False Start

Scene: A desert road at night. Mary leading a very overloaded and reluctant donkey named Freddie. Joseph driving it from behind.

Joseph: Go Freddie, go! I know you hate the dark Freddie, but we have to get away! Pull, Mary!

Mary tugs the lead rope then suddenly turns and hurries back to Joseph.

Mary: I must go back!

Joseph: We can’t! Herod’s after us!

Mary: I forg___

Joseph: Whatever we’ve forgotten we can get in Egypt. I’ll go through your list again – water, provisions, blankets, spare clothes, baby clobber, gold, frankincens___

Mary: I forgot the baby!

Joseph turns. They hurry back hand-in-hand with Freddie following, not so reluctant now.

Joseph: Well, one thing is sure. We’ll never leave him behind again!

(Matthew 2:13, Isaiah 49:15, Luke 2:42-46)

Peter Dixon

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