for a harvest song was felt, and in consequence a little song that most of the children knew was decided upon. The reapers sang it as they reaped and while Boaz was walking through his grain field. There was no real grain nor anything to represent it, the children deciding to leave this to the imagination. The action of the reapers and the words that were spoken gave evidence enough that grain was growing there.
There was very little stage setting used in the play. The stage was bare in the first scene in order to represent the road from Moab to Bethlehem. In the second scene a big earthenware jar was needed from which the reapers could drink. The third scene required a box which represented a seat by the city gate; the door which led off the stage at the side was used for the gate.
The action and the grouping of people in the third scene required careful planning by the children. Women came through the gate and passed down the street with water jugs on their shoulders; men gathered in groups to discuss bits of news; Boaz walked toward the gate and sat waiting for his kinsman. Finally, when the cousin appeared, Boaz hailed him and had him sit down. The citizens who were standing near were asked to be witnesses in this business transaction. That one man should take off his shoe and hand it to another was a custom that created much interest among thechildren. They began to examine pictures for the kinds of shoes that were worn, and this led many of them to wear their own sandals, which approached most nearly to those seen in the pictures. The children who did not own sandals tried to make them with cardboard and strips of cloth (seeFig. 26).
The costuming was very simple. The reapers wore the same little brown slips which had been worn in every play that had been given. Boaz enriched his costume by wearing brighter colors in his headdress and girdle and by wearing a slip that was longer than the others.
The play follows as it was finally given.
Place:In Moab, on the road to Judah.Characters:Naomi, Ruth, Orpah.Setting:Naomi, Ruth, Orpah, are on the road going toward Judah.[Naomistops and faces about.]Naomi:Turn back, my daughters-in-law; return each of you to your mother's house. You have come with me far enough. I must take the rest of my journey alone.Orpah and Ruth:Oh, do not send us back! We will not leave thee!Naomi:Yea, you must leave me now. I am going home to my own country and my own people, to Bethlehem, Judah! It is ten long years since I left there to come to dwell in your land of Moab. But now that the famine is over I must return.Orpah:But, Naomi, our mother-in-law, we love thee. Do not thou leave us!Naomi:I must go. I came to this country happy—with my husband and two sons—but misfortune has dealt bitterly with me. My husband first died, and now my two sons, your husbands, are taken from me. I am old and sad. I have no one left to comfort me. I must go back to mine own people. Leave me, my daughters, and God bless you![Both daughters weep.]Orpah[weeping and kissingNaomi]: If thou wilt be happier, then thou must leave us. I will return to my mother's house as thou sayest. [She goes off slowly, weeping.][Ruthstill stands by weeping. Takes hold ofNaomi'shand.]Naomi:Behold, Orpah, thy sister-in-law, has gone back to her people and unto her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law.Ruth:Intreat me not to leave thee, nor to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.Naomi:Since thou art so steadfastly minded to go with me, Ruth, I will cease urging thee. Come, thou mayest go with me to Bethlehem.
Place:In Moab, on the road to Judah.
Characters:Naomi, Ruth, Orpah.
Setting:Naomi, Ruth, Orpah, are on the road going toward Judah.
[Naomistops and faces about.]
Naomi:Turn back, my daughters-in-law; return each of you to your mother's house. You have come with me far enough. I must take the rest of my journey alone.
Orpah and Ruth:Oh, do not send us back! We will not leave thee!
Naomi:Yea, you must leave me now. I am going home to my own country and my own people, to Bethlehem, Judah! It is ten long years since I left there to come to dwell in your land of Moab. But now that the famine is over I must return.
Orpah:But, Naomi, our mother-in-law, we love thee. Do not thou leave us!
Naomi:I must go. I came to this country happy—with my husband and two sons—but misfortune has dealt bitterly with me. My husband first died, and now my two sons, your husbands, are taken from me. I am old and sad. I have no one left to comfort me. I must go back to mine own people. Leave me, my daughters, and God bless you!
[Both daughters weep.]
Orpah[weeping and kissingNaomi]: If thou wilt be happier, then thou must leave us. I will return to my mother's house as thou sayest. [She goes off slowly, weeping.]
[Ruthstill stands by weeping. Takes hold ofNaomi'shand.]
Naomi:Behold, Orpah, thy sister-in-law, has gone back to her people and unto her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law.
Ruth:Intreat me not to leave thee, nor to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.
Naomi:Since thou art so steadfastly minded to go with me, Ruth, I will cease urging thee. Come, thou mayest go with me to Bethlehem.
Place:In the barley fields of Boaz.Time:The harvest season.Characters:Boaz, Ruth, Head Reaper, Reapers, Gleaners.[The reapers come in with their sickles, followed by the gleaners.]Head Reaper:Truly we have a wonderful harvest this year!First Reaper:Yea, we will have food enough for ourselves and for all the poor in our city of Bethlehem.Head Reaper:It is the great God that hath given us this bounty.[All sing harvest song as they reap. While they are singingRuthcomes in and begins to pick up the grain.]Second Reaper[looking toward the entrance to the field]: The master is coming, the great Boaz![All reapers look in that direction as they stand, resting their sickles on the ground.Boazenters.]Boaz:The Lord be with you!Reapers:The Lord bless thee![All go to work again, singing as before.Boazwalks among them; he seesRuthand watches her.]Boaz[to theHead Reaper]: My good man, I would speak a word with thee; come hither.Head Reaper:Speak, O master!Boaz:Whose damsel is this that gathereth grain after the reapers?Head Reaper:My master, she is Ruth, the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi, thy kinswoman. She hath been gleaning here since early morning.Boaz:Go, bid the reapers not to harm her, and bid them let fall purposely some of the handfuls of grain for her.[TheHead Reaperbows low and goes back among the reapers.]Boaz[toRuth]: Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, but stay here by my reapers. Let thine eyes be on the reapers, and do thou glean that which they leave behind. When thou art athirst, go unto the vessels and drink that which the young men have drawn.Ruth[bows to the ground]: Why have I found such favor in thine eyes, seeing that I am a stranger in the land?Boaz:It has been told me of thy great kindness to thy mother-in-law, Naomi; how thou didst leave thine own people to come with her and be among strangers; and how thou didst leave thy gods to take the God of the children of Israel. The Lord will bless thee for this.Ruth:I thank thee, O great Boaz, for thou hast comforted me and thou hast spoken friendly words unto me.Boaz:Come hither at meal times and eat of the bread and dip thy morsel in the vinegar with my reapers.[The reapers have departed.Boazgoes off.]Ruth:The Lord God is truly good unto me!
