By October 1949, Ethel Barrett was a staple of the airwaves with her weekly radio show, Storytime, sponsored by the Albany Bible Institute. This particular broadcast captured her at a career milestone: having recently won first place in the National Religious Broadcasters' nationwide competition for her transcribed work, she was performing this original story live for her WPTR audience in Albany. Below is the high-fidelity transcription of the original October 11, 1949, broadcast script, including the original stage directions and musical cues.

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STORYTIME: THE STORM

Original Broadcast Date: October 11, 1949

Station: WPTR, Albany, NY | 7:15 PM

Author/Performer: Ethel Barrett

ANNCR: (COLD) It’s STORYTIME!

MUSIC: (x-1-3) ESTABLISH; THEN FADE AND HOLD UNDER:

ANNCR: It’s STORYTIME tonight, and every Tuesday evening at this hour with Ethel Barrett. It was a transcribed1 program written and presented by Ethel Barrett, that won first place in the National Religious Broadcasters’ nation-wide 1949 competition and now she’s here in person presented for you by the ALBANY BIBLE INSTITUTE.

MUSIC: OUT.

ANNCR: The staunchest tree is not found in the shelter of the forest, but out in the open where the winds from every quarter beat upon it, and bend and twist it until it becomes a giant in stature. It requires storms to produce the rooting. Ethel Barrett’s story tonite has to do with storms. It may answer a question in your heart. Let’s listen.

MUSIC: (w-38-5) ESTABLISH; THEN OUT.

BOY: Mother—Mother—

MOTHER: I’m in here.

BOY: Hi.

MOTHER: Hi. The fellows were looking for you.

BOY: They were?

MOTHER: They were. (PAUSE) Well—your enthusiasm is contagious.

BOY: Hm?

MOTHER: You don’t sound very excited. You don’t sound even curious. Don’t you want to know what they wanted?

BOY: What’d they want?

MOTHER: They’ve gone over to watch them tear up Main Street. There’s a very exciting steam-shovel over there, among other numerous and sundry gadgets that I can’t name.

BOY: Uh huh.

MOTHER: Saaaaay! Something IS wrong with you. Don’t you feel well? (PAUSE) I’m sorry.

BOY: That’s okay.

MOTHER: Want to talk about it?

BOY: I—can’t. I don’t have it figured out yet.

MOTHER: Well, maybe we can pray about it—and get it “figured out” together.

BOY: No—I’d rather wait ‘till I’ve straightened it out before I tell you about it. I’m ashamed to tell you now. I’m licked. I’m just licked.

MOTHER: No Christian is ever licked. Just because it isn’t “smooth sailing” doesn’t mean you’re licked. You’re just riding through a storm, that’s all. (Pause) There were some men once—who thought they were licked. They were riding through a storm. (Pause) Would you like to hear it?

BOY: No— I’m too busy thinking.

MOTHER: Well, maybe this story will help you think. Tell you what. I’ll just give you a preview of the story, and if you don’t want to hear it— I’ll save the rest ‘till some other time.

BOY: It’s about a storm?

MOTHER: Mmmmmm. A WICKED storm.

BOY: Go ahead.

MUSIC: SET SCENE FOR STORM; ESTABLISH, THEN DOWN UNDER FOR:

“It’s no use—the waves are too high—furl the sail!”

Furl the sail! The sail came tumbling down—CRASH!

“Don’t lash it down—just make the boom fast!”

They struggled with the heavy boom that held the sail, pulled it (HIKE) to the middle of the boat and (BUSINESS) lashed it fast with rope.

“Break out the oars! Look alive on that tiller—keep her headed into the waves! Don’t let her head slide off into the trough! If one of those waves catches her broadside, we haven’t got a chance!”

Yes, the way things looked, they DIDN’T have a chance. The little boat was being tossed about as if it were no bigger than a wall-nut shell. They were goners.

MUSIC: OUT (wait for cue)

MOTHER: Who were these men? That’s the exciting part of a real true story! Well I guess I got ahead of myself. Want to hear the rest?

BOY: Yep.

It all began really—back on land. The Lord Jesus Christ had been preaching and teaching—and oh—the people who followed Him! If it were today, you’d say he was a sensation! Wherever He went, multitudes followed Him to hear Him talk. And just before this story opens—He had fed way over five thousand people from just a few rolls of bread and a few fish! Why, people were in a fever pitch of excitement! They wanted to make Him King. It says in the gospel of John, they were ready to take Him by force—and insist that He be their King, then and there. But Jesus hadn’t come to set up an earthly kingdom—he’d come to pay the price for mens’ sin on Calvary’s Cross—He was no ordinary king—He was the lamb of God—and when He comes again He’ll be King—but that’s another story.

These people meant alright but they didn’t understand, and they wanted Him to be king. And He said to His disciples—”Get into your boat, and go across to the other side of the lake. After I send these people away—I want to stay here and pray.”

Oh—they didn’t want to go. They’d caught the excitement too—and they didn’t want to leave Him alone. But in the end, they did. They got in their boat hoisted—the anchor aboard—took an oar and shoved off—swung her about—and ran up the sail.

I think they were disappointed men, those disciples. It would have been wonderful for their Jesus to be a king. But right in the middle of all the excitement, He’d made them go away—and He had gone alone into the mountain to pray.

MUSIC: ( ) SNEAK IN SUITABLE B G UNDER FOLLOWING:

The sail bellied out—as the wind filled—and the boat started out from shore. Oh—it was beautiful—the moon made a path—like burnished silver across the water—and the boat was in that path, all splashed with moon-light—like a picture—and the water went slap-slap-slap-slap.

Then—Hmmmm. Straightened up. Wind started changing direction—it was coming TOWARD them, driving them back. The slap-slap-slap turned to chop-chop-chop-chop. They began to get busy.

What do you do in contrary winds? Why, that’s easy. You tack. You push that old boom around to get the sail in different positions—two points abaft the port beam, to go this way—then two points abaft the starboard beam, to go that way—to catch the wind—and you tack—you ZIG-ZAG along your course. And that’s what they probably did at first.

But the storm grew worse—the man at the stern-sheets hung on that old tiller for all he was worth. (STORM MUSIC) Their faces were worried now—they were drenched with spray—it had all happened so quickly! The swells were getting higher now—WHOP! That one almost swamped them! The wind was screaming—now they were terrified! This was no time for any mistakes!

“Furl the sail!”

They staggered as they went about doing it, grabbing things to keep from being washed overboard. CRASH! The sail collapsed.

“Don’t lash it down—just make the boom fast!”

They did—falling against each other.

“Look alive on that tiller! Don’t let her head slide off into the trough! Keep her headed into the waves!”

