The Parable of the Pencils.
“Every time you use a pencil, or a crayon, think about what you are doing in your
life and check to see if you are meeting the expectations of the Pencil Maker!”
Cast:
Narrator, Pencil Maker, Pencil 1, Pencil 2, Pencil 3, Pencil 4, Pencil 5.
Props:
A large ‘Pencil Box’, or an enclosure, on the other side of the stage.
The five Pencils could dress up as five different coloured pencils with a brown paper cone as a hat, painted at the top with the colour of the pencil, and draped in a cloth around their shoulders and hanging down.
The Pencil Maker, could be wearing a workshop apron.
(The five Pencils are standing in a group surrounding the Pencil Maker who is standing on a small platform for extra height and effect. Initially the Pencils can be moving around, with the Pencil Maker patting them on the head in turn but all must remain still as the narrator starts. )
Narrator:
The Pencil Maker has finished making all his pencils and he spoke to them all just before putting them into the pencil box.
Pencil Maker:
There are 5 things you need to know.....
Narrator:
.... he told the pencils,
Pencil Maker:
....before I send you out into the world. Always remember these five things I am going to tell you and never forget them, and soon you will become the best pencils you can be.
(Each pencil walks into the centre of the stage, in turn, just before the Pencil Maker speaks to it. Afterwards, the Pencil walks into the Pencil Box across the stage. The next pencil then proceeds the same.)
Pencil Maker: (to Pencil 1:)
“Firstly, You will be able to do many great things but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand for the good you can do.
(to Pencil 2:)
Secondly, you will experience a painful sharpening, and will feel very troubled from time to time, but you'll need to grow through this to become a better pencil.
(to Pencil 3:)
Thirdly, if you make any mistakes in your life they can be corrected and you will be able to do good again.
(to Pencil 4:)
Fourth, the most important part of you will always be what's on the inside. Only you can know what’s really on your inside.
(to Pencil 5:)
And Fifth, on every surface you are used on, you will leave your mark. No matter what your condition, you must continue to write and be a true pencil.”
Narrator:
The pencils all understood and promised to remember these five important things and they are all in the pencil box with much purpose in their hearts.
(The Pencils are now all in the box, smiling, and with their hands together, as if praying....)
Narrator:
Now put yourself in the place of the pencils;
always remember the five things that you need to know and never forget them; then you will become the best people you can be......
(The pencils in turn walk to centre stage to say their parts, then remain centre.)
Pencil One:
You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be doing good for others and allow other human beings to access you for the many good gifts you possess.
Pencil Two:
You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time by going through various problems in your life; but you'll need them to become a stronger person and to learn from your experiences.
Pencil Three:
You will be able to correct your mistakes and grow through them to become a wiser and stronger person.
Pencil Four:
The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside. People can not see whats inside you, only you will know what’s really there.
Pencil Five:
On every step you take in your life, you will leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve others in everything you do; so that what you leave behind is worth being followed by someone else for their own good in this world.
Pencil Maker:
I am really quite pleased with all these pencils I have made; and they have all promised to do their best.
Some of them will become ‘broken’ at some point in their lives, but they will be able to ‘sharpen’ themselves, or ‘erase’ and ‘rub out’ their mistakes and make a fresh start again. I don’t really mind how many times the Pencils get broken, as long as they always make a fresh start and never forget the five things that I have told them to remember.
Narrator:
By understanding and remembering all these five things, we can be like the pencils and proceed with our life on this earth, having a meaningful purpose in our heart, and a good relationship with everyone every day.
(Short pause: the following could be said by all the characters together for greater effect.....)
“Every time you use a pencil, or a crayon, think about what you are doing in your life and check to see if you are meeting the expectations of our Pencil Maker!”
(All characters form a line and take a bow!!)
Original Author Unknown.
Adapted by © David West, 23rd January 2012.
This story could just be read out to your class or assembly;
Question: Who does the Pencil Maker represent?
Question: What does the Pencil Box represent?
(Feedback would be appreciated if you used this scenario: dwest@blueyonder.co.uk)