Place:In the barley fields of Boaz.
Time:The harvest season.
Characters:Boaz, Ruth, Head Reaper, Reapers, Gleaners.
[The reapers come in with their sickles, followed by the gleaners.]
Head Reaper:Truly we have a wonderful harvest this year!
First Reaper:Yea, we will have food enough for ourselves and for all the poor in our city of Bethlehem.
Head Reaper:It is the great God that hath given us this bounty.
[All sing harvest song as they reap. While they are singingRuthcomes in and begins to pick up the grain.]
Second Reaper[looking toward the entrance to the field]: The master is coming, the great Boaz!
[All reapers look in that direction as they stand, resting their sickles on the ground.Boazenters.]
Boaz:The Lord be with you!
Reapers:The Lord bless thee!
[All go to work again, singing as before.Boazwalks among them; he seesRuthand watches her.]
Boaz[to theHead Reaper]: My good man, I would speak a word with thee; come hither.
Head Reaper:Speak, O master!
Boaz:Whose damsel is this that gathereth grain after the reapers?
Head Reaper:My master, she is Ruth, the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi, thy kinswoman. She hath been gleaning here since early morning.
Boaz:Go, bid the reapers not to harm her, and bid them let fall purposely some of the handfuls of grain for her.
[TheHead Reaperbows low and goes back among the reapers.]
Boaz[toRuth]: Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, but stay here by my reapers. Let thine eyes be on the reapers, and do thou glean that which they leave behind. When thou art athirst, go unto the vessels and drink that which the young men have drawn.
Ruth[bows to the ground]: Why have I found such favor in thine eyes, seeing that I am a stranger in the land?
Boaz:It has been told me of thy great kindness to thy mother-in-law, Naomi; how thou didst leave thine own people to come with her and be among strangers; and how thou didst leave thy gods to take the God of the children of Israel. The Lord will bless thee for this.
Ruth:I thank thee, O great Boaz, for thou hast comforted me and thou hast spoken friendly words unto me.
Boaz:Come hither at meal times and eat of the bread and dip thy morsel in the vinegar with my reapers.
[The reapers have departed.Boazgoes off.]
Ruth:The Lord God is truly good unto me!
Place:At the gate of the city.Characters:Boaz, a Cousin of Naomi, Ten Citizens, Ruth, Naomi.[Several citizens stand in groups, talking.Boazenters.]Boaz[speaks to one of the group]: Hast thou seen my cousin pass this way? I am seeking him.First Citizen:Nay, good sir, I have not seen him.Boaz:I must speak with him; I will wait here by the city gate; perchance he will come soon.[One or two citizens pass by and speak toBoaz,saying, "Good-day, sir." EnterKinsman.]Boaz:Ho, Kinsman, turn aside! I would have a word with thee. Sit thee down.[Kinsmansits down.]Kinsman:What wilt thou, Cousin?Boaz:I would speak about a matter of importance; wait thou here until I can bring witnesses. [He turns tocitizens.] A piece of land is about to be sold; will ten citizens witness this deed?Citizens:Aye, indeed. [They come forward.]Boaz:Sit ye down here. [They sit down.] [ToKinsman]: Dost thou remember Naomi, our kinswoman, who went with her husband and two sons to the land of Moab?Kinsman:Yea, I do know Naomi.Boaz:She selleth a parcel of land which was her husband's. Now, thou art nearest of kin to Naomi, so I thought to advise thee that thou mayest have the first chance to redeem the land in the presence of the elders of the city. If thou dost not care to redeem it, then the right to redeem it cometh to me, for I am next of kin. What wilt thou do?Kinsman:I will buy the land from our kinswoman, Naomi.Boaz:On the day that thou buyest the field from the hand of Naomi, thou also takest Ruth, the Moabitess, for thy wife, according to our custom and law.Kinsman:Then I will not redeem the land, for I cannot take Ruth for my wife. Take thou my right to redeem it and buy it for thyself.Boaz[taking off his shoe and giving it to theKinsman,he says to the witnesses]: Ye are witnesses this day that I have bought this parcel of land from Naomi and that I buy also, as my wife, Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Of all this ye are witnesses.Citizens:We are witnesses. [Bow.][Kinsmanreturns shoe toBoazand walks off.RuthandNaomicome through the street.]Boaz:Ye are well met, Naomi, my kinswoman, and Ruth. I have good news for you; I have bought your landand I can now take Ruth for my wife. Come, all ye fellow-citizens, for the wedding feast is prepared at my house![TakesRuthby the hand.]Naomi:Blessed am I that I should live to see this good thing come to pass! The Lord hath been most gracious unto me!End
Place:At the gate of the city.
Characters:Boaz, a Cousin of Naomi, Ten Citizens, Ruth, Naomi.
[Several citizens stand in groups, talking.Boazenters.]
Boaz[speaks to one of the group]: Hast thou seen my cousin pass this way? I am seeking him.
First Citizen:Nay, good sir, I have not seen him.
Boaz:I must speak with him; I will wait here by the city gate; perchance he will come soon.
[One or two citizens pass by and speak toBoaz,saying, "Good-day, sir." EnterKinsman.]
Boaz:Ho, Kinsman, turn aside! I would have a word with thee. Sit thee down.
[Kinsmansits down.]
Kinsman:What wilt thou, Cousin?
Boaz:I would speak about a matter of importance; wait thou here until I can bring witnesses. [He turns tocitizens.] A piece of land is about to be sold; will ten citizens witness this deed?
Citizens:Aye, indeed. [They come forward.]
Boaz:Sit ye down here. [They sit down.] [ToKinsman]: Dost thou remember Naomi, our kinswoman, who went with her husband and two sons to the land of Moab?
Kinsman:Yea, I do know Naomi.
