JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

NARRATOR

PRODUCER COMMENT

DVD Background Field Clip Plays of Say there about 20 seconds looped. Choices. PLAY SCENES CHARACTERS ITEMS OF INTEREST OLLIE’s WORKSHOP Director’s Producers Artists Comments

PUSH PLAY

One at a a Time A Individual Character drags a Letter onto the Screen

JOURNEY

TO

JERUSALEM

Sit back everybody we have an exciting story to tell about a very well known young fellow – Donkey Ollie. He lived almost two thousand years ago in Israel but people still talk about him to this day.

CAMERA COME IN FROM THE STARS TO THE EARTH AND DOES AN AERIAL OF THE MIDDLE EAST FLIES OVER THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM CATCHES PEOPLE MILLING ABOUT SHEPHERDS WITH SHEEP, CAMEL RIDERS, CARPENTERS ON SCAFFOLDING PAINTING THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM AND SETTLES INTO THE BARNYARD WHERE OLLIE LIVES WITH HIS MASTERS AND BROTHERS. MAYBE OLLIE IS TRYING TO JUMP OVER A RATHER ROUGH TIMBER FENCE TO GET AT SOME DELICIOUS GRASS. MAYBE THE DONKEY’S ARE SPLASHING IN A FARMYARD POND AND THEY GET OUT SHAKE OFF AND HEAD OVER TO WHERE ALANA IS SITTING

SONG SAY THERE

Say there have you heard the story about the Donkey Ollie Ollie

Say there have you heard the story Ollie is his name

Everywhere that donkey Ollie travels folks may shout hooray

Say there have you heard the story Ollie is his name

Say there have you heard the story about the Donkey Ollie Ollie

Say there have you heard the story Ollie is his name.

Everywhere that Donkey Ollie travels folk would may shout hooray.

Say there have you heard the story Ollie is his name

Ollie is His Name

NARRATOR

One hot afternoon in Bethany Israel five young Donkeys gathered around their Aunt Alana and begged her to tell them a story.

OLLIE

Tell us a story Aunt Alana

ISAYeah we want to hear about the time you gave baby Jesus a ride

AUNT ALANA

All right children. If I must It was a night as bitter cold as only Bethlehem’s winters can get.

The screen becomes shimmery as what she describes begins to take place>

The angel appeared to Joseph to tell him to flee to Egypt we all saw him None of the other donkeys would even hear of taking the trip. Well, as for me, I was just a sprig of a lass. I remember when Mary turned to me and asked me if I’d carry them. I’d never been so honored in my life. It was long long trip with many, many hardships. When we’d finally made it to Egypt, I felt as if I could turn around and do the whole trip again.

CAMERA CLOSE UP OF THE DONKEYS LISTENING IN RAPTURE

None of my hoofs were even split.

ISA

Wow

PANS TO CLOSEUP

OLLIE

Tell us some more of the Donkey Legends.

ALANA

In each generation there have been donkey’s that God has used for his purposes . it matters not your size or the family you are from. God has simply used those who are most available to him. The legacy goes back to the beginning of our time. There were Donkeys that helped Noah with his ark,

CUT TO

SHIMMERY SCENE EXTERIOR NOAH’ ARK DAY

A ROW OF DONKEYS CARRYING BASKETS OF FOOD WITH THE ARK IN THE BACKGROUOND

they brought the wood in from far and wide and helped plant the fields to grow the food for all the animals. There were many donkeys that went with the Israelites to help them escape from slavery in Egypt. Also Donkeys were responsible for bringing the building blocks used to make the great temple

EXTERIOR EGYPT DAY

A TEAM OF DONKEYS STRUGGLES WITH A BIG BLOCK OF GRANITE

CUT TO BARNYARD

MEDIUM SHOT PANNING TO JEREMY HE CHEWS FOOD WHILE HE TALKS.

JEREMY

What about the Donkey that da Balaam heard speak to him.

