The

Power of
a Song
Narrator : Good evening everyone. We welcome you to the Grade
9 play
presentation. Tonight, we will witness the power of family, love,
remembrance, hope, determination, and how a family was reunited
through the power of a song.

Setting: Evening. Inside a house, a mother is stacking dishes in a

rack; a
five-year old girl is sweeping the floor, while another is wiping the
table. The mother is humming a tune.

Narrator: Mrs. Benitos husband just dies leaving her alone with
her twin
daughters who have just turned five. Her meager income could
hardly support her family and frequently she was pressed with
financial and emotional problems. However, her strong faith in God
coupled with a cheerful disposition and a determined spirit carried
her through her sorrows and problems. She always kept a song in
her heart.
Mother: (humming a familiar hymn). As soon as Im done with
these dishes,
we will have a worship so please prepare the Bible and the lesson
quarterly.

Lindy: OK Ma. Cant we use the church hymnal this time we want
to learn
songs, I mean, long ones besides are usual choruses.

Glenda: Yes, Ma, we want to learn something new.

Mother: (dries her hand.) Well, I know you cant read words yet,
however,
Ill see how good you are in learning the words and tune of the
hymns. Lets sing Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

(The three sing. Mother read a text in the Bible; sing Thank you
Lord and kneel for a prayer.) Lindy and Glenda kiss mothers
hands.)
 Tenderly Jesus is calling.

Mother: Ill sing one stanza and the chorus first, you listen
very well.
(sings.) OK. You follow after me. (twins songs after her.)
Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!
Narrator: they repeated the song over and over again
until the two girls
knew it by heart. It became their favourite and they
sang it in church, at work, and even hummed it
sometimes while playing. One afternoon, Mother was
mending some clothes while the two girls were looking
at picture books.

Glenda: (blurted out) Mother, I dont quite understand

the meaning of that
song.

Mother: (looks up) What song are you talking about?

Glenda: of course. Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling.

Mother: Oh. . . Well, Im glad you asked for it since Ive forgotten to
explain it to you when I should have. Its like this:
suppose you were tempted to steal some of my money. When I
discovered the loss, I ask you and Lindy about it. You denied, but
your words and actions betrayed you. I knew you got it. You felt
guilty and this worried you much, such that you became so afraid of
me. You could not tell me the truth. I was very sad. I longed for you
to confess your sin for I was already ready to forgive and forget. The
same is true with Jesus. He longs for His weary, prodigal children to
come home to go back to Him. Do you understand?

Glenda: (nods) very well, mama.

Mother: Now, before it is too late, you go to the river and wash
your soiled
clothes. Be back before sunset.

Lindy and Glenda: Okay, lets go. (Both exits with basin and
clothes).
SCENE II

Setting: River bank. The two girls are washing.

Lindy: I do hope this will be done in one hour. I dont like staying here especially
when the sun is about to set.

Glenda: Aw, dont be silly! Im not afraid at all. Were used to this river.
(Pause) Uh! Why dont we sing the song we have just learned and
see if we have memorized it. (The girls start singing. In the chorus,
Lindy sings the first Come home and Glenda answers Come
Home Together, the two sings the rest of the song.)

(Two bandits enter stealthily)

1st Man: Listen! I hear beautiful singing. Hmmmmm. . . Two girls are here
alone in the river. Why dont we take one of them, and maybe well hear to a
datu and make much money?

2nd Man: Yes, thats quite a good plan. You go over to that side while Ill
stay here. (The man approaches the girls and grabs Glenda. Glendas struggles
to be free are futile).
Lindy: (shouts) Hey, who are you?
What do you intend to do with my
sister?
Leave my sister alone!

1st Man: Keep quiet, or well include

you. Dont worry about her. We will
sell her to a datu. Hahahahaha!

Lindy: Please. Leave her alone (Cries

as men drag Lindy away.) Help! Help!
Theyre taking Glenda away! (Runs
SCENE III
(CURTAIN SLOWLY OPENS)

Lindy: (enters sobbing) Mama! Mama!

Mother: Why? Anything wrong? Did

you have a quarrel with Glenda?

Lindy: Oh no , Mama. Two men took

her away and shes gone!

Mother: I dont understand.

Lindy: We were washing in the river when two men came

and grabbed
Glenda. She struggled to be free but in vain. One of them
said theyre going to sell her to a datu.

Mother: (shocked and sobs) Father is gone and now

Glenda? Oh, no, Lord,
please help me stand. Help me to trust more in Thee.
Please be near
us. We need Thee, Father. What shall we do now? Lets go
tell our neighbours about this. Maybe they could help.