If the boat ever got pushed sideways, and got into the trough—into one of those gulleys, she was a goner! They headed into the waves—a wave would rise up like a mountain—like a giant wall—coming toward them—into it—right into it—right through it! Hang on—you couldn’t hear yourself think! It would break over them—then they’d be down—as if they were crouching—waiting for the next wave to come. The man at the tiller steered desperately. It was straight into the waves—or die! Then up, up, UP—P-l-u-n-g-e over the top of the next one! Now it wasn’t ‘get to the other side’—getting anywhere didn’t matter—it was just stay on top—just stay alive— They’d never make it—they were goners—

And then someone saw it.

He was pointing three points abaft the starboard beam—back toward the stern—they hardly heard his cry, the wind was so loud—but they saw his face—saw him point—and they all looked.

Oh NO. Were they losing their minds? What sort of nightmare was this? The waves, they could fight—but this!—Yea, it would be better to drown—this was a GHOST walking on the water! They cried out—and their cries were lost in the howling sea!

MUSIC OUT

And then—a voice came over the waves—how clearly they could hear THAT—”Be not afraid—it is I.” (OUT)

No—it couldn’t be—but—oh joy of joys, it WAS—it was Jesus! Now the boat was going aimlessly, up over the swells and down again—as they clung to the oars and watched Him coming toward them.

Peter clung to the edge of the boat—excitement had carried him beyond all reason—he called out, “Lord if it is You, tell me to come to You— on the water!”

And the Lord held out His hand and said, “Come!”

The other disciples were rooted to the spot. They watched in wonder as Peter hiked himself over the edge of the boat—let himself down to the water—and began to WALK —TOWARD—JESUS—ON—TOP—OF—THE—WATER!

No one spoke. They hardly breathed. Peter—walking on water! Peter went toward his Lord like a man in a dream, closer—closer—then, suddenly, like a person “coming to”—he felt the wind whipping his clothes about him, felt the spray in his face—saw the foaming waters—heard the howling wind—OHHHHHH—he began to sink—tread water to keep his head up—”MASTER, Lord, save—me!”

And the Lord stretched out His hand—lifted Peter up—and this time, he stayed up—his hand in the Lord’s hand.

“Peter, why didn’t you believe—that I could hold you up?” It was the Lord’s voice, scolding—but it was tender.

Together, they walked back to the boat—and somehow, where Jesus was, the waves were gentle swells, though the waters broke and crashed all about them. And when Jesus got in that boat—the waters became quiet—the wind stopped blowing—the storm had stopped!

MUSIC: OUT

We just can’t imagine how amazed and full of wonder those men were. They were too amazed to do much talking. They could only kneel before Him in the boat, and whisper, “Truly Thou art the Son of God.”

It doesn’t tell us in God’s word that they took to the oars, or hoisted the sail—or did any of the things they would ordinarily do to get the boat to shore. No—the master of the sea was in the boat. He guided it safely to the other side—and they found themselves right in the place where they wanted to be. They had wanted Him to be King—He had refused—but in His own way, He had let them know that He WAS a king—far greater than they knew. It tells us in one of the Psalms—

They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths. Their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wit’s end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, And He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; So He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!2

BOY: Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble and He brings them out of it. Thank you, mother.

MOTHER: Tell the Lord your troubles. Talk to Him about your storms. And ask Him to calm the storm and deliver you. I don’t know what your problem is, and I don’t want to, right now! But tell the Lord. If the class has gone on to something new that you can’t get through your head—long division—fractions—Ohhhh. I used to be dumb in fractions, ’till I got the hang of it—and you’re going to school with a lump in your chest because you don’t know the work—Talk to the Lord about it. Then ask for help—and the Lord will make that teacher patient. Or if somebody else got blamed for something you did—and you didn’t admit it right on the spot, and now it’s hard to—He’ll help you make it right.

Those things are STORMS—come into your life to make you grow and give you spiritual muscles! You’ll never be a man worth anything to God, without the storms. But He’s always there—waiting to help. All you have to do is call on Him. You don’t have to go down under the water and get licked. Just throw up your hands like Peter did and say, “Lord help me!” See?

BOY: (SIGH) Yep. I know what I have to do. I knew all along, but it’s going to be easier now to do it.

MOTHER: Going to take care of it now?

BOY: Yep. Right now. That’s funny—

MOTHER: What?

BOY: Before I wasn’t hungry. I felt kinda sick. But now I’m hungry. What’s for dinner? I’ll be back in time to get washed for dinner.

MOTHER: (LAUGHING) Nothing’s for dinner—if I don’t get busy. Be home by five-thirty!

BOY: Okay! Bye!

MUSIC: WIND UP

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CLOSING

ANNCR: STORYTIME, with Ethel Barrett is a presentation of the ALBANY BIBLE INSTITUTE.

Listen next week at this same time for another original story. The program you heard tonite is entitled THE STORM. And now, a final word from Ethel Barrett.

ETHEL BARRETT: It tells us in the New Testament, that the early Christians “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

There are many Christians “searching the scriptures” today—the enrollment at ABI evening school has been good.

Courses of real value are being offered—Old Testament History, Doctrine, Prophesy, Life of Christ, Old Testament Survey—and here’s something of interest to you Sunday School Teachers—an exposition of the current Sunday School lessons! Oh—pastors are bringing their young people—why don’t you enroll in a group? Call Albany—4 8863—tonite.

ANNCR: Next week, ALBANY BIBLE INSTITUTE will bring you Ethel Barrett with another original story. Don’t miss it—7:15, Tuesday. And don’t forget that phone number. Albany 4-8863.

Historical Note: The 1949 NRB Award

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) was founded in 1944 to protect the rights of evangelical broadcasters during a period when major networks (NBC, CBS, and Mutual) were increasingly restricting religious airtime.

By 1949, the year this script aired, the NRB had successfully lobbied the newly formed ABC network to reverse its ban on paid religious broadcasting.3 Ethel Barrett’s first-place win in the NRB’s nationwide competition that same year signaled a major shift toward professional excellence in Christian media.4

Copyright © 1949, 2026 by Barrett Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

THE GIANT DESPAIR

By Ethel Barrett

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MUSIC SET GAY MOOD: THEN OUT

BOY: Mommie — Mommie — what’r you doing? (FADING ON MIC)

MOTHER: Hi.

BOY: Hi.

MOTHER: I thought you were playing with Richard.

BOY: I stopped. When I saw you. May I help?

MOTHER: No. I’m going to rake up some leaves and rubbish.

BOY: Well I could be a big help. I could —

MOTHER: I want to be alone.

BOY: We could get it done twice as fast and we could talk. We—

MOTHER: Bill. Go ’way. If you’ll just let me stay here alone and rake leaves and—

BOY: …and sulk.

MOTHER: —and sulk. NO. I’m not sulking.

