This play I wrote was usually done as a puppet show. I used to do this one from the mid-70' until I lost most of my puppet voices in the late 90's.
THE BUILDING
One day as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He heard a voice call out. “Hey, Jesus!”
Jesus turned. “Oh, it’s you Simon Peter. What do you want?”
“You know, I really liked that story you told us last night, about that prodigal son fellow. I learned a lot from it.”
“That's nice. Now what are you going to do about it?”
“Do about it? What do you mean?”
“Just listening to my parables, and then doing nothing about them, is ridiculous. It's just a waste of time. The people who hear what I teach them, and put it into practice, are like the wise man who built his house on a foundation of solid rock. When the big storm came, and the winds blew and the rain fell, the house stood upright through it all, for it was built strongly on a firm foundation. Those people who listen to what I say, but then don't apply my words to their lives, are like the foolish man who built his house on a sand dune. When the storm came, the winds blew and the rain washed away the sand. With it's foundation gone, it didn't matter what kind of house it was, or how well built. It came crashing down.”
“Well, gee, that's all very nice, but I already have a house. I don't have to build one. But You should know that. You were just there last month for dinner, and healed my mother-in-law.” Peter frowned. “Which I personally found an abuse of my hospitality.” Then he brightened. “But you know, I did like that miracle where you filled my nets with fish much better. In fact, with You around, the fishing is so much better, that James, John and I could use a bigger boat. You know, if You do a repeat of that one where I catch a fish with a denarius in it's mouth that would be really neat. Only do it with a bigger fish, with say 100 denari in it, we could build a really big boat. Then we could catch enough fish to..."
“Simon Peter Bar Jonah!”
“Huh?” Peter blushed. “Uh, yeah?”
“What I was saying to you, before we got side tracked with boats and fish, is that you are building something.”
“The bigger boat?"
“No. I mean that you are building your life. If you build your life out of the wrong things, such as Deceit, Pride, Anger, Envy, Greed, Gluttony and Sloth, your life will end up a wreck, just like the house with unsteady foundations. If, however, you build your life on the solid foundation of God's word, then it will be strong and secure. Now do you understand?”
“Well, maybe if you explained just a bit more.
“Certainly. In fact, I have another story that I think will show you exactly what I mean…”
One night as Mr. Lot Oscar Munny was working late at his desk, his butler Jeeves came in. Jeeves decided not to mention that what Mr. Munny was working so diligently on was the crossword puzzle. “Excuse me, sir.”
“Yes?”
“Your daughter, Nikkel, has just arrived from college, sir.”
“She has? Hmm. I wonder what it could be. It's not vacation time yet, is it Jeeves?”
“No, sir. I don't believe it is.”
“Well, send her in, so I can find out what is going on.”
“Certainly sir. And by the way, line 32 down is creosote.”
“Now how did he know I was having trouble with that one? Well, well, well. How's my little Nikkel?”
“Just swell. I have important news for you, daddy.”
“Really? What is it?”
“I eloped and got married yesterday. I finally found Mr. Right.”
“You married Charlie Wright of Wright Way Transport?”
“No, Daddy. Mr. Right's just an expression.”
“Dear, just because he used to work as a pression, doesn't mean you should look down your nose at him. Look how much he's made of himself since he became an expression.”
“Huh? Uh, if you say so. Any way. I married Jack Hammer, the house builder.”
“Oh. Well, is he here? I would like to meet him, if you don't mind. It's the least you can do after not inviting me along for the elopement.”
“Sure. I'll bring him in.” She went to the door and called out. “Oh, Jack darling.”
Lot looked up from the crossword. “But I thought you said his name was Jack Hammer? Who's Jack Darling?”
“Never mind, daddy. Here's Jack now.”
“Jack Now? I thought you said he was Jack Darling?”
“Daddy, how did you ever become a millionaire?”
“I made my money the old fashioned way. I inherited it.”
A tall, dark handsome man entered the room, radiating smarmy good cheer. “Good evening, Mr. Munny. I'm Jack Hammer.”
“And good evening to you, too. So you're Jack Hammer, the house builder?”
“Not quite yet. I have started the company. I've gotten all the tools, materials and crew I need. It's just a matter of time until I'm hired for my first construction job."
“Hmm. Yes. But that could be quite some time. I don't know too much about the house building business, but you are right about getting that first job. No one will hire you until they can see a house that Jack built, and see what a good job you do. Without that first job, it can be a long wait.”
“Yeah. But once the first one comes along, everything will click right into place. Meanwhile, there isn't much else I can do but just wait.”
“My boy, your wait is over. I am going to solve your problem.”
“You will? How?”
