ACT 3 — THE GAME EVERYONE REMEMBERED
ACT 4 — THE BIGGEST MATCH POINT
ACT 5 — THE COURAGE TO TELL THE TRuth
ACT 6 — WAITING FOR THE ANSWER
ACT 1 — THE BELL
1 — The Empty Courts
Performance Notes
- Hold the handball naturally.
- Look at it as you say, "one small green handball."
- Speak slowly and confidently.
- Allow the audience time to settle before continuing.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator softly imitates:
- Birds singing.
- A gentle breeze.
No music.
Narration
(Walk to the front holding a small green handball.)
Good morning, everyone.
(Smile.)
Today...
I'd like to tell you a story.
It happened at a school...
that might remind you...
of yours.
(Turn gently towards the screen.)
Look carefully.
It seems so quiet...
doesn't it?
Just some painted handball squares...
one small green handball...
and nobody around.
If you looked at this playground...
you'd probably think,
"Nothing exciting is going to happen here today."
(Smile.)
But sometimes...
the biggest stories...
begin...
on the quietest days.
2 — The Bell
Performance Notes
- Increase your energy.
- Let your eyes follow the imaginary children.
- Smile.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator creates:
- Running footsteps.
- Children's laughter.
- Handballs bouncing.
No background music.
Narration
Then...
it happened.
"Riiiiiing!"
(Ring the bell with your voice.)
In just a few seconds...
everything changed.
Children came running from everywhere.
Some hurried to finish their lunch.
Some raced to find their friends.
But many of them...
were heading...
to exactly...
the same place.
3 — The Handball Squares
Performance Notes
- Invite the children into the story.
- Enjoy the audience's responses.
- Don't rush the laughter.
- This is the last relaxed moment before the mystery begins.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator imitates:
Tok! Tok! Tok!
Children calling:
"Out!"
"My serve!"
"No way!"
Laughter.
Narration
Every lunchtime...
these painted squares...
became the most popular place in the whole school.
If you wanted to play...
you had to wait your turn.
Handballs bounced everywhere.
Friends laughed together.
Someone called,
"Out!"
Another answered,
"No way—it clipped the line!"
(Smile and look at the children.)
Have any of you ever played handball?
(Raise your hand and wait for a few responses.)
Then you'll know...
everyone thinks they're the referee!
(Pause for laughter.)
4 — "They're Here..."
Performance Notes
- Lower your voice.
- Lean slightly towards the audience.
- Finish with a long pause before changing slides.
Sound Suggestions
The playground gradually becomes quieter.
Leave only a gentle breeze.
No music.
Narration
Then...
something unexpected happened.
Not because a teacher arrived.
Not because lunch was nearly over.
A little Year 3 boy stopped bouncing his handball.
He looked towards the library.
His eyes grew wide.
He pointed...
and whispered...
(Lean forward and whisper.)
"They're here..."
(Long pause.)
ACT 2 — THE BEST PLAYERS
5 — The Best Players
Performance Notes
- Speak naturally.
- These are ordinary children who happen to be very good at handball.
- Smile often.
- Let the audience discover them naturally.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator softly imitates:
- Footsteps.
- A gentle handball bounce.
- Normal playground sounds.
No music.
Narration
The little Year 3 boy wasn't excited because famous people had arrived.
He was excited because...
every lunchtime...
at almost exactly the same time...
the best handball players in Year 6 walked down that path.
One child smiled.
"Bo's here."
Another whispered,
"There's Ron."
Then someone pointed.
"And Moze!"
Nobody made a big fuss.
It was simply...
part of lunchtime.
6 — ACE
Performance Notes
- Bounce the real handball if possible.
- Keep the moment relaxed.
- Bo should appear humble, not proud.
Sound Suggestions
One gentle handball bounce.
No music.
Narration
Bo wasn't loud.
He never showed off.
He didn't have to.
Every lunchtime...
he quietly stepped into ACE.
(Bounce the handball once.)
Tok...
Nobody complained.
Nobody argued.
Everyone knew...
Bo had earned that place.
At least...
for today.
(Smile.)
7 — Annie
Performance Notes
- Slow your pace.
- Annie now becomes the heart of the story.
- Introduce her warmly.
Sound Suggestions
Soft playground ambience.
Occasional handball bounces.
No music.
Narration
But someone else...
was watching too.
Not because she wanted Bo to lose.
Not because she wished his place was hers.
She simply loved the game.
Let's call her...
Annie.
Every lunchtime...
she watched.
She learned.
She practised.
Every clever serve.
Every great return.
Even every mistake.
Because Annie had a dream.
One day...
she wanted the chance...
to stand in ACE.
8 — Earning Her Chance
Performance Notes
- Build the excitement gradually.
