Lost And Found
Drama
Women In The Wings
20 Biblical Monologues
Making It Preach
The woman searching for a coin is in need of what Christ and his church have to give: the assurance of God's love and forgiveness, a focus beyond herself, economic assistance, and an accepting community. Yet, she channels all of that anxiety into the frantic search for a coin. The first woman's lack of enthusiasm at actually finding the coin represents the disillusionment so many humans experience when worldly goals do not ultimately satisfy. Yet, like the woman at the well, she discovers that only living water can keep her from thirsting again and again (John 4:5-42).
The shepherd's wife functions as an angel, in the Greek definition of messenger, if not a heavenly being, and offers a portal of grace through which the other woman could walk to find what she truly seeks. She embodies the joy Jesus tells us the divine Shepherd feels when the lost coin and lost lamb return safely into divine arms.
Making It Play
Though the staging of this is more difficult, the one actress will have a blast with these two women! The woman searching for the coin is probably neurotic, if not obsessive-compulsive, and needs to find far more than a coin! The shepherd's wife should sound as if she has just arrived from jolly old England and is both frightening and endearing in her energetic love for the Shepherd and lost sheep before her. Both characters spoof modern concepts, but do so in an ancient context. Therefore, they should look like they could have been Jesus' neighbors, complete with a simple broom and shepherd's staff.
When both women speak, they should face the congregation. The woman's house turns; not your general direction. Remember, there is a natural suspension of disbelief with any dramatic piece. The first woman addresses the congregation as if they have come to purchase a chicken. The second addresses the first woman as if she is in the congregation, though you can make her spot a reference point to which your gaze returns at crucial moments. We rarely look into someone's eyes continuously, and in between those looks your gaze can include the congregation. The switch from character to character can occur by simply making a 360-degree turn, setting down the broom the first time and picking up the staff in the process.
Searching For A Lost Coin And Lost Sheep Yields Brand New Discoveries
(frantically sweeping the floor -- talking to herself) Oh dear ... oh dear! How am I ever going to find it? So many cracks and hollows in the floor. It could have rolled into a corner. It could have -- Uhhhh! I don't even want to think about where it would be if it rolled outside! (getting hysterical) I -- I -- I think I'm getting a migraine. Slow down ... shallow breaths ... soothe the inner child. (closes eyes and calms down)
(opens eyes and sees congregation) Oh -- hello. Nice to see you. (uncomfortable silence) Why are you here? Oh, yes, the chickens. Of course, the chickens. The chickens are -- outside. You do see them, don't you? They are rather hard to miss. So, why don't you go -- and -- pick out a chicken -- out there. Very good.
(under her breath) Some people's children! Anyway, back to my search. (resumes sweeping) It must be here someplace. I just can't imagine that it went beyond this room. I had them at the table, counting all ten drachmas. I know! I'll retrace my steps, that's what I'll do, I'll retrace my steps! Let's see, I took the jar from this shelf and then I walked to the table where I dumped it out and -- Ahhh! (starts, seeing congregation again)
You know you really shouldn't keep sneaking up on people like that. I seem jumpy? Well, you'd be jumpy, too, if someone kept creeping about behind you! Well, I see you've chosen your hen. Good! I hope you enjoy her -- she's a good egg producer, that one. Have a nice day. Oh -- yes, payment, of course, payment. (holds out hand for coin) Thank you. I'll make sure I hold onto this one -- unlike -- oh, what? Something wrong? Why would you think there's anything wrong? Anyone could forget to ask for payment ... or lose a coin ... (breaks down) even a whole drachma!
Go ahead! You can leave me. It's not your problem! Even though the income left by my husband is dwindling, and I can hardly live on what the flock produces, it really isn't anything you should trouble yourself with. What? You don't mind helping? Oh, bless you. Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not to mention Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel! I just can't seem to find it on my own, and my sister won't help me out. She and her family live over there, but she doesn't like to be around me when I get nervous. And, I do seem to be nervous a lot, but I am not obsessive-compulsive, no sir, that was a low blow! My therapist doesn't think so, either.
