Jonah and the Whale

Scene 1: Daddy whale and Johnny whale in front of the curtain

Dad: What’s the matter, son? You look kind of down in the mouth today.

Johnny: Oh, it’s nothing, dad.

Dad: Come on, son, you can tell your old dad anything.

Johnny: Well, it’s just, well I was swimming with the guys today and they were all bragging about their dads. I mean Jimmy Whale’s dad, he’s a big country western singer.

Dad: Oh, you mean WHALEn Jennings?

Johnny: Yeah, and Billy Whale’s dad, he’s into politics.

Dad: You mean Walter MonWHALE?

Johnny: Right! I mean, you’re a great dad and everything, but have you ever done anything REALLY big?

Dad: Tread water awhile, my boy, have I got a whale of a tale for you.  It all began many years ago, during a great storm, in a boat.

Curtain opens. Several guys in a boat, during a big storm. (Whales go sit on side of outside stage)

Man 1: Lower the sails! Hit the deck!

Man 2: We’re not going to make it! This storm is too powerful!

Man 3: We must have done something terrible to cause God to bring such a storm!

Man 4: Who did this terrible thing? Speak now and save us!!

Jonah: (Has been hiding on floor of boat) It is me! It is my fault the Lord sent this great storm!

Man 1: Who are you? How did you get here?

Jonah: I am Jonah, and I stowed away as you were leaving.

Man 2: What is it that you have done?

Man 3: Yes, what terrible things did you do to cause this great storm?

SONG: Tune of My Favorite Things

(Jonah) Kicking my sister and hitting my brother
Lying to daddy and sassing my mother
Putting my things where they didn’t belong
These are a few of the things I’ve done wrong!

(Men) Plowing your garden and working on Sunday
Not having family home evening on Monday
Saying short prayers when they should have been long
These are a few of the things you’ve done wrong!

(Jonah) Father said Jonah to Ninevah hasten
Tell them repent or else they he would chasten
(Men) You were so weak when you should have been strong
These are a few of the things you’ve done wrong,

You were scared; to obey him
That’s what caused this storm
We’ve got to do something to save our own necks
Don’t tell us that you-weren’t warned!

(as the men sing this last part, they pick Jonah up and act as if they are going to throw him overboard; curtain closes)

Johnny: So they threw him over?

Dad: They sure did. And about that time, your mother and I were coming home from one of those "save the human meetings".   I was pretty tired and opened my mouth,

for a great big yawn and,.

Johnny: You mean you ,

Dad: You guessed it. I swallowed him hook, line and sinker!

Curtain opens

Jonah: Wh-Where am I? (Looks around) Oh no! I’m inside of a great whale! (Jonah looks around, trying to find a way out) Focus on Dad and Johnny

Johnny: So what did you do?

Dad: Well, I was feeling pretty smug knowing what I’d done. You see, God had let me in on what was happening and it was great to be part of the plan. I just swam around, singing this catchy tune.

SONG: Tune of In the Leafy Treetops, sung by daddy whale

In my little tummy Jonah is weeping
In a good day or two- he’ll learn what he should do
In my little tummy Jonah is weeping!

Dad: Like I said, the tune was pretty catchy. Jonah caught on to it and added a verse of his own.

SONG: same tune, sung by Jonah

In this whale’s tummy, I am still weeping
I’m stuck inside of here, there’s no way out I fear
In this whale’s tummy, I am still weeping!

Jonah: Oh woe is me, oh woe is me! (cries loudly)

Dad: I got a little tired of hearing all that crying. I didn’t think old Jonah was going to figure this out on his own, so I gave him a little help. I swallowed some of those smart fish.

Johnny: Smart fish?

Dad: Yes, you know, the ones that travel in schools! They added their own verse and gave Jonah some helpful advice.

(Group of fish swim around Jonah)  SONG: same tune, sung by fish

Repentance is the answer, Jonah stop weeping
No need to cry old Joe, there’s a way out you know
Asking for forgiveness, that is the answer!

Jonah: Wait a minute, they’re right! If the Lord had wanted me to die, he would have had me swallowed up in the depths of the sea! But instead, he put me in here. He gave me a chance to learn what I needed to do. (looks around) And it hasn’t been so bad. Plenty of room, dry

Warm  (looks slyly at fish) plenty of food if I want. (Fish act offended) Oh I’ve been so wrong! (Jonah kneels down, fish gather around) curtain

Johnny: So how did he get out?

Dad: Well, all that weeping and wailing and repenting, it was enough to give your old dad, In-di-ges-tion! (Dad acts sick to stomach)

Johnny: Wow!

Curtain opens, Jonah is out

Jonah: I’m out! I survived! (men and fish gather round and cheer!)

SONG: Tune of I Will Survive (fish and men disco dance to this) sung by Jonah or if you want, the whole group, change words to he, etc.

Inside that whale I was scared, I was petrified
I walked the floors all day and at night I cried
It was so dark inside there, so full of gloom
I felt this was the end of me I was doomed!

But then those fish, started singing
And they got my mind really really ringing
They said repent, while you still have time
Tell Him you’re sorry, that you committed such a crime

So I got down, on my knees
And I cried oh forgive me Father please
Then I felt sand; upon my hands
And I knew that whale had spit me out

Upon the dry land
And I survived; oh I survived
Oh I’m so very thankful that I didn’t have to die
Just say the word; and I’ll do it

Anything you want; you know I’ll hop to it
Cause I survived; wo I survived
Yes I’m so very thankful that I didn’t have to die
I’m on my way; to Ninevah town

Gonna teach Your word
Don’t you know I’ll never let you down,.
Cause I survived!

Johnny: So was that the last time you saw him?

Dad: Well, actually, having that guy inside me, I kind of grew fond of him. So did those fish. In fact they threw him a great party to send him off to Ninevah.  Everyone was there. Those fish, they know how to jam!

(Party for Jonah, everyone there, fish sing goodbye song and dance)

SONG: Tune of Hello Dolly

Goodbye Jonah well goodbye, Jonah
It’s so good to see you go where you belong
You’re looking swell Jonah we can tell Jonah
You’ve repented cause you’re sorry for the things you’ve done wrong

We hear a band playin and Jonah’s prayin
He’s repented and decided to obey, so
Give him room, fellas
Jonah is gonna bloom fellas
Jonah is goin to Ninevah today!

(music plays song again, bow in order then fish sing chorus)

We hear a band playin, and Jonah’s prayin
He’s repented and decided to obey,.so
Give him room fellas
Jonah is gonna bloom fellas
Jonah is goin to Ninevah; Jonah is goin to Ninevah; Jonah is goin to
Ninevah today!

(We had Jonah do the moonwalk across the stage here with a suitcase that said "Ninevah or Bust" ,.we did this in the 80’s ?)  Curtain, Johnny and dad outside of curtain.

Johnny: Wow dad that was great! I can’t wait to tell my friends.

(Starts to run off) Hey dad, that wasn’t a fish story was it?

Firesides/Roadshows