Written by: Helen C. Jensen Burley Idaho West Stake, Burley 1st Ward
Characters: Sister Smith & Sister Jones – visiting teachers
Tess – mother
Introducer/sound effects
Narrator/singer
Accompanist
(Song is to the tune of the “Beverly Hillbillies” song)
Introduction:
Sisters, we’d like to welcome you all here today to our Visiting Teaching presentation. We have prepared an entertaining AND hopefully most inspiring dramatization of a visiting teaching situation that any one of you could find yourselves in. We hope that as our presentation progresses, each one of you will recognize the desired elements of a successful visiting teaching experience and incorporate these elements into your own efforts as you and your companion go forth in fulfillment of your callings as visiting teachers.
ACTION AS VERSE #1 IS SUNG:
(curtain opens with Tess sprawled on sofa with big mess strewn all around, empty clothes basket beside sofa – [someone from backstage cries like a baby] Tess acts overwhelmed, pull at hair, is startled when she hears “knock”)
VERSE #1
Come’n listen to a story ‘bout a gal named Tess.
She had a heart of gold, but her life was such a mess!
Then one day as she was pullin’ out her hair,
Came a knockin’ at her door, a most inspired pair…
(sisters “knock” at her door [sound effects from backstage]
[spoken]
Of sisters, that is. Visitin’ teachers.
(Tess looks over but doesn’t answer yet – sisters “knock” [sound effects] again)
[spoken]
Pesky ol’ critters.
ACTION AS VERSE #2 IS SUNG:
(Tess finally gets up and walks over, “sniffling” as she goes – pretends to open door. Sister have a basket containing necessary items – hankie, pot of soup, scriptures, Ensign, flower, dust cloth, hand vacuum, stuffed animal or toy)
VERSE #2
The next thing ya know, Tess opens up the door,
Now this is quite amazin’ cuz she never has before.
They have come most faithfully each month for nigh a year,
Just hopin’ that some day they’d have a chance to dry a tear…
(Sister Smith comforts Tess, sits her down, hands her a hankie from the basket – Sister Jones sneaks a peak at the mess… silently formulating a “plan of action”)
[spoken]
Weeeeee doggie! It’s a drencher! Ol’ Noah’d be right impressed!
Reckon it’s a good thing they come all readified…
ACTION AS VERSE #3 IS SUNG:
(Sisters have “conversation”, pointing to all the mess, etc., Tess continues to dry her tears, blows nose loudly)
VERSE #3
Now Sister Smith and Sister Jones were used to pitchin’ in,
But in this confusion they knew not where to begin.
The kids were sick, the house was wrecked, and if that twern’t enough,
Tess was green around the gills and lookin’ mighty rough…
(Sisters look at each other, then look upward together, give a big “nod”, and reach for their basket)
[spoken]
Now this here’s where bein’ “inspired” become real importicant – ‘member, I said
they was a “most inspired pair? Pay ‘tenchun, now! Ya’ll don’t wanna
miss nothin’ here. Helps when yer in tune with the Spirit, eh?
Right stengthifyin’, I reckon…
ACTION AS VERSE #4 IS SUNG:
(They both hug Tess and then Sister Jones grabs stuffed toy from basket and leaves stage during next verse momentarily – baby’s crying stops – she “sneaks” back to others, Sister Smith quickly gathers up mess and puts it in clothes basket, one sisters “vacuums” and the other “dusts”, they give Tess the flower)
VERSE #4
They smiled and they hugged young Tess and started on a roll,
‘For too long the Sisters had the mess in their control.
Amazin’ how a bond was tied without a rope or loop,
But with love and service – and a pot of chicken soup…
(produce pot from basket as ‘AND A POT OF CHICKEN SOUP” is sung)
[spoken]
Why Granny couldn’t a’ made it none better. Real delicifus. Better’n possum…
Reckon that “secret ingredient‘s” what done the trick…
What’s the secret ingredient?
(STOP THE Music and EVERYONE gives a “duh” look to audience as one line of “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” – then start back with other music)
ACTION AS VERSE #5 IS SUNG:
(all sit together on sofa as sisters read to Tess from scriptures)
Now came the chance fer everyone ta feel the Gospel Light,
Fer Christ has made it plain that we’re all equal in His sight.
It’s just that sometimes we all need a helpful, lovin’ hand,
And the knowledge of His love for us – that everlastin’ Plan…
[spoken]
…of Happiness. It’s fer families and such. Right joyifyin’. Ever’body needs joyifyin’, and that’s why
them visitin’ teachers go out visitin’… ‘n teachin’…. and stuff.
ACTION AS VERSE #6 IS SUNG:
(all hug, etc. as sisters prepare to leave – sisters make sure they have all their stuff gathered up and back in their basket – but they leave Ensign for Tess)
VERSE #6
Now it’s time fer me to go, but this is not the end,
For Sister Smith and Sister Jones have made a life-long friend.
And they’re invited back next month, with genuinity –
Cuz if ya done it to the least of them, ya done it unto me…
(sisters exit – Tess continues to read Ensign)
[spoken]
The Savior said that. I reckon we best be doin’ our best to be like Him…
Sounds right “enlightnin”’, don’t it?
Well, ya’ll come back now, ya hear? We’ll sit a spell… get ta know each other better.
Maybe we kin even do some ‘o that “bondin’” ourselves…
Why, I may even womp up a pot a’ chicken soup…
Oh, and we’ll turn “The Light” on fer ya….