BOY: Oh, Excuse me. I just thought - you always say I’m sulking when I do what you’re doing, so I thought when YOU’RE doing what you’re doing, you’re sulking too. Is it something else when you do it? When grown-ups do it, mmm?

MOTHER: You win. I’m sulking. I— I have a headache. And I’m cross. You stay if you like, but just don’t talk to me.

BOY: LOOK! It’s a worm! An honest-to-real worm!

MOTHER: So it is.

BOY: What d’you know? The very first worm I’ve seen this year! Could we give him a home? Ooops. He’s gone back in. He was a lovely worm. Those leaves are wet’n soggy — What’s this? Is it flowers?

MOTHER: It’s new clover. Baby clover—all snug underneath the soggy leaves. How fresh and green it is.

BOY: Nobody knew it was there! It was secret!

MOTHER: God knew. He brought it to life.

BOY: And Cynthia! The Cynthia bush over by the fence!

MOTHER: (LAUGHING) Forsythia. Yes. I didn’t notice it was blooming. It’s lovely.

BOY: And here in our own yard—Daffodils! Look! Winter was so long, I was beginning to think summer’d never come. I was discouraged!

MOTHER: Were you? (TO HERSELF) I was.

BOY: Do YOU get discouraged?

MOTHER: Mmmm. When you see—things coming to life again—we’ve no RIGHT to get discouraged!

BOY: Boy, you’re hanging on that rake like it was a weapon.

MOTHER: I was thinking—(QUICKLY) Would you like to hear a story?

BOY: Boy, WOULD I? But we won’t get the yard straightened up.

MOTHER: Maybe not. But I’ll get a few other things straightened up.

MUSIC - NARRATIVE BRIDGE

Once upon a time there were two men. They were traveling along the King’s Highway. One was well prepared for traveling—he had on the whole armor of God: Helmet of salvation - shield of faith, sword of the spirit - breast-plate of righteousness—all the rest of it. He even had a scroll with the word of God written in it—

BOY: He sounds like a Christian.

MOTHER: He WAS a Christian. That was his name. Christian. The other one had just become a Christian—he wasn’t a real warrior yet—his name was Hopeful.

Now, when our story opens, they’d been having a wonderful time together—the traveling was easy and pleasant—green meadows - rippling brooks - soft squashy grass for their feet—It was good. It was a little too good. Their feet got tender—and their spiritual muscles got soft and flabby—and then when the road got rough again—ouch. Hmmm. Sharp stone. Ooops. Scraped my elbow. That jagged rock stuck right out there. (SUCK IN BREATH)

MOTHER: And they did go on—but as they went and the road got rougher—they talked less and less about the goodness of God—-and more and more about how tough it was. They made their first bad mistake. They GRUMBLED.

CHRISTIAN: Oh, I could do big things for God if I weren’t tied down here. This road— (SIGH). I say—a sign. BY-PATH MEADOW. Hmmm.

HOPEFUL: Christian, it’s off the King’s Highway.

CHRISTIAN: And a smooth path.

HOPEFUL: We’re supposed to stay on the King’s Highway.

CHRISTIAN: It’s easy to get to, too. There’s a stile goes over the fence.

HOPEFUL: But it’s off—

CHRISTIAN: Nonsense. It goes along in the very same direction.

HOPEFUL: But it says “By-path Meadow,” Christian. I—don’t like the sound of it.

CHRISTIAN: Well, I like the “looks” of it. Come on. Let’s give it a try, anyhow.

MOTHER: And so they did. It was lovely! So easy—so pleasant—Christian beamed.

CHRISTIAN: And it DOES go right along toward the Celestial City. You see—we were on the right track. Oh oh. There’s a fellow up ahead. Let’s ask him—then you’ll feel easier. (CALLING) Hooooo!

VAIN-CONFIDENCE: (CALLING OFF MIKE) Hooooo!

CHRISTIAN: Wait up— (ON MIKE) Pardon me. I am Christian and this is Hopeful.

VAIN-CONFIDENCE: How do you do. I’m Mr. Vain-Confidence.

CHRISTIAN: We—were wondering where this path led to.

VAIN-CONFIDENCE: To the Celestial City.

CHRISTIAN: Good—good. We just wanted to make sure. Thank you so much.

VAIN-CONFIDENCE: That’s quite alright. Now, I’m in a bit of a hurry, as night is coming on—if you’ll pardon me—

CHRISTIAN: Yes, of course. And thank you again. (To HOPEFUL) See, Hopeful. We’re alright.

HOPEFUL: Yes, Christian. It is easy walking. I must admit that. I guess it’s alright.

MOTHER: And so they walked on the nice velvet grass—and they didn’t notice that the path gradually led away from the King’s Highway—the straight and narrow way they should have walked. Then the sun went down—it got dark—pitch dark—they couldn’t see the path ahead of them now—

MUSIC - OMINOUS

HOPEFUL: Christian—ought we to go on?

CHRISTIAN: We don’t dare go back. I don’t know the way. At least, going on, we can try to follow Mr.—er—whatever his name was. (CALLING) Hoooo!

FAINT ANSWER: Hoooooo.

CHRISTIAN: See. He’s answering. We’ll be alright.

HOPEFUL: I hope so. Call him again.

CHRISTIAN: (CALLING) Hoooo.

HOPEFUL: He doesn’t answer. Call again.

CHRISTIAN: (CALLING) Hooo.

SOUND: FAINT CRY, NOISE OF SOMEONE FALLING

HOPEFUL: Christian, did you hear that? He fell in something.

CHRISTIAN: (CALLING) Hoooo. He DID fall into something.

HOPEFUL: I’m scared.

CHRISTIAN: So am I. Thunder!

MUSIC & SOUND: STORM SOUNDS, THUNDER, LIGHTNING, WIND

MOTHER: (When the lighting flashed) They saw pits and caves and crevices ahead—then it was pitch dark again. They staggered along a few feet each time the lightning came— and finally — The found a fence and some boards leaning up against it. They crawled in out of the rain.

MUSIC AND START DIMINISHING SOUND

They didn’t see the gloomy castle standing nearby. They didn’t see the sign: DOUBTING CASTLE—OWNER, GIANT DESPAIR. They fell sound asleep, exhausted.

MUSIC OUT - SOUND OUT

In the morning, out of the castle came a horrible monster, GIANT DESPAIR—and began to look around his property, poking under things with his giant club.

GIANT: (EVIL LAUGH) Ah—what’s this? Come out from there. What are you doing on my property?

MOTHER: Ohhhh. Christian backed out. Then Hopeful. Ooops. Big feet. They looked up and up—Shhhh. Club. Ohhhh. What a horrible face!

GIANT: Ho ho ho ho... Who are you?

CHRISTIAN: (HARDLY ABLE TO SPEAK) Christian. My friend, Hopeful. We—

GIANT: Yes, I know. You wanted to dabble in doubting. Well, Christians don’t just dabble in doubting without answering to me!

