Matthew 25:31-46
POY! SKIT GUIDELINES:
- In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words.
- Most POY! skits require no practice in advance.
- Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants.
- Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along.
- It is not necessary to employ costumes and objects, unless the skit recommends such.
- It is not required to have an audience watch the skit. All present may participate.
- Scripture and paraphrases, if any, usually appear in bold.
PARTICIPANTS:
(This story requires rehearsing).
Cobbler, who also serves as Narrator (Has on hand a rag, woman’s coat, two pairs of shoes and a lunch bag.)
Skeptic,
Shoeless (barefoot),
Widow,
JoblessPrompter (Optional). Prompter shouts a brief line and Companions repeat it.
Companions (Optional): children and all adults who want to take part. Make sure Companions know who the Prompter is, and that they are to repeat Prompter’s words.
The scene: 19th century Russian shoemakers’ shop
SCRIPT:
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Cobbler |
I haven’t cleaned this window for years. (Stand, pretend to wipe a window with the rag, facing the audience. From time to time, stand on tiptoes, shading eyes as if gazing out the window.) I’ve let my tiny shoemaker’s shop gather a lot of dust. It doesn’t earn me much. Our dear Russian Tsar takes half of my profits in taxes. |
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Skeptic |
(Approach from one side) Cobbler, you’re tidying up your messy shoe shop! It’s neat for the first time since your wife died two years ago! Are you expecting the Tsar? |
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Cobbler |
Someone more important than Russia’s grand monarch! The Lord is coming to visit me. I had a dream, and it was so real! He’s coming to my shop before sundown. |
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Skeptic |
(Laugh derisively) Well, so you’re a saint now! Let me kiss your ring! (Laugh again) I’d better leave. Your illustrious guest would not appreciate having a reprobate like me around! (Step away.) |
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Prompter & Companions: |
(Boo) |
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Shoeless |
(Come toward Cobbler as he watches out the window again, straining to see.) Cobbler, I need work. My shoes have worn out and it’ll soon be freezing. Oh, these ruthless Russian winters! |
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Cobbler |
I don’t do enough business to hire help. Please don’t bother me now; I’m expecting someone important. |
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Shoeless |
(Turn, scream in pain, hop around holding one foot) I stepped on a nail! |
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Cobbler |
Oh, here! Take these! (Toss shoes to him.) I’ll probably never sell them anyway! |
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Shoeless |
(Hold shoes up to examine them.) Oooo! (Slip shoes on, limp toward the door.) Ouch! They hurt! |
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Cobbler |
You put them on the wrong feet! Now please go. I’m expecting an important guest. (Look out the window again, straining to see.) |
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Shoeless |
Ahh! (Quickly change shoes and walk away, repeating “Ahhh!â€.) |
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Prompter & Companions: |
(Cheer) |
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Jobless |
(Approach Cobbler) Cobbler, I’m out of work. Can you lend me a ruble? |
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Cobbler |
I do not have a ruble to spare. Good-bye, and have a good day. |
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Prompter & Companions: |
(Boo) |
|
Jobless |
I haven’t eaten since those Cossacks commandeered my horse and cart. |
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Cobbler |
Oh, take my lunch. (Hand him the lunch bag) I’m too nervous to eat it. Now go! (Pretend to watch anxiously from the window, standing on tiptoes.) |
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Jobless |
You’re a good and righteous man, you are. May all the holy saints bless your soul! (Take the lunch bag and walk away.) |
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Widow |
(Approach Cobbler) Cobbler, my clothes are all worn. I need help. I’ll clean your shop for you. |
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Cobbler |
Come back another day, please! I’m busy, and I’m expecting someone important. |
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Widow |
Maybe there’s some old rags around here that I can wear? Winter’s coming. |
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Cobbler |
Oh, here’s my departed wife’s coat. I kept it as keepsake. (Toss it to her.) |
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Prompter & Companions: |
(Cheer) |
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Widow |
May I have some water? |
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Cobbler |
There behind the counter is a jar of milk. Help yourself on your way out. |
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Widow |
Oh, thank you, citizen! Thank you! (Pretend to drink, and walk away.) |
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Skeptic |
(Approach Cobbler) It’s after sundown, Cobbler. How did you get along with your grand visitor? |
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Cobbler |
(Shake your head, groan, and shout angrily) Go away! Go away! |
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Skeptic |
Did the Lord anoint you as Archbishop? (Laugh derisively.) Maybe He brought a message from your wife! |
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Prompter & Companions: |
(Boo) |
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Cobbler |
Out! Out! (Throw shoes at him. Cover your face, groan and weep.) |
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Skeptic |
(Run, then return) I’m sorry! That was thoughtless of me. Very thoughtless! Ohh! Let me cheer you up! Did you do good business today? |
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Cobbler |
Business was ruinous. I gave everything away! Now stop mocking! No one came except a barefoot man, and I gave him shoes to get rid of him. A guy came begging for work, and I gave him my lunch. A widow came and I gave her my wife’s coat. |
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Skeptic |
What did you say? (Shake Cobbler’s shoulder) WHAT DID YOU SAY? He came! He came, Cobbler! I mean it! I’m not making fun! He really came! |
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Cobbler |
Oh, yes! With a thousand angels, trumpets and… |
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Skeptic |
No! Listen. My mother told me as a child what Jesus would tell the righteous in Glory. “Enter, blessed ones. For I was hungry, and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was naked, and you clothed Me.†(Embrace cobbler.), |
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Cobbler |
Jesus said that? Then… Then… Oh, dear God! (Both fall to their knees.) |
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Skeptic |
Then Jesus will say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into eternal punishment, for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat, thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink, naked, and you did not clothe Me.†Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord, forgive me! |
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Prompter & Companions: |
(Cheer) |
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