- Let the audience begin hoping Annie reaches the final square.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator creates a gentle rhythm.
Tok!
Tok!
Tok!
Children calling,
"Nice shot!"
"Good game!"
Laughter.
Narration
That lunchtime...
something different happened.
Annie played really well.
She won one game.
Then another.
Then another.
Each game became a little harder.
Each opponent...
a little better.
Sometimes she won with a clever shot.
Sometimes she won because she stayed patient.
Little by little...
she moved closer...
to ACE.
9 — The Challenge
Performance Notes
- Bo should sound encouraging.
- Smile naturally.
- End the act with quiet anticipation.
Sound Suggestions
The playground gradually becomes quieter.
One gentle handball bounce.
Then...
silence.
Narration
Finally...
Moze missed.
He laughed.
Raised both hands.
Then pointed towards ACE.
Annie looked up.
Bo was already waiting.
He smiled.
"I'm glad it's you."
Annie looked surprised.
"Really?"
Bo nodded.
"I've been watching."
(Short pause.)
"You've been getting better."
Then he smiled.
"Come on..."
"Let's have a great game."
ACT 3 — THE GAME EVERYONE REMEMBERED
10 — Ready
Performance Notes
- Smile naturally.
- Let the audience enjoy the moment.
- Pause before the serve.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator softly imitates:
- A gentle breeze.
- Quiet playground sounds.
Everything gradually settles.
No music.
Narration
Children came from every direction.
Some were still carrying their lunch.
Others stood on their tiptoes just to see.
Nobody wanted to miss this game.
Bo smiled.
"Ready?"
Annie smiled back.
"I think so."
Bo laughed.
"That's usually enough."
Even Annie laughed.
Then...
the playground became quiet.
11 — The Great Rally
Performance Notes
- Let your head gently follow the imaginary handball.
- Keep a lively rhythm.
- Smile often.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator creates:
Tok!
Tok!
Tok!
Children react softly.
"Nice one!"
"Whoa!"
Narration
Bo bounced the handball once.
Tok...
Then he served.
The rally began.
Back.
Forward.
Corner.
Back again.
Neither player wanted to give away a point.
Every great shot made somebody smile.
Every clever return made somebody cheer.
It wasn't just a game.
It was two good players...
bringing out the best...
in each other.
12 — Match Point
Performance Notes
- Lower your voice gradually.
- Build suspense naturally.
- Finish with a long pause before changing slides.
Sound Suggestions
One gentle bounce.
Tok...
Silence.
Narration
The game continued.
Point after point.
Serve after serve.
Soon...
nobody cared who was winning.
They were simply watching...
a wonderful game.
Then someone whispered,
"Match point."
The playground became so quiet...
you could almost hear...
everyone breathing.
Bo smiled.
"Best point wins?"
Annie smiled.
"Best point wins."
ACT 4 — THE BIGGEST MATCH POINT
13 — The Double Bounce
Performance Notes
- Slow your pace dramatically.
- Freeze after the words, "Except... Annie."
- Resist the urge to continue too quickly.
- Let the silence create the tension.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator softly imitates:
Tok...
(Long pause.)
Tok...
Silence.
Narration
Bo served.
The rally became faster.
Then...
Bo reached for one last shot.
The handball floated towards Annie.
It landed.
Tok...
One bounce.
Annie moved.
Then...
Tok...
A second bounce.
(Long pause.)
Nobody noticed.
(Pause.)
Except...
Annie.
14 — The Question
Performance Notes
- Whisper the question.
- Don't overact.
- Let the audience hear Annie's conscience rather than your voice.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator softly imitates:
Boom...
Boom...
Boom...
Then...
complete silence.
Narration
For one tiny moment...
the whole playground disappeared.
All Annie could hear...
was her own heartbeat.
Boom...
(Pause.)
Boom...
(Pause.)
Boom...
One quiet thought whispered...
(Whisper.)
"Nobody knows."
(Pause.)
Another answered...
"But you do."
(Pause.)
Annie looked at the handball.
Then she looked at Bo.
One question filled her mind.
(Look slowly around the congregation.)
"Would God forgive me...
...if I pretended...
...it only bounced once?"
(Long silence.)
15 — The Winning Shot
Performance Notes
- Keep the celebration brief.
- Annie should remain completely still.
- The contrast is more powerful than the excitement.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator imitates:
Children cheering.
Clapping.
Excited voices.
Gradually fade everything into the distance.
Narration
Almost without thinking...
Annie returned the handball.
It flew past Bo.
He reached...
but couldn't get there.
The playground erupted.
Children cheered.
Some clapped.
One little Year 3 boy shouted,
"She beat Bo!"
Everyone celebrated.
Everyone...
except...
Annie.
16 — The Heavy Feeling
Performance Notes
- Slow your pace.
