Author: Bernadete F. Leal
INTRODUCTION
This children’s play is based on the Parable of the Sower told by Jesus (Mk 4.1-9; Lk 8.4-8). It has a simple language with repeated actions, rich in visuals, offering opportunities for children at various levels and ages to participate.
CHARACTERS:
● Sower – Dressed as Jesus (should be a child with more resources because he/she has more lines)
● Narrator
● Soil Child – pours soil into the boxes
● Poster Child – shows the poster to the audience about time passing by (can be one or more different children)
● Child 1 – Sows Box 1
● Child 2 – Sows Box 2
● Child 3 – Sows Box 3
MATERIAL:
● 3 large cardboard boxes or large plastic containers
● Box 1 with rocks
● Box 2 with twigs and thorns
● Box 3 with soil
● Poster with words about time passing by
● 1 Bag with the words “Seeds of Love.”
● Seeds made of paper
● Watering can
● Big flowers for Box 3
● Small Flowers for Boxes 1 and 2
DISPLAY:
Place the 3 boxes in the middle of the stage. Each one is on a separate chair at some distance.
Box 1 – Has rocks and small flowers.
Box 2 – Has thorns, tree branches, and small flowers
Box 3 – Has big flowers
* *Attention – The small flowers in Box 1 and 2 will only be shown in Scene 3
NARRATOR
One day a sower began to sow.
SCENE 1 – DESCRIPTION
The SOIL CHILD enters the scene holding a bucket with soil. Then, using a small shovel, the child adds some dirt into each box and leaves the stage.
The SOWER enters the scene with a little bag of seeds labeled “Seeds of Love.” He scatters some seeds on the ground, not in the boxes.
CHILD 1 enters the scene, silently approaching and observing the sower for a few seconds.
CHILD 1
Hi, what are you doing?
SOWER
Hello. I am sowing seeds of Love. Would you like to help me?
CHILD 1
Yes!
The Sower and Child 1 approach Box 1. The Sower opens his little bag of seeds. Child 1 takes a few seeds and sprinkles them into Box 1. The Sower and Child 1 approach Box 1. The Sower picks up the watering can and gives it to the child.
SOWER
Don’t forget to water them with Love!
(handing over the can)
Child 1 waters Box 1 and then sits on the floor next to Box 1. The Sower leaves the scene.
(Suggestion: Instead of actual water, Child 1 can just show the action of watering or pouring small pieces of blue paper from the watering can, symbolizing water.)
NARRATOR
And they waited for the flowers to grow.
The POSTER CHILD enters the scene holding a poster above her head saying, “And time and days went by.” The child walks from one side of the stage to the other, showing the sign to the audience, and leaves the stage.
The Sower returns to the scene and approaches Child 1.
SOWER
Has the little love plant grown?
CHILD 1
(Child 1 stands up and looks inside Box 1.)
No. I wonder why.
The Sower puts his hand inside the box and takes out some rocks.
SOWER
The little seed of Love didn’t grow because of the rocks. This soil was too hard and dry of joy, faith, and hope.
CHILD 1
Oh, how sad!
(Child 1 leaves the scene sadly)
The Sower begins to scatter the seeds on the ground again.
NARRATOR
One day a sower began to sow.
CHILD 2 enters the scene, silently approaching and observing the sower for a few seconds.
CHILD 2
Hi, what are you doing?
SOWER
Hello. I am sowing seeds of Love. Would you like to help me?
CHILD 2
Yes!
The Sower and Child 2 approach Box 2. The Sower and Child 2 approach Box 2. The Sower opens his little bag of seeds. Child 2 takes a few seeds and slowly sprinkles them into Box 2. The Sower takes the watering can and gives it to the child.
SOWER
Don’t forget to water them with Love!
Child 2 waters Box 2 and sits on the ground next to Box 2. The Sower leaves the scene.
NARRATOR
And they waited for the flowers to grow.
The POSTER CHILD enters the scene holding a poster above her head saying, “And time and days went by.” The child walks from one side of the stage to the other, showing the sign to the audience, and leaves the stage. The Sower returns to the scene and approaches Child 2.
