Collective Worship (S): Packing for the Holidays

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AGE: Secondary

THEME: Packing for the Holidays

AIM:

To explore the differences in what you cram into your suitcase when packing for the 'holiday of a lifetime' compared to what you need to take with you when packing for a 'lifetime of holidays'. What really matters?

For the Biblical parallel, see Matthew 6:19-end.

PREPARATION / RESOURCES:

You will need:

Performers Students who are interested in rehearsing and performing this playlet which is thought-provoking but light in tone. It would be good if everyone could learn their lines but it is possible to read from scripts.

CAST:
ONE:	Speaker One. TV travel show host (broad comedy)
TWO:	Speaker Two. TV travel show host (broad comedy)
HOLIDAY:	Egotistical person - Short-sighted and panicky (mostly mime)
H-MIND:	The thoughts of HOLIDAY (good reader)
LIFETIME:	Evolving person - calm and balanced, quiet - with humility, cool and never self-righteous (mostly mime)
L-MIND:	The feelings of LIFETIME (good reader)

Music You might choose to start the playlet with some upbeat music - to do with the theme of 'We're all going on a summer holiday la-la-la' or something of that kind. You could end the presentation with some quiet soothing music while students are reflecting on their reaction.

Props 2 large suitcases - the sort required for a long holiday. Assorted things waiting to go into them:

PILE 1:	A large heap of various types of clothing.
PILE 2:	Suntan lotion, insect repellent, hats, swim-wear, fake tan, sunglasses
PILE 3:	A video camera in a case (maybe with tripod).
PILE 4:	Discman plus CDs, magazines, hairdryer, travel iron.
PILE 5:	Sweaters plus a large bottle of shampoo.
PILE 6:	An enormously heavy book.
BAG 1:	Courage.
BAG 2:	Honesty.
BAG 3:	Humility.
BAG 4:	Simplicity.
BAG 5:	Trust.
BAG 6:	Full of smiles.

Setting Preset the stage with two large empty suitcases. Near HOLIDAY's case are 6 chaotic piles of items waiting to be packed. Near LIFETIME's case are 6 identical small, neat and attractive cotton/calico bags waiting to be packed into the suitcase.

PRESENTATION:

As the intro music plays, ONE and TWO enter and take up their positions at the front of the stage - one at each side. HOLIDAY and LIFETIME follow them onto the stage and take up their positions behind their suitcases. Their 'voices' - H-MIND and L-MIND - also take up their places behind them.

As the music fades, ONE and TWO address the audience...

ONE:	Here we are again at that time of the year! It'll soon be holiday time for all of us so we thought you'd like some tips on how to pack your suitcase.
TWO:	Yes, believe it or not, there's a right way and a wrong way! (Turning to HOLIDAY and LIFETIME) These two people are preparing for long-haul journeys. Where do you think they're going?
ONE:	You can win a trip to Bermuda if you can figure out their destinations.
TWO:	But the only clues we're going to give you are what they're taking with them. So watch carefully...

