This play is given here in order to show how a story which deals with a miraculous event may be treated. When Daniel was thrust into the den of lions, he was in reality put out of the door which opens at the side of the stage. The children readily came to the decision that it was unnecessary to show Daniel actually in the den of lions on the stage. In telling the story no explanation was made or asked for concerning the miracle which happened. The children accepted it and enjoyed it as they would any other good story. The final play which follows represents entirely the children's interpretation; the product is their own. DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN SCENE I PLACE: The court room of King Darius. CHARACTERS: King Darius, Daniel, Four Conspirators, Soldiers, Servants. [KING DARIUS _is seated on his throne. Soldiers and attendants stand nearby. The conspirators are talking together at one side._ DANIEL, _followed by two soldiers, comes in and kneels before the_ KING.] _Daniel:_ King Darius, live forever! _King Darius:_ Good Daniel, I have sent for thee that thou mayest know my will. It has pleased me to set over my kingdom one hundred and twenty princes, and over these princes have I set three rulers. Thou hast been so faithful and true that I wish to make thee the first of these three rulers. Thou shalt have great responsibility, and thou shalt report to me when thou thinkest it well to do so. _Daniel:_ Thou art kind and gracious unto me, O King! May the Lord, Jehovah, help me to do this. _King Darius:_ Come unto the feast, Daniel, and have the royal robe placed on thee. [DANIEL _bows to the_ KING _and they both go out, followed by the soldiers and servants._] [_The conspirators are left alone in the room. They show great anger and begin talking to each other._] _First Conspirator:_ See how this Daniel has found favor in the King's sight! He is not of our country, he belongs to the Hebrew people; but the King has appointed him over us all! We must destroy this Daniel. _Second Conspirator:_ Yea, thou art right. What can we do? [_They all walk back and forth in deep thought._] _Third Conspirator:_ I can think of nothing against him! _Fourth Conspirator:_ Thou sayest the truth; he hath no fault. He is faithful and doth nothing wrong. _First Conspirator:_ I can think of nothing, save that we find it against him concerning his God. _Fourth Conspirator:_ Ah, that is true; Daniel worshipeth a different God; I have seen him praying thrice in one day. _Second Conspirator:_ Let us influence the King to make a firm decree that whosoever shall worship any God or man, save the King, for thirty days, he shall be cast into the den of lions.