MOTHER: Wop! He swung his club and they jumped! He chased them into the castle, up the steps, down a cellar stairway, and oof—pushed— them into a dungeon and locked the door!

MOTHER: The dungeon of despair! There were skulls and snakes and rats. Christian sat down on a bench. And there they stayed. The whole day went by. And the next day!

And then — a key turned in the lock!

CHRISTIAN: Perhaps it’s Giant Despair—with food!

GIANT: Hoh hoh — It’s Despair alright, but not with food! My wife’s been talking to me. Never met my wife, have you? She’s almost as ugly as I am. Name’s Diffidence—call her Distrust for short. She says you might as well do away with yourself. You’ll never get out of here. So I brought a rope, a knife, some poison. Here. Think it over.

MOTHER: And with that he was gone. Christian put his head in his hands.

CHRISTIAN: I’m licked. I’m just no good—I can’t see any way out—

HOPEFUL: No, Christian—No! You fought Apollyon and licked him in the valley of humiliation, remember? You were so brave at Vanity Fair— why, it was you who made ME believe on your Savior! You CAN’T give up!

CHRISTIAN: I DO give up. I give— Hopeful. We’ve been so busy feeling sorry for ourselves—why haven’t we asked God to deliver us?

HOPEFUL: Oh Christian. Do you suppose it’s too late to ask Him now?

MOTHER: And there—in the dungeon of despair, they knelt to pray. Far into the night, they prayed—they praised God because He was faithful, tho’ they were not— “Oh God, forgive us—for grumbling—for leaving the right path and seeking our own way—and deliver us from this—”

CHRISTIAN: Hopeful. Here’s a key. Christian never knew what made him feel in his pocket.

MOTHER: They both looked at the door. They were both thinking the same thing. Christian went over to the door, quietly put the key in the lock.

CHRISTIAN: It’s a key of promise, Hopeful. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee.”

MOTHER: He turned the key. The door slowly creaked on its hinges, swung open!

SOUND: SQUEAKING DOOR

CHRISTIAN: Nobody’s in the hall. Come on, Hopeful!

MUSIC TENSE BG: swell under

HOPEFUL: Do you suppose it will open the outer door, Christian?

CHRISTIAN: I hope so. Here it is. Keep watch—let me know if you hear anyone coming. Here it goes. “Why do ye doubt, oh ye of little faith?” It turns, it turns!

SOUND: SQUEAKING DOOR

CHRISTIAN: Come on!

HOPEFUL: How can we get across the courtyard?

CHRISTIAN: We’ll have to run for it. Let’s go!

HOPEFUL: Quick, Christian! Unlock the gate!

CHRISTIAN: I’ll try. “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

HOPEFUL: Quick! The giant is coming!

CHRISTIAN: It opens! It opens! We’re out! Run, Hopeful, run!

HOPEFUL: We’ll never make it—he’s coming!

CHRISTIAN: No—he’s frothing at the mouth—he’s having a fit. He’s rolling on the ground! Oh Hopeful, we are MORE than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us! This way!

MOTHER: And they ran and they ran, over the meadow, past the pits, past the puddles—no more discouragement, no more despair—back on the King’s Highway again!

MUSIC QUICK BRIDGE X-3

BOY: Whew! That was a narrow escape.

MOTHER: It sure was. Oh—Christians shouldn’t go stumbling along in despair and defeat. If we’re in His army, we’ve GOT to walk in victory. He conquered DEATH! Giant Despair, you’re a boogie-man. We’ve no RIGHT to be discouraged.

BOY: But I wasn’t discouraged. YOU were.

MOTHER: We Christians thrive on trouble. It’s trouble that—

BOY: I thought you had a headache.

MOTHER: It’s trouble—what headache? It’s gone. It’s trouble that makes our spiritual muscles grow! A fighter doesn’t train by—lying around and eating chocolates, does he?

BOY: Boy, he sure doesn’t.

MOTHER: Well, Christians aren’t worth anything to God if they go off the highway into by-path meadows where the walking is soft, either.

BOY: No, I guess they sure don’t.

MOTHER: We didn’t rake up much.

BOY: Nope. Shall I go get a basket to put the stuff in so we can burn it?

MOTHER: Uh huh.

BOY: I helped you—didn’t I?

MOTHER: Yes, you helped. Get the old baskets on the back porch.

MUSIC: SNEAK IN MOOD BG

MOTHER: (TO HERSELF) Yes, you helped—more than you know. It wasn’t my head that was aching—it was my heart. I thank Thee, Father, for such a son as this—for giving me these hum-drum things to do. You knew my heart was aching—You sent me out here to find a daffodil—to uncover its perfect beauty in the soggy leaves—and in the finding, to know again that Thou art the resurrection and the life—and because Thou dost live, I will live also. I thank Thee—for helping me back on to the King’s Highway again.

MUSIC - SWELL: FINISH OFF

In the depths of Ethel’s archive, this story sounds more like an adaptation of a preacher’s illustrative story than an original Ethel Barrett piece. The script is annotated as “For Recording” without the typical “By Ethel Barrett” or other attribution.

THE OLD MAN - Prayer

Author Unknown | Adapted for recording script by Ethel Barrett

MUSIC: NEUTRAL THEME AND UNDER:

NARR: Once upon a time there was an old man. He didn’t have much money. But he had the deepest simplest love for God in his heart. One day, something very special happened in this old man’s life. In those days they didn’t have cars and television and Christians didn’t have the chance to hear the Word of God the way they do now. So this was special. A great preacher was preaching for a whole week in the next town—miles away. Everybody was talking about it, and everybody wanted to go!

And this old man wanted to go. He didn’t have a horse and buggy—but that didn’t bother him a bit! He packed a lunch and started early in the morning—walking.

MUSIC: SIMULATE WALKING. OUT ON “THEY STOPPED BY THE ROADSIDE”

NARR: Well he’d gone quite a way when he was over-taken by a young fellow—a student—who was going to the same place—the meetings! So they had a lot to talk about. And when it came time to eat, they stopped by the roadside and took out their lunches. And the young man said grace.

My—he said the most beautiful prayer full of well-turned phrases he’d learned just so—it was a prayer to make a simple fellow tongue-tied.

But when they’d finished lunch, the young man asked the old man to ask God’s blessing on the rest of their trip. And the old man prayed. He prayed for both of them, and for the meetings to come. And then—

OLD MAN: And Father, there’s something special I’d like to ask you. Matter of fact, there are three things. You know I’m hard of hearing and You know how bad I want to hear that sermon tonight. Now I’m asking for a front seat—I know it’ll be crowded—but nothing’s too hard for You. And I know You want me to hear. And then, I need some shoes, and I know You’re going to take care of that. And now, Lord, we’ll leave the meetin’ and the sermon, and all our needs in Thy hands. Oh. And I need a place to stay. In Jesus Name, amen. Well. Guess we’d better get goin’.....

