The Dramatization of Bible Stories: An experiment in the religious education of childrenLobingier, Elizabeth Miller
Philosophy
The Dramatization of Bible Stories: An experiment in the religious education of children
Lobingier, Elizabeth Miller
Children's plays; Drama in education; Religious education
SCENE I
PLACE: Abraham's tent in Canaan.
Abraham is lying down in his tent. He is talking to Isaac,
his son, about the wife he wishes him to have. He calls a
servant and bids him go to Mesopotamia, his old home, and
bring a wife for Isaac from his own kinsfolk. Abraham makes
the servant swear that he will do as he has been told.
Perhaps Abraham has his hand on Isaac while he is talking,
and Isaac will take some small part in the conversation.
ACT II
SCENE I
PLACE: Mesopotamia.
The messenger, with his servants, comes to the well just
outside of the city walls, where the women draw water. There
should be no attempt to represent the camels. These may be
indicated by the conversation and left to the imagination.
The messenger, through praying to God, decides how he shall
know which young woman to choose for Isaac. When Rebekah
comes with her pitcher she offers to give water to him and
to his camels also. The man is sure then that Rebekah is
sent by God, and therefore he arranges to go to her father's
house for the night.
This scene should be made very picturesque as well as interesting. The
children may look up pictures of the wells of those times and then
construct something that will serve the purpose. Pieces of pottery may
be brought in on the shoulders of the women to represent water jugs.
(Compare with the street scene described in the story of Ruth, chapter
vi.)
SCENE II
PLACE: Rebekah's home.
In this scene comes the discussion of Rebekah's leaving home
to become the wife of Isaac. The messenger makes known to
the family that it is Abraham, their kinsman, who is sending
for Rebekah. He gives Rebekah the gifts which his master has
sent--earrings, bracelets, and the like. The family finally
decide that Rebekah may go back to Canaan, but they ask the
servant to let her stay with them for ten days longer. He
is unwilling to wait, and the question is therefore put to
Rebekah. She answers that she will go with him now.
ACT III
SCENE I
PLACE: Canaan. A field near Isaac's home.
Isaac walks alone in the field at sunset. He is constantly
looking into the distance, and he is wondering when the
messenger will return with a wife for him. At length he sees
the camels approaching and hastens to meet them. This is all
indicated by his soliloquy--no camels must be shown. The
servant and Rebekah have dismounted and come to meet Isaac.
The servant gives Rebekah to Isaac who embraces her and
shows his joy at receiving such a beautiful wife. The play
should end where Isaac turns toward his father's tent with
Rebekah.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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