“I'm going to hire you to build the biggest, the best, the most beautiful house in the city. Everyone will gaze at it in wonder, and say: "Wow. This is the house that Jack built. Make it fit for a king. That way, everyone who sees it will know what a good builder you are, and hire you to build one for them.”
Time passed. At the construction site of the biggest, best and most beautiful house in the city, Things were hopping. The materials were all laid out, and construction was about to commence. Jack called to his foreman. “Hey, Saul Wood! Where are the blueprints?”
“Here's the plans, boss.” He unrolled the plans. As they started to study them, no one had noticed a third party wander up. Mr. Devil was quite curious.
“Hey, what are you guys doing?”
“Going over the plans for my father-in-law's house.”
“Hmm. Well, It certainly looks expensive.”
“It is. I'm using the best of everything.”
“Well, that certainly doesn't leave much room for you to make a profit, does it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why, with all the extra cost of all that extra material, and the extra men that you'll have to hire to put it all in, your overhead is going to eat away most of the profits, so you'll get less money for doing more work.”
“No. That doesn't seem right, does it?”
Saul Wood, who couldn’t see or hear the devil, was curious. “What doesn't seem right?”
Mr. Devil pointed. “Look right here. Does he really need all that insulation?”
“Why not? It will keep everybody warm.”
“Warm? My badness! I'll bet it gets as hot as... uh... Miami Beach in summer in there! Why not use a little less, and charge the same? No one will climb inside the walls to see if it is there. After all, you now have a family to provide for. You can't let your wife starve just to save your father-in-law a few bucks, can you?”
“You're right. After all, he is a millionaire. Munny's got plenty of money.”
Saul was beginning to wonder. “Who are you talking to?”
“Just thinking out loud.”
“Sure. And just remember, he doesn't know anything about the building business. He'll never notice the difference.”
“You're right.”
Saul asked. “Right about what?”
“I've been thinking. We don't have to use all that much insulation. The walls will lock the cold out.”
Saul was confused. “They will?”
Mr. Devil pointed at another place on the blueprints. “Say, you aren't really going to use such big, thick boards, are you? Aren't you aware of how much wood costs these days?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah. Change these 4 inch floor boards to 2 inch ones.”
Saul was doubtful. “2 inch? Will that hold the weight?”
“Sure. As long as he doesn't invite any fat people over for dinner! Haw, haw!”
Mr. Devil had another idea. “And what rich guy uses an attic? So the attic doesn't really have to have a floor, does it?”
Jack agreed. “Good Idea. We can make the attic floor out of pre-stressed cardboard.”
Saul was incredulous. “Outta pre-stressed WHAT?”
“Pre-stressed cardboard.”
Saul muttered. “Boy, I've heard of cracker box houses, but this is ridiculous!”
Jack heard him. “You can be replaced, you know.”
“Just kidding, boss. Just kidding.”
This time Jack had an idea that he pointed out to Mr. Devil. “And I think that this Model 400 heater is just too big. A model 200 will do.”
Mr. Devil grinned. “I know just what you mean. The guy that built my place put in a furnace that just has to be seen to be believed!”
6 months later, Lot O. Munny was seated back at his desk when Jack came in. Outside the window, we can see the hilltop building site where the new house is.
“Well, Mr. Munny, your house is finished.”
“Is it a palace? A sight to see?”
“Oh, it's a sight all right!”
“There isn't another house like it in the whole wide world?”
Jack glanced over at the house. Noting the band-aids holding the roof on. “You can say that again!”
“Excellent. Where's the bill?”
“Here you go, father-in -law.”
“My, what a very big bill! I've never seen such a big bill.”
“Well, you said you wanted the biggest, best, and most beautiful house in the world, didn't you? That takes a lot of money to do.”
“Well, I'll buy that.”
“Just pay the bill and you did.”
“OK. Here's the money. Sure you can carry this much without hurting yourself?”
“If I have to I'll use my forklift!”
“Where's the deed to the house?”
“Here you are.”
“My, what a tiny deed! And what a lot of small print. I can't even read the guarantees and assurances.”
“There was a paper shortage.”
“Probably caused by printing that bill. Anyway Jack, I didn't tell you this, but I had a secret reason for having you build this house.”
“A secret reason?”
“Yes, I did. The reason I had you build the biggest, best, and most beautiful house in the world is this: I wanted to show you and my daughter how much I love you. Here. Take the deed, and move on in. The house is yours!”
Jack was boggled. “What?”
“That house is my wedding present to you. You built that house for yourself! Surprise, surprise, surprise!”
“Arrgh!” Jack looked out the window in disbelief at the house. It is just in time to watch the band aids give way, and the roof collapse through the second floor. He beats his head on the desk, crying. “Wah! Boo-hoo!”