YOUNG MAN: I say—do you really think that God—that God­—(SIGH)

OLD MAN: What’s the matter?

YOUNG MAN: Nothing. Only I never heard anyone pray for such—in such a manner. Do you really think God cares about things like that?

OLD MAN: Oh yes. He certainly does. Don’t ever underestimate God. I know.

YOUNG MAN: Well. Alright. We’d better move along. But I’ll be very much interested to find out if and how your prayer is answered.

MUSIC: BRIEF BRIDGE AND OUT

NARR: Well they went on—and when they got to the town—sure enough—there were horses and buggies lined up for blocks around the church. And the church was crowded. All the seats were taken.

MUSIC: “CHURCHY” ORGAN MUSIC IN BACKGROUND, AS PRELUDE BEFORE MEETING

Well, they stood up in back, the old man cupping his hand up to his ear so he could hear—and they hadn’t been there five minutes when an usher came and bent close to the old man’s ear!

USHER: Pardon me, sir.

OLD MAN: Hm?

USHER: Will you come with me please? There’s a seat for you in one of the front pews.

OLD MAN: For me? Oh—thank you. And thank you, Father. Well, goodbye, boy. See you after the meetin’.

NARR: And he marched down the aisle, to a pew right in front! And sat next to the most beautiful and well-dressed young lady he’d ever seen!

OLD MAN: Ehhh. Do I have you to thank for this nice seat?

Y LADY: Good evening. This is my father’s seat. He said if he was not here by seven-thirty—to give his seat to some one. I noticed you standing back there with your hand cupped to your ear.

OLD MAN: Weeell. Thank you. And thank YOU, Father.

MUSIC: DOWN AND UNDER:

NARR: When it came time to pray—the old man was the kneeling down kind of pray-er and the young lady was the standing-up kind. And with her head bowed, she couldn’t help seeing the holes in the bottom of his shoes. She should have had her eyes closed—but this is no time to split hairs. Anyhow—afterward, she leaned over toward him and said—

Y LADY: I hope you won’t be offended but I couldn’t help noticing your shoes. You—well, my father owns a shoe store. And I have a key. Our house-man who drives me home can help us. And we can fit you with a new pair. Will you accept it as from the Lord?

OLD MAN: Ehhh. That’s awful nice of you, ma’am. Yup. I will. And thank you. And thank YOU, Father.

MUSIC: NEUTRAL BRIDGE AND UNDER:

NARR: When the meeting was over, the old man met the young student outside on the church steps, and called out—

OLD MAN: Good night, son. See you tomorrow night’s meeting. I’m on my way to get a new pair of shoes!

MUSIC: QUICK BUSY COMMENT, SIMULATE HURRYING

NARR: And that’s just what they did. And after they got the shoes the young lady said

Y LADY: And now can we drop you off wherever you’re going?

OLD MAN: Why you cer — eh — Well. Matter of fact, I wouldn’t know where to tell you to drop me. You see my Father has a room for me alright—He just ain’t told me where it is, yet.

Y LADY: Your fath—oh. You mean God.

OLD MAN: Yep. God.

Y LADY: This is getting funny. But we have an empty guest room. Won’t you come stay with us? I hope you won’t be offended. Won’t you come stay with us?

OLD MAN: Nope—not funny—this is gettin’ wonderfuller by the minute. I accept your kind invitation, Ma’am. And thank you. And thank YOU, Father.

MUSIC: NARRATIVE BRIDGE

NARR: Next night, after the meeting, the old man ran into the young student, outside the church.

OLD MAN: Hello there, son.

YOUNG MAN: Hello sir. Wonderful meetings. I see you got your front seat. And your new shoes. (PAUSE)

OLD MAN: Yup. Ain’t you gonna ask if I got my room?

YOUNG MAN: No. (PAUSE) Somehow I know you got that room.

OLD MAN: Yup, son. I did. Well, good nite.

YOUNG MAN: Sir—yup?—I just wanted you to know—how much you’ve taught me. I—Goodnight, sir. God bless you.

OLD MAN: Good night. And son—

YOUNG MAN: Yes?

OLD MAN: Just don’t ever—underestimate God, son. Nothin’s too hard for him on the one hand. But on the other—nothin’s too small.

MUSIC: FULL FOR CURTAIN

This manuscript, filed in Ethel’s archive as “Time,” but bearing a hand-written title of ‘Troubles,” is a classic example of Ethel’s ability to integrate and adapt timeless spiritual allegories for a modern audience. The bag of troubles beckons to Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress’s burden of sin, while the 'Stepping Stones' motif has roots in 19th-century homiletics, Ethel has completely reimagined the narrative—introducing the character of 'Experience' and anchoring the truth in the contemporary life of evangelist Jack Wyrtzen.1

Troubles

By Ethel Barrett

Once there was an old man called “Time.” And whenever he heard that a little baby was born, he went to the door, and left a package for the little stranger, with strict orders that it had to be carried through the journey of life.

If the baby was rich, the package was beautifully wrapped. If the baby was poor, the package was wrapped in plain brown paper. But when the rich and poor alike opened their packages, what do you suppose they found?

Troubles.

They tried to burn them, but they would not burn. They tried to throw them into the sea, but they would not sink. There was no way to get rid of them...There was nothing to do but take them along Life’s journey.

And this is the way they did it.

Some of them tied their troubles all up again, and with a long string, they put them around their necks and hung them in front of. Millstones. / So when they walked along, their heads were bowed and their eyes were down, and they couldn’t see the beautiful things of life at all.

A fellow by the name of Experience spoke to some of these folks—he said, “why don’t you try hanging your troubles behind you—see if that won’t be easier.”2

Well, they did—and do you know, it pull their heads up—made them look UP—and they walked so straight that people looked at them in wonder, that with such heavy burdens, they walked straighter than those who seemed to have no troubles at all.

There were folks who didn’t carry them altogether. They took them out one by one and spread them along life’s highway, and some of them—oops, stumbled over them, and fell down and hurt themselves and discouraged others—and when they came to the end of the journey they were all bruised and sore. They hadn’t been any good to themselves or anybody else, because they’d stumbled over what were never meant for “stumbling stones.”

But others who took them out one at a time spread them along the path and stepped on them. —and every time they stepped up, they caught a new sight of heaven, and their troubles brought them nearer to God. Yes. They made “stepping stones” out of their troubles.

Would you believe it—that there was still another way you could use up those troubles. There was a fellow I knew—fellow I know—now wait a minute—don’t tell me—I’ll think of it in a minute -- Wyrtzen... Jack Wyrtzen. Every trouble he had, he put it on the road and it marked an event in his life.3

And when he looked back on the road he had come along he could see all that he had passed by, that he would never have to pass again—and it made his troubles beautiful MILESTONES.