Anyway, when I last saw the coin, it was on this table. Don't ask where it came from. I am a widow and an easy target for some smooth talker to cheat out of her only means of survival! Not that you look like smooth talkers, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, the coin was here (points), and now it's gone! I've swept this portion of the floor, but if you wouldn't mind starting over there, we can meet somewhere in the middle. (hands over an imaginary broom) Thank you, so much! Thank you, Adonai. You won't forget your people!
(turns around, puts her own broom down, and picks up shepherd's crook) My, busy as bees, you are. It's going to be a very clean house, though! I'm sorry to barge in like this, what with all this sweeping fervor, but have you happened to see a lone shepherd without a staff? My Jerry forgot it again when he ran off to find his troublesome little lamb. Cute as a button, she is, but always wandering off into the thicket here, into a cave over there, down into crevice so tight my young son was the only one small enough to get in with her. Then, we had to get both of them out! Now, that was a merry scrape, it was!
Wait a minute! You're looking for something, too, I can just tell it! I suppose I can share with you now that all that sweeping of a clean house looked a bit obsessive-compulsive to me -- not that I'm one to judge. You know who you remind me of? The woman that Jesus chap spoke of, who lost a coin, lighted a lamp, swept the house, and searched and searched until she found it. Dearie, you'd better sit down. You don't look so good. Posies and promises, that is you, isn't it? And, I see you've enlisted help -- good idea! Don't worry, Jesus said you'll find it, and believe me -- he knows!
That's not all he said, either. Stop and take note of the joy you feel when you find that coin, and you'll get an idea of what God feels like when one lost person repents of his or her sin and returns to God. Lost could mean any number of things, I suppose, not just forgetting where your staff is when you rush off to find an errant little lamb! My Jerry has such a good heart, and such a bad memory! I can tell you that I'm sure God appoints angels to watch over all of the little lambs, and big ewes and rams, too!
Why, did you know that you have never left God's sight, not for a second? If you have been lost, it is only because you haven't looked closely enough to see the outline of your Shepherd, who always watches over and cares for you. And, the exciting part is that no matter where you've wandered, even if you've fallen into a hole and cannot seem to get unstuck, he calls to you. And, when you hear his voice, you'll know your Shepherd. And, when he reaches out his staff, like this, you can hang onto the end, then he will pull you out and save you. And, not just from that hole, but from whatever pit of sin and despair you've toppled into!
So, don't you see? The Good Shepherd's staff is always before you, unlike my husband's. It is simply your choice as to whether or not you wish to grab on. (holds staff out to them) Grab on! No? Oh well, I'm not the one you need to be hanging onto, anyway. I get so excited when I think of all the openings in the Lord's flock! Dear me, I've taken up too much of your time. (sets down staff and leaves it) If you've not seen Jeremiah, I'd better seek him in other pastures. Ha -- a little joke there. Other pastures! Well, happy hunting. Oh, by the way, Jesus also said that when you find the coin you will be so happy that you will rejoice with your neighbors. A little party would be just the thing, don't you think? Don't forget about us; we're just over that hill. Well, so nice to have had this chat. Toodle-loo! (steps away, turns around, sets down staff, and picks up broom)
(mouth open, weakly waves, bewildered) Do you know her? (shakes her head to snap out of stupor) Anyway, we're sure to find the coin if we stick to my plan. Yes, sir, my plan is always the best, well ... almost always. I suppose it doesn't seem as if I planned very well this time, does it? But, I did, we did, I did after my husband died, and so far that has set me in good stead. Well, it has almost always set me in good stead, except in times like this, when I realize that I can't find something, a coin that my husband's hired hand would have earned for a full day's work! That was when we could afford to have help, but I had to let him go, of course. So, I'm here -- here I am, just me and the chickens, the chickens and I, and I really do get -- lonely.
Ugh! Wasn't that woman annoying, what with all her cheerfulness and talk of shepherds and bonny little sheep? I don't understand how someone can be that -- happy! What with one of the lambs always wandering off and a forgetful husband, I don't think she has a right to be that confoundedly joyful!
