7 Gold Coins – a parable of greed, inspired by a story about Emmett Kelly
7 Gold Coins – This clown skit, by Raynbow the Clown (Tom Raymond), was inspired by the Popcorn Story of Emmett Kelly Sr. and a gospel illustration heard long ago.
Requires 2 clowns, or 1 clown & helper (preferably a child or young person). It can be presented either silently or verbally.
Clown 1 (or ‘normal’ person, even the pastor) is seated, holding a small plateful of gold coins (actually chocolate wrapped in gold foil – other things could be substituted, of course).Clown 2 (a tramp or hobo, although other clowns would do) enters, pantomiming hunger. He sees Clown 1.
Clown 2 approaches Clown 1, pantomiming hunger. Clown 1 gladly gives away a piece of candy. Clown 2 pantomimes surprise, delight, happiness, etc.—be sure to read the Popcorn Story to get the proper impression.
As Clown 2 begins to walk away, Clown 1 motions him back. To Clown 2’s utter amazement, Clown 1 gives him 5 more coins, keeping only 1 to himself. Clown 1 looks pleased, faces the audience, with the plate (& final coin) seated on his lap.
Clown 2 plays with the coins, clearly happy. Then, a greedy smile comes to Clown 2’s face. Clown 2 sneaks up behind Clown 1, and taps him on the right shoulder. As Clown 1 turns to the right, Clown 2 sneaks around the left and steals the last coin. Clown 2 runs off gleefully, while Clown 1 looks sadly at the audience.
This serves as an introduction for the pastor to come out & talk about the 7 days of the week, how God graciously gave us 6 days for ourselves and reserved only 1 of the 7 for His use—and how we ungraciously tend to ‘steal’ the Lord’s Day as well.