Submitted by
S. Daly

Age Group
7-11

Aim
To treat others well
To use power well

Faith Group
Christian
Muslim

Resources
Some food, some money in a bag

Other Details
The prayer response can be written on a large piece of paper or board.

Script
1. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have you ever walked past a fish and chip shop - smelled the lovely aroma of fish, chips, salt and vinegar - and suddenly what you want most in the world is a large helping of delicious, hot fish and chips?
That has happened to most people.
Today's assembly is a bit like that.

2. Today's assembly is a Muslim story. This story is told by Muslim people all over the world. They tell the story in order to teach a lesson. See if you can work out what the lesson is.

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NARRATOR: One day, a poor man was walking along a busy street, in a bustling market town. On the street, there was an expensive restaurant. The man was tired and hungry. He had eaten nothing all day. His nose caught the smell of the food being cooked inside.
He stopped and sniffed, smiled sadly and began to walk away. But he did not get far. The owner of the restaurant came storming out into the street.

OWNER: Come here! I saw that! You took the smell of my food. Now you must pay for it.

POOR MAN: I cannot pay. I have no money.

OWNER: No money! We'll see about that. You're coming with me to the Judge.

JUDGE: Hmmm. Well, this is an unusual case. Let me think. Come back tomorrow and I will pass sentence.

NARRATOR: The poor man was frightened. If the Judge fined him, he would not be able to pay. He worried all night long. When dawn came, he rose, said his prayers and, feeling tired and unhappy, he made his way to the court.
On his way, he saw Nasrudin the teacher. He asked Nasrudin for help. Nasrudin said he would go to the court with him.
When they got there, they saw the Judge and the restaurant owner talking and laughing together. They were friends! The poor man knew he was in trouble - and he was right. The Judge ordered him to pay a huge amount of money. At once, Nasrudin stepped forward.

NASRUDIN: My Lord, this man is my brother. I will pay the fine.

NARRATOR: Nasrudin took a small bag of coins from his belt and held it to the restaurant owner's ear. He shook the bag, so the coins jingled.

NASRUDIN: Can you hear the money?

OWNER: Of course I can.

NASRUDIN: Then that is your payment. My brother smelled your food - and you have heard his money. You're quits.

NARRATOR: The poor man was set free.

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3. Muslims tell that story to teach people that they should treat others well.
If you want people to be kind to you - you should be kind.
If you want people to be generous to you - you should be generous.
If you want people to care for your feelings - you should care - and so on.

4. The Judge and the restaurant owner were in a position of power.
They were going to use that power badly - and make the poor man's life even more miserable.
If you have power, you should use it well - use it to make things easier, not more difficult.

5. The Bible tells us that as well. It says, "Don't just pretend to be good. Really try to be kind and try not to be bad. You are part of God's family and you must take care of each other."

6. The Bible also tells us how to care for others. It says,
"God says this - It is no good saying your prayers, if you go on hurting each other. You must share things. You must feed the hungry.
You must house the poor and clothe the naked. If you do this, you will make the whole world bright."

7. We all have the power to make the world bright. For example, we can give money to charity collections. In Lent, we are given the chance to do this. You can give money to the Catholic Children's Society and to CAFOD. It is easier not to give money, but God does not promise that life will be easy for us. He wants us to make life easy for others.

8. Lord, you made us all. Please help us to live together.
The Response is ... Lord, forgive us.

There are people we ignore, because they are old. Response ...

There are people we neglect, because they are poor. Response

There are children we hurt, because they are weak. Response

There are people we tease, because they are slow. Response

There are people we mock, because of their colour. Response

We are sometimes quick to hurt and slow to help. Response ...

We sometimes expect more of other people than we do of ourselves.
Response . . .

We sometimes make things difficult on purpose. Response ...

9. We will now sing "Whatsoever you do" by W. Jabusch. (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 799)