Ah! The first day of summer! The calendar beckons with promise of cotton wool clouds in a sky of sapphire, new-cut grass and long, lazy days in the balmy sun. The window, on the other hand, shows the monotone grey of disappointed dreams, aka the additional autumn we have in England between spring and real autumn.
Yes, it’s June, and I’m sat here in cardi and blanket. Well, at least it’s not raining. Yet.
To cheer us up, here’s a jaunty little script for a re-telling of The Good Samaritan in a new translation directly from the original Greek. It’s called Snuffles and the Big Bad Cat and it’s from my very first book A Bucketful of Ideas for Church Drama.
You see, we think of Samaritans as good people these days, so to get the message across, we need to re-frame the story with contemporary images. I’ve used cat and dog, but there are suggestions in the book for various alternatives, depending on what puppets you have available. It would also work well with two actors wearing Celtic and Rangers football shirts, for example.
There’s a video of me (and my over-acting co-star) in action below, then the script, and your lectionary liturgy resources (based on Psalms 130 and 138), at the end. Enjoy!
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Snuffles and the Big Bad Cat
Narr: (throughout)
Hello everybody. I have a friend I’d like you to meet.
His name is Snuffles. Would you like to meet Snuffles? (Yes)
Oh, you don’t sound very sure.
Would you like to meet Snuffles? (Yes!)
Oh, good. So, after three, let’s all say “Hello Snuffles”, and we’ll see if he will come out to meet you. Ready? One, Two, Three! (Hello Snuffles!) [Snuffles enters]
Hello Snuffles! This is Snuffles. He’s my pet dog and he’s … [Snuffles whispers]
What’s that Snuffles? You’re feeling a bit shy?
[Snuffles nods, and continues to interact with Narrator throughout]
Snuffles is feeling a bit shy, so he wants me to tell you what he’s saying. Is that alright? (Yes)
So, what do you want to say to the boys and girls? [whispering]
You want to tell the boys and girls a story?
That sounds good. Would you like to hear Snuffles’ story? (Yes!)
What’s your story about, Snuffles? [whispering]
Ah. It’s a story that Jesus told. Jesus told a lot of good stories. [whispering] And this story is called ‘Snuffles and the Big Bad Cat.’ So is the story about you, Snuffles? [nods] That sounds good. So let us begin.
Jesus told a story to show us who is worthy of love. He said:
Once upon a time, there was a dog called Snuffles … Hey that’s you! … a dog called Snuffles who was going to the park to play with his favourite ball when –
Oh No! He was chased by a Big Bad Cat!
Click here to download PDF of full script Snuffles and the Big Bad Cat
Liturgy Resources for Proper 5
Ps 130, Ps 138
Confession and Absolution
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Lord, we cry to you from the depths of sorrow for our sin.
Forgive us, we pray, for all that we have thought, said or done
that is not pleasing to you.
In the silence we name them.
[pause]
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
In the name of God the gracious and compassionate,
long-suffering and of great goodness,
you are forgiven. Go in peace.
Amen.
Blessing and Dismissal
When you walk in the midst of trouble,
may God preserve you against the wrath of your enemies.
May God stretch out his hand towards you,
his right hand deliver you.
May the Lord fulfil his purpose for you,
his steadfast love endure forever over you.
And the blessing …
Go with strength of soul
to sing of his steadfast love and faithfulness
for great is the glory of the Lord.
Amen and Amen.
The Reflectionary 