The Good Samarit-ANA
Autora: Bernadete F. Leal
INTRODUCTION:
This play (skit) is based on the Parable of the Good Samaritan with the goal of telling it in a modern way so children can understand the story easily and engagingly.
The characters in this parable and in the play are represented as follows:
The beggar: The traveler
The boys: The violent thieves
Erica: The priest
Sarah: The Levite
Anna: The Good Samaritan
Anna also represents the teachings of Jesus in practice, and that transforms people.
It is important to remember that the behavior or situation presented in the play may not represent the reality or culture of the child who is reading or participating in the performance. Still, it aims to reflect on each character’s behavior, the love for others, and charity in practice as Jesus taught us.
Here are some suggested questions to reflect on from the play:
- What do the characters in the play have in common with the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
- How does the play have in common, and how does it differ from the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
- Which characters in the play have changed? What led them to change? From examples.
- What is your opinion about the boys’ behavior toward the beggar?
- What would you do if you saw a beggar on the street asking for help?
The Good Samarit-Ana
Author: Bernadete F. Leal
Characters:
- Sarah: Rich girl
- Erica: Church Girl
- Ana: Poor girl who lives with grandma
- Ana’s Grandma
- Homeless man
- Boy 1
- Boy 2
SCENE 1
SARAH walks home all dressed up, holding several shopping bags, and is talking on her cellphone. She sits down tired, throwing the bags on the floor.
SARAH
(on the phone) OMG! You can’t believe all the nice clothes I bought. I got new dresses, four lovely skirts, and the cutest pair of shoes ever!
(silence hearing the voice)
Yes, yes. I got the red top I’m planning to wear tonight. It is right here.
(She opens the bag and it is a pink shirt)
What? I can’t believe they gave me the wrong color. I told that idiot that I wanted the red top. Oh no! I will make sure that girl is fired (angry)!
SARAH’S MOM’S VOICE
Sarah, can you come and help me in the kitchen?
SARAH
NO, MOTHER! I have a serious problem right now.
(On the phone) – I gotta go. I have to go back to that store. That dumb girl is in trouble. She doesn’t know who she is dealing with. Bye.
(SARAH grabs her purse and the bag with the pink shirt and leaves).
SCENE 2
(ERICA is sitting at a kitchen table reading some notes)
ERICA
I am so excited about the competition at church. The person who knows most quotes from Jesus wins a prize, and I will be the winner. I got this!
(She stands up and starts to recite with pride and gestures)
ERICA
- “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6
- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
- “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” Mathew 9:12
- “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Luke 10:2
(looking at her watch)
Oh no, I’d better go. I don’t want to be late for my first meeting about this competition.
(ERICA leaves reciting some of the quotes)
SCENE 3
(ANA is in the kitchen helping her GRANDMA to bake some bread)
ANA
Grandma, you have been baking and selling bread and cake for a long time. You work so hard every day. Don’t you ever get tired?
GRANDMA
Sometimes. But I love what I do, and all jobs are a blessing from God. And it helps to pay the bills.
ANA
Where did you learn to bake like this?
GRANDMA
With my mom. Then I taught your mom, and now I am teaching you!
ANA
(sad) Grandma. I miss mom.
GRANDMA
I miss her, too, Ana. But remember, her spirit is alive, and she watches us. I bet she is smiling at us right now.
ANA
Yes. I’m sure she is, grandma.
GRANDMA
I almost forgot, sweetie. I have a surprise for you.
(GRANDMA gives her a tiny purse. Ana opens it. She takes some money out of the purse and looks surprised.)
ANA
Grandma. It is a lot of money. What is it for?
GRANDMA
Well, it is not a lot, sweetheart, but it is enough to buy you a new pair of shoes. The ones you have are really old.
ANA
But Grandma…
GRANDMA
Don’t worry, Ana. I saved some money. We are okay. You deserve it; you’ve been helping me every day after school.
ANA
Are you sure? You need new shoes, too.
GRANDMA
(smiling) The ones I have are just fine. Now come on, go buy your new shoes!
(ANA, hugs grandma and leaves)
SCENE 4
A HOMELESS GUY is begging for money sitting down on the sidewalk. He is dirty and looks hungry. He has a can with some coins in it and is shaking it.
HOMELESS
Can you help this poor man? Any money to spare?
(Two boys see the homeless man, point, and laugh at him. Then they whisper something in each other’s ears as if they were planning to do something mischievous. Both boys walk toward the homeless.)
BOY 1
Hi there.
HOMELESS
Hi, young man. Do you have any spare change so I can buy some food? I am starving.
BOY 2
Sure, we can help you (laughing and winking at each other).
(BOY 2 grabs the can and starts to shake it. Then he looks inside.)
Let’s see what we can buy with this money.
HOMELESS
Please, give it back. It is all I have (sitting on the ground begging)
BOY 1
You mean it is all you HAD! Now it is all mine.
