The Young Shepherd
by John Wayne Samples
©1996 JSam Communications
JohnW@jsam.com

Subjects:
David • Shepherd • Psalms • Comfort • Peace

Synopsis:
Period piece. The boy David interacts with the audience
as he ponders what's going on around him.
Compliments, or contrasts, the monologue, The Old Shepherd.

These two sketches can be used in sequence.

Purpose:
Sets-up a discussion or sermon about David. As a stand-alone, it addresses finding peace in times of anxiety.

Staging:
Bare stage, perhaps a rock or stump to sit on.

Props:
A staff. Live sheep would be nice, but I'd never recommend it where I could be quoted. Some rolled writing materials (scrolls).

Notes:
If lighting is available, a slow fade over the course of the sketch would be nice for the sunrise, preferably off to one side. General lighting should be slightly dim to represent moonlight.

1. [Yawning & Stretching, shepherd sees audience. Speaks as though he is talking to one person.]
2.  
3. Oh, Hi. Guess you couldn't sleep either, huh?
4.  
5. I know what you mean. The nights don't get any better than this one. Or I should say mornings. I bet we see an equally beautiful sunrise in a few minutes.
   
6. What's that?
7.  
8. Oh, I come here quite a bit. It's just about my favorite spot in the whole world. I especially like to come here when I'm anxious about something. I come here to think, and write, and pray.
9.  
10. Yeah, I write every chance I get. Plus, from here I can keep an eye on all the sheep, and when the moon is full, like tonight, I can see wolves trying to sneak in from clear across the valley.
11. Just take a look at those sheep. So peaceful and unaware of the dangers in the world.
12.  
13. No, I'm not really worried about wolves right now. In fact, I haven't seen any wolves in weeks.
14. So what's bothering me tonight? I'm not sure. Maybe I'm nervous about that trip I've got to take in the morning.
15.  
16. Didn't I tell you. Dad is sending me to see my brothers. I'm taking them some food and supplies. You know how bad that army food is supposed to be. Dad thought they deserved a break today...
17.  
18. [To the side, and kind of singsongy]
19. "They deserve a break today". I should write that down.
20.  
21. [Starts to undo a scroll, then changes his mind ]
22. Naw, it's not that good anyway.
23.  
24. Am I afraid of the battle? I don't think so. From what I've heard they are all in more danger of being bored to death than getting hurt in combat.
25. Sounds to me like both sides are just sitting around calling each other names.
26.  
27. [Protecting his scrolls]
28. You want to see these? No you don't. They're pretty personal.
29.  
30. No, they're not love letters! At least not to any girls.
31. It's mostly just... poetry, and songs and prayers. You know, religious stuff.
32.  
33. Really? Well, I guess I could read a couple of them to you, if I can get enough light from that moon.
34.  
35. [Scans a couple of pages]
36. Here's one I really like a lot...
37. One night after chasing away some wolves, just doing my job, I began thinking,
38. Like, OK, I'm taking care of the sheep, but who's taking care of me. Know what I mean? Haven't you ever wanted to just, you know, have somebody take care of you?
39. Anyway, here's what I wrote...
40.  
41. The LORD, is My shepherd.
42. I shall not want for anything.
43. He provides green fields for me to lie down in,
44. He leads me beside still waters,
45. He keeps making me feel good inside.
46. He guides me in the ways that are right,
47. for His name's sake,
48. And even though I walk through the valley where there is danger, and death, I will not be afraid,
49. Because He is with me. Because He comforts me.
50.  
51. So what do you think?
52.  
53. Oh, come on. You know poems don't have to rhyme.
54.  
55. What do you mean by that? How do you know if it's finished or not? It's my poem, and I should know if it's finished, and I say...
56.  
57. Actually, I had the same feeling, but I couldn't think of a better way to end it. But, as much as I recite this one, if it really needs an ending, it'll come to me someday.
58.  
59. Well, I hope it wasn't my poetry that made you sleepy.
60. No, I'm just kidding. Go on back to bed, I want to stay here just another minute or so.
61.  
62. [Adjusts to a prayerful position]
63. O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.
64. You know when I sit and when I rise.
65. You perceive my very thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways.
66. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord. You surround me, in front and behind,
67. You have laid your hand upon me.
68. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
69. Where can I hide from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
70. For you created my inmost being.
71. You put me together in my mother's womb.
72. I praise you because I am wonderfully made.
73. All your works are wonderful. I know that full well.
74.  
75. Search me O God, and know my heart.
76. Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
77. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,
78. And I will live in the House of the Lord, forever.
79.  
80. Oh, and as I travel the road to be with my brothers, embrace me in your arms of protection. Place your cover of wisdom over me.
81. Make my courage as though it were your own.
82. And open my eyes that I may serve you in ways never imagined.
83. And let all the glory be yours.
84.  
85. [Lights fade to black as David walks away]

    The End

    This script is available at no charge to church theatre groups
    who do not charge to watch the performance,
    and who include this URL in an appropriate credit.

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