Synopsis
In a charming village of old, two friends engage in their work with unwavering enthusiasm. However, their harmonious lives take an unexpected turn when some visitors arrive at the village. Baker and Cobbler quickly forget the joy they once found in their unique craft, and decide to swap trades. Despite their best intentions, the results are far from satisfactory, and they quickly come to realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side. This heartwarming tale, filled with songs and giggles, reminds us that true happiness is found in embracing and nurturing our unique, God-given talents.
DETAILS
Stage Play
11 min
4 male, 1 any
Family, Kids
NARRATOR:
A long time ago, in a village of old, there lived two friends who loved their work.
(BAKER and COBBLER enter)
BAKER:
[inhales/exhales] What a fine day to bake bread.
COBBLER:
[inhales/exhales] What a fine day to make shoes.
BAKER:
Good day Cobbler.
COBBLER:
Good morning Baker.
BAKER:
Isn’t today just wonderful?
COBBLER:
Just splendid I tell you.
BAKER:
Your shoes look fine as always.
COBBLER:
And your bread, [inhales/exhales] smells sweeter than ever.
NARRATOR:
Every day was just the same. The baker baked bread and the cobbler made shoes.
(VISITOR 2 enters and tosses Baker a coin. Break into song)
BAKER:
Oh to be a baker, it really can be fun.
I find it quite upsetting, when all my work is done.
(Visitor 2 receives a loaf and exits. VISITOR 1 enters at Cobbler’s stand)
COBBLER:
Oh to be a cobbler, it’s really not a job.
How can I complain when I do the work I love?
(Visitor 1 receives a shoe and exits)
BAKER:
Flour. Water. Flour. Dough.
Making bread is all I know.
COBBLER:
Measure. Snip. Measure. Shoe.
There’s no work I’d rather do.
BAKER:
Yeast. Salt. Yeast. Dough.
Mix it up and off we go.
COBBLER:
Needle. Thread. Needle. Shoe.
Hold it steady, stick it through.
BAKER:
Oh to be a baker, it really can be fun.
I find it quite upsetting when all my work is done.
COBBLER:
Oh to be a cobbler, it’s really not a job.
How can I complain when I do the work I love?
BAKER:
Fold. Knead. Fold. Dough.
Work it steady. Work it slow.
COBBLER:
Hammer. Nail. Hammer. Shoe.
This is what I love to do.
BAKER:
Squeeze. Toss. Squeeze. Dough.
Let it sit and watch it grow.
COBBLER:
Polish. Shine. Polish. Shoe.
Making everything look new.
BAKER AND COBBLER:
Oh to be a worker, it really can be fun.
We find it quite upsetting when all our work is done.
Oh to be a worker, it’s really not a job.
How can we complain when we do the work we love?
NARRATOR:
All was well and life seemed perfect, that is, until one day, when two visitors stopped by the village.
(Visitor 1 enters at Baker’s stand. Visitor 2 enters at Cobbler’s stand)
VISITOR 1:
One loaf please.
BAKER:
Yes, of course. Coming right up.
VISITOR 1:
You know Baker, I can’t help but say. That cobbler sure knows how to make a fine pair of shoes.
BAKER:
Oh I know, he’s the best we have.
VISITOR 1:
His shoes are so soft, it’s like walking on clouds.
BAKER:
Indeed they are.
VISITOR 1:
And so light. Light as a feather. I can hardly feel I have them on.
BAKER:
You won’t find shoes like that anywhere else.
VISITOR 1:
No you won’t.
BAKER:
Your bread.
VISITOR 1:
You know, if I didn’t know any better, I would say that cobbler has it best.
BAKER:
He sure does have a way with shoes.
VISITOR 1:
Not just a way, a gift. Those hands of his, they’re a gift from God himself.
BAKER:
Yes, yes.
VISITOR 1:
If only I had hands like his, the things I could do.
BAKER:
Enjoy your bread.
VISITOR 1:
Just wonderful, absolutely wonderful.
(Visitor 1 exits)
COBBLER:
Just a minute more and I’ll have these all shined up for you.
VISITOR 2:
My, that baker sure knows how to make a fine loaf of bread.
COBBLER:
He sure does.
VISITOR 2:
This, this is not just bread, this is manna from heaven.
COBBLER:
[chuckles] I guess it is.
VISITOR 2:
So fluffy. So light. It just melts in your mouth.
COBBLER:
Alright, let’s see how these fit. I left a little more room in the front for the toes, I sure hope you like them.
(Cobbler putting shoes on for Visitor 2 as he looks at the bread and marvels)
VISITOR 2:
Wonderful, absolutely wonderful.
