The Dramatization of Bible Stories Part 16

SCENE II

PLACE: The same as in scene i.

CHARACTERS: The same as in scene i.

TIME: Several days after the events in scene i.

[_The_ KING _is seated on his throne. The four conspirators come before the_ KING _and kneel._]

_The Conspirators:_ Great King Darius, live forever!

_King Darius:_ Arise, my friends!

_First Conspirator:_ O King, hast thou not signed a decree that he who shall pray to any G.o.d or man within thirty days, save to thee, shall be cast into the den of lions?

_King Darius:_ This thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

_Second Conspirator:_ A man in thy kingdom regardeth not this law, and doth pray to his G.o.d three times a day--we have seen him!

_King_ [_with anger_]: Who is this man that breaketh my laws?

_First Conspirator:_ He is Daniel, whom thou hast favored and made ruler!

_King Darius_ [_with surprise and sadness_]: Daniel! It cannot be! Daniel must not die, for I love him.

_Third Conspirator:_ Thou knowest, O King, that the law of the Medes and Persians is that no decree which the King establisheth may be changed.

_King_ [_sadly_]: Thou sayest truly; the King's word may not be broken. Bring Daniel hither.

[_Soldiers go for_ DANIEL. _The_ KING _walks back and forth in great distress._]

_King_ [_talking to himself_]: Oh, I would that this had not happened!

[DANIEL _appears and bows before the_ KING.]

_King:_ Why hast thou disobeyed my law, Daniel? Wherefore didst thou pray to thy G.o.d when thou knewest of my decree?

_Daniel:_ Great King Darius, my G.o.d, the G.o.d to whom I pray, is the true G.o.d, and I shall worship no other. Do with me what thou wilt.

_King:_ Daniel, I would that thou hadst not done this thing, for I love thee. Thou art a brave and bold man! Thy G.o.d whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee! [_To the soldiers_]: Take this man from me; cast him into the den of lions.

[_Soldiers take_ DANIEL _and thrust him into the den.

The door is closed, and the_ KING _seals it with his signet. The_ KING _and attendants withdraw. The conspirators are alone._]

_First Conspirator:_ Daniel has fallen at last! No longer will he be the King's favorite!

_Fourth Conspirator:_ We, instead, will be the favored ones!

[_They leave the room in high spirits._]

SCENE III

PLACE: The same as in scene i.

CHARACTERS: The same as in scene i.

TIME: The next morning after the events in scene ii.

[_The_ KING _hastens to the door of the lions' den._]

_King_ [_calling eagerly_]: O Daniel, servant of the living G.o.d, is thy G.o.d, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

_Daniel_ [_from within_]: O King, live forever! My G.o.d hath sent his angel and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me, for the Lord knoweth that I have done no wrong, either before him or thee, O King!

_King_ [_to servants who have followed him into the room_]: Come hither, servants! Quickly bring Daniel out that I may see him!

[_The door is opened, and_ DANIEL _comes out. The_ KING _shows great joy in greeting him._]

_King:_ Thy G.o.d is truly the living G.o.d! Bring forth the men that have done Daniel this wrong. Cast them into the lions'

den.

[_The conspirators are standing in the room, looking at_ DANIEL _in astonishment. The soldiers seize them and push them down into the den. As they go they cry to the_ KING.]

_Conspirators:_ O King, spare us!

_King:_ I will now sign a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men shall bow before the G.o.d of Daniel, for he is the only true G.o.d. He delivereth and rescueth and worketh great wonders; he hath saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

_Daniel:_ The Lord G.o.d will surely bless thee for this good thing!

END

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.