_Then a Samaritan comes along, and as soon as he hears the groans he hastens over to the man. He kneels down and looks at him and speaks._]

_Good Samaritan:_ What is this--a man! Hast thou been hurt, my friend?

_Man:_ Oh, help me! Thieves fell upon me and took all I had, and have left me here to die.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 9.--The Good Samaritan]

_Good Samaritan:_ I will help thee, my good friend; thy wounds shall be bound. Drink this wine. It may help thee.

Art thou able to get on this beast of mine? I will take thee to the inn where thou wilt be cared for. [_He helps the man to rise and supports him as he hobbles off. They both go out._]

SCENE II

PLACE: The Inn.

CHARACTERS: The Samaritan, the Traveler, the Innkeeper.

[_The_ GOOD SAMARITAN _brings the man to the door of the inn and knocks. The_ INNKEEPER, _appears._]

_Innkeeper:_ Good day, sir.

_Good Samaritan:_ Here is a wounded man. Take care of him.

Here is money, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will repay thee. [_He gives the_ INNKEEPER _some money. The_ INNKEEPER _takes the man._]

_Traveler_ [_to_ GOOD SAMARITAN]: G.o.d bless you, my friend!

END

THE PRODIGAL SON

ACT I

PLACE: In the father's home.

CHARACTERS: The Younger Brother, the Father, the Elder Brother, Servants.

[_The_ FATHER _and_ ELDER SON _come into the room together. The_ YOUNGER SON _comes in from another door._]

_Younger Son:_ Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth unto me. I am weary of living at home. I will go into some far country and make my fortune.

_Father:_ My son, why is it that thou desirest this? Hast thou not everything at home?

_Younger Son:_ Yea, father, but I beg of thee to divide thy living between us. I must have my share.

_Father:_ Thou art very foolish; nevertheless I will do as thou askest. [_To servant_]: Bring my money bags. [_To_ ELDER SON]: And dost thou intend to take thy living also, and leave thy father?

_Elder Son:_ Nay, father, I am fully content to live with thee; I do not want my portion.

[_Servant returns with money bags._ FATHER _gives money to his younger son._]

_Father:_ This is thy share--use it wisely.

_Younger Son:_ I thank thee, father. I shall become a rich man with this; but now I must leave thee; I can stay here no longer.

_Father:_ This grieves me, my son, for I know that thou art foolish--but go and learn thy lesson.

[_He stretches out his hands toward his son as if blessing him._]

ACT II

SCENE I

PLACE: Along the roadside in a distant country.

CHARACTERS: The Prodigal Son, a Farmer.

[_The_ PRODIGAL SON _comes down the road, tired and hungry. He sits on a rock and talks._]

_Prodigal Son:_ Would that I had something to eat! My money is all spent, and there is famine in the land. What shall I do? I am sick, and feel that I may soon die. If I could but find something to do that I might get a little food.

[_A man comes along. The_ PRODIGAL SON _goes toward him and falls down before him._]

_Prodigal Son:_ O sir, I am starving unto death. Wilt thou give me any task to do that I may make enough to keep me alive?

_Man:_ I have no work to be done--unless it be to take care of my swine. Thou wilt find them in yon field; they need a keeper.

_Prodigal Son:_ I will gladly do this.

[_He goes off joyfully._]

SCENE II

PLACE: In the field with the swine.

CHARACTER: The Prodigal Son.

[_The_ PRODIGAL SON _comes in driving the pigs. He sits down._]

_Prodigal Son:_ How horrible is this life; I am dying of hunger. No man will give me anything--all I get to eat is the food that I give the pigs. Oh, I wish that I had never left home! How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants."

[_He rises and goes away hurriedly._]

ACT III