SOWER
Has the little plant of Love grown?
CHILD 2
(Child 2 stands up and looks inside Box 2.)
No. I wonder why.
The Sower puts his hand inside the box and takes some thorns and twigs.
SOWER
The little seed of Love did not grow because it was smothered by life’s pain, challenges, and distractions!
CHILD 2
Oh, how sad!
(Child 2 leaves the scene sadly)
The Sower begins to scatter the seeds on the ground again.
SCENE 3
CHILD 3 enters the scene, silently approaching and observing the sower for a few seconds.
CHILD 3
Hi, what are you doing?
SOWER
Hello. I am sowing seeds of Love. Would you like to help me?
CHILD 3
Yes!
The Sower and Child 3 approach Box 3. The Sower opens his little bag of seeds. Child 3 takes a few seeds and slowly sprinkles them into Box 3. The Sower takes the watering can and gives it to the child.
SOWER
Don’t forget to water them with Love!
Child 3 waters Box 3 and sits on the ground next to Box 3. The Sower leaves the scene.
NARRATOR
And they waited for the flowers to grow.
The POSTER CHILD enters the scene holding a poster above her head saying, “And time and days went by.” The child walks from one side of the stage to the other, showing the sign to the audience, and leaves the stage. The Sower returns to the scene and approaches Child 3.
SOWER
Has the little plant of Love grown?
CHILD 3
(Child 3 stands up and looks inside Box 3.
YES! Yes! (clapping her hands happily)
SOWER
That’s great! They germinated because there was hope and willingness to know the Truth and therefore prepared to receive the seeds in this soil.
Child 3 then walks over to the other boxes to see if they have sprouted. She looks inside the boxes and puts her hand inside.
She takes out a rock from Box 1, looks at it, and puts it back in. Child 3 walks over to Box 2 and picks up some thorns from the box. She looks and puts them back. Then she walks to the Sower.
CHILD 3
How sad that the seed of Love did not germinate in the other soils! They could have grown beautiful flowers and plants, but I only found rocks and thorns.
SOWER
True, but it’s never too late to plant seeds of Love and help them grow.
Would you like to help?
CHILD 3
Yes!
Child 3 and the Sower walk over to Box 1 and begin to remove all the rocks, placing them on the ground. Next, they do the same with Box 2, taking all the thorns out of the box. Next, child 3 takes some seeds from the bag the Sower holds and starts sowing the soil in Boxes 1 and 2 again. Next, Child 3 waters both boxes.
CHILD 3
(Looking at Boxes 1 and 2)
Come on, little plant, grow, grow! I love you! We put so much love into your soil!
SOWER
Love has the power to transform many things and germinate in the most challenging soils when they are ready!
CHILD 3
Will they grow?
SOWER
Maybe we need to increase the power of our Love in these difficult times.
Perhaps our friends here can help us!
(pointing to the audience)
CHILD 3
Good idea! Will you help us (asking the audience)?
SOWER
You can help us by vibrating Love with your palms up and saying altogether and loudly to each box, “I love you, dear plant!” Ready?
The Sower and Child 3, next to or behind Box 1, gives the signal for the audience along with them to say, “I Love You, Dear Plant!” – 3 times. The same is done with Box 2. After a few minutes, Child 3 looks inside Box 1.
CHILD 3
(She puts her hand inside the box and takes out a small flower).
Love is very powerful indeed!!!! The flower has sprouted!
Child 3 and the Sower walk over to check Box 2.
CHILD 3
Here too, look!
(She puts her hand inside the box and takes out a small flower)
The flower sprouted, thanks to love!
SOWER
What a joy!
(Walks to the front of the stage, talking to the audience)
We are like this soil. The sower is God and the Good News of Christ that comes to sow every day in our soil. It is up to us to be prepared and open to receive His seeds and make them grow!
Closing
All the children come on stage, including those who did not act but did help with the play.
ALL
LET’S PLANT SEEDS OF LOVE!!!
THE END
Suggestion:
Hand out to the audience seeds in a little bag written “Seeds of Love” and a short message about love.
Seed Suggestion: Sunflower
