The well-meaning Samaritan - written by Leigh Riches
2003 Oakden Baptist Church

The well-meaning Samaritans.



[ Requires - 4 people and some sort of large obstacle or weight (ie. a large fake rock) able to cover someone's leg ]

(person 1 is centre stage with their leg 'pinned down' by the large weight or 'rock' - he is unable to move but persists in trying to pull him self out from under the weight)


Person 1 : (sees Sam1 passing by and waves and calls out to attract attention ) uhhh..... excuse me.... over here...... I need some help.

Sam1: (sees Person1 but doesn't want to get too close - he's running late and is a little agitated)
Oh..... hi there... (starts to walk off)

Person 1: uh.... HELLO..... I need some help here, .... I've got my leg stuck under this and I.... can't seem to get out.

Sam 1: (still running late)..Yes.... I saw that.... umm... look I'd like to help, but... well I'm running really late..... I'm going to a Bible study... and it starts in a few minutes.

Person 1: oh....um.... Yeah... look I'm sure they won't mind if you're a little late... if you could just help me out from under this....

Sam 1: (frustrated) Well.... I'd like to help ... it's just that, you see.... I'm actually leading the Bible study and the group..... really needs me.... you know.... to make sure they feel welcome and cared for.

Person 1: Oh.... OK.... I guess that's important then....

Sam 1: Yeah, it is.... but.... Hey..... I hope it works out for you....

Person 1: Oh (a little incredulous) thanks,..... thanks for that....

(Sam 1 exits the stage and soon after Sam2 enters and noticing person 1 walks toward him. Sam2 is a little more cheerful and gentle that Sam1 ]


Sam 2: Hey.... are you OK?

Person 1: (startled and looking around) Oh...Oh.... hi...... yes..... I'm a bit stuck here.... I can't get out and it's starting to really hurt my leg.

Sam 2: Well, you're fortunate that I happened to be coming along this way... I 'm actually on my way to a prayer meeting.

Person 1: (relieved) Well I'm glad you came along..... can you help me please?....

Sam 2: Oh, Certainly..... (Sam2 gets a notebook and pen from her bag)... do you have any prayer points?

Person 1: (pauses a few seconds in disbelief).......umm...... well ..uh.... there is one that springs to mind!



Sam 2: (realising) Oh... of course,.... I'm sorry... (she scribbles a few notes and then looks up cheerfully).... any other prayer points?

Person 1: (still in disbelief) No...... No.... that's pretty much it right now.

Sam 2: (still cheery) OK... we'll certainly be praying for you tonight....(She starts heading off).... God Bless!

Person 1: Oh..... thank....you......


(Sam 2 exits the stage and soon after Sam3 enters walks past person 1. Sam3 is very knowledgeable and all too ready to impart help in the form of medical advice ]

Person 1: Excuse me..... can you please help me?

Sam 3: Oh.... sorry I didn't see you there... what seems to be the problem?

Person 1: This (rock) fell onto my leg and I can't move it or get up.

Sam 3: (studying the situation)... Yes..... I can see that you're in considerable pain.... you're very fortunate you know, because I happen to be a Physiotherapist.

Person 1: Really.....(relieved) Oh.... I am so glad you came along.... this is really killing me...

Sam 3: And it's no wonder..... I can tell from the position of the (rock) that it's applying considerable pressure to your smaller fibula and that's putting undue stress o n the large tibia in the lower leg. Do you have any feeling.... uh....in your toes?

Person 1: (Thinks to himself)... Uh..... (worried)... no.....

Sam 3: Yes.... I wouldn't be surprised if the Talus and subtalar joint have been damaged which is why there is little or no feeling there..... Not to mention that due to the awkward angle which you're leg is in you're probably over-extending the anterior tibial tendon which will add considerably to your discomfort.

Person 1: Oh.... like shooting pains through my leg....

Sam 3: (a little excited) Yes.... yes... that's it all right...... spot on. You'll need to make sure that you get that elevated once you get it out of there..... (waving finger) don't forget that now.... (he turns to leave)... well... I must be off.....

Person 1: Uhh..... (urgently)... aren't you.... forgetting something?.......

Sam 3: (turning) Hmm..... oh.... of course, I'm sorry.... (he scribbles on a paper and hands it to Person 1)

Person 1: What's this?.....

Sam 3: (cheerfully) My consultation fee...... and if you have any more problems when you get out of there, you come and see me won't you. (he exits)

Person 1: Yeah...... I'll ... I'll do that.... (after a few seconds more he looks left, then right as if expecting someone else to come by..... but nothing)

Person 1: Funny...... I was sure that someone would come along who actually cared enough to really help me..... but maybe that's just in parables.