Well, so all these people used up their package of troubles, each in his own way—and when they came to the end of their journey, those who had made them stumbling stones and millstones looked back and saw that they had missed the point completely. But those who had made them stepping stones and milestones looked back—and there were no more troubles on the path. Old man experience had gathered them up and made them into beautiful mounting stones to a higher life.

And then, when Time closed the door, those who know the Lord found themselves where there are no more troubles, but they had to account to God for how they had used their troubles while they were on their journey.

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© 2026 Barrett Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved. This work is an original adaptation by Ethel Barrett. While the underlying themes may derive from historical or public domain sources, the specific dramatic structure, dialogue, and performance cues are the protected intellectual property of Barrett Enterprises LLC. For permissions or archival inquiries, please contact the estate.

Many parents start the journey of raising a child with a stack of psychology books and the firm belief that parenting is a simple equation: cause plus effect equals a predictable result. This piece explores the humorous and humbling reality that "two and two never did make four" when it involves the unpredictable development of a child. This manuscript bears the marks of a live performance—including handwritten annotations, delivery cues like "harsh whisper," and a rough structural outline on the reverse—it captures the chaotic, messy, and ultimately faithful process of a child becoming the adult they were meant to be. No annotations indicating date written or when and where performed—best guess is early 1950’s

Strange and Wonderful Creature

by Ethel Barrett

Your son is a strange and wonderful creature. First, he’s wonderful - you know that, of course, when they first lay him in your arms. It’s apparent from the beginning that he’s a very unusual child.

Being a very methodical person, you know that if you add two and two, you have to get four. It’s simply a matter of cause and effect, knowledge and application - and so you fortify yourself with books and books on psychology and the care and feeding of children. You’re prepared for anything.

And then he’s strange - for any resemblance between him and the baby in the book, is purely coincidental. Of course, if you could decide what category he fell in, the rest would be easy. There’s only one catch to that. He doesn’t seem to fall into any category at all! By the time you decide he is something no psychologist has ever written anything about - the pre-school years have flown and you’ve taken him by one chubby paw and marched him off to kindergarten hoping his teachers and Sunday School teachers will find out in just what way he’s a genius. They don’t seem to discover it, however, and he, for some reason, persists in not showing it.

Yes, he’s a strange lad.

There is that one wonderful day, when your hopes soar sky-high - the day when you pour over the wordless book together - The gold page - “In My Father’s House are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you” - and the black page “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” - and the red page “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin”.[1] That day when he kneels and gives his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. And you think that the glory of that day can never fade. But it does - it’s drowned out in the awful business of his growing up.

For an endless number of years, it is impossible for him to do anything right. He is one big noise with an appetite and muddy feet. You give him piano lessons and he plays in the cracks with his elbows.

You teach him scripture, and he says it like - like - Jack Wyrtzen[2] when he’s alone with you, and like the Sphinx when he’s on a platform. And you try to reach his mind.

You teach him the King’s English, and he can collect a vocabulary of forty-nine impossibadrillion words without an “i-n-g” anywhere.

You teach him cleanliness, and his idea of the ultimate in cleanliness is to wash his face on the side the teacher sits, just before his piano lesson.

You teach him manners, and he can’t say “How do you do” without falling over his own feet.

You teach him - but why go on? For years, you try to reach his mind.

And then that memorable day, when he starts out to put a new washer on a dripping faucet and winds up breaking so many things that the water supply for the whole block is turned off before they’re fixed - and you’ve had enough.

“He’s not my son. They switched babies on me in the nursery, that’s what they did.”

But your better judgment wins. And you try to reach his -

HE DOESN’T HAVE A MIND!

(HARSE WHISPER) He doesn’t have a mind. If you could look inside his head, you know it would be full of little pebbles.

But that’s the day the answers start coming from the Christian colleges he’s been writing to, and when you ask him, he says, “Sure, Mom. I’m going to be a minister. Didn’t you know? (PAUSE) AW, Mom, don’t cry. Heeey, where’s you going?”

(YOU) “I’m going to throw out a shelf of books I’ve had hanging around too long. Psychology books.”

And then - at long last - that ordination day when you can’t see him through your tears - but he’s there, tall, incredibly impressive, and his neck is clean!

And you, there, in the audience, live his boyhood again in a few minutes. He was your little boy and now he’s grown and the job is done. No, two and two never did make four, but there was never a dull moment.

You didn’t understand enough, you didn’t laugh enough, you didn’t pray enough - and yet God had been faithful.

Yes - all in all - you got - far more, than you deserved......

© 2026 Barrett Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved. Original text © Ethel Barrett. Reproduced with permission of the Estate of Ethel Barrett.

[1] The Wordless Book: A Christian evangelistic teaching tool that uses colored pages—rather than text—to explain the core tenets of the Gospel. Designed to be understood by children, it allows a storyteller to walk through a narrative of faith using visual cues. In this script, the colors correspond to specific themes: Gold (Heaven), Black (Sin), and Red (the blood of Christ).

[2] Jack Wyrtzen (1913–1996): American evangelist and founder of Word of Life Fellowship. Known for a high-energy, “rapid-fire” speaking style on his radio broadcasts, Wyrtzen was a contemporary of Ethel Barrett. The comparison in the text refers to his characteristically fast-paced delivery.

Long before the digital age, Ethel Barrett was reaching families through the airwaves of the ABC Network and Northeast powerhouses like WPTR and WPTL. This week, the Archive presents a rare look at a previously unpublished 1949 broadcast script titled “Fear.” Originally performed for live audiences at Camp Pinnacle and broadcast to thousands, this piece captures the “Story Lady” early in her career.

In this script, Ethel uses a relatable childhood anecdote about a “ghost” in a hallway to bridge the gap into the biblical story of Daniel in the lions’ den. It is a masterclass in how she used the intimacy of the radio medium to teach “spiritual muscles” to a generation of listeners.

“FEAR”

by Ethel Barrett, 1949

The boy settled back against his pillows, a wonderful warmth stealing through him.

“Have you ever been afraid?” It was all he could think of to say.

He had stood it as long as he could, the growing fear the queer and awful shapes things took in the darkness and then he had called out to his mother, and now she was here, stretched out across the foot of his bed. He couldn’t find words for the comfort she brought in her nearness and her understanding. He only knew that once they started talking, she’d somehow take care of everything, and put fear in its place.

“Yes. Lots of times.” she was saying - “but most of the things I’ve been afraid of, never happened.”

BOY: They didn’t?

MOTHER: They didn’t. I knew two little girls once. They - would you like to hear a story?