Boaz:She selleth a parcel of land which was her husband's. Now, thou art nearest of kin to Naomi, so I thought to advise thee that thou mayest have the first chance to redeem the land in the presence of the elders of the city. If thou dost not care to redeem it, then the right to redeem it cometh to me, for I am next of kin. What wilt thou do?
Kinsman:I will buy the land from our kinswoman, Naomi.
Boaz:On the day that thou buyest the field from the hand of Naomi, thou also takest Ruth, the Moabitess, for thy wife, according to our custom and law.
Kinsman:Then I will not redeem the land, for I cannot take Ruth for my wife. Take thou my right to redeem it and buy it for thyself.
Boaz[taking off his shoe and giving it to theKinsman,he says to the witnesses]: Ye are witnesses this day that I have bought this parcel of land from Naomi and that I buy also, as my wife, Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Of all this ye are witnesses.
Citizens:We are witnesses. [Bow.]
[Kinsmanreturns shoe toBoazand walks off.RuthandNaomicome through the street.]
Boaz:Ye are well met, Naomi, my kinswoman, and Ruth. I have good news for you; I have bought your landand I can now take Ruth for my wife. Come, all ye fellow-citizens, for the wedding feast is prepared at my house!
[TakesRuthby the hand.]
Naomi:Blessed am I that I should live to see this good thing come to pass! The Lord hath been most gracious unto me!
End
The story of Esther involves a much more complicated situation than any of the others here described. It is not too difficult for dramatization, however, if it is taken after such stories have been worked out asDavid and GoliathandJoseph.
In the case of this dramatic club the story of Esther was told to the children after they had had much experience with other plays. The interesting plot and the beauty and richness of the court made so great an appeal to them that they were eager to begin the dramatization. The story was first simplified and adapted by the leader, and then told in such a manner as to emphasize the main events. The method of procedure followed that described inchapter iiiin connection with the story of Joseph. After the telling of the story the scenes were selected. These were acted out very freely at first, little thought being given to the words. Many pictures were brought in, and descriptions of the court of King Ahasuerus were read by the children from the Bible and from books of Bible stories.
In the second scene the children decided to have the maidens dance before the King. Several little girls who were trying out the part of Esther made up dances for themselves. This feature made this scene especially attractive.
This play was longer than those that had previously been dramatized, and it therefore took a longer period of time to bring it into final shape. There is no reason to hurry a dramatization. If the aim of this kind of work is kept in mind, there will be growth on the part of the children at each meeting. The value lies, not in how many stories can be dramatized during a year, but in how thoroughly the children are reliving a few good stories.
The play ofQueen Esthermade it necessary to construct several articles. Gold dishes of various kinds were made by covering cardboard with gold paper. These were used at the Queen's banquet. From the many scepters that were submitted the King chose the one for final use. Elaborate gowns and headdresses were gathered; beads and jewels of all descriptions were made from brilliantly colored papers.
The children took the responsibility of the costuming. The majority of them planned their own garments and either brought things from home or selected some suitable costume from those which the club had on hand. Two of the older girlstook entire charge of the younger ones and saw to it that each had some simple slip to wear in the play.
The play follows as it was finally worked out by the children.
Place:The King's palace—Shushan.Characters:King Ahasuerus (king of Media and Persia), Haman (chief counselor), Persian Princes, Servants.[TheKingis seated on his throne, princes seated before theKing,andHamanis seated by theKing'sside.Servants are bringing drinks in golden vessels.]King:The seventh day of this feast hath come, and on this day will I bring my beautiful Queen, Vashti, before you. The princes of my land must depart, bearing a good report of my fair Queen as well as of the great riches of my court. Chamberlains, come forth! [The servants come before theKingand bow.] I command you to bring Vashti, the Queen, before my presence. [Servants withdraw.]First Prince:O King, this is a great honor that thou bestowest upon us!Second Prince:Yea, Vashti, the Queen, is already known over the land for her wondrous beauty. We are most happy that thou wilt allow thy servants to behold her.Third Prince:What wonderful tidings we will spread over thy provinces, O King. Thy people do not know the half of thy riches and thy wonderful greatness and generosity.[Enter servants. They bow low.]King:Rise; what is thy message?[They do not rise.]First Servant:O King, be merciful unto us![They bow lower.]King:What meaneth this? Speak! [in astonishment] I command thee. Where is the Queen?Second Servant:O great King, we delivered thy message as thou didst command, but the Queen has refused to come before thy presence.[All the princes and theKingshow surprise and anger.]King:Refused to obey me? This is impossible! Are ye certain that she understood the meaning of my command?Servants:We are, O King.King:She hath refused! It cannot be! [He looks absently away.] She must be punished.Haman:What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to the law, because she hath not performed the commandment of King Ahasuerus?First Prince:She hath not done wrong to the King only, but also to all the princes of the land, for this deed of the Queen shall become known unto all the women of Media and Persia and they shall despise the command of their husbands: "Because," they shall say, "King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti, the Queen, to be brought before him and she came not."Second Prince:What shall we do? This will cause great trouble and disobedience.King:What thinkest thou, Haman, my chief counselor?Haman:If it please the King, let there go forth a royal commandment and let it be written among the laws of the Medes and Persians that Vashti come no more before Ahasuerus, and let the King give her royal estate to anotherthat is better than she. Then when this decree shall become known all wives shall give honor unto their husbands.King:This saying pleaseth me greatly. I shall do accordingly. [To servants]: Send letters unto every province to every people, which shall state this decree, so that every man shall know it.Haman:O King, I pray thee, let there be fair maidens brought before thee from which thou shalt choose another which shall be thy Queen.King:So be it! See that fair maidens from every province be brought here to my palace; and the one that pleaseth me best, I will take her for my Queen.[All bow.]
Place:The King's palace—Shushan.
Characters:King Ahasuerus (king of Media and Persia), Haman (chief counselor), Persian Princes, Servants.
[TheKingis seated on his throne, princes seated before theKing,andHamanis seated by theKing'sside.Servants are bringing drinks in golden vessels.]
