----------------------------- A NOTE REGARDING THIS VERSION ----------------------------- This script is from the HIS COMPANY CATALOGUE of plays and musical resources. It is in ASCII (or plain text) format, and is intended only to be used for evaluation purposes. Visit our web site at http://hc.dlampel.com to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version for performance. THE PRICE a sketch by David S. Lampel Copyright 2006 David S. Lampel. All rights reserved. Author's Note The setting for this sketch is Genesis 22--specifically, 22:6-8 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together. Abraham and his teenage son, Isaac, have traveled with servants and a donkey for about three days, from Beersheba to what would later be Jerusalem--the "land of Moriah." Now the two are on their own, climbing the mountain toward the place where they will erect a stone altar, lay the wood for the fire, and, according to God's command, sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. This sketch is approximately eight minutes long. Characters Abraham, about 115 Isaac, about 15 Properties Walking stick Metal fire carrier Large bundle of wood (small, narrow branches) Length of twine to tie bundle (after Isaac has picked them up) Two dark stones (flint and pyrite) Water bag Knife Scene The Time: c.2051 BC The Place: Land of Moriah (later, Jerusalem; specifically, the approach to the temple mount) House lights down. Stage lights up. Enter Abraham and Isaac (in that order). Isaac (wearily) Father? Abraham (distractedly) Yes. Isaac My feet hurt. Abraham (absentmindedly) Yes. Isaac (emphatically) Father? Abraham Yes. Isaac My back hurts. Abraham Yes. Isaac (even more emphatically) Father? Abraham (irritated) Yes! Isaac (desperately) Your donkey is giving out! Abraham (now paying attention) Yes, yes--of course. The donkey's father is giving out as well. Let's rest a while. Isaac immediately drops his load--which sends the wood flying in all directions--then helps Abraham down onto a rock. Abraham (once seated; testing) How far have we come? Isaac (looking up at the sun) About three hours since we left the servants. Abraham And before that? Isaac (calculating) About three-and-a-half days. Abraham (pleased) Good. You're remembering your lessons. (removing a stone from his belt) Tell me, what sort of stone is this? Isaac Flint. Abraham (removing another) And this? Isaac Uh, pyrite. Abraham Good. Well done. (holding up the fire holder) And, should the fire go out--? Isaac I would gather dried moss and kindling, and strike one stone against the other to create a spark. Abraham (after waiting expectantly for a few seconds) And what have you left out? Quickly--quickly now. Isaac (struggling to remember) Uh, uh-- Abraham Isaac-- Isaac Oh! to have the larger pieces of wood ready to add to the kindling. Abraham (nodding) One does not risk the beginnings by failing to prepare for what follows. Isaac Yes, father. Abraham Which would include picking up what has already been scattered. Isaac doesn't catch the reference right away, but then notices the sticks of wood lying about haphazardly. Isaac (beginning to gather the wood) Oh, right. Abraham leans back and takes a drink from his water bag, while Isaac collects the sticks of wood and ties them together with the twine. After a moment, Isaac speaks. Isaac Father? Abraham (distractedly) Yes. Isaac (hesitantly) Why is it you test me--but no one ever tests you? Have you become too old for such things? Abraham (after a moment's thought; with a sigh) Old men are tested in ways far different than children. Isaac (quickly reminding; proudly) I am fifteen years, Father. Abraham (with warm humor) My mistake. Old men are tested in ways far different than young men. (beat) As one ages, life becomes more--complicated. The young learn how to create fire; the old must know how to control it. The young are filled to overflowing with life; the old must learn how to make the most of the little they have left. The young may be tested on their knowledge of the sun and stars, on how to prepare a meal-- (wearily) --the old are tested down to their bones, to their very soul. Isaac It sounds as if the young have the better end of the bargain. Abraham (nodding his head; smiling) Oh, indeed. Isaac (being silly for effect) I think I would prefer not to grow old, thank you. Abraham (instantly, unexpectedly serious; after a moment; looking away) We have no say in the number of our years. (pause) The measure of a man is not in the number of his years, but in what he does with the ones given him. Isaac Given? Abraham They're all in God's hand. From time to time He tests us--as I test you. But there is a difference. You are tested to expand and retain knowledge. Practical, earth-bound reasons. Isaac But God? Abraham (with a heavy sigh) Ah, God's reasons. That is another thing altogether. (pause) We cannot know. His reasons are His own--and He does not always share them. Isaac (after a moment's thought; haltingly, working through thoughts beyond his years) If I didn't know the end--the reason--I believe I might resent the testing. It's hard; sometimes I struggle. If I didn't know why, I would choose something more profitable--more enjoyable. Abraham Perhaps. (with intensity) But that, precisely, is what God tests: Will we continue in His way, even when the end--the reason--is unknown. And unknowable. (pause) God calls it "faith." Man calls it "obedience." Isaac There's a difference? Abraham A man's faith is demonstrated in his obedience. (becoming more troubled) That is what God tests: our faith. Our obedience--to Him. Isaac And what if we fail? Abraham God is just, but He does not compromise. There is a price to pay when we fail Him. (deeply troubled) And there may be a price to pay even when we do not fail. Isaac (seeing that Abraham is moved by something he (Isaac) does not understand) Father? Abraham My son, in time you may forget what you know about the sun and stars, how to prepare a meal, or strike a fire from stones. These are valuable, but earth-bound. (pause; looking deeply into the eyes of his son) But one thing you must never forget. We have a God. You may not always know the end--the reason--but you must obey Him. Without that, nothing else matters. (pause; looking away) Without that, there is nothing else. Isaac is silent, but slowly nods his head. He understands. Abraham (struggling to get up) Now we must continue. The Lord has beckoned us to worship Him. He is waiting. Isaac picks up the bundle of wood. Abraham picks up his walking stick and begins moving toward the exit. Isaac pauses, looking at the wood in his arms, and realizes something is missing. Isaac Father? Abraham Yes. Isaac We have brought the fire and the wood, but we've forgotten the lamb for the burnt offering! Abraham (turning to look at his son) No, my son. We've not forgotten. God Himself will provide the lamb. They exit. Stage lights down. House lights up. ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- This script is Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. The data file may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel"). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, promotions, or spoken messages. Permission is hereby extended for this script to be printed for rehearsal and performance use. Copies may be reproduced in sufficient number for the director, actors, and technical personnel, as long as each copy contains the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel") ----------------- USING THIS SCRIPT ----------------- For electronic distribution, the Internet version of this script uses the following conventions: * character names are in ALL CAPS. * stage directions within a character's line are enclosed in parentheses (e.g., "(with anger)"). * stage directions without are enclosed in brackets (e.g., "[They exit.]"). * the plus sign (+) indicates when to cue trax or begin intro for next song ---------------------------------------------------------------------- These plays and musical resources are made available free-of-charge, without obligation, in service to our Lord and to His glory. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- David S. Lampel Winterset, IA 50273 USA Complete resources at http://hc.dlampel.com/ "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom 11:36) 20120305