BOY: Um HMMMM

MOTHER: Well, those little girls were cousins, and they lived in the same house. Sometimes, the grown-ups of the house would go to the evening market for groceries, or to a meeting... back home by half-past eight or nine o’clock, and the girls would stay home and play but one night, something happened - perhaps the buses weren’t running - I don’t know - but the grown-ups didn’t get back. The girls didn’t even notice that it was getting late because they were really having fun. The thing they liked best to do was dress up. And that’s what they were doing. Dressing up in their mothers’ old hats and clothes and pretending. It was especially funny that night, because Alice’s clothing was stuffed with pillows - they were tied around with clothes line - and she was all dressed up and pretending to be a funny lady. Oh they were having a wonderful time. Until Alice dropped something and tried to stoop over and couldn’t pick it up - and they went into gales of laughter, when suddenly -

SOUND: KNOCKING

JANE: Ohhhhhhh, someone’s at the back door. Listen.

ALICE: There’s no knocking now.

JANE: Well, there WAS, I heard it.

ALICE: You go.

JANE: I don’t want to OPEN it - I’ll just ask who’s there.

ALICE: Alright.

JANE: You come out with me.

ALICE: I’ll come out with you but don’t open the door.

JANE: Who is it?

SOUND: KNOCKING

JANE: Who’s there?

SOUND: KNOCKING

JANE: Why don’t they answer?

ALICE: I- I’m afraid.

JANE: I’ll go get uncle Jack’s gun.

ALICE: Noooooo. Don’t leave me here. Help me take these pillows off.

JANE: You take them off.

ALICE: I can’t get the rope untied.

JANE: I’ll be right back.

ALICE: Ohhhh. (BUSINESS OF UNTYING) Maybe they’re gone. Oh, JANE. Where was it?

JANE: In his closet.

ALICE: Is it loaded?

JANE: I don’t know. I don’t know how to open it. All I know is, this is the trigger. You got your pillows off. They still here?

ALICE: (CRYING) I don’t know.

JANE: Shhhh. (ALOUD) Who Is it?

SOUND: KNOCKING

JANE: I have a gun and it’s loaded. If you come in here, I’ll shoot.

SOUND: KNOCKING

ALICE: Ohhh. I wish Rex were here.

JANE: He’s not around. If he were anywhere around, he’d bark at strangers.

ALICE: What are you doing?

JANE: I’m getting under the table. Come on. Get under.

ALICE: Why?

JANE: I just feel better under there. Come on.

MUSIC: PASSING OF TIME BRIDGE

ALICE: I wish we had a telephone.

JANE: Yeah. And I wish I knew what time it was. I’m afraid to go out and see.

ALICE: I wish our mothers would come home. We’ll face the door.

JANE: And I wish Rex was here. He’d scare ‘em away. I wish they’d go away.

JANE: Don’t cry. I have the gun. You know, it’s a funny thing. But they don’t knock unless we SAY something. As long as we’re quiet...

ALICE: That’s right. Say something and see.

JANE: We’ve still got the gun, you!

SOUND: KNOCKING

ALICE: See?

JANE: Yeah.

ALICE: I can’t sit here much longer. I’m cramped.

JANE: Just don’t CRY. I can’t wait a minute.

ALICE: What?

JANE: Voices. It’s mother and aunt Alice! And the rest of them!

JANE: What’ll we do?

ALICE: What do you mean, what’ll we do?

JANE: Whatever it is in the back hall will get THEM!

ALICE: Ohhhhh - Mother! MOTHER!?

JANE: MOTHER! (FADE)

MUSIC: DRAMATIC BRIDGE: CHANGING TO QUIET MOOD! THEN OUT

JANE’S MOTHER: I thought we’d never get here. Hope the girls aren’t frightened. Hel-ooooo, Rex! Why aren’t you inside?

SOUND: KEY TURNING IN LOCK. OPENING DOOR

JANE’S MOTHER: Hi, there! Why didn’t you let the dog in? He was asleep out in the hall - What are you doing with that gun?

ALICE: REX?

JANE: Was that Rex out in the hall? (CRYING)

JANE’S MOTHER: Why darling! What’s the matter?

JANE: Something was out there knocking. Every time we talked, it knocked. We didn’t know we were so scared. I got the gun -

JANE’S MOTHER: Ohhh you poor darlings. It was his TAIL. When he heard us, he thumped his tail on the floor two-forty. Every time he heard your voice, he thumped his tail.

02 JANE: Why didn’t he BARK?

JANE’S MOTHER: Why, he was comfortable taking a nap. He didn’t know you were frightened - He just thought (FADE)

MUSIC: NARRATIVE BRIDGE

BOY: Boy, that was a swell story. You had me scared. It was just the dog wagging his tail, ha?

MOTHER: That was all. He was a big dog, and his tail really made a noise.

BOY: Was that all true?

MOTHER: Sounds crazy, but it was true.

BOY: Did you know the girls?

MOTHER: Yes -

BOY: Did you know the one who had the gun?

MOTHER: Umm hmmm.

BOY: Who?

MOTHER: Me.

BOY: REALLY?

MOTHER: (LAUGHING) Yes. It was I and I’ll never forget it.

BOY: Boy, you were brave.

MOTHER: No, I wasn’t. I was bold because she was so frightened! Somebody had to take over.

BOY: Hummm. You make even being scared interesting.

MOTHER: (LAUGHING) I do? Well, being scared is - a normal thing. Fear IS GOOD.

BOY: It IS?

MOTHER: It is. It’s a warning to your body and mind to be on the alert. When you feel fear, your body makes a chemical called adrenalin inside you, and it makes you strong - stronger than you are normally. Then you’re ready for the emergency, whatever it may be.

BOY: Does it?

MOTHER: Mmmmm. Fear is nothing to be ashamed of, if you don’t let it get the best of you. It’s fear of fire that makes us careful of it. There are things we should be afraid of. But with the kind of fear that makes us careful - not terrified. The Lord has said, “Fear not, I am with thee - Be not afraid - Lo, I am with thee”. Oh, He tells us a hundred different ways in the Bible not to be afraid. So the kind of fear that you feel, has no place in a Christian’s heart. You’re afraid of darkness and strange shapes in your room that you know will be just chairs and things when the lights are turned on.

BOY: You make it all seem like nothing. You make it alright.

MOTHER: I’m glad. Because courage is a thing that grows. You start by having courage in little things and you exercise it and it grows like muscles and after awhile you are brave in big things - dangerous things.

BOY: Really?

MOTHER: Sure. How do you suppose Daniel got so brave when he was faced with being thrown to the lions? He’d been brave all his life.

BOY: Tell me about Daniel.

MOTHER: Well, when he was put in the lions’ den, he -

BOY: No, tell me like a story. Say, “Once upon a time.” Like a story.

MOTHER: Well once upon a time there was a king. And he had many princes and governors and captains to rule in his kingdom... but over all these, he had put one prince who was wiser than all the rest - fellow by the name of Daniel.