King:The seventh day of this feast hath come, and on this day will I bring my beautiful Queen, Vashti, before you. The princes of my land must depart, bearing a good report of my fair Queen as well as of the great riches of my court. Chamberlains, come forth! [The servants come before theKingand bow.] I command you to bring Vashti, the Queen, before my presence. [Servants withdraw.]
First Prince:O King, this is a great honor that thou bestowest upon us!
Second Prince:Yea, Vashti, the Queen, is already known over the land for her wondrous beauty. We are most happy that thou wilt allow thy servants to behold her.
Third Prince:What wonderful tidings we will spread over thy provinces, O King. Thy people do not know the half of thy riches and thy wonderful greatness and generosity.
[Enter servants. They bow low.]
King:Rise; what is thy message?
[They do not rise.]
First Servant:O King, be merciful unto us!
[They bow lower.]
King:What meaneth this? Speak! [in astonishment] I command thee. Where is the Queen?
Second Servant:O great King, we delivered thy message as thou didst command, but the Queen has refused to come before thy presence.
[All the princes and theKingshow surprise and anger.]
King:Refused to obey me? This is impossible! Are ye certain that she understood the meaning of my command?
Servants:We are, O King.
King:She hath refused! It cannot be! [He looks absently away.] She must be punished.
Haman:What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to the law, because she hath not performed the commandment of King Ahasuerus?
First Prince:She hath not done wrong to the King only, but also to all the princes of the land, for this deed of the Queen shall become known unto all the women of Media and Persia and they shall despise the command of their husbands: "Because," they shall say, "King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti, the Queen, to be brought before him and she came not."
Second Prince:What shall we do? This will cause great trouble and disobedience.
King:What thinkest thou, Haman, my chief counselor?
Haman:If it please the King, let there go forth a royal commandment and let it be written among the laws of the Medes and Persians that Vashti come no more before Ahasuerus, and let the King give her royal estate to anotherthat is better than she. Then when this decree shall become known all wives shall give honor unto their husbands.
King:This saying pleaseth me greatly. I shall do accordingly. [To servants]: Send letters unto every province to every people, which shall state this decree, so that every man shall know it.
Haman:O King, I pray thee, let there be fair maidens brought before thee from which thou shalt choose another which shall be thy Queen.
King:So be it! See that fair maidens from every province be brought here to my palace; and the one that pleaseth me best, I will take her for my Queen.
[All bow.]
Place:At Shushan, the palace.Characters:King Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Maidens, Haman, Servants, Courtiers.[Two servants are standing in the court room of the palace. Enter a messenger followed byEstherandMordecai.]Messenger[announces to the servants in the room]: This maiden has come to see the King.[He goes out.]First Servant:This is the place. Wait thou here. [ToMordecai]: What art thou here for? Thou wilt have to depart.Mordecai:I only brought this maiden. I beg of thee let me have a few words with her; then I will withdraw.First Servant:Speak then quickly, before the King cometh.[Servants withdraw to another part of the room.]
Place:At Shushan, the palace.
Characters:King Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Maidens, Haman, Servants, Courtiers.
[Two servants are standing in the court room of the palace. Enter a messenger followed byEstherandMordecai.]
Messenger[announces to the servants in the room]: This maiden has come to see the King.
[He goes out.]
First Servant:This is the place. Wait thou here. [ToMordecai]: What art thou here for? Thou wilt have to depart.
Mordecai:I only brought this maiden. I beg of thee let me have a few words with her; then I will withdraw.
First Servant:Speak then quickly, before the King cometh.
[Servants withdraw to another part of the room.]
Fig. 3.—Esther and MordecaiFig. 3.—Esther and Mordecai
Mordecai[takingEsther'shand]: Esther, my child, thou art like my very child, for although I am but thy uncle I have been as a father to thee. I bid thee farewell now, for it seemeth to me that the King will surely choose thee to be his Queen—thou art so fair. This one thing remember, tell him not that thou art a Jewess. Fare thee well, Esther! May the Lord bless thee!Esther:Farewell to thee, Mordecai![Mordecaigoes out. Other maidens come in announced by the messenger.]Messenger:These maidens would see the King.[The servants show them where to sit. Enter second messenger.]Second Messenger:The King! The King![EnterKingandHaman.Kingsits on his throne.]Second Servant [bowing before theKing]: O King, the maidens from all parts of the country have arrived and await thy pleasure.King:Let them come before my presence one at a time, and I will choose from among them the one that seemeth most fair.[The musicians begin playing and, one by one, the maidens come out. They bow and dance.Esthercomes last of all. AsEstherdances theKingspeaks.]King:What marvelous beauty! Surely this maiden is fair enough to be my Queen.Haman:Yea, O King, thou art right; she should be thy Queen.King[takesEsther'shand]: What is thy name, fair maid?Esther:My name is Esther, O King.King:Esther, I do here take thee to be my Queen. Bring the royal crown and the Queen's robes![Servants come immediately and put them on her.]Fig. 4.—Esther dances before the kingFig. 4.—Esther dances before the kingKing[leadingEstherout]: Come unto the wedding feast which is now prepared. All are welcome!
Mordecai[takingEsther'shand]: Esther, my child, thou art like my very child, for although I am but thy uncle I have been as a father to thee. I bid thee farewell now, for it seemeth to me that the King will surely choose thee to be his Queen—thou art so fair. This one thing remember, tell him not that thou art a Jewess. Fare thee well, Esther! May the Lord bless thee!
Esther:Farewell to thee, Mordecai!
[Mordecaigoes out. Other maidens come in announced by the messenger.]
Messenger:These maidens would see the King.
[The servants show them where to sit. Enter second messenger.]
Second Messenger:The King! The King!
[EnterKingandHaman.Kingsits on his throne.]
Second Servant [bowing before theKing]: O King, the maidens from all parts of the country have arrived and await thy pleasure.
King:Let them come before my presence one at a time, and I will choose from among them the one that seemeth most fair.
[The musicians begin playing and, one by one, the maidens come out. They bow and dance.Esthercomes last of all. AsEstherdances theKingspeaks.]
King:What marvelous beauty! Surely this maiden is fair enough to be my Queen.
Haman:Yea, O King, thou art right; she should be thy Queen.
King[takesEsther'shand]: What is thy name, fair maid?