Lot giggled. “Gee, he's so overwhelmed with joy; he's crying!”
THE BUILDING
One day as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He heard a voice call out. “Hey, Jesus!”
Jesus turned. “Oh, it’s you Simon Peter. What do you want?”
“You know, I really liked that story you told us last night, about that prodigal son fellow. I learned a lot from it.”
“That's nice. Now what are you going to do about it?”
“Do about it? What do you mean?”
“Just listening to my parables, and then doing nothing about them, is ridiculous. It's just a waste of time. The people who hear what I teach them, and put it into practice, are like the wise man who built his house on a foundation of solid rock. When the big storm came, and the winds blew and the rain fell, the house stood upright through it all, for it was built strongly on a firm foundation. Those people who listen to what I say, but then don't apply my words to their lives, are like the foolish man who built his house on a sand dune. When the storm came, the winds blew and the rain washed away the sand. With it's foundation gone, it didn't matter what kind of house it was, or how well built. It came crashing down.”
“Well, gee, that's all very nice, but I already have a house. I don't have to build one. But You should know that. You were just there last month for dinner, and healed my mother-in-law.” Peter frowned. “Which I personally found an abuse of my hospitality.” Then he brightened. “But you know, I did like that miracle where you filled my nets with fish much better. In fact, with You around, the fishing is so much better, that James, John and I could use a bigger boat. You know, if You do a repeat of that one where I catch a fish with a denarius in it's mouth that would be really neat. Only do it with a bigger fish, with say 100 denari in it, we could build a really big boat. Then we could catch enough fish to..."
“Simon Peter Bar Jonah!”
“Huh?” Peter blushed. “Uh, yeah?”
“What I was saying to you, before we got side tracked with boats and fish, is that you are building something.”
“The bigger boat?"
“No. I mean that you are building your life. If you build your life out of the wrong things, such as Deceit, Pride, Anger, Envy, Greed, Gluttony and Sloth, your life will end up a wreck, just like the house with unsteady foundations. If, however, you build your life on the solid foundation of God's word, then it will be strong and secure. Now do you understand?”
“Well, maybe if you explained just a bit more.
“Certainly. In fact, I have another story that I think will show you exactly what I mean…”
One night as Mr. Lot Oscar Munny was working late at his desk, his butler Jeeves came in. Jeeves decided not to mention that what Mr. Munny was working so diligently on was the crossword puzzle. “Excuse me, sir.”
“Yes?”
“Your daughter, Nikkel, has just arrived from college, sir.”
“She has? Hmm. I wonder what it could be. It's not vacation time yet, is it Jeeves?”
“No, sir. I don't believe it is.”
“Well, send her in, so I can find out what is going on.”
“Certainly sir. And by the way, line 32 down is creosote.”
“Now how did he know I was having trouble with that one? Well, well, well. How's my little Nikkel?”
“Just swell. I have important news for you, daddy.”
“Really? What is it?”
“I eloped and got married yesterday. I finally found Mr. Right.”
“You married Charlie Wright of Wright Way Transport?”
“No, Daddy. Mr. Right's just an expression.”
“Dear, just because he used to work as a pression, doesn't mean you should look down your nose at him. Look how much he's made of himself since he became an expression.”
“Huh? Uh, if you say so. Any way. I married Jack Hammer, the house builder.”
“Oh. Well, is he here? I would like to meet him, if you don't mind. It's the least you can do after not inviting me along for the elopement.”
“Sure. I'll bring him in.” She went to the door and called out. “Oh, Jack darling.”
Lot looked up from the crossword. “But I thought you said his name was Jack Hammer? Who's Jack Darling?”
“Never mind, daddy. Here's Jack now.”
“Jack Now? I thought you said he was Jack Darling?”
“Daddy, how did you ever become a millionaire?”
“I made my money the old fashioned way. I inherited it.”
A tall, dark handsome man entered the room, radiating smarmy good cheer. “Good evening, Mr. Munny. I'm Jack Hammer.”
“And good evening to you, too. So you're Jack Hammer, the house builder?”
“Not quite yet. I have started the company. I've gotten all the tools, materials and crew I need. It's just a matter of time until I'm hired for my first construction job."
“Hmm. Yes. But that could be quite some time. I don't know too much about the house building business, but you are right about getting that first job. No one will hire you until they can see a house that Jack built, and see what a good job you do. Without that first job, it can be a long wait.”
“Yeah. But once the first one comes along, everything will click right into place. Meanwhile, there isn't much else I can do but just wait.”
“My boy, your wait is over. I am going to solve your problem.”
“You will? How?”
“I'm going to hire you to build the biggest, the best, the most beautiful house in the city. Everyone will gaze at it in wonder, and say: "Wow. This is the house that Jack built. Make it fit for a king. That way, everyone who sees it will know what a good builder you are, and hire you to build one for them.”
