Parable of the Shapes

Material needed: 2 Square, 2 triangle, 2 star, 2 circle, 1 blob and 1 in-spite-of sign

The Script:

NARRATOR: There once was a land of IF and BECAUSE That sat on the earth as every land does. And every person who lived in the land, Would search for a person they could understand. Now let us together observe what takes place When IF and BECAUSE people meet face-to-face.

1st CIRCLE As I walk along this fine sunny day, A stranger I see coming my way. Is this stranger a friend or a foe? Not till I look at the shape will I know. A circle I be and a circle I stay; A circle is needed for friendship today (enter Blob) Hello my friend, Circle s my name And finding a friend is my kind of game. Have you a circle to exchange with me here? Or-are you an alien shape, I fear?

BLOB: A friendly fellow you seem to be And circles I need for good friends, to be. What my own shape is, I really don t know...... But I hope its a circle so friendship will grow. I m so glad I found you, I m so glad to see That such a relationship can possibly be.

1st CIRCLE; Now wait a minute, Oh stranger here. You hasten your happiness too fast, I fear. I told you before- our two shapes must match In order for any new friendship to hatch. If you were a circle with roundest of frame, We d be friends forever because we re the same. But, I see no circle, I see nothing round. I think that it s only a BLOB that I ve found. Now - think of my image, what others might say, I can t take the risk, Away! Away!

BLOB I m so broken hearted, I m in such despair. I am not a circle. It doesn t seem fair. (enter 2nd CIRCLE) 2nd CIRCLE A call for a circle, is that what I hear? I, too, am a circle, such joy and such cheer; For now, dear circle, you long vigil ends, We ve found one another. Forever we re friends! (two circles embrace and walk off) (enter 1st STAR)

1st STAR: I am a star, a beautiful star. Better than all other shapes, by far. And if you are the finest, I think you will see That shape you are holding, a star it will be. If I d find a star, we d frolic in fun, And dance and play and never be done; If you are a star, my friendship you ve won. But, as I look closer, I see you re not one. You re only a BLOB. We ll never go far; Unless you can prove that you re also a star!

BLOB: My shape s not important. Myself is what counts. Just give me some friendship in any amount.

1st STAR: I ve no time for BLOBS, so go on your way, For I think a star is coming this way........ (enter 2nd STAR) 2nd STAR A star I am, and a star I ll stay. Oh, praise be to stars, it s our lucky day!

1st STAR: O star, O star, what double delight! These shapes that we re holding- they match us just right.

2nd STAR: At last, we re together, so happy and proud. Together we ll surely stand out in a crowd. So BLOB, adios! Farewell and good-bye! You just don t fit in, and don t ask us why. (Stars both exit) BLOB: Alas, I am broken. What worse could I do? Than being rejected by each of these two. (enter 1st SQUARE) 1st SQUARE: Through this crowd I now will stare To see if perhaps there be somewhere a square. Pardon me there, but some time could you lend? If you are a square, I ll be your true friend.

BLOB; Oh, surely, dear square, our shape s not the same, But, I m a sweet person, and what s in a name?

1st SQUARE: Your shape s not a square and you talk to me so? I can t believe all the nerve that you show. If it s friendship you want, than friendship go get, But, not from a shape with which you don t fit. (enter 2nd SQUARE) 2nd SQUARE: A call for a square? I ll soon be right there. A square I am and a square I ll be. I ll join you in friendship, of square, just ask me. Because our fine corners do each number four, We ll stay close together forever and more! (both squares exit) BLOB: I m torn and I m frazzled, what worse could there be, Than being rejected by each of these three. (enter TRIANGLE) 1st TRIANGLE: I m wandering to and I m wandering fro, In search of a three-sided shape just like so (points to his?her shape) For if I could find one, I know we would blend, For only a triangle can be a TRUE friend.

BLOB: Hello there, dear sister, I ve heard all you ve said. I can t help but think - to you I ve been led. For you need friendship and I need the same, So on with the friendship and off with the game.

1st TRIANGLE: Now, who is this talking? What shape do you hold? You seem sort of strange, just what is your mold? You are not pretty, you shapeless disgrace. Why Your just a BLOB, it s all over your face. I ve no time for you, you pitiful one. This senseless discussion is over and done! (enter 2nd TRIANGLE) 2nd TRIANGLE: A call for a triangle? Well, I ll fill the need. We re made for each other, it must be agreed. (triangles both exit together) BLOB: No one understands poor shapeless me, Cause I m just a BLOB as you can well see. If I were a circle or maybe a square, Then I could be having some fun over there. Why can t all you shapes just notice and see, that I m just as miserable as I can be. With no one to laugh and be good friends with, I m beginning to feel just a little bit miffed.

NARRATOR: Now just at this moment comes into this place.... a person who s different in style and in grace. So quiet and thoughtful and listens quite well, Observing the stories that our characters tell. Now with me return to our tale if you can... And witness the ways of the IN-SPITE-OF-FRIEND. (enter IN SPITE OF FRIEND) IN SPITE OF; Hello, will you be my friend?

BLOB: Oh, no can t you see... I m not a circle or square, so please leave me be.

IN SPITE OF; Friend, once again to you I will say, Will you not be my friend on this fine day?

BLOB: Your humor s not funny. I m wise to your jokes. You re here to make fun like the rest of these folks.

IN SPITE OF; Now what is the problem, my poor little one? You seem so distressed, so completely undone.

BLOB; I ve run the whole gambit, I ve pleaded and cried To have them accept me and love me inside. But each time I seek them they look at my shape, and quickly reject me, it s like hearing a tape. You re not the right person, you ve got the wrong shape. The people will gossip, the people will gape. If this shall continue from day unto day, Alone I ll; remain and depressed will I stay.

IN SPITE OF; I think a great lesson s been brought to your sight. these shapes find it hard to accept you in spite . They re all possessive and selfish inside, They wallow in vanity, ego, and pride. But these is an answer I ve found to be true, And I ve come to offer this answer to you.

BLOB: I don t understand all you re trying to say, But you re the first person I ve met here today Who seems to accept me in spite of my form You break all the rules of the shape-seekers norm.

IN SPITE OF; Your wisdom is growing, I think you now see Love puts no conditions on you or on me.

NARRATOR; Our moral is simple, I ll share it with you. It s all UP TO YOU. The world offers values which dazzle our eyes, It mixes the truth with ridiculous lies And we here are seeking the true meaning of This life that we re living. this word we call love The IF and BECAUSE folks are caught in a bind, For they only accept their very own kind. They love folks BECAUSE and love people IF , But few have discovered the IN SPITE OF GIFT!

Dick Davis