VO

ALANA

That was the first time that God allowed people to understand us.

CUT TO;

HEAD SHOT

OLLIE (VERY ANXIOUS)

I’d like to be the Donkey that Jesus uses to go to Jerusalem.

Reaction shot

ALANA

What’s your name young Fellow?

CUT TO MEDIUM SHOT

OLLIE

Ollie

PAN TO

JEREMY

He thinks he’s so special with his white coat and all.....

CUT TO

ALANA

Is you heart willing child to do what God wants

THEN PAN TO ALL THE DONKEYS REACTING TO OLLIE’s STATEMENT

OLLIE

Yes, Yes I’m willing but do you really think God will use me. I’m so small I’m really different from everyone else

Medium shot

ALANA

Yes I know he will.. Don’t let you small size or your white coat keep you from seeing what god sees. Ollie, He only looks at your pure heart.

CLOSEUP

OLLIE

But my brothers?

CAMERA CATCHES HER EYES GLANCING AT HIS BROTHERS THEY QUICKLY GLANCE AWAY KNOWING THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT DOING WRONG

ALANA

There are always those who will pick on someone who’s special

SOMEONE SPECIAL ( Donkey Alana Sings)

Your someone specialYour someone really really good

Your someone special

God’s got his eyes on you

Your someone special

You’ve been misunderstood

Your someone special and your just great.

CUT TO ALANA IS UP AND DANCING AROUND THE BARNYARD TRYING TO GET THE OTHER DONKEYS TO DANCE ALONG. THEY ALL SHUN HER EXCEPT FOR OLLIE WHO DANCES AROUND WITH HER IN SORT OF A HORSEY PLAYFUL WAY.

When God created you.He knew just what to doHe gave you floppy earsAnd a heart that knew no fear.

When God designed your frameHe also chose your nameHe saw that you’d be knowFrom Jerusalem to Rome

Your someone specialYour someone really really good

Your someone special

God’s got his eyes on you

Your someone special

You’ve been misunderstood

CUT TO REACTION SHOTS BROTHERS STILL SHAKING THEIR HEADS REJECTING HIM.

Your someone special and your just great.

God gave you big eyes

CUT TO A CLOSEUP OF OLLIE’S EYES REFLECTING THE SKIES WITH BUTTERFLIES AND BIRDS FLYING ABOUT AND MAYBE A NICE FLUFFY CLOUD.

To look into the skies

He also made strong legsTo carry heavy weight

Cut to

THEIR FEET DANCING ON THE GRASSY FIELD.

He made a bushy tailAnd hoofs as hard as nails

CUT TO

OLLIE GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR VERY PLEASED WITH THE PRAISE BEING LAVISHED ON HIM.

Ollie you’ll go farKeep following your star

Cut:ALANA KICKS IT UP A NOTCH THE BROTHER’S DISPLEASURE GROWS AS OLLIE JUMPS HIGHER AND DANCES HARDER A TIME LAPSE OF SORTS AS THE SUN BEGINS TO SET IN THE DISTANCE SHOWING THAT THIS SONG HAS GONE ON A REALLY LONG TIME

Your someone specialYour someone really really goodYour someone specialGod’s got his eyes on youYour someone specialYou’ve been misunderstoodYour someone specialGod’s got his eyes on youYour someone specialI know your specialYour someone specialI know your specialYour someone specialI know your special

You someone special

CUT TOEXTERIOR STALL EVENING

Ollie walks by his brothers eating from the trough by they look up long enough to sneer at him and push him away from the food.

NARRATOR VO GOES WITH ABOVE SCENE

Now Ollie brothers made fun of him because Alana said he was special and Ollie escaped to the solitude of the stall and that night he poured out his heart.