CURTAIN FALLS
Narrator: Mother and Lindy were terribly sad, News
of Glendas
kidnapping spread throughout the neighbourhood.
Many concerned men helped in looking for her but
all their efforts were unawarded. Soon after they
gave up the search leaving Mother and Lindy alone.
Both determined to find her by all means.

Meanwhile, after almost a weeks journey, Glenda

was finally sold to a wealthy, childless royal Muslim
couple. The Datu and his wife treated her as their
own daughter. A month passes with Glenda still
missing made her miss her Mother and Lindy
terribly. She sings every now and then to ease her
sadness. One day in the datus home -
SCENE IV
(CURTAIN RISES)

Glenda: I dont like to eat. I want to go home. (starts to cry) If

you really
love me, why wont you release me? Please let me go!
Please -

Datu: Yes, Glenda. We love you such that we just cant send
you home
alone. We dont know where those two men caught you,
thus, it
would be quite difficult to trace your place. Learn to love us as
your own parents, try to forget the past.

Datus wife: You can ask for anything within our reach and
we will give it to you. Anything to make you happy. Youre still
five years old and surely time will heal your broken heart,
Datu: And Glenda, we will have to change your name to help
you forget
quickly that you are a Christian. From now on, you are Princess
Lorohama. Here, you dont have any work to do and as your
mother has said, we will give you anything to make you happy.
(Glenda exits)

Datus wife.: I know. To lighten Princess Lorohama and show

you how
much we love her, why dont we have a celebration? Let us
have a feast in welcoming her to our family.

Datu: thats a good idea. Let us prepare right away. (calls

servants) Servants!
(Three servants enters) (Points to one of the the servants)
We will
have a celebration tonight to welcome and honor our beloved
Princess Lorohama. Go and prepare a feast. (Points to another
servant) You. Spread the message to the people. Tell them
Servant 1: (Shouts to the audience) Hear Ye,
Hear Ye. All of you are invited
to a feast prepared in the palace in
welcoming our datus daughter, Princess
Lorohama, in the kingdom. Come and bring
your gifts and offerings for
the princess. The datu invites you to come!

(One by one, the villagers came to the palace

bringing their gifts to the princess. They had a
feast)

CURTAIN FALLS
Narrator: Days turned into weeks, weeks into months,
months into years.
Fifteen years had elapsed since that tragic incident in
Glendas life.
The datus words came true. Glenda had many years back
totally
forgotten her real childhood. She now loves the datu and
his wife as
her own parents. Miles away, mother and sister kept
searching for
her. She never knew that two hearts constantly lifted up to
heaven
praying for her safety.

In spite of the years, hope of finding her kept in their hearts.

They transferred from one place to another, hoping and
praying that someday, somewhere, Glenda will be reunited
with them. (Music)

Glenda: Mother, sometimes I dont understand myself. At

times, I feel
exceedingly lonely and wish to be like other ladies who could
go out
and talk to anyone. I am always inside the house and
everything
sometimes just bores me.

Datus wife: Daughter, Im sorry you feel that way. What

more could be
give you? When you feel sad at times just remember that
we love
you. Why dont you go out to the garden so you will be
refreshed?

Glenda: I will, Mother. (Exits) (Datu enters).

Datus wife: I am bothered about Princess Lorohamas

behaviour. These
Datu: My wife, dont be so absurd. How could she ever
locate Princess
Lorohama? Impossible. Besides, by now, she may
have forgotten Glenda already.

Datus wife: Lets expect the worst. What if one of

these days she will come
and claim her? Could you possibly afford to give the
princess away?

Datu: If that happens, the princess will have to decide

for herself. If she
recognizes her mother and chooses to go with her,
we cant do
anything. I love Princess Lorohama and would do
anything to make her happy. However, if she cant
recognize her mother, no one in this world could take her
Narrator: Mother and Lindy never gave up. Would God ever answer
their
prayer? Presently, they have settled in a place where Lindy
studies in
a government college. One afternoon in classs, Lindy was seared at
the back reading a book. A classmate approached her and introduced
himself as Matt. Matt told Lindy that he lived near a Muslim
village of having been to the said village many times when they
have something to sell, of having seen their princessthe datus
daughter and finally of the fact that Lindy looked almost like the
Muslim princess.

Lindys heart skipped. Could the princess be her twin sister? The
kidnappers words we will sell her to a datu rang in her ears.

Immediately, she bade goodbye. Leaving Matt bewildered by her

excited reaction, headed home to tell her mother. The following day,
Lindy inquired from Matt about the princess and her family. Lindy
learned among all others that the Muslim was a kind stout-hearted
fellow.

SCENE V

(CURTAIN RISES)

Setting: Datus house. Lindy and Mother are seated on

the floormat.

Datu: Good afternoon. Anything I can do for you?

