BACK MUSTARD 4'2m0f The parable of the mustard seed ED -- And now, sit down, put your feet up, relax and listen to another edition of... Parables on Parade. Tonight's parable comes from Matthew chapter 13 beginning at verse 32. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. FRED -- (british accent) Alright, nobody leaves the room until I find out who done it! ED -- What is it now? FRED -- I'll solve this case, or my name isn't Sherlock Holmes. ED -- Your name isn't Sherlock Holmes. What are you doing with that fishing tackle box? FRED -- This is no ordinary fishing tackle box. This is an official crime scene investigation kit. ED -- An OFFICIAL crime scene investigation kit? FRED -- That's what it said in the ad in the back of the comic book. ED -- And in your official crime scene investigation kit is an official fingerprinting kit. FRED -- Precisely, Dr Watson. I am fingerprinting this flower pot. Then I shall compare the finger prints on the pot with the fingerprints of all those who had access to this studio during the last two weeks. Then, by a process of elimination I shall uncover the culprit. ED -- And just what was the alleged culprit alleged to have done? FRED -- He switched pots. ED -- He switched pots. FRED -- Precisely. For reasons which I have yet to uncover, the perpetrator gained access to the studio and made off with my flower pot, leaving behind an identical flower pot. ED -- Uh huh. FRED -- You see, Watson, in anticipation of today's parable, I planted a tiny mustard seed in my flower pot two weeks ago. Then, when I came in here today, my pot was gone and this identical pot was put in its place. ED -- And what makes you think that this is not the same flower pot that you brought in here two weeks ago? FRED -- Elementary, my dear Watson. My pot had nothing but soil and a tiny mustard seed in it. Even a child can see that this pot has a six foot tree growing in it. Ahha! A clear fingerprint! Right here near the top edge of the pot. The game is afoot, Watson! ED -- And whose print is it? FRED -- (clears throat, mumbles) Mine. ED -- Excuse me? FRED -- Mine. I said it's mine. I don't know how the cunning villain did this, but he not only stole my flower pot, but he also transferred my fingerprints to the new pot. Fascinating, eh, Dr Watson? ED -- I'm spellbound. FRED -- Far fetched as it sounds, it's possible that the villain emptied my pot and made off with the soil and the mustard seed, after transplanting this tree. But why go to all the trouble, eh? ED -- What kind of tree is that? FRED -- (no accent) How should I know, do I look like a botanist to you? ED -- The species of tree may provide a clue for solving this case. FRED -- (British accent) By Jove, Watson, you may have something there! Perhaps this whole thing is a diabolical clue planted by Moriarty to take me far afield and away from discovering a far greater crime. I happen to have a botanical guide book in my official crime kit. Let's see. Green stem. That eliminates all disiduous and coniferous trees. Small yellow flower. Uh huh. Uh huh. That brings us to... only remaining... possib... oh. ED -- Well, Sherlock, have you cracked the case? FRED -- (clears throat) Ah, well, perhaps we should finish this investigation another time. ED -- What kind of tree is it, Sherlock? FRED -- (no accent) You know very well, it's not a tree at all. ED -- What kind of plant starts as a small seed and ends up as a six foot plant that looks like a tree? FRED -- (muffled) A mustard plant. ED -- Excuse me? FRED -- I said, it's a mustard plant. ED -- Tune in next time for another edition of Parables on Parade. FRED -- (afar) I'm so embarrassed. ED -- (afar) Maybe you could fingerprint my clothes dryer. One of my socks is missing. FRED -- (afar) Very Funny. ©2013 Bob Snook. Conditions for use: Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. Pay no royalties, even if you make money from performances. You may reproduce and distribute this script freely, but all copies must contain this copyright statement. http://www.bobsnook.org email: [email protected] BACK |