CUT TO

INTERIOR STALL EVENING

Moonlight looks in on Ollie picking his head up from eating dry hay

.SONG

Willing heart (Ollie Sings)

HE MOVES TO THE WINDOW AND LOOKS OUT TO THE DISTANCE STARS GLEAMING IN THE NIGHT. MAYBE A FEW COMETS GO BY. AN OWL MAY BE ON A BRANCH THE MOON HITS THE SURFACE OF THE BARNYARD POND AND GLIMMERS BACK. THIS IS A VERY PEACEFUL SCENE WHICH ALLOWS THE YOUNG LISTENER’S MINDS TO ABSORB THE CALMNESS OF THE MESSAGE.

A aah aa aah ooo

Lord I have A willing heart for youLord I’ll be what you want me too.

Lord my life is within your care

I’ll be strong because your there

Your eyes are on the sparrows

Your watching over me

My tears you save in bottles

Set by the crystal sea.

Lord I have A willing heart for youLord I’ll be what you want me too.

Lord my life is within your care

I’ll be strong because your there

I know you planned my future

You know what is to come

THE BROTHERS ARE SORT OF DIRTY LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING THE YARD THEY ALL LOOK UNKEMPT AND CLOMP IN PURPOSELY THEY SEE OLLIE AT THE STALL WINDOW

VO GOES WITH ABOVE VISUALS

NARRATOR (VO)

Later that evening Ollie’s brothers returned to the stall

ISA

Who do you think you are carrying on like God was going to chose you.

ESA

A little runt like you, carrying the messiah God would certainly chose me over you any day

JEREMY

Ollie, I think you’ve really gone overboard this time There’s no way God would pick you over any of us.

Reaction shot OLLIE glances back at them from the window a look of strength and defiance. And determination.

OLLIE

Well Alana told me God would pick anyone who had a willing heart

CUT TO EXTERIOR ROAD DAY

NARRATOR (VO)

Now Jesus had sent his disciples in search of the Donkey who was to accompany him on his journey to Jerusalem. PETER and JAMES decided to visit Ollie’s owner Farmer John.

THEY ARE LEAVING THE BARNYARD and it is far back in the distance in the valley below them as they are climbing the hill towards Jerusalem.

JAMES

PETER The master specifically said A very pale donkey short in stature

PETER

I know JAMES, but look for yourself .There didn’t appear to be one light colored one in the bunch. Maybe the master sent us to the wrong farm

JAMES

Hold on, the master make a mistake. I say let’s ask the farmer again. Perhaps there is one Donkey he forgot about.

COMMENT OLLIE HAD BEEN GONE DURING THE FIRST VISIT.HE HAD BEEN FORGOTTEN AS WELL. HE GOT TIED UP AND THROWN IN THE THE WELL IN BETWEEN THE FIRST VISIT OF THE APOSTLES AND THE SECOND WHERE THEY CONFRONT THE FARMER TO TELL THEM EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE FACT THAT INDEED HE DOES HAVE A SMALL WHITE DONKEY

NARRATOR

That same afternoon Ollie tried to join up with his brothers playing skip the rope near the old well.

OLLIE

Can I play Can I play please?

ISA

Aren’t you too good for us?

ESAU

Yes If after all the Messiah’s gonna chose you.

OLLIE

Come on please .Can I play?

JEREMY

Sure Ollie Let’s let me play. Come on jump in. Do you really think the Messiah gonna chose you because that’s too bad cause he’ll have to find you first.

SONG

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE (*ALL)

Some kind of superstar?

Do you think you are the best (Isa)

Let’s just put him to the test. (Esau)

Who do you think you are.

Who do you think you are

You’re too small and you won’t go far (jeremy)

You’re too different you’re too pale (Isa)

Besides that you’re too frail (esau)

Who do you think you are.

Who do you think you are

So special it won’t be hard (Jeremy)

We should throw you down the well (ISA)

Tie him up and never tell (Esau)

Who do you think you are

We should throw you down the well (ISA)

Tie you up and never tell (Jeremy Esau)

Who do you think you are

OLLIE

No come on guys please don’t tie me up

ISA

It serves you right Ollie you’re much too proud little brother perhaps some time down the well will cure that.