- Look down at the handball during the final sentence.
- Finish quietly.
- Let the silence speak.
Sound Suggestions
The cheering fades away.
Only a gentle breeze remains.
No music.
Narration
Bo smiled.
He held out his hand.
"Great game."
Annie wanted to smile.
She wanted to shake his hand.
She wanted everything...
to feel right.
But...
she couldn't.
Because sometimes...
the hardest person...
to be honest with...
is yourself.
ACT 5 — THE COURAGE TO TELL THE TRuth
17 — The Decision
Performance Notes
- Slow your voice.
- Let the excitement fade naturally.
- Everything from this point happens inside Annie.
Sound Suggestions
The cheering gradually fades.
Only distant playground sounds remain.
Narration
The playground erupted.
Children clapped.
Some laughed.
One little Year 3 boy couldn't stop saying,
"She beat Bo!"
Bo walked over.
Smiling.
He held out his hand.
"Great game."
(Pause.)
Annie looked at his hand.
Then she looked at the handball.
She knew...
exactly...
what had happened.
18 — The Confession
Performance Notes
- Speak quietly.
- Don't sound ashamed.
- Sound truthful.
- Trust the pauses.
Sound Suggestions
Complete silence.
No music.
Narration
Annie took...
one deep breath.
Then another.
She looked at Bo.
Then quietly said,
"I..."
(Pause.)
"...didn't win."
(Long silence.)
Nobody laughed.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Then Annie continued.
"The ball..."
(Pause.)
"...double bounced."
(Pause.)
"I saw it."
(Pause.)
"I almost pretended..."
(Pause.)
"...it only bounced once."
(Pause.)
"I'm sorry."
19 — The Handshake
Performance Notes
- Smile gently.
- Let the audience relax.
- Bo's kindness should feel genuine and natural.
Sound Suggestions
A gentle breeze.
Children beginning another handball game nearby.
Soft laughter.
No music.
Narration
For a moment...
Bo didn't say anything.
He simply smiled.
Then he held out his hand again.
"That must have been really hard."
(Pause.)
"Thanks..."
(Pause.)
"...for telling the truth."
(Pause.)
This time...
Annie smiled.
A real smile.
Not because she had won.
Not because she had lost.
But because...
she had chosen...
the truth.
20 — Life Goes On
Performance Notes
- Return to a relaxed storytelling voice.
- The emotional tension has lifted.
- Prepare the audience for the quiet ending.
Sound Suggestions
Natural playground sounds.
Gentle laughter.
A distant handball bouncing.
A light breeze.
Narration
Within a minute...
another game had started.
Someone called,
"My serve!"
Children laughed.
The playground carried on...
just as playgrounds always do.
But Annie knew...
she would never forget...
the match point...
that changed her.
ACT 6 — WAITING FOR THE ANSWER
21 — The Empty Courts Again
Performance Notes
- Slow your pace.
- Speak gently.
- There is no sadness here.
- Only quiet reflection.
Sound Suggestions
Narrator softly imitates:
- A gentle breeze.
- A few distant birds.
No music.
Narration
By the end of the day...
the playground was quiet again.
The laughter had faded.
The games were over.
The children had gone home.
Only the handball...
still rested beside the courts.
Everything looked exactly the same...
as it had that morning.
(Short pause.)
But one thing...
had changed.
Not the playground.
Not the handball.
Not the courts.
A heart.
22 — Waiting for the Answer
Performance Notes
- This is the most important silence in the entire story.
- Ask the question gently.
- Do not sound accusing.
- Let the silence invite reflection.
- Resist the temptation to fill the quiet.
Sound Suggestions
Complete silence.
Trust the stillness.
No music.
Narration
I wonder...
have you ever had...
a match point like that?
Maybe not on a handball court.
But somewhere else.
A moment when...
you knew what was right...
and you had to decide...
what you were going to do.
(Pause.)
Have you ever wondered...
(Look slowly around the congregation.)
"Would God forgive me...
...for what I am about to do?"
(Long silence.)
In just a moment...
Ezekkiel is going to read today's Bible passage.
Listen carefully.
Because God...
has a beautiful answer...
to that question.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving us so much.
Thank You for giving us a conscience that helps us know the difference between right and wrong.
Please give us courage to choose what is right, even when it is difficult.
As we listen to Your Word now...
help us discover...
just how wonderful...
Your grace and love really are.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
TRANSITION
Remain still after saying,
"Amen."
Leave the final illustration on the screen.
Do not speak again.
Allow a few seconds of silence.
Ezekkiel quietly walks to the lectern.
He opens his Bible.
He reads:
Romans 5:18-20
KJV
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
WEB
18 So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
19 For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.
20 The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly,
The pastor then begins the sermon.