This pageant script is adapted from the children’s book, Little Colt’s Palm Sunday by Michelle Medlock Adams. The donkey is often an underrated animal in the bible. This pageant lets the donkey shine in the Palm Sunday story and connects the story to the nativity story as well.
Announcement
We had fun creating a video announcement to invite participants to sign up for the online pageant. We were able to video some donkeys and then add voice over.
Pageant script
Characters: Narrator, Mama Donkey, Little Colt, Owner, Disciples
Minor Characters: Mrs. Cow, Mary, Great Great Grandpa Donkey, Jesus, Crowd (Palm Wavers)
NARRATOR
The young colt snuggled in the hay. He fidgeted about.
MAMA DONKEY
Please go to sleep
NARRATOR
And then she kissed his snout.
MAMA DONKEY
[makes a kissy face to camera]
LITTLE COLT
But, Mama (whispers)
I’m just not sleepy now.
MAMA DONKEY
Shh, shh, be quiet
You’ll wake up Mrs. Cow.
MRS. COW
[annoyingly moos]
LITTLE COLT
Will you tell me a story, Mom? I promise I’ll be still.
MAMA DONKEY
Okay, for you, my son, I will.
While donkeys live quite humble lives,
Sometimes we do great things.
In fact, your great-great-grandfather
Once helped the King of Kings.
LITTLE COLT
He did! But how?
NARRATOR
His eyes became quite wide.
MAMA DONKEY
He carried Mary
And Jesus was inside.
MARY
[Mary rides a donkey]
LITTLE COLT
Inside? What do you mean?
MAMA DONKEY
Let me explain.
See, Mary was with child.
Your great-great-grandpa carried them.
MARY
[Mary strokes her pregnant belly.]
GRANDPA
Oof, my aching back (in a grandpa tone)
MAMA DONKEY
With every step, he knew
That someday Mary’s baby boy
Would have great things to do.
And he was absolutely right,
That Jesus does great miracles.
He’s raised men from the dead!”
MARY & BABY JESUS
[Mary holding baby Jesus.]
(sing) Joy to the World
LITTLE COLT
Oh Mama!
I want to meet this man!
MAMA DONKEY
Maybe, someday you can.
But now you need to go to sleep.
You promised, little one.
LITTLE COLT
Okay, Mama
But sleeping is not fun!
NARRATOR
The morning sun awakened them.
It gently warmed the hay.
MAMA DONKEY
Come on, Son
We’ve got to work today.
NARRATOR
Then suddenly, their owner came
And led them into town.
He tied them up and softly spoke:
OWNER
I won’t be long. Don’t frown.
LITTLE COLT
I’ve never been to town
Why do you think we’re here?
MAMA DONKEY
I’m not sure
NARRATOR
But soon, it would be clear.
Just then, two men untied the colt.
The colt began to bray.
BRAYING DONKEYS
[Donkeys are hee hawing.]
LITTLE COLT
Help, Mama!
They’re leading me away!
NARRATOR
But, strangely, Mama wasn’t scared.
Somehow, the donkey knew
That Little Colt would be all right.
He had a job to do.
OWNER
Excuse me, sirs,
Don’t lead my colt away.
DISCIPLES
The Lord needs him today.
We promise to return your colt.
OWNER
Okay, do well, my little friend.
NARRATOR
The little colt walked with the men,
Unsure of everything.
And then he met Jesus the Christ –
The King of every king!
LITTLE COLT
So, this is he,
I feel like I should bow.
If only Mom were here with me,
Then she could teach me how.
JESUS
[Jesus is waving to the camera.]
NARRATOR
Jesus the Christ stroked little colt.
He had a gentle touch.
JESUS
[Jesus pets the little colt.]
LITTLE COLT
He’s pleased with me!
I like him very much.
(sing) Friendly Beast [adapted]
Jesus, our brother, kind and good
was humbly born in a stable rude
and the friendly beasts around him stood
Jesus, our brother, kind and good
*
“I” said the donkey, shaggy and brown
“I” carried his mother uphill and down
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town
“I” said the donkey, shaggy and brown
*
“I” said the donkey, shaggy and brown
I carried my Savior uphill and down
I carried him through Jerusalem town.
“I” said the donkey, shaggy and brown
*
Jesus, our brother, our good friend
A broken world set out to mend
He taught of love that never will end
Jesus, our brother, our good friend
NARRATOR
And then the men took off their coats
And pulled the colt real near.
They placed their coats upon his back,
DISCIPLES
Jesus, sit here.
NARRATOR
While little colt was glad to help,
He had a big concern:
He’d never given any rides.
He hoped that he could learn.
The Lord God climbed atop the colt.
The colt stood firm and still.
Though he was young, he understood
The need to do God’s will.
Then, suddenly, a crowd appeared.
They praised the Lord and said:
CROWD
Hosanna in the highest!
NARRATOR
Then each man bowed his head.
The people tore off palm branches.
Some waved them in the air.
Still others placed them in the road,
And little colt stepped there.
The palms felt soft beneath his hooves,
Much softer than the road.
LITTLE COLT
These branches feel quite cool
And I bear a sacred load.
NARRATOR
The crowd cheered wildly with great joy.
The colt was filled with pride.
He knew that he’d been born for this –
To give Jesus a ride.
As they continued into town,
The whole world seemed to cheer.
And Mother donkey’s heart was full.
She held each moment dear.
(sing) Ride On King Jesus
[As the song is sung, Jesus is riding on the donkey and waving to the crowd.]
NARRATOR
Then Jesus climbed down off the colt.
His work had just begun.
But little colt had finished his;
His mission now was done.
As little colt watched Jesus leave,
His heart beat strong and fast.
LITTLE COLT
That ride was great!
If only it could last.
NARRATOR
His insides were all fuzzy-warm.
He’d never felt this way.
He couldn’t wait to tell his friends
About his special day.
He wondered if Great-Great-Grandpa
Had felt the same inside.
LITTLE COLT
Nothing compares
To giving God a ride.
NARRATOR
Just then, the owner saw his colt.
MAMA DONKEY
Come home now, little one.
NARRATOR
So, little colt began toward home.
His new life had begun.
To foreshadow the upcoming events of Holy Week,
our organist played Joy to the World and slowly transitioned to a minor key.
Still Waters 