OLLIE

Come on guys Don’t throw me down the well >NOOOOOOOOO(We will use a new water sound.)

SONG

Ollie falls endlessly into space descending over continual rows and rows and round of spiral interior well rocks and bricks.

I’m falling ooooh

I’m falling

I love them but they betrayed me

Thrown down a deep dark well

They’re jealous they treat me badly

I cry out but no one will help

Oh Lord

Won’t you please help me

Forgive them

For they know not what they do

What they do

HE SPLASHES DOWN FOLEY SOUND OVER THE SOUND TRACK OF HIM SPLASHING

Why Am I different

What does it matter?

If God really made us

Then inside we’re all the same

What does it matter?

If God really made us

Then inside we’re all the same

Abandoned by my brothers

Forgotten here left to die

Up to my neck in water

I scream out no one hears my cry

Oh Lord won’t you please help me

You made me

The way I am the way that I am

Why am I different what does it matter?

If God really made us then inside we’re all the same

What does it matter?

Cause God really made us and inside we’re all the same

What does it matter?

Cause God really made us and inside we’re all the same

Just cause I different

God really made us and inside we’re all the same

Yes inside we’re all the same

Cause inside we’re all the same

All the sameeeeeee

DURING GUITAR SOLO. OLLIE STRUGGLES IN VAIN TO GET OUT. HE CAN SEE THE LIGHT OVERHEAD BUT IN SPITE OF HOW VALIANTLY AND HOW HIGH HE JUMPS HE CANNOT DO IT ON HIS OWN. HE GROWS MORE AND MORE EXHAUSETED AND QUITS JUMPING RIGHT AFTER THE GUITAR SOLO AND GOES BACK TO SINGING.

CUT TO BARNYARD.

EXTERIOR BARNYARD DAY

OLLIE BROTHERS GLANCE OVER AT FARMER JOHN TALKING WITH JAMES AND PETER. ELIZABETH JEHU AND MRS. FARMER JOHN ARE ALSO LOOKING ON.

If God really made us

Then inside we’re all

If God really made us

Then inside we’re all the same

If God really made us

FARMER JOHN

Well, I’ve shown you all my best Donkeys. Yet you say the Messiah would not be please with any of them

JAMES

Yes old man They’re all very fine animals.

PETER

Indeed the finest we’ve seen

FARMER JOHN

Then surely one of these must be appropriate for your purposes.

MRS> FARMER JOHN (New Character)

Now John.; There’s one of them you haven’t shown them. Ollie.

ELIZABETH

Yes father they haven’t seen Ollie

FARMER JOHN

We I really don’t think they’d be interested in Ollie. He’s too small and a very strange color for a donkey. Far too pale

PETER

Far too pale? Maybe that’s the one the Master wants. Do you think you can round this Ollie up?

ELIZABETH

Sure If he hasn’t wandered off too far. Ollie is always getting himself lost.

MRS FARMER JOHN

Go fetch him ELIZABETH. These men have important things to do.

Song ELIZABETH (Skips about looking everywhere. This is a real chance to show off the farm. She can wander into a stack of hay shaped like a cave she can wander by a small herd of sheep her wandering shows a little distraction.

Donkey Ollie where have you gone too

Donkey Ollie where have you gone too

I‘ve looked for you for a long long time

Donkey Ollie where have you gone too

Why can’t you hear me please come homeDonkey Ollie where have you gone too

I‘ve looked for you for a long long time

Donkey Ollie where have you gone too

Why can’t you hear me please come home

Please come home

Please come home

Please come home

NARRATOR

Now as ELIZABETH skips about looking for Ollie she stops for a drink by the well and hears a sound

OLLIE

He haw he haw

ELIZABETH

Ollie is that you.