I wish I knew her secret. I haven't smiled like that since my daughter's wedding. Praise be to God that was back when we were able to give her a nice dowry. But, now she's gone to another village, and my sister doesn't really like me very much, and her children look at me as if I've got leprosy and I -- I -- I think I'm getting a migraine, again. Slow down -- shallow breaths -- soothe the inner child. Oh, who am I kidding? That inner child is me, all of me, and all of me not only needs soothing, I need healing. I'm broken. I need to be pulled out of the river, or the hole, or whatever blasted analogy she used! See any shepherd's crooks to hang onto? (spots the staff that was left)
What's this? I was only joking, you know. How remarkable. She must have left this behind. Quite a pair they make, if they are both this careless! Ha! I knew it was too good to be true. Unless ... no. We've already wasted enough time. Are you going to help me look, or what? What? You think she left it on purpose, don't you?
Now, why would she do that? She never gave me a chance to get a word out of my mouth, how could she possibly know what I was thinking and feeling? Of course, she did say that there are angels watching over all the lost lambs. What was that she said about needing to see the shepherd? Now, I wish I'd paid more attention to her ramblings! Oh, well, she's probably just as crazy as she sounds. (picks up coin)
Oh -- here it is. Here it is! Praise be to God, I found it! We found it! Thank you so much for helping me look. It was right near my feet the whole time! I'm thrilled -- really -- I'm ecstatic -- I guess. For some reason, I don't feel that joyful impulse to have a party. Could I make you some tea, or something? No? Well, I sure am glad that's over, at any rate. Too much stress is not good for a person! Thanks again. Me? Oh, I suppose I'll feed the chickens and check for eggs. The house is certainly clean enough! Then, who knows? Maybe my crazy neighbor will have found her husband, and I can bring his staff back. Yep, I think I'll do that. I've got a question or two for her, anyway. May the Lord bless and keep you under the watchful eyes of the Shepherd! Shalom.
The woman searching for a coin is in need of what Christ and his church have to give: the assurance of God's love and forgiveness, a focus beyond herself, economic assistance, and an accepting community. Yet, she channels all of that anxiety into the frantic search for a coin. The first woman's lack of enthusiasm at actually finding the coin represents the disillusionment so many humans experience when worldly goals do not ultimately satisfy. Yet, like the woman at the well, she discovers that only living water can keep her from thirsting again and again (John 4:5-42).
The shepherd's wife functions as an angel, in the Greek definition of messenger, if not a heavenly being, and offers a portal of grace through which the other woman could walk to find what she truly seeks. She embodies the joy Jesus tells us the divine Shepherd feels when the lost coin and lost lamb return safely into divine arms.
Making It Play
Though the staging of this is more difficult, the one actress will have a blast with these two women! The woman searching for the coin is probably neurotic, if not obsessive-compulsive, and needs to find far more than a coin! The shepherd's wife should sound as if she has just arrived from jolly old England and is both frightening and endearing in her energetic love for the Shepherd and lost sheep before her. Both characters spoof modern concepts, but do so in an ancient context. Therefore, they should look like they could have been Jesus' neighbors, complete with a simple broom and shepherd's staff.
When both women speak, they should face the congregation. The woman's house turns; not your general direction. Remember, there is a natural suspension of disbelief with any dramatic piece. The first woman addresses the congregation as if they have come to purchase a chicken. The second addresses the first woman as if she is in the congregation, though you can make her spot a reference point to which your gaze returns at crucial moments. We rarely look into someone's eyes continuously, and in between those looks your gaze can include the congregation. The switch from character to character can occur by simply making a 360-degree turn, setting down the broom the first time and picking up the staff in the process.
