SermonStudio

Cast: LANDOWNER, HEAD GARDENER, and TREE. The HEAD GARDENER, representing Jesus, should be male. The others can be of either gender.

Length:
9 minutes

The TREE is seated on the middle of three stools, wearing some sort of "tree costume, "perhaps leaves or branches in the hair. The TREE is staring placidly into space. The LANDOWNER and the HEAD GARDENER enter and walk slowly around the TREE staring at it thoughtfully. The HEAD GARDENER is carrying pruning shears. After a moment, they take their stools.

OWNER: So, what do you think?

H.G.: Not much to look at, is it?

The TREE looks up, startled.

OWNER: A pretty pitiful excuse for a tree, if you ask me.

The TREE looks insulted. It reacts in the same way to all their comments regarding its appearance.

H.G.: You're right. It hasn't borne fruit in three years. He pulls a few leaves off the tree and examines them.

H.G.: It looks as if it's got some sort of blight. Mildew, or something like it.

OWNER: It's stunted and diseased. Get rid of it.

H.G.: You mean ...?

OWNER: Yes. Cut it down and throw it in the fire. We can use the space for something else.

The TREE looks horrified.

H.G.: You're sure?

OWNER: If it doesn't bear fruit, it doesn't deserve to live.

The TREE looks as if it were trying desperately to bear fruit.

H.G.: Look! I think it's trying.

OWNER: (Carelessly, starting to leave) Too little, too late.

H.G.: Wait! I've got an idea.

The TREE looks very interested.

OWNER: (Sitting back down) What?

H.G.: What if I were to give it extra fertilizer for a year? I'll prune it, and dig around it to loosen the soil, and then we'll see. If it doesn't bear fruit next year, then you can cut it down.

OWNER: That seems reasonable. Fine. One year. The OWNER leaves. The TREE looks very relieved.

H.G.: Well, you heard the landowner. You've got one year. (Hefting the shears) So, we'd better get busy.

TREE: Wait!

H.G.: What now?

TREE: Are you going to cut me with those?

H.G.: Of course. How else can I prune you?

TREE: Isn't there any easier way? There must be an easier way.

H.G.: (Approaching with the shears) None that I know of.

TREE: Wait!

H.G.: (Irritated) What now?

TREE: This is going to hurt, isn't it?

H.G.: Well, yes. But only for a little while.

TREE: A little while is too long. Can't we talk this over?

H.G.: Listen! You heard the landowner. If you don't improve, you'll get thrown into the fire. You don't want that, do you?

TREE: (Cautiously) Nooo.

H.G.: Well, then?

TREE: What if we just do the fertilizer and that digging thing. That sounds much less painful.

H.G.: Fertilizer and digging without pruning won't do it. We have to go the whole way. I have to cut.

TREE: Can I get a second opinion?

H.G.: No. You can't get a second opinion. There's bad wood there. Dead wood. It has to be trimmed away.

TREE: (Moaning) Ooooh!

H.G.: Even some of the live wood has to go. (Poking the TREE) You're all lopsided here.

TREE: Ahhhh!

H.G.: (Poking) And these upper branches are infested with borers.

TREE: Ouch! That hurts!

H.G.: Oh, don't be such a baby! I haven't even started yet.

TREE: Just thinking about it gives me a stomachache.

H.G.: This is for your own good, you know.

TREE: So you say.

H.G.: I don't know why I'm standing here arguing with a tree. If you don't want to do it, fine.

TREE: (Hopefully) You mean I don't have to?

H.G.: Of course you don't have to.

TREE: Great!

H.G.: Just wait here. I'll get my saw and be back in a minute.

TREE: Your saw!

H.G.: I told you it was either pruning or the fire. Which will it be? I don't have all day.

TREE: (Reluctantly) Well, when you put it that way ...

H.G.: I thought you would see the light. Now just hold still ... (Starts in with the shears)

TREE: Oooh! Ow! That smarts! Careful, that part is ticklish. Are you sure this is for my own good?

H.G.: (Puts down the shears) I told you it was. Why don't you believe me? Have I ever lied to you before?

TREE: Well, no.

H.G.: Haven't I always had your best interests at heart?

TREE: Well, yes.

H.G.: And hasn't it always turned out all right in the long run?

TREE: I suppose so.

H.G.: Then why are you so suspicious?

TREE: I don't know.

H.G.: (Picking up the shears) Then let's get this over with.

TREE: Wait!

H.G.: What now?

TREE: I've changed my mind.

H.G.: You've changed your mind? You know what will happen, don't you?

TREE: I know. The fire. But I have a year, don't I?

H.G.: Well, yes. But if you don't have the pruning ...

TREE: You don't know for sure I can't bear fruit without pruning. That's just your opinion, isn't it?

H.G.: Well, yes. That's my opinion.

TREE: Well, I'd like to try it by myself. I think I can do it.

H.G.: By yourself?

TREE: Yes. I'm sure I can do it. I don't need the pruning. I don't need the fertilizer. I'm a pretty good tree. I've got strong sap. I'll make myself bear fruit.

H.G.: You think so?

TREE: I know so. I can do it. I don't need anyone or anything.

H.G.: You know what will happen if you can't?

TREE: (Impatiently) Yeah, yeah! The fire next time. Only that's not going to happen.

H.G.: I hope not. I really hope not. For your sake.

TREE: Fine. Now get out of here and leave me alone. I've got things to do.

H.G.: Okay. (Turning to go) If that's the way you want it.

TREE: (Surprised) You're not going to try and force me?

H.G.: (Turning back) I don't force anyone. But let me know if you change your mind.

TREE: No way!

H.G.: I was afraid you'd say that.

The HEAD GARDENER walks away, looking very dejected. The TREE sits for a while, grunting and grimacing, trying hard to produce fruit. Then the tree turns its back on the audience and bows its head. The HEAD GARDENER and the LANDOWNER return and they all take their bows.