Mother: Thank you for entertaining us. We have come a

long way for
a very important purpose. We know you're the only
one who
can help us.

Datu: I am willing to help not only my own people but

anyone who
Mother: Thank you so much. Before telling you our problem,
I would like to ask you a question and I hope you could
answer me truthfully. Is
Princess Lorohama your real daughter?

Datu: I didn't expect such a question. Nevertheless, since

you want to
know the truth, I'll tell you. I bought her from two men,
whose
identities and whereabouts were unknown to me, when she
was but a little girl of five years. Now that I have told
you a secret which ought not to be revealed, tell me your
problem.

Narrator: mother recounted to the datu and his wife how

Glenda was kidnapped, of their continued quest to find her
until they had a lead that the princess might be her
kidnapped daughter.
Lindy: (pleading) Please, may we see her now? I'm sure she is
Glenda.

Datu: (change in countenance) Now, now. I have permitted

you to
enter my home but not to cause any trouble. Your sister --
your
daughter (looks at mother) may be different from my
daughter.
Aside from that, Princess Lorohama never knew any other
people in the world as her parents except us.

Lindy: But please we just want to see her and at least talk to
her. She
might be my sister. (Starts crying)

Datu's wife: we understand your predicament but we can't

just assure
you that the princess will entertain now. She sometime has
Lindy: oh please pity us. Please let us see her.

Datu: Very well. Your pleadings are heard. (Motions for the guard to
open the princess's room) There she is.

Princess: Father, who are they?

Datu: Well--ahh. . . just some people who want to see you.

Princess: They surely do not come from our tribe. (Turns to

visitors).
Who are you and what have you come here for?

Mother: We are here to look at you. I am Mrs. Benito, and this is my

daughter Lindy.

Princess: Hi. Can I be of help?

Mother: Yes, you can--if you will allow me to look at your
back. I'd
like to see if you have a mole on the left side of your
back.

Princess: why? I do have a mole on the left side of my

back. What
about it?

Mother: You have a mole! (Gasps and shouts) See Datu,

she has a
mole. She must be my missing child! She must be!
Princess
Lorohama, you are my daughter! We have been looking
for you for fifteen long years and at last we found you!

Princess: Father, I don't understand! What is this

Princess: (stands and scowls) What? Her daughter? How
come? I
never know any other parents in the world but you (Turns
to
mother and Lindy) I don't know you and would you be kind
enough to leave me alone?
Datu: you see even if we already have given you a chance
to see her,
even if you have proven that she is your daughter, Princess
Lorohama will never recognize you. She can never accept
that you, a Christian, is her mother. The hope of having her is
useless. She has forgotten all traces of her childhood. We did
not dare tell her the truth and we never would.

Lindy: But we just want to let her know the truth that she
is my
sister. I love her, please. . . (sobs)

Datu: Daughter, they persisted that they want to talk with you. I give
them time before the clock strikes twelve.

Mother: Princess Lorohama, do you remember a little house on a hill

where you, your sister and mother live? Do you remember a
church where you heard stories and learned songs about Jesus?

Princess: No, I dont. And please will you stop your nonsense talk?
What do you mean? Will you let me accept that Im your
daughter? I cant just imagine myself living in a small house
and worshipping in a church. I worship in a mosque.

Lindy: Princess Lorohama, do you remember having gone with me to

the river and wash clothes? We were singing when suddenly
two men grabbed you. You struggled but in vain. I shouted for
help but nobody was there. They took you away and I was left
alone.
Princess: I dont remember. I tell you. I cant imagine myself
going to
the river and washing clothes. All my life I have never
worked.
How then could I be your sister? You might as well look for
your sister somewhere else and not here.

Datu: What can you say now? Have you anything else to say?
Say
them before you chance ends. Its almost twelve. You
might as
well go now.

Mother: (cries) Im sorry we failed. I know she is my daughter

but she
just cant remember me. So we have to go.

Lindy: Princess Lorohama, before we go, Id like to sing for

you a
Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!
Narrator: The song tugged at her
hearts string. Slowly and very vaguely
something was revived within her.

Princess: Yes, yes, I can remember

now though very vaguely. I was
washing in the river and was singing
with a girl. Then somebody grabbed
and dragged me away. I could hear
somebody calling my name, Glenda!
Glenda! and I could remember no
more.
Lindy: (embraces Glenda) You remember
now. You remember now! You even
remembered your real name. I was the one
calling you. Im your sister, Glenda. Im your
sister and shes your mother.

Glenda: (sobs) Yes, I can remember!

Mother! (embraces mother)

Mother: (embracing two daughters) Thank

you Lord! At last I have found my daughter,
we love her and love found a way. You led
us through a song.