The Dramatization of Bible Stories Part 5

[JOSEPH _rises._]

_Joseph:_ It is not in me; G.o.d shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

_Pharaoh:_ [_Repeats his dream to_ JOSEPH.]

[JOSEPH _comes nearer to_ PHARAOH.]

_Joseph:_ What G.o.d is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh: Behold, there will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise after them seven years of famine. And all the plenty shall be forgotten throughout Egypt, and the famine shall consume the land, and it shall be very grievous. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise and set him over the land of Egypt, and let him appoint officers over the land. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh. And let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be stored against the seven years of famine, that the land may not perish through famine.

_Pharaoh:_ This plan seemeth good unto me. Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of G.o.d is?

_The Wise Men:_ Nay, O King, he is most wise.

_Pharaoh:_ Forasmuch as G.o.d hath shewed thee all this, thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled, only in the throne will I be greater than thou. See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

[_To his servants:_] Bring a golden chain, and fine raiment for this man.

[_He puts a ring on_ JOSEPH'S _hand. When the clothes are brought they are put around him, the chain on his neck, etc._]

_Pharaoh:_ Thou shalt ride in the second chariot and all my people shall bow the knee unto thee. [_All people in the room bow._] I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

_Joseph:_ May the Lord G.o.d give me power to do his will.

SCENE III

PLACE: Pharaoh's palace.

CHARACTERS: Joseph, His Eleven Brothers, Servants, Pharaoh.

[JOSEPH _is seated on his high seat. A servant comes in._]

_Servant:_ Master, the men that came down from Canaan to buy food of thee have returned and would have a word with thee.

_Joseph:_ Bring them in. [_To another servant_]: Go see that a feast is prepared for these men.

[_The brothers enter bringing_ BENJAMIN. _They all fall on their faces._]

_Joseph:_ Arise! And have you returned bringing with you your youngest brother?

_Reuben:_ O sir, we have brought our youngest brother; he is here.

[BENJAMIN _is led forward._ JOSEPH _goes near and puts his hand on_ BENJAMIN.]

_Joseph:_ And is this your younger brother of whom ye spake unto me? G.o.d be gracious unto thee, my son! [_To the brothers:_] Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

_Levi:_ Thy servant, our father [_all bow heads_], is in good health; he is yet alive.

[JOSEPH _turns away and begins to weep; he leaves them abruptly and walks to the other side of the room._]

_Joseph_ [_to the servants_]: Cause every man to go out from me! [_All begin to leave the room, brothers included._] [_To the brothers. He walks quickly after them and holds his arms out toward them._] Stay! I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? Come near to me, I pray you. [_They come somewhat nearer and fall to the ground._] I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now, therefore, be not grieved nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me thither, for G.o.d did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and yet there are five years more. G.o.d hath sent me before you to save your lives.

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, "Thus saith thy son Joseph, G.o.d hath made me lord of all Egypt.

Come down unto me, and tarry not. And thou shalt be near unto me, thou and thy children, and thy flocks, and thy herds and all thou hast. Oh, do you not see that I am Joseph that speak unto you?" [_He weeps again and turns away._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 1--Pharaoh's court]

_Brothers:_ Joseph, our brother Joseph! Can he forgive us?

[PHARAOH _enters here_]

_Joseph:_ O King, these are my brethren, and from my father's tent.

_Pharaoh:_ Say unto thy brethren: "This do ye: Go back unto the land of Canaan and take your father and your household goods, and come unto me. And I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat of the fat of the land. Now ye are commanded: This do ye: Take ye wagons out of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come, for the good of the land shall be yours."

_One Brother:_ We thank thee, O great Pharaoh, and our brother Joseph. This is greater than we deserve. We will bring our father down straightway.

_Joseph:_ Praise be to G.o.d who has done this good thing!

END

CHAPTER IV

THE DRAMATIZATION OF _DAVID AND GOLIATH_

When beginning dramatic work with a group of children who have never had the training before, it is always well to select as the first story to be dramatized one that is short, simple in structure, and full of action. If children undertake a long story which involves complicated situations, they easily become discouraged and lose the joy and spontaneity which are essential elements in successful dramatizations.

Fables, such as "The Boy and the Wolf" or "The Fox and the Grapes," are excellent to begin with, because they contain the necessary qualities which make up a good short story. Situations as simple as those which are presented in these fables are entered into with great freedom, and they seem to pave the way for more ambitious dramatizations.

The story of _David and Goliath_ is short, simple, and yet contains vivid action. It was chosen as one of the first stories to be given to the dramatic club because of these qualities. After the children had gone through the experience of dramatizing it they had gained a self-confidence and a realization of their own power in interpreting a story through dramatization.

The methods employed in presenting _David and Goliath_ were much the same as those described in connection with _Joseph._ The point that must be kept in mind in all of this work is that the dramatization of a story begins with the action and that the words are developed. The play is never written first and acted afterward.

While telling the story the leader placed much emphasis upon the activities and ideals of the shepherd life of the Hebrews in the time of David. The children made their own armor--helmets, swords, s.h.i.+elds--from cardboard and colored papers. Pictures and descriptions which they secured helped them to get correct ideas as to shapes and decorations.

The costumes were simple little slips that could be belted in at the waist, and came only to the knees. The children helped to plan and make them. David made his shepherd staff from a limb of a tree, and the soldiers made their spears by fastening gilded points to long sticks.

A question arose as to how the sling was made. The children found, upon looking up this point, that the sling was woven from different colored wools. From a good picture they constructed looms from cardboard and actually wove several slings like David's. Fig. 14 shows a diagram of the loom as the children worked it out.

A very great value was derived from this construction work, in that it came entirely from the children; it was an outgrowth of their genuine interest in the subject. They were reliving the same experiences and solving the same problems that had confronted David.

The gentle spirit of David had a direct influence upon the whole group.

It made no difference what part a child interpreted--whether that of Goliath or of one of the brothers--it was evident that David's high ideals and sweetness of character called forth admiration.

Fig. 2 gives one of the scenes from _David and Goliath._ The play follows as it was given.