Esther:My name is Esther, O King.
King:Esther, I do here take thee to be my Queen. Bring the royal crown and the Queen's robes!
[Servants come immediately and put them on her.]
Fig. 4.—Esther dances before the kingFig. 4.—Esther dances before the king
King[leadingEstherout]: Come unto the wedding feast which is now prepared. All are welcome!
Place:The palace gate.Characters:Haman, Mordecai, Servants, Esther.[Servants are standing and walking by the gate. Women come by carrying water jars.Mordecaistands apart from the crowd.Heraldcomes in.]Herald:Bow the knee, bow the knee. The chief counselor, Haman, approacheth! Thus saith the King.[Hamancomes in. All bow to him exceptMordecai.]Haman[pointing toMordecai]: Who is this man who doth not bow the knee to me?First Servant:He is Mordecai, the Jew, my lord. [ToMordecai]: Why dost thou break the King's commandment?Haman:Thou Jew! Dost thou think that thou art mightier than I, whom the King hath set above all the princes of the land? Thou shalt suffer for this. [Turns to servant.] Send letters unto all the King's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day—even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, and to take the spoil of them for prey.[Servant bows and goes away.Hamanpasses on, leavingMordecaiwith two servants.Mordecai,in deep thought, walks anxiously up and down.]Mordecai:I must see Queen Esther. Canst thou not take me to the Queen?Second Servant[laughing scornfully]: Thinkest thou that the Queen will see thee?Mordecai:Give the Queen this paper and say to her that I, Mordecai, the Jew, bid her come to me.[Servant withdraws.]Mordecai[walking, talks to himself]: Israel, O Israel, my people! You shall not perish. Esther, your Queen, will save you.[EnterEsther.]Esther:Mordecai, my uncle, why art thou here? Thou lookest unhappy. Hath aught happened to thee?Mordecai:Yea, Esther, I am unhappy. I have sorrowful news to tell thee.Esther:Chamberlains, withdraw! Speak, Mordecai; tell me quickly. It may be that I can help thee.Mordecai:Esther, thou canst help me, and thou art the only one who can. Haman, the King's counselor, hateth the Jews—thy people and mine. He hath sent a decree over all the country commanding that every Jew, both old and young, little children and women, be killed on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. Esther, thou must save thy people and thyself? Thou must go before the King and beg of him that he spare thy people.[Esthershows great distress.]Esther:Oh, what shall I do? Dost thou not know that for one who dareth to go before the presence of the King, if the King hath not called him, there is certain death; except to whom the King shall hold out the golden scepter—he may live? I have not been called to come in unto the King these thirty days. He will surely put me to death for such boldness.Mordecai:Thou must go unto the King even so. Think not that thou wilt escape death from Haman because thou art in the King's house. Who knoweth but that thou hast been made Queen for such a time as this!Esther[after thinking deeply]: Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day, I also and my maidens will fast likewise—and so I will go in unto the King, which is not according to the law, and if I perish, I perish.Mordecai:May the Lord go with thee!
Place:The palace gate.
Characters:Haman, Mordecai, Servants, Esther.
[Servants are standing and walking by the gate. Women come by carrying water jars.Mordecaistands apart from the crowd.Heraldcomes in.]
Herald:Bow the knee, bow the knee. The chief counselor, Haman, approacheth! Thus saith the King.
[Hamancomes in. All bow to him exceptMordecai.]
Haman[pointing toMordecai]: Who is this man who doth not bow the knee to me?
First Servant:He is Mordecai, the Jew, my lord. [ToMordecai]: Why dost thou break the King's commandment?
Haman:Thou Jew! Dost thou think that thou art mightier than I, whom the King hath set above all the princes of the land? Thou shalt suffer for this. [Turns to servant.] Send letters unto all the King's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day—even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, and to take the spoil of them for prey.
[Servant bows and goes away.Hamanpasses on, leavingMordecaiwith two servants.Mordecai,in deep thought, walks anxiously up and down.]
Mordecai:I must see Queen Esther. Canst thou not take me to the Queen?
Second Servant[laughing scornfully]: Thinkest thou that the Queen will see thee?
Mordecai:Give the Queen this paper and say to her that I, Mordecai, the Jew, bid her come to me.
[Servant withdraws.]
Mordecai[walking, talks to himself]: Israel, O Israel, my people! You shall not perish. Esther, your Queen, will save you.
[EnterEsther.]
Esther:Mordecai, my uncle, why art thou here? Thou lookest unhappy. Hath aught happened to thee?
Mordecai:Yea, Esther, I am unhappy. I have sorrowful news to tell thee.
Esther:Chamberlains, withdraw! Speak, Mordecai; tell me quickly. It may be that I can help thee.
Mordecai:Esther, thou canst help me, and thou art the only one who can. Haman, the King's counselor, hateth the Jews—thy people and mine. He hath sent a decree over all the country commanding that every Jew, both old and young, little children and women, be killed on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. Esther, thou must save thy people and thyself? Thou must go before the King and beg of him that he spare thy people.
[Esthershows great distress.]
Esther:Oh, what shall I do? Dost thou not know that for one who dareth to go before the presence of the King, if the King hath not called him, there is certain death; except to whom the King shall hold out the golden scepter—he may live? I have not been called to come in unto the King these thirty days. He will surely put me to death for such boldness.
Mordecai:Thou must go unto the King even so. Think not that thou wilt escape death from Haman because thou art in the King's house. Who knoweth but that thou hast been made Queen for such a time as this!
Esther[after thinking deeply]: Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day, I also and my maidens will fast likewise—and so I will go in unto the King, which is not according to the law, and if I perish, I perish.
Mordecai:May the Lord go with thee!
Place:In the court of the King's palace.Characters:King Ahasuerus, Esther, Haman, Courtiers, Servants.[The King sits on his throne.Queen Estherenters and bows before theKing.TheKinglooks at her in astonishment.]Courtiers[in loud whispers]: The Queen! It is the Queen!King:Esther, hast thou dared to come before my presence when I have not called thee? Thou surely dost not know what thou art doing! This act of boldness can mean thy death! But thou art so beautiful, Esther, I cannot be hard with thee. Rise! [He holds out the golden scepter.] What is the request that has brought thee here? It shall be given thee, even though it be half of my kingdom.[Esthertouches the scepter and rises.]Esther:If it seemeth good unto the King, let the King and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for them.[She turns and goes out.]King:Hearest thou, Haman? Make haste and let us do as Esther hath said. Come, we will prepare for this banquet.[Hamanbows. TheKingandHamango out. Others follow.]
