A heavy load - written by Leigh Riches
2003 Oakden Baptist Church
A heavy load.
[ Requires - 2 people, 4 giant garbage bags stuffed progressively with more stuffing
- ie. pillows, beanbags etc. ]
(Man 1 and Dave (carrying a quarter full garbage bag over his shoulder) enter from
either side of the stage and meet up at centre stage)
Man: (smiling & friendly) Hi Dave
Dave: (a little startled) ....oh......hi.....
Man: (noticing the sack) what's...in the sack there?
Dave: (looking around) huh... what?..... Oh that...... that's nothing..... just stuff
I've been ..... collecting.
Man: Oh...... doesn't it get... heavy carrying that around with you all the time?
Dave: Oh...no...... I don't even notice that it's there most of the time.... It's
fine.....umm..... I'll see you...... later.
Man: Yeah.... see you.
(Both exit opposite sides of stage and after a few seconds they enter again and meet
in the middle at the same spot. Dave's sack is now bigger and fuller.
Man: Hi Dave
Dave: (looking up but wanting to pass by) Hi....
Man: (noticing) Is.... Is that bag getting...... bigger?
Dave: Oh.... (slowly) yeah..... maybe a .... little. It's nothing that I can't cope
with though..... by myself.
Man: Are you sure?...... Because if you need any help.....
Dave: (cutting him off) Oh no..... I can manage it by myself..... really.... I'll
be fine.
Man: Well..... if you're... sure....
Dave: Yep..... I'm fine... (walks toward other side of stage, this time with a little
more effort required. man also exits stage on opposite side)
(After a few seconds they enter again and meet in the middle at the same spot - the
Man get's there first and waits for Dave to make it over. Dave's sack is now getting
really big and he's visibly struggling to get to the centre of the stage)
Man: (again, but still cheerful) Hi......(noticing really big bag over Dave's back)
Dave...... you know, that looks awfully heavy.... can I help......
Dave: What..... (puffing)... this..... No....... I didn't even know it was there until
you mentioned it....... besides...... it's my stuff......I'll take care of it......
Man: But.... surely that must be getting in the way.... and stopping you from being
able to do things.... I mean..... when you're like this...you can't even talk to
me properly anymore.
Dave: ( As he hobbles off ) It really doesn't make that much difference..... I'll
manage.
(They both exit - Dave puffing and almost collapsing under the weight. After a few
seconds the Man enters again and heads for centre stage. Dave enters and is now
dragging a REALLY HUGE bag along the ground. He looks up and sees the man in centre
stage about to greet him again)
Man: Hi.....
Dave: (shouting out and cutting him off) It's OK........ I'm fine..........no need
to worry....... I'll deal with it....... (he looks toward the other side of the stage,
and then changes his mind and starts dragging the big bag back to where he entered
from.
Man: (Moves to front microphone) [to congregation] Is there anything that's weighing
you down? ...... Jesus said this "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My Yoke is easy, and
My load is light."