The Old Man - Prayer
From the Archive - A Script for Recording
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.