Suddenly HOLIDAY bursts into last-minute packing panic as s/he dives on to PILE 1 which consists of a large heap of various types of folded clothing which s/he starts packing into her/his case.
H-MIND:	(thinking lustily) I'm going to have the best holiday ever! Sun, sand, sea, surf - I can hardly wait! I'm taking all my best clothes. I want to look my best. You never know who you'll meet. I want to make a good impression. That's really, really important.
As HOLIDAY continues packing the clothes, LIFETIME carefully picks up BAG 1 and considers its contents.
L-MIND:	(thinking deeply) I keep hearing people talk about the importance of being yourself. I've really thought about that and I think it's true. I want to be... me. I want to let people see the real me. So I need the courage to be who I really am.
LIFETIME, almost ceremoniously, places the bag into her/his suitcase. HOLIDAY moves to PILE 2.
H-MIND:	Suntan lotion, insect repellent, hats, sandals, swimwear and most important of all - fake tan! And, of course, my outrageously expensive sunglasses - which prove how ultra cool I am!
HOLIDAY stands and puts on the very dark sunglasses and parades around.
H-MIND:	I'm so glad I bought these new sunnies. People are going to love me because I look so cool!!
S/he can't see a thing and trips over PILE 6 and does a pratfall! (IF THIS CAN BE DONE SAFELY)
H-MIND:	Ooops! Hope nobody saw that.
Somewhat embarrassed, s/he takes the glasses off and puts them into the suitcase as LIFETIME picks up BAG 2.
L-MIND:	Honesty. Truthfulness. People keep going on about honesty. Maybe it is important. So, maybe to have a really great time it's better to dump the fake.
LIFETIME places the BAG into the case as HOLIDAY jumps up and grabs PILE 3.
H-MIND:	I've borrowed this video camera! My friends are going to be so jealous when I show them all the great places I've been. This'll show people how great I am.
HOLIDAY packs the camera case into the suitcase that's already nearly full. LIFETIME picks up BAG 3 and considers its contents.
L-MIND:	I've stopped trying to out-do everybody. I don't need to be 'the best' because I am doing the best I can and that's good enough. I want to be a genuine friend to people who are genuine people.
LIFETIME places the BAG 3 into the case as HOLIDAY jumps up and grabs PILE 4.
H-MIND:	And of course I couldn't go anywhere without my discman! And I have to take these magazines so I can read about all the other cool people. Ah - my hairdryer - I never go anywhere without my hairdryer. I hope nobody ever finds out about that! And I'm taking a travel iron because I hate wearing creased jeans.
L-MIND:	I don't need 'things' to make me happy. I tried 'things' but in the end they get in the way of seeing the truth. Of course I need 'things' but I don't need 'things' to prove anything. I'm keeping things simple from now on.
LIFETIME places BAG 4 into the case as HOLIDAY jumps up and grabs PILE 5.
H-MIND:	Now here's a big decision coming up. Do I take these sweaters? No - it'll be stinking hot. But what if it's not. I'll take them - just in case. Shampoo! I nearly forgot my shampoo. Or am I being stupid? Could I get shampoo there? Must be able to buy shampoo there, surely! No - better be safe than sorry.
HOLIDAY tries to fit the shampoo into the suitcase as LIFETIME picks up BAG 5.
L-MIND:	I keep hearing that we should trust in God and that God will provide. Well, I guess the time has come for me to find out if that's true. It's funny - I don't worry about the future as much as I used to.
LIFETIME places BAG 5 in her/his case as HOLIDAY grabs PILE 6.
H-MIND:	This is my tourist phrase book. 'How to speak Spanish, Chinese and Italian in 300 easy lessons.' It's important to be able to communicate with the locals. Never know who you might meet.
HOLIDAY desperately tries to find a place for the large book as LIFETIME considers the contents of BAG 6.
L-MIND:	I'm not really too good at languages but it's amazing how far you can get with a smile - a genuine smile and a genuine interest in the people you meet along the way. So I'm taking this never-ending bag of smiles.
HOLIDAY is increasingly frantic, trying to close the lid of the case which is too full.
H-MIND:	I'm never going to get this closed!! And I've got no room left for my snorkelling equipment! Look at the time!!! I'm not ready!!! I'll miss the plane!!! I knew this would happen!!! My holiday's going to be ruined and it's all the fault of this stupid case. I knew I should've bought a bigger one!!!!!

HOLIDAY slumps over the case and bursts into tears.
LIFETIME simply and easily closes the lid of her/his case and waits calmly.

Start playing some relaxing music quietly as ONE and TWO address the audience.

ONE:	Aaaaah! What a shame - it all got too much for her/him.
TWO:	This person is going nowhere until s/he dumps some stuff that s/he doesn't really need. And that could happen to you if you insist on packing unwisely.
ONE:	Whereas this person is starting to get the right ideas about what's important to carry with you as you prepare for happy times ahead.
TWO:	This person has even got loads of space left in her/his suitcase for all the mementoes s/he'll want to bring home after a perfect holiday.
ONE:	Which brings us back to our competition... a trip for two to Burmuda for the first person to figure out where they are going. And the answers are...

TWO indicates HOLIDAY.

TWO:	This person is heading for ten nights and nine days on a tropical island paradise - for 'the holiday of a lifetime'.

ONE indicates LIFETIME.

ONE:	Whereas this person is heading for 'a lifetime of holidays' - permanent existence in a paradise that's free to anyone who wants it and is willing to junk the rubbish and clutter of life.
TWO:	If you got this answer right please go to see Mr/Mrs/Ms (Head of School or whoever will raise a laugh) to claim your prize. But before you do that let's take a few moments to think about what you think is important to take with you for the holidays. Think about it.

Give a few moments for the audience to think about it.

ONE:	What do you really need to have a great time? Think about it.

A few moments.

TWO:	Think about it. What do you really need in your life? Do you need truth? Honesty?
ONE:	Do you really need that fake tan? Do you really need 'things' to make you happy? Think about it.
TWO:	I like the idea of carrying a bag of smiles around with you. Are you wearing enough smiles these days?
ONE:	Try practising your smile in front of a mirror. You'll be amazed how much better you look!
TWO:	Think about it.

Let the music continue for a while before fading it out. Then bring the presentation to a close.

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