Searching For A Lost Coin And Lost Sheep Yields Brand New Discoveries
(frantically sweeping the floor -- talking to herself) Oh dear ... oh dear! How am I ever going to find it? So many cracks and hollows in the floor. It could have rolled into a corner. It could have -- Uhhhh! I don't even want to think about where it would be if it rolled outside! (getting hysterical) I -- I -- I think I'm getting a migraine. Slow down ... shallow breaths ... soothe the inner child. (closes eyes and calms down)
(opens eyes and sees congregation) Oh -- hello. Nice to see you. (uncomfortable silence) Why are you here? Oh, yes, the chickens. Of course, the chickens. The chickens are -- outside. You do see them, don't you? They are rather hard to miss. So, why don't you go -- and -- pick out a chicken -- out there. Very good.
(under her breath) Some people's children! Anyway, back to my search. (resumes sweeping) It must be here someplace. I just can't imagine that it went beyond this room. I had them at the table, counting all ten drachmas. I know! I'll retrace my steps, that's what I'll do, I'll retrace my steps! Let's see, I took the jar from this shelf and then I walked to the table where I dumped it out and -- Ahhh! (starts, seeing congregation again)
You know you really shouldn't keep sneaking up on people like that. I seem jumpy? Well, you'd be jumpy, too, if someone kept creeping about behind you! Well, I see you've chosen your hen. Good! I hope you enjoy her -- she's a good egg producer, that one. Have a nice day. Oh -- yes, payment, of course, payment. (holds out hand for coin) Thank you. I'll make sure I hold onto this one -- unlike -- oh, what? Something wrong? Why would you think there's anything wrong? Anyone could forget to ask for payment ... or lose a coin ... (breaks down) even a whole drachma!
Go ahead! You can leave me. It's not your problem! Even though the income left by my husband is dwindling, and I can hardly live on what the flock produces, it really isn't anything you should trouble yourself with. What? You don't mind helping? Oh, bless you. Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not to mention Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel! I just can't seem to find it on my own, and my sister won't help me out. She and her family live over there, but she doesn't like to be around me when I get nervous. And, I do seem to be nervous a lot, but I am not obsessive-compulsive, no sir, that was a low blow! My therapist doesn't think so, either.
Anyway, when I last saw the coin, it was on this table. Don't ask where it came from. I am a widow and an easy target for some smooth talker to cheat out of her only means of survival! Not that you look like smooth talkers, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, the coin was here (points), and now it's gone! I've swept this portion of the floor, but if you wouldn't mind starting over there, we can meet somewhere in the middle. (hands over an imaginary broom) Thank you, so much! Thank you, Adonai. You won't forget your people!
(turns around, puts her own broom down, and picks up shepherd's crook) My, busy as bees, you are. It's going to be a very clean house, though! I'm sorry to barge in like this, what with all this sweeping fervor, but have you happened to see a lone shepherd without a staff? My Jerry forgot it again when he ran off to find his troublesome little lamb. Cute as a button, she is, but always wandering off into the thicket here, into a cave over there, down into crevice so tight my young son was the only one small enough to get in with her. Then, we had to get both of them out! Now, that was a merry scrape, it was!
Wait a minute! You're looking for something, too, I can just tell it! I suppose I can share with you now that all that sweeping of a clean house looked a bit obsessive-compulsive to me -- not that I'm one to judge. You know who you remind me of? The woman that Jesus chap spoke of, who lost a coin, lighted a lamp, swept the house, and searched and searched until she found it. Dearie, you'd better sit down. You don't look so good. Posies and promises, that is you, isn't it? And, I see you've enlisted help -- good idea! Don't worry, Jesus said you'll find it, and believe me -- he knows!
That's not all he said, either. Stop and take note of the joy you feel when you find that coin, and you'll get an idea of what God feels like when one lost person repents of his or her sin and returns to God. Lost could mean any number of things, I suppose, not just forgetting where your staff is when you rush off to find an errant little lamb! My Jerry has such a good heart, and such a bad memory! I can tell you that I'm sure God appoints angels to watch over all of the little lambs, and big ewes and rams, too!
