Drama sketch for use with Education Sunday 2005 material

Education Sunday will be celebrated on 23 January 2005. The theme is 'A more excellent way', referring to 1 Corinthians 12.31b. The resource material below is provided to supplement and complement the leaflet (PDF, 105 KB).

A second drama sketch, 'On the wrong track', is also available.

Lean on me

A PDF of this sketch is also available (PDF, 37 KB).

Bible references: Psalm 40.1-4; John 14.1; Mark 11.22-23.

Themes: Our need for help, relying on others and trusting in God.

Cast: Traveller, Stranger.

Props: Suitcase, large coloured handkerchief.

A mime to the song by Bill Withers, 'Lean on me'. It shows that there are situations where we need outside help. We cannot cope on our own, though we may not like to admit it.

Enter the Traveller, he is carrying a rather heavy suitcase. He walks slowly, looking strained; as he reaches centre stage, the case feels so heavy that he staggers round in ever decreasing circles until he drops the case and has to take a rest. He stands facing the audience, gasping and panting. He produces a large coloured handkerchief which he uses to mop his brow. He sits on the case for a few seconds, then stands again and takes hold of the handle.

He lifts the case, pauses, then has to drop it again, it now feels so heavy. He looks amazed, pulls himself together and tries again. This time he manages to take one step before dropping the case. He takes out the handkerchief again, this time mops his brow, his cheeks and under his arms. Then he tries lifting it with both hands. No joy. He tries pushing it, then pulling it, each time straining like mad. He kicks it and falls over it. He gives up, sits on the case, looks sad and begins to sob heavily into the handkerchief.

Enter the Stranger. He takes a long look at the Traveller then slowly walks up to him and taps him on the shoulder. The Traveller jumps, looks up at him then puts on a big happy smile and nods as if he's perfectly okay. The Stranger offers to help with the case but the Traveller refuses, happily indicating that he's quite all right and can cope. The Stranger offers again, but the Traveller waves him goodbye.

The Stranger retires to a safe distance, the Traveller reaches down to pick up his case, then turns to check if the Stranger is still watching. Of course he is, so the Traveller smiles at him and nods, looks back at the case, takes the handle, then looks back again at the Stranger. He smiles again and forces a laugh, then looks back at the audience with panic written all over his face. He takes one last quick look back at the Stranger then takes firm hold of the case and lifts it. For a moment all looks fine, he takes one step, then collapses again. The Traveller laughs wildly as he waves at the Stranger as if he was only joking, then he turns back braces himself and is about to try again. He stops, thinks, shakes his head and gives up. Sullenly he steps away from the case, flippantly waving his hand at the Stranger and offering him the chance to try. The Traveller mumbles to himself as he waits for the Stranger to walk to the case.

The Stranger reaches down, takes the case in one hand and lifts it easily. He puts it down again, but makes no big deal of being able to lift it. The Traveller looks amazed and motions to him to do it again. The Stranger happily obliges and lifts the case again. The Traveller stares, drops his mouth open and begins to fall backwards in shock. The Stranger realises, puts down the case and comes tearing round to catch the Traveller before he hits the floor. He wafts a hand in front of his face to bring him round.

The Traveller then reaches for the bag again, stops, thinks, then happily offers it to the Stranger. The Stranger lifts it, the Traveller looks around, decides which way he needs to go, then pats the Stranger on the shoulder and points out the way. They walk off together.