LIZ -- (enters) I hate my life! Nothing is going right. I went to a
half dozen different stores today and couldn't find a decent pair of shoes.
Then, my car ran out of gas. And when I pulled out my cell phone, the battery
was dead. So, I went into the convenience store on the corner, but the cashier
wouldn't give me change for a twenty.
Alex -- (follows, carrying a box full of letters) Oh, that reminds me.
Here's you're mail.
LIZ -- My mail. That's all MY mail?
Alex -- Yes. (offers)
LIZ -- ALL my mail?
ALEX -- Yes.
LIZ -- There must be a thousand letters in there. (examines a few) Hey!
They've all got my name on them.
ALEX -- Yes. I said it's your mail.
LIZ -- What's going on? I don't get this much mail in a whole year.
ALEX -- I ran an ad on the internet.
LIZ -- The internet? You ran an ad? And I get mail?
ALEX -- Yes. The ad read, "My roommate is one of the most
ingrateful people I know. She has more problems than any three people I know.
Would any of you like to have her problems?" And then I listed your
problems.
LIZ -- So, what are the letters for?
ALEX -- These are people who would love to have your problems.
LIZ -- I don't get it.
ALEX -- Read one of the letters. (pulls letter from box)
(At this point Liz will appear to read)
READER 1 -- (opens, reads, stands behind Liz on the step) To whom it may concern. I would
love to have your problem of not being able to find new shoes. My family and I
have no money. So we are all barefoot. We would love to be able to wear your
old shoes.
LIZ - (looks at envelope)
Who is this from? Bangladesh!? Is this for real?
ALEX -- Yes. Here, read another.
(Liz will appear to read)
READER 2 -- (opens, reads, stands behind Liz on the step) To whom it may concern. I would
love to have your problem of not being able to find new shoes. My feet were
amputated.
LIZ - (looks at envelope)
This is really gross!
ALEX -- Isn't it amazing how many people would love to have the problem
of not being able to find new shoes?
(PAUSE) Here, read another. (Emphasis
on another)
(Liz will appear to read)
READER 3 -- (opens, reads, stands behind Liz on the step) To whom it may concern. I would
love to have the problem of running out of gas occasionally. Our nation is in
civil war. Our village hasn't had any gasoline for many months.
LIZ - (looks at envelope) These letters are from all over the world.
ALEX -- Yes. Here, read another.
(Liz will appear to read)
READER 4 -- (opens, reads, stands behind Liz on the step) To
whom it may concern. I would love to have the problem of running out of
gas. I am an itinerant missionary. I travel thirty miles between villages on
foot. I would be grateful to have a car to make these trips, even if I ran out
of gas occasionally.
LIZ - (looks at envelope) This is for real, isn't it? (In a
calm serious voice)
ALEX -- Yes, Here, read another.
LIZ -- Do I have to?
ALEX -- Yes. It will be good for you.
(Liz will appear to read)
READER 5 -- (opens, reads, stands behind Liz on the step) To
whom it may concern. I would love to have the problem of dead batteries
on my cell phone. At least I would have SOME telephone service. My village in
the mountains of Guatemala has no phone service at all. I must travel fifty
miles to a city with phone service and internet connections.
ALEX -- Yes. Here, read another.
(Liz will appear to read)
READER 6 -- (opens, reads, stands behind Liz on the step) To whom it may concern. I would
love to have your problem of not having change for a twenty dollar bill. I have
been out of work for three months, and my family is starving. Twenty dollars
would put food on my table for a week.
LIZ - (looks at envelope) Alright, you've made you're point. I am an
ungrateful slob. God has blessed my life incredibly compared to these people.
Compared to them, I have nothing to complain about. I never really thought of
it before, but the world would love to have my problems. I never ever thought I
would be thankful to have such small problems.
ALEX -- Good for you. (exiting) Say, you got change for a twenty?
LIZ -- (follows) Very Funny.
(Liz
and Alex come back in, Liz is excited)
Liz
(Vanessa): Oh Alex, I have really been thinking and look what I came up with, a
Thanksgiving Top Ten List…
This is a list of the top
ten things for which we should be thankful.
#10. Our houses – there
are many people in this world today who have no place to live. Many of them
sleep on park benches and under bridges. And right here on the South Shore and
Montreal.
Sasha: #9. Food - we
always have plenty to eat at our house. Many people don’t.
Sheena: #8. Clothes – We
never have to worry about whether there will be clothes in our closets for us
to put on each day. Many people only have the clothes that they are wearing.
Jonathan #7. Health – We
are thankful that we are blessed with good health. Many people have a serious
illnesses which keeps them from enjoying a full and happy life. When I had my
accident this year, the hospital and doctors took very special care of me.
Samirah #6. Our country –
We are thankful that we live in a country where we enjoy great freedom. In many
countries you don’t have much freedom. In some countries you can be put in
prison, or even put to death, for telling others about Jesus.
Vanessa #5. Teachers – We
are thankful for the teachers that we have had in school and in church who have
taught us the things we needed to know to live a happy and successful life.
Sasha: #4. Friends – We
are thankful for our many friends. In times of trouble, I have always had
friends who were there to help me.
Sheena #3. Family – We
are thankful for our families. God has given us wonderful moms and dads and
brothers and sisters and many other family members whom we love very much. Many
families have been torn apart by poverty and war.
Jonathan #2. Parents – We
am thankful that God blessed us with wonderful parents who love us, care for
us, and taught us about Jesus and his love.
Samirah #1. Jesus – Jesus
is number one on our list of things for which we are thankful. No one ever
loved us like Jesus. He loved us so much that he was willing to die on a cross
so that we can have everlasting life. Thank you, Jesus.