Why, did you know that you have never left God's sight, not for a second? If you have been lost, it is only because you haven't looked closely enough to see the outline of your Shepherd, who always watches over and cares for you. And, the exciting part is that no matter where you've wandered, even if you've fallen into a hole and cannot seem to get unstuck, he calls to you. And, when you hear his voice, you'll know your Shepherd. And, when he reaches out his staff, like this, you can hang onto the end, then he will pull you out and save you. And, not just from that hole, but from whatever pit of sin and despair you've toppled into!
So, don't you see? The Good Shepherd's staff is always before you, unlike my husband's. It is simply your choice as to whether or not you wish to grab on. (holds staff out to them) Grab on! No? Oh well, I'm not the one you need to be hanging onto, anyway. I get so excited when I think of all the openings in the Lord's flock! Dear me, I've taken up too much of your time. (sets down staff and leaves it) If you've not seen Jeremiah, I'd better seek him in other pastures. Ha -- a little joke there. Other pastures! Well, happy hunting. Oh, by the way, Jesus also said that when you find the coin you will be so happy that you will rejoice with your neighbors. A little party would be just the thing, don't you think? Don't forget about us; we're just over that hill. Well, so nice to have had this chat. Toodle-loo! (steps away, turns around, sets down staff, and picks up broom)
(mouth open, weakly waves, bewildered) Do you know her? (shakes her head to snap out of stupor) Anyway, we're sure to find the coin if we stick to my plan. Yes, sir, my plan is always the best, well ... almost always. I suppose it doesn't seem as if I planned very well this time, does it? But, I did, we did, I did after my husband died, and so far that has set me in good stead. Well, it has almost always set me in good stead, except in times like this, when I realize that I can't find something, a coin that my husband's hired hand would have earned for a full day's work! That was when we could afford to have help, but I had to let him go, of course. So, I'm here -- here I am, just me and the chickens, the chickens and I, and I really do get -- lonely.
Ugh! Wasn't that woman annoying, what with all her cheerfulness and talk of shepherds and bonny little sheep? I don't understand how someone can be that -- happy! What with one of the lambs always wandering off and a forgetful husband, I don't think she has a right to be that confoundedly joyful!
I wish I knew her secret. I haven't smiled like that since my daughter's wedding. Praise be to God that was back when we were able to give her a nice dowry. But, now she's gone to another village, and my sister doesn't really like me very much, and her children look at me as if I've got leprosy and I -- I -- I think I'm getting a migraine, again. Slow down -- shallow breaths -- soothe the inner child. Oh, who am I kidding? That inner child is me, all of me, and all of me not only needs soothing, I need healing. I'm broken. I need to be pulled out of the river, or the hole, or whatever blasted analogy she used! See any shepherd's crooks to hang onto? (spots the staff that was left)
What's this? I was only joking, you know. How remarkable. She must have left this behind. Quite a pair they make, if they are both this careless! Ha! I knew it was too good to be true. Unless ... no. We've already wasted enough time. Are you going to help me look, or what? What? You think she left it on purpose, don't you?
Now, why would she do that? She never gave me a chance to get a word out of my mouth, how could she possibly know what I was thinking and feeling? Of course, she did say that there are angels watching over all the lost lambs. What was that she said about needing to see the shepherd? Now, I wish I'd paid more attention to her ramblings! Oh, well, she's probably just as crazy as she sounds. (picks up coin)
Oh -- here it is. Here it is! Praise be to God, I found it! We found it! Thank you so much for helping me look. It was right near my feet the whole time! I'm thrilled -- really -- I'm ecstatic -- I guess. For some reason, I don't feel that joyful impulse to have a party. Could I make you some tea, or something? No? Well, I sure am glad that's over, at any rate. Too much stress is not good for a person! Thanks again. Me? Oh, I suppose I'll feed the chickens and check for eggs. The house is certainly clean enough! Then, who knows? Maybe my crazy neighbor will have found her husband, and I can bring his staff back. Yep, I think I'll do that. I've got a question or two for her, anyway. May the Lord bless and keep you under the watchful eyes of the Shepherd! Shalom.