COBBLER:
Good, good.
VISITOR 2:
I regret buying only one loaf.
COBBLER:
Sir, and the shoes? Do they fit?
VISITOR 2:
Oh, the shoes? Yes, they’re fine.
COBBLER:
Will that be all?
VISITOR 2:
You know Cobbler, if I did say so myself, that baker has it best.
COBBLER:
He sure has a way with dough.
VISITOR 2:
Not just a way, it’s a gift from God.
BAKER:
Enjoy your shoes.
VISITOR 2:
Delicious, absolutely delicious.
(Visitor 2 exits)
NARRATOR:
When the visitors left, the two friends would soon forget how much they loved their work. They thought that being the other was something much better.
BAKER:
Say Cobbler, I’ve been thinking.
COBBLER:
What’s that?
BAKER:
Well, I've been a baker for many years now…
COBBLER:
Yes, and you’re good at it. The best in town.
BAKER:
And you, you have been a cobbler for many years too.
COBBLER:
That’s what I do.
BAKER:
And you’re good at it. Really good. But I wonder, what if we made a little change?
COBBLER:
A change?
BAKER:
Yeah, what if we tried something new.
COBBLER:
Like what?
BAKER:
Well, what if I tried being a cobbler? And you could be the baker?
COBBLER:
Really?
BAKER:
Why not?
COBBLER:
I always did want to work the dough.
BAKER:
Oh you’ll love it!
COBBLER:
The mixing and tossing, now that would be fun.
BAKER:
It’s all here.
COBBLER:
And that sweet smell of a loaf in the oven, [inhales/exhales] it sure beats these same smelly shoes.
BAKER:
Well, what do you say?
COBBLER:
How could I say no?
BAKER:
Then it’s settled. There you go.
(Break into song)
COBBLER:
I cannot wait to make a loaf of bread.
It sure beats smelling feet and things I dread.
BAKER:
I cannot wait to make a pair of shoes.
It sure beats mixing dough and flour too.
COBBLER:
A little bit of salt, a little bit of water.
A little bit of yeast and a lot more flour.
BAKER:
A little tap here, a little tap there.
A little on top and a lot more here.
COBBLER:
It’s so much better mixing things instead.
Making shoes is not as fun as bread.
BAKER:
It’s so much better making things I choose.
Making bread is not as fun as shoes.
COBBLER:
A little bit of salt, a little bit of water.
A little bit of yeast and a lot more flour.
BAKER:
A little tap here, a little tap there.
A little on top and a lot more here.
COBBLER:
There! A nice little loaf.
BAKER:
Well done cobbler. Well done.
COBBLER:
All that’s left is to throw it in the oven.
BAKER:
I’m just about done here too. I think you’ll absolutely love these.
COBBLER:
I will say Baker, you do make it look a lot easier than it is.
BAKER:
There! A lovely pair of shoes. Come Cobbler, give these a try.
COBBLER:
Well, well. Let’s have a look.
BAKER:
What do you think?
COBBLER:
They’re different.
BAKER:
Different can be good, right?
COBBLER:
Oh dear, they’re uhh, they’re snug.
BAKER:
Snug? In a good way?
COBBLER:
Well not quite. Baker, you and I are friends, right?
BAKER:
Right.
COBBLER:
I’ll be honest with you, these shoes...they’re uhh...they’re…
BAKER:
Go on, say it.
COBBLER:
Well, these shoes are absolutely hideous.
BAKER:
That bad, huh?
COBBLER:
I’m afraid so. Sorry Baker.
BAKER:
[deep inhale] What is that smell?
(Baker runs to the oven and takes out the bread)
BAKER:
It’s your bread Cobbler.
COBBLER:
How does it look?
BAKER:
It’s uhh, unique.
COBBLER:
Go on, tear it apart.
BAKER:
Yes, mmm…mhmm. Okay.
(Baker hits the bread on the table)
BAKER:
Nope. Hard as a rock.
COBBLER:
Oh dear.
BAKER:
Sorry Cobbler, I guess it’s not your thing.
COBBLER:
I’m afraid not.
BAKER:
But, look at the bright side. You’re the best at making shoes. Even your bread looks like a shoe.
COBBLER:
[chuckles] And Baker, you’re the best at making bread. These shoes look like two little loaves.
BAKER:
[chuckles] Well then, I guess we better stick to doing what we’re good at.
COBBLER:
Agreed.
NARRATOR:
So from that day on, the two friends always remembered to be grateful for the gifts they each had. The baker went on baking and the cobbler made more shoes.
(End scene)