OLLIE

He haw

ELIZABETH

Hold on to the rope and push with your legs

NARRATOR

ELIZABETH struggles and finally gets him to the topHe is covered with green algae

ELIZABETH

Look at you you’re a sight. How did you get yourself into that predicament Well never mind hold still you silly donkey let me untie you. Don’t you know that Jesus wants you?

NARRATOR

Ollie and ELIZABETH return to the barnyard

PETER

So you found the young fellow. He is an unusual color

JAMES

He’s just as the master described him except I’ve never seen a donkey so green

ELIZABETH

O that’s not his real color I’ll clean him up and he’ll be ready to go.

FARMER JOHN

You’re gonna pick him? Are you sure we have many that are much smarter and much stronger than him

JAMES

No I’m sure he’s the one. The master’s chosen him.

NARRATOR

Ollie’s brothers can’t believe it. While Ollie is being groomed his brothers stand in the background murmuring

ESAU

Can you believe it I’m twice his size

ISA

Yeah and I’ twice as smart

JEREMY

And what about me. I’m twice as fast

SONG

A donkey such as I (Esau

I really don’t know why ( Isa)

I was the biggest strongest one( Esau)

I was the wisest smartest one (Isa)

But a Donkey such as I (Esau)

I’d like to ask him why (Isa)

He chose the smallest one (Esau)

Not a donkey such as I (ALL)

NARRATOR

As Ollie’s brother’s continue to complain about not being chosen. Ollie leaves with the Apostles for Jerusalem

SONG WE’RE OFF TO JERUSALEM (James and children following are singing the have flower garlands and banners. A group of maybe five or ten children Elizabeth and Jehu are among them.)

We’re off to Jerusalem (James)

Were off upon our way

Were marching with our Lord and king

Hosanna to his name

Hosanna sing praises to his name

And spread it all around

We’re off to Jerusalem

Come everyone along

Raise up your banner now

Make a grand display

DURING THIS MARCH Jesus joins them and gets on Ollie The children throw flowers at his feet.

We’re off to Jerusalem

Rejoice and shout hooray

Hosanna sing praises to his name

And make a joyful sound

We’re off to Jerusalem

Come everyone along.

We’re off to Jerusalem

Were off upon our way

Were marching with our Lord and king

Hosanna to his name

Hosanna sing praises to his name

And spread it all around

We’re off to Jerusalem

Come everyone along

CROWD

Come on everybody. Come on come on (Crowd noises)

JESUS

You are a beautiful donkey. Ollie I am so glad you offered to give me a ride. Have you ever seen such a sight.

.NARRATOR (VO)

DISTANT SHOT OF CALVARY with three empty crosses. The body of Christ with a shroud over it is laid across his back and several people dressed in black shrouds accompany him.

Within a week after Ollie had given Jesus a ride into Jerusalem. Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world. And Ollie helped carry the body of Jesus with John Mary and Ollie grieved for the one who had given him so much love and understanding. He turned down all his favorite foods and began to grow weak. Little ELIZABETH grew more and more worried about him and prayed fervently that God would restore his will to live

IN THE BARN INTERIOR DAYTIME

All around Ollie are bowls of uneaten carrots that have wilted lettuce and grains. Maybe some bugs are crawling on top of them.

ELIZABETH

Ollie you’ve got to get up to eat. It’s been three days and you haven’t taken a bite of anything I know you are sad about Jesus. We all are. But please I’ll be even sadder if you die and if you don’t eat you will die. Here’s some carrots I know they are your favorites. (She has a bunch of fresh carrots.)

NARRATOR : She pushes them under Ollie’s nose . Just then a blinding light appears in the stall and Jesus stands before Ollie and ELIZABETH.

JESUS (Radiant White robe)

Eat my little one and weep no more. Death has had no power over me.

