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The Prodigal PoodleA fun version of one of the Bible's most popular parables. A two-, three-, or four-person puppet play. Cast Narrator: Pookers and Noodle were hard-working poodles on the farm of their master, Bill. They hunted ducks and guarded chickens and life was a-okay. It was a-okay until the day young Pookers got bored. Pookers: (to Noodle) Darn it, Noodle, I sure am bored. Hunting ducks is fun, and guarding the chickens is all right, but sometimes it just isn't enough for a young poodle like me. Noodle: Listen, Pookers, I'm your brother. I've been a poodle for as long as I've been called Noodle, which is to say I've been a poodle for longer than you. And I can tell you that a poodle can't ask a better life than this. We can hunt and doodle, guard chickens, eat strudel, what more could a young poodle want? Pookers: I don't know. Something, I guess. Maybe I'll just have to find out for myself. I oughta go talk to Master Bill. (Pookers walks off) Noodle: (calls after him) Pookers! Noooooooooooooo! Narrator: And so Pookers did talk to Master Bill. He told his master that he wanted more out of life than hunting and guarding chickens. Pookers: (to Master Bill) So if it's okay with you, Master Bill, I'd like you to pack up all the treats you plan to give me over the years, along with my winter poodle jacket, and send me on my way. I want to be free. Master Bill: If that's what you want, Pookers, then so be it. We sure will miss you here on the farm, but I love you and want you to be happy. Let me get all your treats and your winter poodle jacket, and you'll be free to roam. Narrator: That was all young Pookers needed to hear. As soon as he got his treats and winter poodle jacket, he darted off the farm and into the sunset. That night, he bundled up tight and chowed and chowed and chowed on his treats until he fell asleep, warm and full of yummy food. He did the same the next night and the next. All day he gnawed on slippers and barked at strangers. Pookers was having an exquisitely good time! He partied and indulged in extravagant living until one day, all his treats were gone. Pookers the poodle had squandered the whole caboodle. Pookers: (to himself) Boy, life is rough on the streets. Not long ago I had everything I wanted. Now I'm digging through garbage for scraps and shivering through these cold winter nights. If only I hadn't lost my winter poodle jacket in that poker game, I wouldn't be so cold. Oh, what a foolish poodle I've been! Narrator: And so, with his poodle tail between his poodle legs, Pookers made his way back to the farm. Pookers: (after finding Master Bill and his brother Noodle) Master Bill, I sure have been a foolish poodle. My treats are gone, and my winter poodle coat is lost. I will gladly serve you here on the farm. I can still hunt ducks and guard the chickens. Your word is my command. All I ask in return is to stay with the chickens and to get some dry, flavorless poodle chow. Master Bill: Poodle chow! Not for my Pookers! My Pookers was dead but he is alive again; he was lost but now he is found. And without a microchip no less! Oh, my sweet Pookers, I've missed you so. I'll cook up some roast beef, and I'll tap the barrel of root beer. Tonight we feast and toast your return! Noodle: But, Master Bill, I have been so loyal to you. I've hunted ducks and guarded chickens, and never was there a slice of roast beef for me. Never a drop of root beer. This just isn't fair! Pookers has been such a bad poodle, yet all along I've been your loyal Noodle! Master Bill: My dear Noodle. You, my loyal poodle, have always been with me. I love you deeply and all that I have is yours. But your brother Pookers has returned! He is alive again and found. This is a time to rejoice, for Pookers has changed his ways and come home! |
