PO04 Afraid in the dark

(Puppetry by Josine de Jong, translated by Rianne Stevens)

Purpose: Nothing helps better against fear than having your father nearby.

Meant as an example of our heavenly Father who is always with us.

Age: 4-10 years

Puppets: Peter (a little boy) and his father

Other items: toothbrush, cup of water, bear, monkey, blanket

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Start with invisible voice of father calling): Good night Peter dear!

Peter: (appears): Yea dad, good night ...

Hello everybody. Don’t you have to sleep yet? What? It is still day time? Well, not here! I need to go to bed. It is very dark outside. The moon has already woken up and the stars are blinking in the sky. You know, they are actually winking at me! That is what my daddy told me…

And me... (Yawns) I am very sleepy. Oewah! I am really sleepy. I should get ready for my bed. Did I brush my teeth yet? You do brush your teeth before you sleep, right? (Get toothbrush, speak with bubbly voice while brushing) Mom and dad say it is really important to brush your teeth before bedtime. It will keep your teeth healthy and strong! (…) So, that is done. Now it is time to sleep. Hmmm, it is so nice to pull over the blanket. Good night children. (Head down)

Children: Good night Peter

Peter: (Looking up again) Good night girls.

Girls: Good night Peter

Peter: I always talk more to the girls, they are so sweet. I like them. Bye my sweet little darlings! (Gives flying kisses and then puts his head down again)

(For a little while it is still. The blanket keeps moving up and down)

Peter: (Comes out of bed again) Pfff, it is so hot and dark in hear. And the blanket is itchy... And I keep thinking there is a crocodile under my bed. It is so dark in this room. Oh, look, a very scary shadow. I am so scared. Maybe there IS a crocodile here that wants to eat me. Oh children, what should I do? (Shouts): DADDY!!

Daddy: Yes, what is it Peter? (Comes up)

Peter: There is a crocodile under my bed. I am so scared.

Daddy: Crocodiles don’t sit under children’s beds, Peter. Here, drink a bit of water.

Peter: Thanks dad (drinks) Eh... So, water gone, crocodiles gone. I go back to sleep now.

Daddy: Good night, Peter.

Peter: Good night daddy (puts his nose in the pillow)

(Peter goes back under the blanket, for a little while it is still)

Peter: (up again) Good night children.

Children : Good night.

Peter: Sweet dreams sweet girls!

Girls: Sweet dreams!

(Peeping sound)

Peter: Hé, did you hear that? There is a peep! And if there is a peep, there is also something making a peep. Is there a mouse in my room? (looks under the bed) Oh, I am so scared for mice! Mice have long tails and such teeth (arms go wide). And those teeth are sharp! I am scared. Brr! Maybe it will bite my toe. Oh, helpie. Will you call daddy for me please. Then I hide under my blanket.

Children: Daddy!

Daddy: Yes?

Peter: Oh daddy, there was a peep in my room ... I mean somebody making peep sounds … I mean there is a mouse in my room daddy!

Daddy: Oh no!

Peter: Oh yes!

Daddy: Oh no!

Peter: Oh yes! Children, you heard it too, isn’t it?

Children : Yes

Daddy: Why don’t you take your bear with you in bed?

Peter: Yea, yea, that is a good idea. If the mouse doesn’t eat me, then the bear will eat me…

Daddy: No, I mean your teddy bear. Your teddy bear does not eat you, does it!

Peter: Hm, you never know. He has never done it yet, but if he does I am gone.

Daddy: Gone?

Peter: Yes, gone, eaten.

Daddy: Funny boy. Here is your teddy bear. Good night my boy (off)

Peter: Sweet teddy bear, I give you a little kiss on your little nose and then we sleep, OK? Oh no! You have to stay awake and I sleep while you watch the mouse. You have to make sure it does not bite my toe, OK? Promise? Deal? Then I can finally go to sleep now.

(Knock, knock, knock)

Peter: (up again) What was that? I hear something knocking my door. Should I say “Come In!” “Karibu!” No, I don’t dare to. Who knows who will enter.

(knock, knock, knock)

Peter: Do you hear that too? Maybe I also put my monkey on my bed. Then the monkey can watch the bear as the bear watches the mouse. (Starts to cry.) Oh, I am still scared. Daddy! DADDY!

Daddy: What is it this time Peter?

Peter: I am still scared.

Daddy: You know what? I will come and sit with you for a while. Put your hand in my big hand. Are you still scared?

Peter: No daddy, good night.

Daddy: Good night Peter dear. I love you my boy.

Peter: Hé daddy, we did not sing our song yet. Will you join in, children?

Song:

Sing a song about Jesus who is the good shepherd.