SONG IN MY FATHER”S HOUSE (Jesus Sings)

In my father’s houseThere are many mansionsI go prepare you a place

In my father’s house There are many mansionsSo put a big smile on your face

Wipe those tears from those sad eyesLet your heart be filled with joy

I made a place for you to love meEvery girl and boy

In my father’s houseThere are many mansionsI’ll prepare you a placeIn my father’s houseThere are many mansionsPut a big smile on your face

Wipe those tears from those sad eyesLet your heart be filled with joy.

NARRATOR Jesus walks out of the stall to meet his disciples Peter and James Ollie stands to his feet to sing him farewell

SONG JESUS YOU ARE THE ONE

THE VISUAL OF THIS SONG CAN CONTAIN THE INTRODUCTION OF EACH CHARACTER as if it were the end of a long running musical on broadway. It can be set on a portico adjacent to the Jerusalem wall.

One by one they all come to the screen and wave to the viewers. They get a closeup as they come on. Their name appears in readable letters below them. As the new cast members come to be introduced they shake hands or acknowledge the previous others.

Starting like a theatrical stage show with the lesser characters.

Farmer JohnFarmer John’s wifeLittle Jehu with crutch Farmer John’s wife picks him up

Apostle James

Apostle Peter

Assorted Children

Apostle John, Mother Mary

Donkey AlanaDonkey Isa, Donkey EsauDonkey Jeremy

Elizabeth

Donkey Ollie

Jesus

Jesus stands next to Ollie in front of the entire cast and they all take a bow.As Jesus and Ollie wave the song ends and the credits start to roll.

A words appears

“Lo I am with you always.”

Jesus you are the oneYou laid down your life to carry me on oneJesus you are so strongYou are my friend and I’m, not alone

Jesus chosen by God before there was time He loved you soJesus I’m not afraid you’re by my side and I’ll be Ok Cause You are willing to be usedWell remember to love you

We’ll pray for courage to go onWith your power we’ll be strong We’ll be strongCause Jesus you are the one you laid down your lifeTo carry me on.

Jesus you are so strong you are my friend I’m not aloneJesus chosen by God before there was time He loved you soJesus I’m not afraid cause you’re by my sideI’ll be OK.

Cause you are willing to be used

Well remember to love you.

Well pray for courage to go on.With your power we’ll be strong yeah

Oh oh yeah

Oh Oh Oh Oh

Jesus you are the one to carry me on

Cause you were willing to be used

Yes

You were willing to be used Oh Oh

You are the one

You laid down your life to carry us on on

Yes Jesus you are the one you laid down your life to carry us on.

You’ve got the power to go on

We’ve got to fight to be strong

Cause Jesus you are the one

You laid down your life to carry me on

Jesus you are the one

You laid down your life

So I could go on on

You are the one Oh Jesus you

YOU are the one you laid down your life

I’m a donkey Final Song over final credits.

Listen upI’m a donkey

With a heart

Now Donkeys don’t usually talk to muchThere smooth on their feet and soft to touchBut this little brother’s got something to saySo sit back and listen while I chew the hay

All you big brothers who try to be meanWhen we grow up you won’t hear us screamMy guardian angel knows where it’s atSo don’t be messin around my back

I’m a donkey

Listen upI’m a donkey

With a heart

Well you heard my storyAnd you know God picksThe one who is willing not to pull no tricksCause God’s not fooled by anyone\Better watch out what you do for funListen to you mom do what your toldMy next adventure is Damascus RoadDon’t be a bully pick on smaller kidsOr I’ll be comingto your neighborhood

I’m a donkey Listen up

Im a Donkey with a heart

Now children should be seen and hardly heardUnless your rappin about the word

The Lord’s got the power to help you fightWhen someone’s messin around with your lifeDon’t go and panic and get so scaredJust call on Jesus he really caresLamb of God is my best friendAnd he’ll stick with me until the end

I’m a donkey Listen upI’m a donkey with a heart.

I’m a donkeyI’m your firned

I’m a donkey until the end

I’m a donkey Listen upI’m a donkey with a heart.I’m a donkey.