Place:In the court of the King's palace.
Characters:King Ahasuerus, Esther, Haman, Courtiers, Servants.
[The King sits on his throne.Queen Estherenters and bows before theKing.TheKinglooks at her in astonishment.]
Courtiers[in loud whispers]: The Queen! It is the Queen!
King:Esther, hast thou dared to come before my presence when I have not called thee? Thou surely dost not know what thou art doing! This act of boldness can mean thy death! But thou art so beautiful, Esther, I cannot be hard with thee. Rise! [He holds out the golden scepter.] What is the request that has brought thee here? It shall be given thee, even though it be half of my kingdom.
[Esthertouches the scepter and rises.]
Esther:If it seemeth good unto the King, let the King and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for them.
[She turns and goes out.]
King:Hearest thou, Haman? Make haste and let us do as Esther hath said. Come, we will prepare for this banquet.
[Hamanbows. TheKingandHamango out. Others follow.]
Fig. 5.—The king holds out the scepter to EstherFig. 5.—The king holds out the scepter to Esther
Place:The Queen's apartment.Characters:Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus, Haman, Servants, Mordecai.[The servants are preparing the feast. EnterEsther.]Esther:See ye that the feast is in readiness, for the King will soon arrive.[Servants bow.]Servant:The King cometh!Esther[going to meet theKingas he enters]: Welcome, my lord![TheKingsits upon a throne prepared for him.]King:I am happy to be with thee, my fair Queen. Thou must have a request which thou desirest to make—speak, be not afraid. I will grant it though it be half of my kingdom.Esther:If I have found favor in thy sight, O King, and if it please the King, let my life be saved and the lives of my people—the Hebrew people. We are to be destroyed, to be slain and to perish.King:Thy people? The Hebrew people? Who is this and where is he that dareth in his heart to do this thing to thy people?Esther:The enemy is thy chief counselor, this wicked Haman.King:Did Haman do this deed? How didst thou know of his plan?Esther:O King, Mordecai, the Jew, my uncle, hath shown me the letter which Haman hath sent over the country. The Jews are to be killed on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. I am begging thee for my life and for the lives of my people!Fig. 6.—Queen Esther pleads for her peopleFig. 6.—Queen Esther pleads for her peopleKing:Fear not, Esther; thy people shall be saved. Mordecai, the Jew, hath once done me a great service. He hath not been rewarded for this. He shall have honor, for he deserveth it.Servant:The great Haman hath come, O Queen.[Hamanenters; they seat themselves, and the feast is served.]King:Haman, what shall be done unto the man whom the King delighteth to honor?Haman[aside]: Whom would the King like to honor more than myself? [To theKing]: For the man whom the King delighteth to honor, let the royal apparel be brought which the King useth to wear, and the horse which the King rideth upon, and the royal crown which is set upon his head; and let these be given the man whom the King delighteth to honor; and let him ride on horseback through the streets of the city; and proclaim before him, "Thus it shall be done unto the man whom the King delighteth to honor!"King:Make haste and take the royal apparel and the horse as thou hast said and do even so unto Mordecai, the Jew, that sitteth at the King's gate. Let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.[Hamanbows his head low and goes out toMordecai.]Servant:O King, Haman hath built a gallows upon which to hang Mordecai, the Jew, this day.[Hamanreturns withMordecaiand puts on the crown, etc.]King:Let him who hath made the gallows hang upon it![Servant takesHamanout.]King:Come near, Mordecai. Thou hast found great favor in mine eyes. From henceforth thou shalt be my chief counselor, and thou shalt rule the land in Haman's place. Thy people shall be spared, and letters shall besent over all the land and into every province which shall state that the Hebrew people shall not be destroyed, but instead they shall be honored and have joy and feasting.Mordecai:I thank thee, O King and Esther, my Queen, for the great deliverance and for this great honor to me. May the Lord give me strength to deal wisely with these peoples.Esther:This is a great happiness which thou hast bestowed upon me, O King.
Place:The Queen's apartment.
Characters:Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus, Haman, Servants, Mordecai.
[The servants are preparing the feast. EnterEsther.]
Esther:See ye that the feast is in readiness, for the King will soon arrive.
[Servants bow.]
Servant:The King cometh!
Esther[going to meet theKingas he enters]: Welcome, my lord!
[TheKingsits upon a throne prepared for him.]
King:I am happy to be with thee, my fair Queen. Thou must have a request which thou desirest to make—speak, be not afraid. I will grant it though it be half of my kingdom.
Esther:If I have found favor in thy sight, O King, and if it please the King, let my life be saved and the lives of my people—the Hebrew people. We are to be destroyed, to be slain and to perish.
King:Thy people? The Hebrew people? Who is this and where is he that dareth in his heart to do this thing to thy people?
Esther:The enemy is thy chief counselor, this wicked Haman.
King:Did Haman do this deed? How didst thou know of his plan?
Esther:O King, Mordecai, the Jew, my uncle, hath shown me the letter which Haman hath sent over the country. The Jews are to be killed on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month. I am begging thee for my life and for the lives of my people!
Fig. 6.—Queen Esther pleads for her peopleFig. 6.—Queen Esther pleads for her people
King:Fear not, Esther; thy people shall be saved. Mordecai, the Jew, hath once done me a great service. He hath not been rewarded for this. He shall have honor, for he deserveth it.
Servant:The great Haman hath come, O Queen.
[Hamanenters; they seat themselves, and the feast is served.]
King:Haman, what shall be done unto the man whom the King delighteth to honor?
Haman[aside]: Whom would the King like to honor more than myself? [To theKing]: For the man whom the King delighteth to honor, let the royal apparel be brought which the King useth to wear, and the horse which the King rideth upon, and the royal crown which is set upon his head; and let these be given the man whom the King delighteth to honor; and let him ride on horseback through the streets of the city; and proclaim before him, "Thus it shall be done unto the man whom the King delighteth to honor!"
