"No Other God"
                 Copyright (c) 2003 Charlotte L Pound

Synopsis: This is the story of Daniel and the three Hebrew boys in captivity. The first part deals with how they find favor with the King and are put in high positions, then comes the test of their obedience.

Excerpt:    SCENE TWO (King's Bedchamber)

 STORYTELLER: "Now as the King lay on his bed, he had a strange and troubling dream . He was so shaken by the strange dream, that all sleep fled from him. He must know the meaning of this dream, so he called for the Chaldean's, who were Soothsayers and Deviner's."

At Rise:  King on a bed tossing and turning. Wakes and gets up to pace, goes over to sleeping servant and hits him. Servant wakes up, startled.

Servant: Huh? what??

King:  Awaken you lazy lout, what do I pay you for? You don't sleep when I sleep, when I sleep I want you guarding and alert. Hmph!

Servant:  O King live for ever, I was just resting my eyelids, I was ready to defend you if need be, I.. I..

King:      Oh hush....  be quick and go wake Ashpenaz at once!

Servant: Yes your grace, at once! (stumbles over a stool, hurrying, rushes out and returns with Ashpenaz who ENTERS rubbing  eyes, yawning, etc. King is pacing.)

Ashpenaz: (Yawning) You wanted to see me, your Grace?

King:  Yes, yes.. I want every one of my magicians, sorcerers, all the soothsayers up here in my chambers now. (pause)  I am troubled and need some answers. Go and bring them at once!

Ashpenaz:  But your grace, could it not wait until morning, for then your magicians and seers would be much more alert, more able to.... (King cuts him off)

King:   No, no ... go now and assemble the seers at once! I said I am greatly troubled by a strange dream and I seek answers. Be off at once!

Ashpenaz:  Yes your Grace, at once.. (yawns as he EXITS)   

(King paces ,Magicians and Wisemen ENTER, acting sleepy)

King:  Hear my words, all of you. My spirit is vexed greatly this night from a strange dream. Since I pay you to know things, I want you to explain what the troubling dream means. I have not been able to sleep because of it.

(All look at each other)

Chaldean #1:  O king live forever, of course, now calm down, simply tell us the dream and we shall explain the meaning of it. (All stand expectantly)

King: (Pacing) That's what is vexing me, I have forgotten the dream, I only know that it was so troubling that I am very distressed because of it. Now you are supposed to be such great diviners and soothsayers, I demand that you tell me the dream and then tell me the interpretation of it. (All look at each other, fearfully)

Chaldean #2:  O great King, if you could just tell us part of it, just.....

King:  I said I have forgotten it! Now tell me the dream and interpret it, if you do I shall reward you with gifts and great honor (all smile)...., but if you do not, I shall have you cut into pieces (their smiles change to fear)  .So... tell me the dream! At once!

Magician#3:  O king live forever! if you could just think for a minute, try to bring back...

King: (whirls around) You imbecile! If I could remember it, I would tell you...... I see that you are just trying to stall and gain time to delay your executions.

Chaldean #1: (trembling in fear, pretends to be in a trance) Hmmmm, yes,,,, I see .... something... no it dims.. I need a hint of a word...I...I.

King:  I shall have you cut into pieces.

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