The Unforgiving Servant: A Dramatic Sketch Based On A Parable

The following sketch is based on Matthew 18:23–35. It could be used in a worship service in conjunction with the reading of this gospel lesson.

Participants: Joseph Clark Andrew Coatman Third Servant Fourth Servant Fifth Servant King Use large books for the ledgers. Optional costumes are robes and crown for King, smocks or breeches for Servants. [Playing area is divided into two sections: imaginary courtyard occupies one-third, King's house the other two-thirds. An imaginary door connects the house and yard. Enter Clark, Coatman, Third and Fourth Servants, lolling about.] Clark: I say, Coatman, I'll bet you two pounds you can't hit that wall (gesturing to imaginary wall behind audience) with a stone! Coatman: (gazing directly out, looking at wall) Fie! o'course I will! Third Servant: I don't know, Andrew, it's quite a ways … Coatman: Here's my hand, it's a deal, Clark! [They shake on bet, then Coatman seizes imaginary stone, gathers self together, hurls stone forward. All watch as it hurtles through air, then Clark speaks as Coatman makes rough, disappointed gesture.] Clark: Ho! What did I tell you! Now, my two pounds, please! (extending hand) Coatman: Oh, Joseph, I haven't it wi' me just now! I'm sorry … I'll pay ye soon. Clark: See that you do, Andrew! See that you do, then! Fourth Servant: It's time we were gone, the master will be wanting us! Third Servant: Aye! We're off then! [All exit R. Pause, then enter King from L.] King: Ho! Where are you now! [Enter Third, Fourth, Fifth Servants, talking at same time, bowing.] Third Servant: Here, my Lord! Fourth Servant: Just coming, your Majesty! Fifth Servant: Yes, my Lord! Just here! King: Today is the day to sort my accounts. Where are the ledgers? Third Servant: I'll just get them, Sire! [Exit R; King seats himself; other Servants take positions U. Third Servant returns, carrying large book. Crosses to King, opens book and reads aloud.] Malcolm Albernathy—he works in the stables, Sire—two horses and fifty pounds. He has sent word he will pay by next week. Stephen Campbell, from the northern farms. One hundred and fifty bushels wheat. Payment will be made day after tomorrow. Frederick Winning, from the gardens. Two hundred and fifty pounds, uh, no, that came in yesterday. Joseph Clark, from the household, Sire, five thousand pounds. Uh, no word from him. King: Clark? Five thousand, is it? I think we must settle that account. How long has it been? Third Servant: It's been … (consulting book, then looking up wide-eyed) it's been … ages, your Highness. King: I see. Well, go collect him. [Fourth Servant exits R; King and Third Servant carry on sotto voce. Loud knock, Fourth Servant returns with Joseph Clark. Clark walks forward, falls before King in low bow; Servant returns to former place.] King: Joseph Clark. Clark: Yes, your Majesty. King: I am told you owe me five thousand pounds. Clark: Yes, my Lord. That I do, my Lord. King: Very well, Clark, pay me the debt. Clark: Oh my Lord, I can't. King: You can't, did you say? Clark: Aye. I have no money. King: But Clark, it's been years and years since you contracted this debt. And I pay you well. How do you not have any money? Clark: I, I have none, my Lord. King: The penalty for paupers, Clark is prison! Steward! (Fourth Servant steps forward). Cast Clark and his entire family into prison. Go to their home, sell all they have, and bring the money to me as partial payment. The law is the law, Clark! You'll be released when you've paid your debt! Clark: Oh my Lord! (throwing himself down, grasping King's feet, wailing) Have mercy, I beg you! Have mercy! If you give me time, I swear I'll pay the whole debt! Have mercy! King: Well … all right! I'll be kind to you. I forgive your debt! Yes, I do, I forgive it! (Clark collapses in gratitude.) Now, now, man! (to Servants) Show him out. [Servants take Clark to "door" on R, put him out. They shut door halfway, then reopen it as the following ensues. Enter Andrew Coatman R, as Clark is picking himself up off the ground. Clark is brushing his clothes off and straightening them when he sees Coatman.] Clark: Coatman! Andrew Coatman! Come here, I say! (Surprised, Coatman crosses to Clark who rushes forward to meet him, grabbing, shaking, almost choking him.) You owe me money, Coatman! You owe me two pounds! Pay it!!! Coatman: (struggling) O, I beg you! Have mercy! If you give me time, I swear I'll pay it! Have mercy Clark! Clark: Mercy, fie! I'll have none! I want my money! You, your wife, your whole family will be imprisoned until you pay me! (dragging him off R) Constable! Arrest this man! (They exit.) [Aghast, the Servants look at each other, then rush L to King. In rapid succession:] Third Servant: Master! Master! Joseph Clark, whom you just forgave his debt! He's having Andrew Coatman from the stables, Sire—put in prison! Fourth Servant: For indebtedness, my Lord! Coatman owed him two pounds, and he couldn't pay! King: What? Coatman imprisoned? For owing Clark? Find Clark! Bring him immediately! (Servants exit R, return with Clark who throws himself at King's feet, truly frightened this time.) King: (outraged) Joseph Clark, you are rotten! You owed me five thousand pounds, and I forgave it because you asked me! But Andrew Coatman owed you two pounds, and you refused to forgive him! Oh, Clark! I was merciful to you for a great sum, you should have been merciful to him for such a small one! Now! (to Servants) Cast him into prison, and let him stay there until he's paid all he owes me!!! (Servants drag Clark off L. King exits R, still fuming!)