King:Make haste and take the royal apparel and the horse as thou hast said and do even so unto Mordecai, the Jew, that sitteth at the King's gate. Let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
[Hamanbows his head low and goes out toMordecai.]
Servant:O King, Haman hath built a gallows upon which to hang Mordecai, the Jew, this day.
[Hamanreturns withMordecaiand puts on the crown, etc.]
King:Let him who hath made the gallows hang upon it!
[Servant takesHamanout.]
King:Come near, Mordecai. Thou hast found great favor in mine eyes. From henceforth thou shalt be my chief counselor, and thou shalt rule the land in Haman's place. Thy people shall be spared, and letters shall besent over all the land and into every province which shall state that the Hebrew people shall not be destroyed, but instead they shall be honored and have joy and feasting.
Mordecai:I thank thee, O King and Esther, my Queen, for the great deliverance and for this great honor to me. May the Lord give me strength to deal wisely with these peoples.
Esther:This is a great happiness which thou hast bestowed upon me, O King.
This incident should be simplified and adapted before it is told to children. The dramatization is best worked out in the form of a short, free play which involves only one act. It is unnecessary to carry it to the point of fixed words and actions. The emphasis should be placed upon the customs of the times which are so well brought out in the story; for example, the hospitality of Abraham to the strangers represents the feeling toward strangers among the nomad peoples, and the manner in which he showed his hospitality makes children acquainted with customs peculiar to those people. There is excellent opportunity here for enriching the children's understanding of the life of a shepherd people, of which the Israelites are an example.
Descriptions and pictures of the kind of tent the people lived in are necessary. It is important that children should get the idea of the correct shape of the Arab tent and not confuse it with the Indian wigwam. No stage scenery need be used; it is best to leave that to the imagination. A curtainmay be put up to represent the front of the tent, but nothing more.
There is much of this incident that should be left out in the telling; by no means should it be read directly from the Bible to children. The story may be told so that the following points are emphasized:
Abraham is sitting at the door of his tent. Three men appear; he runs to meet them and bows to the ground. He invites them to rest under the shade of the tree and offers to get food and to have their feet washed. The strangers sit and talk together, then Abraham comes with the food. They all eat and are rested, and as they rise to depart they ask for Sarah, Abraham's wife. The strangers tell Sarah and Abraham that they are to have a son whose name shall be Isaac and whom God shall bless and who shall be the father of many people. Abraham and Sarah are greatly astonished and pleased. They fall upon their knees to thank God, and when they arise they find that the strangers have departed. The scene closes with their exclamation, "Surely these were angels from the Lord who have visited us!"
This story was dramatized by the children of the dramatic club after they had had experience with many other dramatizations. During the first hour after the story was told the children succeeded in getting the play into very nearly its final form.Two of the older girls, undertaking to write out the scenes as they thought they should be, brought in their versions at the second meeting. Each one was read aloud, the other children being asked to remember the parts that seemed especially good. Then by combining, adding to, or taking from, a composite result was obtained. Several children wrote down the final decisions at the dictation of the group.
Below is given the version which one child worked out by herself, and following that is the final form of the play which the group as a whole decided upon. The leader purposely left this play entirely in the hands of the children; the product is wholly their own.
Abraham:The day is hot and I am weary. I will rest myself from the heat of the day. [He seats himself in the shade of the tent.]Sarah:It is indeed hot, and I will bring thee food and drink that thou mayest refresh thyself. [Sarahretires into the tent.]Abraham[rises to his feet and shades his eyes with his hands]: Sarah, come hither! Yonder are strangers who are in need of rest. [Sarahcomes out, and she andAbrahamkneel before them.] Welcome, strangers, seat yourselves that ye may rest. My wife, Sarah, will bring you food, and water that you may wash your feet.First Stranger:The Lord bless thee, Abraham. [Sarahand the servants withdraw, andAbrahamand thethree men seat themselves before the tent.Sarahreturns with water and food. The strangers wash their feet and eat.]Sarah[offering them food]: Drink thou this fresh milk, and refresh thyself with this fruit, for ye look weary. [They finish eating andSarahand the servants retire.]Second Stranger:We bring thee good tidings and would speak with thee and thy wife. [Sarahcomes from within the tent.]Third Stranger:We are messengers from the Lord to tell thee that thou wilt have a son.First Stranger:He will be the father of many men and thousands will respect him. Ye shall name himIsaac.Sarah:That cannot come to pass! For many years I have been childless, and the Lord will not give me a son.Abraham[falling on his knees]: Thanks be to the Lord! A son at last!Sarah:Can it be that these tidings are true? If so, it is indeed a message from the Lord! [She too falls on her knees before them. The three men quietly leave, and whenSarahandAbrahamrise to their feet they are out of sight.]Abraham:They were angels from heaven! Our wish has been granted at last!End
Abraham:The day is hot and I am weary. I will rest myself from the heat of the day. [He seats himself in the shade of the tent.]
Sarah:It is indeed hot, and I will bring thee food and drink that thou mayest refresh thyself. [Sarahretires into the tent.]
Abraham[rises to his feet and shades his eyes with his hands]: Sarah, come hither! Yonder are strangers who are in need of rest. [Sarahcomes out, and she andAbrahamkneel before them.] Welcome, strangers, seat yourselves that ye may rest. My wife, Sarah, will bring you food, and water that you may wash your feet.
First Stranger:The Lord bless thee, Abraham. [Sarahand the servants withdraw, andAbrahamand thethree men seat themselves before the tent.Sarahreturns with water and food. The strangers wash their feet and eat.]
Sarah[offering them food]: Drink thou this fresh milk, and refresh thyself with this fruit, for ye look weary. [They finish eating andSarahand the servants retire.]
Second Stranger:We bring thee good tidings and would speak with thee and thy wife. [Sarahcomes from within the tent.]
Third Stranger:We are messengers from the Lord to tell thee that thou wilt have a son.
First Stranger:He will be the father of many men and thousands will respect him. Ye shall name himIsaac.