Time passed. At the construction site of the biggest, best and most beautiful house in the city, Things were hopping. The materials were all laid out, and construction was about to commence. Jack called to his foreman. “Hey, Saul Wood! Where are the blueprints?”
“Here's the plans, boss.” He unrolled the plans. As they started to study them, no one had noticed a third party wander up. Mr. Devil was quite curious.
“Hey, what are you guys doing?”
“Going over the plans for my father-in-law's house.”
“Hmm. Well, It certainly looks expensive.”
“It is. I'm using the best of everything.”
“Well, that certainly doesn't leave much room for you to make a profit, does it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why, with all the extra cost of all that extra material, and the extra men that you'll have to hire to put it all in, your overhead is going to eat away most of the profits, so you'll get less money for doing more work.”
“No. That doesn't seem right, does it?”
Saul Wood, who couldn’t see or hear the devil, was curious. “What doesn't seem right?”
Mr. Devil pointed. “Look right here. Does he really need all that insulation?”
“Why not? It will keep everybody warm.”
“Warm? My badness! I'll bet it gets as hot as... uh... Miami Beach in summer in there! Why not use a little less, and charge the same? No one will climb inside the walls to see if it is there. After all, you now have a family to provide for. You can't let your wife starve just to save your father-in-law a few bucks, can you?”
“You're right. After all, he is a millionaire. Munny's got plenty of money.”
Saul was beginning to wonder. “Who are you talking to?”
“Just thinking out loud.”
“Sure. And just remember, he doesn't know anything about the building business. He'll never notice the difference.”
“You're right.”
Saul asked. “Right about what?”
“I've been thinking. We don't have to use all that much insulation. The walls will lock the cold out.”
Saul was confused. “They will?”
Mr. Devil pointed at another place on the blueprints. “Say, you aren't really going to use such big, thick boards, are you? Aren't you aware of how much wood costs these days?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah. Change these 4 inch floor boards to 2 inch ones.”
Saul was doubtful. “2 inch? Will that hold the weight?”
“Sure. As long as he doesn't invite any fat people over for dinner! Haw, haw!”
Mr. Devil had another idea. “And what rich guy uses an attic? So the attic doesn't really have to have a floor, does it?”
Jack agreed. “Good Idea. We can make the attic floor out of pre-stressed cardboard.”
Saul was incredulous. “Outta pre-stressed WHAT?”
“Pre-stressed cardboard.”
Saul muttered. “Boy, I've heard of cracker box houses, but this is ridiculous!”
Jack heard him. “You can be replaced, you know.”
“Just kidding, boss. Just kidding.”
This time Jack had an idea that he pointed out to Mr. Devil. “And I think that this Model 400 heater is just too big. A model 200 will do.”
Mr. Devil grinned. “I know just what you mean. The guy that built my place put in a furnace that just has to be seen to be believed!”
6 months later, Lot O. Munny was seated back at his desk when Jack came in. Outside the window, we can see the hilltop building site where the new house is.
“Well, Mr. Munny, your house is finished.”
“Is it a palace? A sight to see?”
“Oh, it's a sight all right!”
“There isn't another house like it in the whole wide world?”
Jack glanced over at the house. Noting the band-aids holding the roof on. “You can say that again!”
“Excellent. Where's the bill?”
“Here you go, father-in -law.”
“My, what a very big bill! I've never seen such a big bill.”
“Well, you said you wanted the biggest, best, and most beautiful house in the world, didn't you? That takes a lot of money to do.”
“Well, I'll buy that.”
“Just pay the bill and you did.”
“OK. Here's the money. Sure you can carry this much without hurting yourself?”
“If I have to I'll use my forklift!”
“Where's the deed to the house?”
“Here you are.”
“My, what a tiny deed! And what a lot of small print. I can't even read the guarantees and assurances.”
“There was a paper shortage.”
“Probably caused by printing that bill. Anyway Jack, I didn't tell you this, but I had a secret reason for having you build this house.”
“A secret reason?”
“Yes, I did. The reason I had you build the biggest, best, and most beautiful house in the world is this: I wanted to show you and my daughter how much I love you. Here. Take the deed, and move on in. The house is yours!”
Jack was boggled. “What?”
“That house is my wedding present to you. You built that house for yourself! Surprise, surprise, surprise!”
“Arrgh!” Jack looked out the window in disbelief at the house. It is just in time to watch the band aids give way, and the roof collapse through the second floor. He beats his head on the desk, crying. “Wah! Boo-hoo!”
Lot giggled. “Gee, he's so overwhelmed with joy; he's crying!”
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