Kiki's Notebook - Fun - St. Nicholas Skit Written in 1991 as a submission to my college's medieval Christmas dinner-event. It didn't win. I don't remember why I chose the daughters names as they are. Characters Narrator: The person who sets the stage Father: A poor man with daughters who must be married; he wears a ragged coat. Atalie: The eldest daughter; she wears a light blue scarf on her head; she is as quiet as her sisters. Catherine: The second daughter; she wears a pink scarf on her head. Trina: The youngest daughter; she wears a lavender scarf on her head. Master Slaver: An evil man who likes harassing women; he wears yellow and black. St. Nicholas: A pious man of wealth; he wears a handsome red coat. The Story A table is in the center of the stage. Off to one side are three chairs. The three daughters are seated in chairs pretending to sew. The NARRATOR stands on the opposite side of the stage. NARRATOR As a gift-giver at Christmas, well-known is St. Nicholas. He gave,--oh most holy lad-- to the poor, the gold he had. So this play presents, as best it can, how Santa Claus's giving began. FATHER (ENTERS. TO the audience) My daughters in a line work so hard, sew so fine. To wedlock each in turn must go, my dear children in a row. They would make loving wives, but alas, for their lives I can give no dowry: Too poor, I am sorry. I must sell them, I fear. When I pray, may God hear. (KNEELS) Oh dear God, heed me, please; help put my mind at ease. I do not want to see my eldest in slavery. Send some heavenly aid for a dowry to be paid. MASTER SLAVER (ENTERS) FATHER (RISES) Good evening. MASTER SLAVER Good sir, what strong girls you own. I see brides' veils they have sewn. I have the money that you need, so my words pray do heed. I am a master slaver, you see; For a girl, I give a handsome fee. FATHER Your offer is too kind. I must think before I've signed. With my daughter, give a night. Come back at dawn's first light. MASTER SLAVER I do not like to wait, but for you I have no hate. Good night. Sleep tight. (EXITS) ATALIE (GOES TO FATHER) Father, what troubles you? FATHER Ah, it is nothing, child; Nothing for your mind so mild. It grows dark: Get to bed; rest well your pretty head. (EXITS. Daughters EXIT.) NICHOLAS (ENTERS) NARRATOR Nicholas! NICHOLAS Yes, my good sir? NARRATOR I have heard there is a man who treats his daughter best he can. But to slavery she must go: No money for her, no. NICHOLAS Thank you for telling me; They will stay: Wait and see. (TO the audience) Tonight I will go to him after the light is quite dim. I'll give him a bag of gold, so his daughter is not sold. (EXITS. ENTERS with a bag of "gold." After making sure no one is looking, NICHOLAS drops the gold on the table. EXITS.) FATHER (ENTERS, stretching) What's that on the table there? Gold from someone who does care? The price is off my child's head: My eldest daughter shall be wed! (EXITS. CATHERINE and TRINA ENTER and sit, pretending to sew.) CATHERINE What did you think of yesterday? TRINA Our sister looked as fair as May. CAHTERINE Lucky she has a husband now. TRINA And we don't even have a cow. FATHER (ENTERS) My eldest child has been married, yet I still feel so harried. What is there to do about the other two? MASTER SLAVER (ENTERS) Good day, sir. I see you've more. Let me lead one to the door. I saw the wedding the other day: I'm sorry to see one get away. But these maidens work hard too. For one, some gold I give to you? FATHER Let me be with them tonight, so that I may calm their fright. MASTER SLAVER Since I am such a kind man, I will let you do what you can. (EXITS) FATHER (KNEELS) Dear God, once you answered me. I need help again, you see. I want not my daughter to be sold, yet where else can I get the gold? CATHERINE (TO FATHER) Father? Are you well? FATHER (RISES) Yes, I am well enough. (How life can be so rough!) Take your sister off to bed; Don't you worry your pretty head. (EXITS. Daughters EXIT.) NICHOLAS (ENTERS) NARRATOR Nicholas! NICHOLAS Yes, good sir? NARRATOR Again the man needs some gold, so his daughter won't be sold. NICHOLAS Again you help one in need; you follow where Christ does lead. Because you've shown that you care, for them, gold will be there. (EXITS. ENTERS with a bag of gold. Looking around to make sure no one is watching, NICHOLAS sets the bag on the table and leaves quickly.) FATHER (ENTERS, stretching) Another day, another bag! I wish the giver I could snag: I'd thank him for this small boon given under the silent moon. (EXITS) TRINA (ENTERS, sits and pretends to sew. TO audience.) My sister had a lovely wedding, with lots of gifts (including bedding). She got a husband yesterday with the dowry Papa did pay. But what shall become of me? I can only pray and wait and see. FATHER (ENTERS) One daughter left to be wed, not sold to some stranger's bed. No gold for that to be true: This wretched life I do rue. MASTER SLAVER (ENTERS) Fine day, good sir. One child alone? For her: The price of my good roan. FATHER Let her have one last night without your bonds extremely tight. MASTER SLAVER I was sad to see the others wed; I would rather see them in my bed. So I hate to leave her here. She's as lovely as a deer. I will return tomorrow. Prepare yourself for sorrow. (EXITS) FATHER (KNEELS) Oh kind Father up above, save my child whom I do love. Again your mercy I pursue: For her, a good husband too. For your mercy, I do thank, you who help regardless the rank. TRINA (GOES TO FATHER) Father? What do you worry about? FATHER I desire only your health, but that is hard without wealth. Now to bed: It grows quite late. Pray, my child, for a comely mate. TRINA Goodnight, father. (EXITS) FATHER (TO audience) Tonight, I wait by the window, to find, when the moon is low, who brings the gold to help me; a good person I shall see. (CROUCHES behind the chairs) NICHOLAS (ENTERS) NARRATOR Nicholas! NICHOLAS Yes, good sir? NARRATOR That slaver--I have seen him roam; he went into the poor man's home to get the daughter, I am sure. Don't you have some kind of cure? NICHOLAS The third child shall soon be wed. I go, while they are in bed. (EXITS. ENTERS with a bag of gold. Makes sure no one is looking and drops the bag on the table. FATHER immediately jumps up. FATHER chases NICHOLAS around the table until FATHER catches NICHOLAS.) FATHER Sir Nicholas! I did not know the one whose kindness did so show with bags of gold dropped inside. Behind the chairs I did hide; When I saw you I did scare, so I chased like fox and hare. I hope I did not hurt you; your goodness has been true. NICHOLAS I am fine, but you must let no one hear of my secret. FATHER On the Bible, you have my word. How my I repay my little bird? NICHOLAS Wedded daughters make me glad, and also that you're not so sad. When you can do others good, take the chance as I would. Teach others to give with open hearts for that's the place where friendship starts. FATHER You are a such generous lord. May God always be your sword. Remember your words I will. Life can be a bitter pill, but you sweeten it with your kindness. To help others: I should do no less. Pass a pleasant Christmas night, for you do what you know is right. NICHOLAS You bless me with words so fair. May God keep you in his care. (EXITS) FATHER (EXITS) NARRATOR Nicholas continued giving that others might continue living. To the young and to the old he gave to those who needed gold. Thus his spirit lives these days in those who give in quiet ways So we end with Merry Christmas; Don't forget the good St. Nicholas.   [CONTENTS PAGE] Skit copyright 2002 by Nikola Vrtis. Site design and link compilation by Nik Vrtis. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.