MOTHER: Daniel was a great favorite with the king, and everything was going very well, thank you, until the other noblemen became jealous. They watched Daniel at first to see if they could get something on him and they couldn’t, for he was honest and faithful. “We can’t discredit this man,” they said. “He takes no part in the social life of the court... he worships his own God - prays three times a day... wait! That’s just how we CAN get him. We can go to the king, and ask him (FADE)

MUSIC: NARRATIVE BRIDGE

MALE VOICE: Oh king, all the governors and princes of the kingdom have consulted together to establish a royal law that whoever shall ask a petition of any God or man, but you, for thirty days - shall be cast into the den of lions. (FADE) Now, oh king sign this law that it be not changed, etc.

MOTHER: And the king signed the law... put his seal on it and sealed Daniel’s doom. They watched to see what Daniel would do. To see if he dared to pray to his God, when his life was at stake!

And Daniel? How can we know how afraid he was? This was not fear of the dark or of being poor, or fear of POSSIBLE death... it was the terrifying certainty that he would be thrown into a den of hungry lions. To be delivered if God chose to deliver him - to be crushed and ripped apart - if that was the way God wanted it!

And so the man who had faced danger and fear all his life - and through God had conquered it - made one of his greatest decisions. When morning came - he opened his window that faced his beloved Jerusalem and there, in plain sight of all he knelt and prayed. He knew they were watching him... he knew what would happen and the morning wasn’t far gone when word came to him (FADE)

MALE VOICE: Sire - they have reported to the king that you worshipped your God... you know the law just passed.

DANIEL: Yes, I know.

MALE VOICE: The king knows now they’ve tricked him - he has sent everyone away from court except his closest advisors - he is trying to find a way to change the law and save you. (FADE)

MOTHER: All day long, it was the talk of the great city. The law could not be changed, once the king’s seal was upon it. Would Daniel pray at noon? Yes - he did. In his open window! Had any word come from the palace? No - the king wasn’t seeing anyone. That night? Daniel prayed again! The excitement ran high, Daniel had been the king’s favorite - and finally -

SOUND: BUGLE

MALE VOICE: His majesty, King Darius has commanded, according to the law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be changed - (FADE)

MOTHER: Daniel was to be thrown to the lions!

The king’s orders were carried out swiftly - Daniel was brought under guard to the lions’ den - and there, with all the nobles of the land gathered round - he was let down - down - into the dark den -

“Thy God will be able to deliver thee!” cried the king.

Can you imagine it? Those are the last words you hear, before the great stone is rolled over the entrance, and you are left in darkness.

MUSIC: THIN, HIGH, SUSTAINED FEAR NOTES ON ORGAN CLIMBING HIGHER UNDER:

Darkness. And silence. Though you can’t hear them, you can feel them as they move about, graceful, noiseless, waiting - And then as your eyes get used to the dark, you can see the huge shapes, some still, some moving back and forth - back and forth. And then they are close - eyes glowing in the darkness - you can hear their breathing. Close your eyes - shut out the glowing eyes - shut out the fear - and with all your will and with all your strength, keep your eyes on the Lord. Thy God will be able to deliver thee. Thy God will be able to deliver thee. (FADE)

MUSIC: SWELL TO DRAMATIC CLIMAX OR STAB: THEN OUT.

Outside the den, the excitement had died down. The king had gone to his rooms - it was reported that he could not sleep and would not eat. The crowd had broken up - some of the nobles had left - some remained with the guards all night. And so the long night passed.

At the crack of dawn the excitement mounted again as sleepy guards were roused and the crowds began to gather and the news came that the king was on his way. People stopped breathing as the stone was moved and the den was opened and the king cried, “Daniel - is thy God able to deliver thee from the lions?”

“Oh king, live forever” came the voice from the den. Daniel’s voice: “My God has shut the lions’ mouths and they have not hurt me.”

They looked down.

And there were the lions, some quiet, some pacing back and forth - and there was Daniel in the midst of them - unharmed!

The king gave swift orders. Daniel was lifted up out of the den. The battle was over. The victory was won. He was given back his position of honor, and the nobles who plotted against him were punished.

BOY: Boy, that was a swell story.

MOTHER: Mmmm. It’s the story of a boy who cut his teeth on fear, grew up in the midst of danger, and developed his spiritual muscles until he could face death, even death by hungry lions, with the strength of one who knows he’s on the winning side no matter what happens.

BOY: His life was in God’s hands.

MOTHER: And your life is in the same hands, darling.

MUSIC: (BRING SLOWLY)

She left after that, and went back to bed. After she was gone, the room was dark and quiet, but the weird shapes in the room were familiar again. The boy turned over on his side and began to think of Daniel. But before he’d hardly started - he was asleep.

MUSIC: BRING UP AND FINISH OFF

© 2026 Barrett Enterprises LLC. All Rights Reserved. Transcribed and restored from the original 1949 broadcast script.

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Ethel Barrett used to joke about the “5 Stages” of a media personality’s career, a concept she repurposed from Paul Harvey. She would use her own name to illustrate the cycle:

1. Who’s Ethel Barrett?

2. Get us Ethel Barrett!

3. Get us someone just like Ethel Barrett!

4. We need a younger version of Ethel Barrett!

5. Who’s Ethel Barrett?

By the standards of the modern media industry, we are currently in Stage 5.

But here is the catch: While the industry moves on, the demand for her wisdom has not. To this day, I’m often struck by how frequently modern storytellers—from secular writers to ministry leaders—still point back to her. It’s not uncommon to see her name recommended alongside greats like C.S. Lewis.

The Mission: Stewardship Over Success

My goal for this Substack isn’t to chase fame or vanity. It is to ensure that her craft remains accessible in the digital age.

Some of her work has stood the test of time and remains in print today—like her epic retelling of John Bunyan’s Holy War (now titled The War for Mansoul). But while the book is available, the performances are at risk. I have in my possession live recordings of Ethel telling these stories, captured on analog tapes that are slowly decaying.

Why This Space Exists

Reading Ethel is one thing; hearing her is another entirely. This Substack will be the home for:

• Digital Restorations: Breathing new life into aging audio tapes and out-of-print masterclasses like Storytelling, It’s Easy.

• The “Live” Archive: Sharing the rare performances that made her a household name.

• The Craft: Digging into the “how” behind her storytelling genius.

I am here to keep the stories alive and the wisdom available. The voices are too good to stay in the attic.

A Note on the Archive & Rights

As the caretaker of Ethel Barrett’s intellectual property, my priority is the integrity and availability of her work. I am currently in the process of auditing and clearing publishing rights for her extensive catalog.

My plan is to use this forum to republish her books and recordings as they are cleared and digitized. If you see something here, it is because it has been officially restored and authorized for a new generation of listeners and readers.