Sarah:That cannot come to pass! For many years I have been childless, and the Lord will not give me a son.
Abraham[falling on his knees]: Thanks be to the Lord! A son at last!
Sarah:Can it be that these tidings are true? If so, it is indeed a message from the Lord! [She too falls on her knees before them. The three men quietly leave, and whenSarahandAbrahamrise to their feet they are out of sight.]
Abraham:They were angels from heaven! Our wish has been granted at last!
End
The following is the play as it was finally presented:
Place:In front of the tent of Abraham.Characters:Abraham, a Shepherd; Sarah, His Wife; Three Strangers; Four Servants.[AbrahamandSarahcome out of the tent.]Abraham:The day is hot, and I am weary; I will sit down and rest in the shade of this tree.Sarah:Yea, it is hot. I will bring thee drink and food that thou mayest refresh thyself, my good husband.[Sarahgoes into the tent.Abrahamsees three strangers approaching. He stands up, shades his eyes with his hands, and looks out over the desert. He calls toSarah.]Fig. 7.—The three guests bless Abraham and SarahFig. 7.—The three guests bless Abraham and SarahAbraham:Sarah, my wife, come hither! Lo, I see three strangers approaching over the desert.[Sarahcomes out of the tent and looks also.]Sarah:They will be weary and in need of rest. I will hasten and prepare food and drink for them also.[Sarahgoes away.Abrahamrises to meet the strangers: he falls on the ground before them.]Abraham:Welcome, strangers, to the tent of Abraham! If I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee! Let now a little water be fetched and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and this will strengthen your hearts; after that ye shall pass on.The Three Strangers:So do as thou hast said, good Abraham.[Abrahamturns to the servants who are standing near.]Abraham:Haste ye, bring water; fetch a calf, tender and good. [Servants hasten away.] [To the strangers]: Sarah, my wife, will make ready three measures of fine meal and knead it into cakes.First Stranger:Our host, Abraham, is a true servant of the Lord.Second Stranger:We are indeed weary; we have journeyed far across the desert.[Servants appear with water and food.Sarahalso brings food to them.]Sarah:Drink thou this fresh milk, and refresh thyself with these dates, for ye look weary.Third Stranger:This is indeed a rest.[Sarahgoes into the tent and the strangers finish eating. The strangers rise to go.]Abraham:Tarry yet awhile with us.First Stranger:We thank thee, good Abraham, but we must be on our way.Second Stranger:We would speak with thee and thy wife, Sarah. Where is thy wife?Abraham:Sarah, come hither.[Sarahappears.]Third Stranger:We bring you a message from the Lord. You shall have a son, and his name shall be Isaac. He shall be the father of many men, and thousands shall respect him.Sarah:Surely, this cannot come to pass!Abraham:Thanks be to God for this great gift![SarahandAbrahamfall down on their knees before the strangers. The strangers stretch out their hands to bless them.]Three Strangers:The Lord will bless you, Sarah and Abraham![The strangers depart.AbrahamandSaraharise.]Abraham and Sarah:Surely these were angels from the Lord!End
Place:In front of the tent of Abraham.
Characters:Abraham, a Shepherd; Sarah, His Wife; Three Strangers; Four Servants.
[AbrahamandSarahcome out of the tent.]
Abraham:The day is hot, and I am weary; I will sit down and rest in the shade of this tree.
Sarah:Yea, it is hot. I will bring thee drink and food that thou mayest refresh thyself, my good husband.
[Sarahgoes into the tent.Abrahamsees three strangers approaching. He stands up, shades his eyes with his hands, and looks out over the desert. He calls toSarah.]
Fig. 7.—The three guests bless Abraham and SarahFig. 7.—The three guests bless Abraham and Sarah
Abraham:Sarah, my wife, come hither! Lo, I see three strangers approaching over the desert.
[Sarahcomes out of the tent and looks also.]
Sarah:They will be weary and in need of rest. I will hasten and prepare food and drink for them also.
[Sarahgoes away.Abrahamrises to meet the strangers: he falls on the ground before them.]
Abraham:Welcome, strangers, to the tent of Abraham! If I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee! Let now a little water be fetched and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will fetch a morsel of bread, and this will strengthen your hearts; after that ye shall pass on.
The Three Strangers:So do as thou hast said, good Abraham.
[Abrahamturns to the servants who are standing near.]
Abraham:Haste ye, bring water; fetch a calf, tender and good. [Servants hasten away.] [To the strangers]: Sarah, my wife, will make ready three measures of fine meal and knead it into cakes.
First Stranger:Our host, Abraham, is a true servant of the Lord.
Second Stranger:We are indeed weary; we have journeyed far across the desert.
[Servants appear with water and food.Sarahalso brings food to them.]
Sarah:Drink thou this fresh milk, and refresh thyself with these dates, for ye look weary.
Third Stranger:This is indeed a rest.
[Sarahgoes into the tent and the strangers finish eating. The strangers rise to go.]
Abraham:Tarry yet awhile with us.
First Stranger:We thank thee, good Abraham, but we must be on our way.
Second Stranger:We would speak with thee and thy wife, Sarah. Where is thy wife?
Abraham:Sarah, come hither.
[Sarahappears.]
Third Stranger:We bring you a message from the Lord. You shall have a son, and his name shall be Isaac. He shall be the father of many men, and thousands shall respect him.
Sarah:Surely, this cannot come to pass!
Abraham:Thanks be to God for this great gift!
[SarahandAbrahamfall down on their knees before the strangers. The strangers stretch out their hands to bless them.]
Three Strangers:The Lord will bless you, Sarah and Abraham!
[The strangers depart.AbrahamandSaraharise.]
Abraham and Sarah:Surely these were angels from the Lord!
End
As this play was very short, the suggestion was made that we might lengthen the program, as well as make it more interesting, by having some of the children tell the audience just how we worked up the dramatization. The two older girls undertook this and decided entirely by themselves just what they would say. One of them wrote with great care a description of the method of procedure. She read it to the club for approval, then she learned it by heart and gave it in an interesting manner to the audience on the day the play was given. The other girl wrote a poem about it, and recited it just before the play was given. The description and poem are as follows:
By Margaret Miller