Summary: A light-hearted radio news report from the events of Palm Sunday.
Style: Light-hearted.   Duration:  6min
Actors:  4M/F

Characters
Newsreader
Reporter
Temple Trader
Temple Guard

Script

D Lynam: Hello, from the broadcasting studio at Radio Jerusalem; this is Desdemona Lynam, with the lunchtime news.

A donkey and her foal went missing earlier today from the city centre of Jerusalem.

Police are looking out for two men last seen heading towards Bethpage at dawn. The owner of the donkey was reported to have said that he thought the men had made an ASS of him and if he caught up with them he would BRAY them….

Eighty people were arrested this morning for vandalising trees on the main approach road to the city. Branches were hacked off and leaves torn down by the crowds. Later the vandals were found trying to PALM them off as flags and carpets for celebrations. But what a strange thing to do with trees. We’ll just WAIVE that one!

The prophet Jesus of Nazareth, the famous preacher, rode into Jerusalem this morning on a donkey. He was followed by his faithful disciples. Seemingly the crowd went wild with excitement when they saw him. He was SADDLED with them I'm afraid! I think he wanted to come in unnoticed!

The Roman city council are staging the last of the gladiator finals in the arena this evening; but just wait a second…… news is coming through…… of a big disturbance in the temple precincts!

We are taking you over right now to our reporter at the scene…… Catos Adios.

Hello Catos, can you hear me, what news have you for us about the riot?

Catos: Well Desdemona - things have just about settled down now, but as you can see, we have doves flying all over the place, and many animals running wild around the temple, scurrying for their lives and knocking people over in the process. The last fifteen minutes have been absolutely chaotic. The crowds here have been quite out of control, scrambling for coins, looting market stalls and generally throwing the temple into an uproar!

D Lynam: What was it that started the riot in the first place Catos, can you tell us?

Catos: It seems that Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth, lost his cool, got off his donkey and onto his HIGH HORSE, so to speak, and began upsetting the tables of money-changers, and turning over the seats of the dealers; and then he began to lash out at them all. I have here beside me a witness to it all, a well respected money-changer called Marcus Spencius. Marcus, do tell us what you heard Jesus saying?

M Spencius: I thought he was having us on at first, he called us robbers, said we’d turned his Father’s house into a den of thieves. Well that’s a lie! I’ve never been anywhere near his Dad’s house. Don’t even know the man.

Catos: Thank you Marcus Spencius, and here we have one of the temple guards, who was on duty today. Can you tell us anything about this incident?

Temple Guard: They’ve caught him red-handed, blood all over his hands! They’ll nail him this time!

………………..

© Sheila Hamil, all rights reserved.
These dramas are intended for use in churches, youth clubs and schools and can be photocopied, but they are to be used in no way for personal gain, as I have printed them for you and am gaining nothing myself. 
It is my wish that anyone making profit from them in any way, should direct those profits to Christian Aid or some other recognised charity. One or two stories are from sources unknown to me, and I will gladly credit the author or delete the work if necessary should anyone make it known to me.  Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., http://www.sheilahamil.co.uk/