BOY 2
You mean OURS! (Taking the can from his friend’s hand)
HOMELESS
(The HOMELESS man stands up a little weak and grabs BOY 2’s arms, trying to take back the can.)
Please, give back my money!
BOY 2
(Angry) Don’t touch me, you dirty man!
(BOY 1 pushes the homeless man who falls, hitting his head. BOY 2 kicks the homeless man in the stomach, who is now in pain. BOY 1 and 2 leave the scene laughing and shaking the can.)
SCENE 5
SARAH is walking on the street on her way to the mall, talking on the phone. She doesn’t see the homeless man and trips over his leg, almost falling.
SARAH
Watch out, you disgusting man! Oh my gosh, you smell bad. Someone should do something about having this kind of people on the streets. Why don’t you go somewhere else, or try to get a job, you lazy man?
(ERICA is walking, reading the words from her notes with Jesus’s quotes. She is saying them aloud while looking at the papers and bumps into SARAH.)
ERICA
Oh, I’m sorry! (surprised)
SARAH
Look where you’re walking, you idiot!
ERICA
I said I was sorry (looking sorry). I am in a hurry. I have an important meeting at my church, and I didn’t see you. (She notices the homeless man)
Oh, poor thing! You look like you are in pain.
I hope you feel better soon. I can’t help you because I have an important meeting and can’t be distracted now. Bye.
(ERICA turns and accidentally drops her notes on the ground)
ERICA
Oh no!! This is not happening! I’m gonna be late (She tries to collect all her notes)
SCENE 6
ANA is walking and looks very excited about getting a new pair of shoes. She sees the homeless guy. She stops.
ANA
Dear Lord! Sir! Are you okay? You look hurt (touching his shoulder)
SARAH
Are you crazy (to ANA)? You should not get closer to that man. He is dirty, and he can have a disease or something.
ERICA
Yes, and you don’t know him…
ANA
Can’t you see he needs help?
Our friend, Jesus, teaches us to help all those in need.
Let me help you. (Helping the homeless man to sit up).
HOMELESS
Thank you!
ANA
What happened? Are you hurt?
HOMELESS
Two boys took the few coins I had to buy something to eat. When I asked them to give them back, they hurt me.
ANA
I am so sorry. Unfortunately, some people in this world have not learned the teachings of Jesus.
ERICA
Not me, (feeling proud) because I know most of Jesus’ words by heart. Wanna hear it?
SARAH
Big deal…(sarcasm)
ANA
That’s nice (to Erica), but I don’t think you really understand what Jesus’ words mean until you start applying them and acting more like him.
ERICA
I would like to be more like Jesus.
ANA
Then help this poor man. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor.”
ERICA
Oh, I know that quote, too, but this man is not my neighbor. He doesn’t live near me.
ANA
Jesus meant for us to help everyone! Everyone is your neighbor.
SARAH
No way this man is my neighbor! He smells and is very dirty.
ANA
How would you feel if one day someone was mean to you, stole what you had, and hurt you, would you like some help?
SARAH
I guess…
ANA
Then you should treat others the way you want to be treated.
Sir, you need some food and clothes. (taking the money her grandma gave her) Here. Take this money. It is all I have.
SARAH
You’ll give him all you have?
ANA
This is NOT all I have (smile). I have a home, a grandma who loves me, and my friends. Plus, I have God who is always watching over me.
ERICA
But that’s your money. Weren’t you going to buy something for yourself?
ANA
Yes, my grandma gave me some money to buy a new pair of shoes. You see, I just have these, and they are old and have some little holes. Oh well, it can wait. This man is more in need than me.
SARAH
You’d rather give him your money instead of buying new shoes? What if the holes get bigger tomorrow?
ANA
Jesus said, “ Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. “ Matthew 6:34
ERICA
I know that quote, too.
SARAH
I never met someone like you, so selfless. I’ve never had to worry about anything. I always had anything I wanted.
ANA
Not everyone is in your situation. I bet you are a very grateful person.
SARAH
Well…I’m not sure.
ERICA
I am starting to realize that I never truly understood or lived the words of Jesus.
ANA
Well, you can always start today.
ERICA
Let me help you, sir. (ERICA helps the homeless man to stand up)
HOMELESS
I am feeling a little better. Thank you!
ANA
Here, take this money and buy yourself some food.
HOMELESS
God bless you.
(The homeless man walks away. Ana and Erica smiles)
ANA
How are you feeling? (to Erica)
ERICA
I can’t explain, but I am feeling very happy now.
ANA
Yes. It feels good to do good, right?
ERICA
Right.
ANA
(Ana looks at her shoes) Well, (talking to her shoes), you gonna have to hang in there a little longer.
SARAH
Maybe not… I have many pairs of shoes, and I am sure I don’t need all of them. Let’s go to my house. (She links arms with Ana).
(as they walk) Oh, and I have a pink top that will look cute on you!
The End
