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Spreading the Word is easier when you use stories and drama. And
it’s even easier when you have a good drama resources like
Performing Parables. This collection of 16 religious folk tales,
legends and fables is arranged in 2- to 15-minute reader’s theater
segments. You don’t need complicated props. You don’t need
much rehearsal time. You don’t need to pay performance royalties.
You don’t even need extra books (you can photocopy the scripts
you need). Just line up your talent — and an audience. These little
plays, all spiced with a dash of humor, are great for prayer services,
retreats, religious education classes and parish or school functions. It
includes Ade Bethune illustrations that can be used for performance
programs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Magic Leaf
The Legend of Mont St. Michael
The Scholar’s Soul
The Poor Man In Heaven
The Wise Rabbi
The Onion
St. Nicholas and the Three Dowries
David, the Spider and the Wasp
The Pebbles of the Arno
How the Church of Santa Croce Got Its Name
The Fate of Frank Mckenna
The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey
St. Anthony and the Lame Man
The Stomach and the Other Members Of The Body
The Child Who Fed The Crucifix
The Man Who Carried Christ
Daughter of Snow
The Devoted Friend
Following is an excerpt from Performing Parables. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2000, Resource Publications, Inc.
The Magic Leaf: A Jewish Fairy Tale
Cast:
Storyteller
Holy Man
Farmer
Storyteller: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall. Proverbs 16:18. (Pause)
Once upon a time there lived a holy man who spent his days and nights in
the performance of religious rites and in meditation. He fasted and gave
alms to the poor. Alas, however, he had only one fault—he was very
proud of his holiness. Now he was determined
Holy Man: to go to the Holy Land in order to end my days in
Jerusalem.
Storyteller: On and on he went and at sundown he felt very tired,
and sat down to rest his weary feet. He would have been glad to fall asleep
but was unable to do so
Holy Man: owing to the loud twittering of the birds overhead.
Storyteller: He sat up watching. He saw two of the birds quarreling
Holy Man: while the others went on chirping for all they were
worth. At last one of the two birds that were quarreling killed the other,
whereupon all the rest took to flight.
Storyteller: The holy man sat still, for he was curious to learn what
would happen. He did not have to wait very long before he saw a large bird
flying towards him. The bird passed him and came near to its dead
brother.
Holy Man: In its little beak it held a small green leaf which it placed
on the head of the dead bird. As soon as the leaf touched it, a wonderful
miracle happened. The bird was re-animated and stood upon its feet. It
shook its pretty feathers, flapped its wings and flew off.
Storyteller: The man was astounded at what he had seen. He
sprang up, saying to himself—
Holy Man: I must get that magic leaf; it will enable me to quicken
all the dead in the Holy Land when I arrive there. This is truly a most
extraordinary slice of luck to find such a priceless treasure. I suppose this
leaf comes from the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. Had I not
witnessed the miracle I should never have believed it possible. This leaf is
worth untold gold and will bring me good fortune and happiness.
Storyteller: He picked up the leaf and put it away carefully in the
fold of his hat. Next day he awoke very early. After he had said his morning
prayers, he continued his journey. He had not walked many hours before
he came to a farm. He was about to enter to ask for food, when he
saw just outside the doorway a dead fox. He went up to it and said to
himself—
Holy Man: Now I will get out the magic leaf and see if it will
re-animate this dead fox. I would like to experiment with this most wonderful
leaf.
Storyteller: He took off his hat and took out the precious leaf,
which he put on the head of the fox. No sooner had the leaf touched the
fox, than the fox jumped up and ran away as quickly as his legs could carry
him.
Holy Man: This is marvelous,
Storyteller: he exclaimed, while picking up the leaf, which he
replaced in the fold of his hat. He then knocked at the door of the
farmhouse and was admitted. He asked for a little food, which was readily
given him by the owner, an old farmer.
Holy Man: Did you know there was a dead fox outside your door?
Storyteller: he asked the farmer. The farmer replied,
Farmer: Of course I did, for I killed him yesterday.
Holy Man: The fox is not there now.
Farmer: Where is he?
Holy Man: He ran away just before I knocked at your door.
Farmer: That is impossible.
Holy Man: Go and look. You will not see the fox.
Farmer: Come with me and let us look together.
Storyteller: They went to the door, and sure enough the fox
was not to be seen.
Holy Man: I brought the dead fox back to life. I am a
holy man and I can revive the dead.
Farmer: You are a blabbering fool. If what you say is true, take my
advice and do not meddle with the mysteries of life and death. God alone
will quicken the dead. Now, good-bye.
Storyteller: The farmer went into his house and slammed the
door. Whereupon the holy man went on his way, thinking,
Holy Man: God has given me such a wonderful treasure because
I have lived such a holy life. The old farmer does not understand the good
fortune that has befallen me.
Storyteller: He had not proceeded very far when he saw a dead
lion in the road. He thought of testing once more the efficacy of the
wonderful leaf.
Holy Man: This shall be my last experiment.
Storyteller: He then took out the magic leaf and placed it on
the head of the lion. This was no sooner done than the lion arose (actor
who plays the farmer makes a very loud growl) and growled with delight at
seeing a fine meal in front of him in the shape of the holy man. The
next instant, as the holy man began to regret his extreme folly in
restoring the dead lion to life, the latter sprang upon him (pause) and
devoured him. The lion also ate the magic leaf. With this disaster the
possibility of reviving the dead passed away and mortals must now wait
patiently for the quickening of the dead till the great day of resurrection
comes.
The End
(Original Source: The Jewish Fairy Book, compiled by Gerald
Friedlander and published in New York in 1920.)
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