The Fool On The Hill
Drama
Living Parables
Illustrating The Message With Drama
Topic: Spiritual power, prayer, wisdom, seeking
Characters: Woman and a guru
Sound Effects: Beatles, "Fool On the Hill"
Props:
Long gray beard, robe, sandals on guru; hiking equipment on woman. Sermon notes on a clothespin that slides down a string from somewhere up above
Scene opens with Master Zing sitting in lotus position as the young woman approaches.
Woman: Master, I've finally found you. I've climbed three mountains, slept in the snow, ate roots from bushes, and finally I've discovered your place of meditation.
Master:
Yes, my child. Help me to stand and we can talk. (As he stands) I've always hated that position. It makes my knees fall asleep. You know, this guru stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, the walking on hot coals can warm your coddles, but this lotus sitting position is painful. Maybe I should get myself a nice beanbag chair. What do you think?
Woman: Master, that doesn't matter.
Master:
That's because you weren't sitting there like a human pretzel.
Woman: Master, what matters is the answer to my question.
Master:
Answers, smanswers. You don't need answers. What you need is a good cup of tea and a nice bagel. Or a week in the sun. Try a cruise.
Woman:
I don't want that. I want answers.
Master:
OK, ask away. No, wait. You aren't a Chicago Cubs fan, are you? Every year about this time, some nutty lady comes up here and asks me if the Cubs are going to win the pennant this year. I always say the same thing, "Anybody can tell you the answer to that one." (Looks closely at her) But you don't seem to be her, so go on. What is it you want to know?
Woman: I want to know how to harness spiritual power within.
Master: (Under his breath) Eat beans.
Woman:
What was that, master?
Master:
I said, isn't that keen. Now why is it you want to know how to harness peak power within?
Woman:
I'm in the midst of a great spiritual battle. If I am going to win this struggle I must have the power.
Master:
How much are you willing to pay for the answer?
Woman:
What kind of question is that from a holy man?
Master:
Hey, I gotta make a living somehow. Do you think that brown rice grows on trees? And do you have any idea what the rent is on a mountaintop spot? Lots of other gurus would love to have this place. It's prime real estate, you know.
Woman:
I didn't bring any money. What can I give you?
Master:
Got any fast food fries or burgers?
Woman: All-knowing one, how did you know that?
Master:
Come on now, your knapsack's been stinkin' up the whole mountain.
Woman: If I give them to you will I receive this knowledge of how to harness spiritual power? (She pulls fries out of her hag and gives them to him)
Master:
OK, first, I want you to close your eyes. Now, I want you to bend your knees until they both touch the ground (she kneels). Now, bring your right palm over and let it touch your left. Intertwine your fingers (as if praying). That's perfect. Finally, repeat after me, "Heavenly Father."
Woman:
Master, this is a lot like prayer. I learned that as a kid. I didn't need to climb all the way up here to know about prayer. I could have simply read my Bible and it would've reminded me of prayer.
Master:
I think you have finally discovered wisdom. Oh, and by the way, do you have any ketchup in that bag?
Exit
Characters: Woman and a guru
Sound Effects: Beatles, "Fool On the Hill"
Props:
Long gray beard, robe, sandals on guru; hiking equipment on woman. Sermon notes on a clothespin that slides down a string from somewhere up above
Scene opens with Master Zing sitting in lotus position as the young woman approaches.
Woman: Master, I've finally found you. I've climbed three mountains, slept in the snow, ate roots from bushes, and finally I've discovered your place of meditation.
Master:
Yes, my child. Help me to stand and we can talk. (As he stands) I've always hated that position. It makes my knees fall asleep. You know, this guru stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, the walking on hot coals can warm your coddles, but this lotus sitting position is painful. Maybe I should get myself a nice beanbag chair. What do you think?
Woman: Master, that doesn't matter.
Master:
That's because you weren't sitting there like a human pretzel.
Woman: Master, what matters is the answer to my question.
Master:
Answers, smanswers. You don't need answers. What you need is a good cup of tea and a nice bagel. Or a week in the sun. Try a cruise.
Woman:
I don't want that. I want answers.
Master:
OK, ask away. No, wait. You aren't a Chicago Cubs fan, are you? Every year about this time, some nutty lady comes up here and asks me if the Cubs are going to win the pennant this year. I always say the same thing, "Anybody can tell you the answer to that one." (Looks closely at her) But you don't seem to be her, so go on. What is it you want to know?
Woman: I want to know how to harness spiritual power within.
Master: (Under his breath) Eat beans.
Woman:
What was that, master?
Master:
I said, isn't that keen. Now why is it you want to know how to harness peak power within?
Woman:
I'm in the midst of a great spiritual battle. If I am going to win this struggle I must have the power.
Master:
How much are you willing to pay for the answer?
Woman:
What kind of question is that from a holy man?
Master:
Hey, I gotta make a living somehow. Do you think that brown rice grows on trees? And do you have any idea what the rent is on a mountaintop spot? Lots of other gurus would love to have this place. It's prime real estate, you know.
Woman:
I didn't bring any money. What can I give you?
Master:
Got any fast food fries or burgers?
Woman: All-knowing one, how did you know that?
Master:
Come on now, your knapsack's been stinkin' up the whole mountain.
Woman: If I give them to you will I receive this knowledge of how to harness spiritual power? (She pulls fries out of her hag and gives them to him)
Master:
OK, first, I want you to close your eyes. Now, I want you to bend your knees until they both touch the ground (she kneels). Now, bring your right palm over and let it touch your left. Intertwine your fingers (as if praying). That's perfect. Finally, repeat after me, "Heavenly Father."
Woman:
Master, this is a lot like prayer. I learned that as a kid. I didn't need to climb all the way up here to know about prayer. I could have simply read my Bible and it would've reminded me of prayer.
Master:
I think you have finally discovered wisdom. Oh, and by the way, do you have any ketchup in that bag?
Exit
