The Niceness Meter
Puppet Script ·
Early elementary ·
2 min
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YOUR Ministry Name Here!
POWERED BY KIDOLOGY
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PUPPET SCRIPT · Ages 6–8 · 8-10 MIN · Matthew 5:43-45
The Niceness Meter
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BIG IDEA
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God is kind to people who don't deserve it—including us—and that is why we can be kind to someone who is mean.
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CAST · 2 CHARACTERS
| Wendell |
A puppet played with great seriousness; holds a rolled-paper Niceness Meter. |
| Marla |
A calm, deadpan puppet; reads from a Bible already opened on the puppet-stage ledge. |
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SET UP
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Set Up
| DO |
Bring a Bible, two sheets of paper, a marker, and tape. Roll one sheet into a tube and tape it. Draw a large arrow and the words NICENESS METER on the other sheet; tape it to the tube so Wendell can point it around the stage. Place the Bible, opened to Matthew 5, on the back ledge of the puppet stage where Marla can read it. |
| NOTE |
The meter does not need to make noise. Wendell and Marla make the beeps with their voices. If children call out guesses right away, let them; Wendell stays serious and keeps scanning. |
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1
1-2 min |
Nobody Move
| DO |
Wendell slowly rises, holding the meter out in front of him. He scans the room as if he is searching for a tiny invisible dinosaur. |
| WENDELL |
Nobody move. I am taking a reading. |
| DO |
Pause. Slowly point the meter toward Marla. |
| WENDELL |
Beeeep. Very promising. |
| MARLA |
What is that? A sandwich detector? |
| WENDELL |
No. This is my Niceness Meter. It tells me who has earned my kindness. |
| MARLA |
And what happens to people with low scores? |
| WENDELL |
Nothing happens. They get nothing. No hello. No smile. No kindness. |
| DO |
Wendell points the meter offstage and gasps. |
| WENDELL |
BEEP! Zero! That is the kid who shoved me at recess. |
| MARLA |
That was mean. What does your meter say about you? |
| DO |
Wendell points the meter at himself. Marla makes a long, unhappy beep. |
| WENDELL |
BEEEEEP! Low score! That cannot be right. The batteries are being dramatic. |
| DO |
Wendell shakes the meter once, then stops when it beeps again. |
| MARLA |
Or the meter is telling the truth. |
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2
1-2 min |
No Meter Needed
| DO |
Marla turns toward the Bible already opened on the stage ledge and reads clearly. |
“For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” Matthew 5:45 (WEB)
| MARLA |
God is kind to people who have done good things and people who have done bad things. God does not use a Niceness Meter. |
| WENDELL |
So if kindness had to be earned... I would get none sometimes. |
| MARLA |
Me too. God is kind to us anyway. Jesus says to love our enemies. |
| DO |
Wendell looks at his paper meter, then lowers it. |
| WENDELL |
I know one person for my low list. His name is Troy. Tomorrow, I will say, “Good morning, Troy,” first. Not because he got a better score. |
| WENDELL |
Because God is kind to people who do not deserve it. Including me. |
| DO |
Wendell drops the paper meter behind the curtain. Marla makes one final beep. |
| WENDELL |
I am not checking anymore. |
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What are some kind things you could do when someone has been mean, without pretending what they did was okay? |
| NOTE |
Take two or three answers. If a child describes someone hurting, threatening, or repeatedly bullying them, affirm that telling a trusted grown-up is wise. |
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THE PASSAGE · Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies. God sends sunshine and rain on both good and evil people, so his kindness is not something people earn.
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TALK ABOUT IT · PICK ONE OR TWO
YOUNGER
What are some kind things you could do when someone has been mean, without pretending what they did was okay?
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BEFORE YOU TEACH IT
Please review and adapt all generated content before use.
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YOUR Ministry Name Here! · PUPPET SCRIPT · The Niceness Meter
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