Baker Skit
By Chris Venner
Western Michigan University
Spring 2007

Mrs. Baker: Matthew, there is talk all over the town of one named Nicholas who is taking the children away to the Holy Land, to fight, is this true?

Mr. Baker: Yes dear, I have heard of this Nicholas. He says that the crusades are failing due to the sinfulness of adults, and that the innocence of children will allow them to win. He is said to be leading the children first to Rome and then to the Holy Land.

Mrs. Baker: Do you believe him? That it will work, I mean how will they know the way and what will they eat? Who will care for them? Surely this is a bad idea!

Mr. Baker: They know the way because they are led by God, and it is He who will care for them. They must pass through the Alps and go to the sea, the Holy Land is a long ways away. They will find food along with transportation.

Mrs. Baker: I heard that the children just follow him, that none know what they are doing not listen to their parents bidding, they just leave and follow Nicholas. What if Garthe or Gunther is taken?

Mr. Baker: They will not be taken, my dear Rebecca. But if either of the tow boys, or really any of our children, decides that he is meant to follow Nicholas and win back the Holy Land, who are you or I to stop them? Its a great thing they will be doing.

Mrs. Baker: A thing indeed. Still, I do not know how I feel about leaving my children in the hands of a child to lead them on such a quest. Nicholas is hardly more than a boy at 12 years of age.

Mr. Baker: I know, but if they decide to go we must support them and be pleased with their choice. For really, it is a great honor, what they are doing. They must be told that. I would be proud of any child of mine who goes off to help the soldiers reclaim the Holy Land, for the task ahead is one that many adults fear. How can that not be an honor?

For Reflection:
Chris has set his story up as a short play. He gives no setting or stage directions, leaving this up to the director of the short skit. If you were to stage this short skit in your classroom, what kind of props would you use, and what kind of costumes do you think might give the feeling of the time frame?

How old was Joan of Arc when God called her to lead the soldiers of France? Can you think of other children who were influenced by the voice of God to act upon Gods wishes? I can think of one, The Song of Bernadette, who was also a young girl. Therefore, in light of these young adults who are prominent in the Christian historical context, it is not unusual for Nicholas to be what we may consider to be young for the task at hand. Twelve is also an appropriate age because it is just at that point that young children become young adults, ready to take on the adult world. Generally the age of 13 is considered a turning point in the lives of most children. What do you think?

Can you write a story from the point of view of one of the children, who overhear this conversation?