NARRATOR:

Sit back everyone.  Welcome again to Donkey Ollie's road to Damascus.  Since our last adventure, Ollie has been anxious to get back to Jerusalem and visit some of the friends he made on his first trip there carrying Jesus.  The news of Stephen's miracles had reached Ollie's master Elizabeth and she decided to have Ollie carry their small crippled brother into Jerusalem to see if Stephen could pray for him to be healed.  Her mom and dad weren't too excited about the idea.  The story begins with Elizabeth getting Jehu, her crippled brother, ready for the trip.

INTRO SONG

When they arrive in Jerusalem after a very hard trip, they can barely make it up to where Stephen is speaking.  The crowd is so tightly jammed.  Ollie helps them push through.

OLLIE
Bay, Bay, bay.

NARRATOR:

The crowd grows restless as the guards push their way to the front.

SONG: MAKE WAY

SONG: WE BELIEVE

SONG: I CAN SKIP

NARRATOR:

That night, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Jehu left Ollie in a stall by the inn while they waited to see what was going to happen to Stephen.  Ollie meets another donkey and tells him the story of Jesus and how his master's son Jehu was healed that day.

ROAD TO DAMASCUS

SCENE ONE - EXT. FARMYARD - MORNING

Ollie is standing with a pack on his back.  Elizabeth is tightening the straps.

ELIZABETH
There Ollie, now you're all ready.  Now little Jehu can ride you without falling off.

FARMER
Aren't you a little young to be going to Jerusalem?

FARMER'S WIFE
Now, just leave her alone, John.  You know Rebecca's meeting her at the crossroads.  Besides, Ollie's already been there and he knows the way pretty well.  She won't get lost.  Here, give me a hand with little Jehu.

They lift him up into the makeshift saddle.

ELIZABETH
(kisses her father)
We'll be home soon, Daddy.  Don't worry about me.

SONG:
DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME

Don't worry about me
I'm in the hands of God.
Don't worry about me
Nothing will go wrong
Don't worry about me
He's still on the throne
Don't worry about me
Before you know I'll be home

ELIZABETH
Come on, Ollie.  Let's go.

FARMER
(hands her a small sack)
Here Elizabeth, these are some extra carrots for Ollie in case he gets hungry before you get to Jerusalem.

OLLIE
Bay-ay-ay.

SCENE TWO - EXT. COURTYARD - LATE AFTERNOON

NARRATOR:

The courtyard is crammed with people listening to a man preaching.  Ollie, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Jehu enter.  They almost come to a total standstill because the crowd is so packed.

STEPHEN
Men of Israel, God always accompanies his word with signs and wonders.  "Even the blind receive sight and the lame walk."

ELIZABETH
Come on, Ollie.  Let's bring Jehu up.

NARRATOR:

While Stephen continues to preach, they push to the front.  Ollie bays and causes quite a commotion.  The crowd separates and lets them pass.

STEPHEN
What have we here?  Oh, it's you, Elizabeth.  Who have you brought?

NARRATOR:

The next morning after, they had taken Stephen outside the city and threw stones at him until he was dead, Saul came into his stall looking for his donkey to take him to Damascus where he was planning on arresting and killing more of the followers of Jesus.
Paul takes Ollie off against his will and they begin the long journey to Damascus.  Ollie is so sad at being taken away from the kind Elizabeth and Jehu that after awhile he grows weary and starts to move very slow.  This makes Saul very angry and Saul begins to lash Ollie to move quicker.

SAUL
You small white misfit, hurry or my lash will make your behind really sore.  Now get.

SONG: MOVE ALONG

NARRATOR:

It's no use.  Ollie begins to collapse under Paul's weight and calls on God to help him out of his misery.

SONG: FATHER HELP ME

NARRATOR:

From nowhere a blinding light comes down from heaven and hits Saul right in the face.  Saul trembles in terror and falls off of Ollie.  And a voice--the voice of Jesus--begins to speak to him.  Saul realizes that the light has blinded him and gropes in the dirt.

SONG: FORGIVE ME

ELIZABETH
It's my brother Jehu.  He can't walk or run or play with the other children.  My mother said you could pray for him.

STEPHEN
I would love to but not now.  Look, the temple guards are coming.

TEMPLE GUARDS
(off in the distance)
Make way, make way.

NARRATOR:

The crowd begins to murmur as the guards push their way to the front.

GUARD'S SONG
MAKE WAY

Make way, step aside
What's this commotion
Who dares defy
Temple authority
Silence these cries
Make way, step aside.

GUARD
I have papers to have you arrested for spreading dissension and blaspheming, and trying to lay upon all of us the blood of this man Jesus whom you call the Son of God.

ELIZABETH
(pulls on guard's coat)
Please, kind sir, let him pray for my brother first.  We've come all the way from Bethany and we believe Stephen can heal him.

SONG:
WE BELIEVE

We believe, we believe
Only Jesus can do the impossible
We believe, we believe
Little Jehu will be healed.

STEPHEN
Only Jesus can heal, my child, through the power of his spirit.  Little Jehu, jump down, the Lord has healed you.

SAUL
Enough of this nonsense.  Away with him.

JEHU
(jumps down)

Look at me.  My legs thank you, Lord.

SONG:

I can skip
I can dance
I can leap
Over a fence
I can play now
With my friends
Thanks be to God
I'm not lame

ELIZABETH
Please, please mister, don't hurt Stephen.  My little brother has never been able to walk.  Don't you see it is a miracle?

SCENE THREE - STALL INT. - NIGHT

ELIZABETH
You'll be alright.  Here Ollie.  We'll all be right next door.  We're going to stay and see what happens to Stephen.  Oh, Ollie, pray he'll be alright.

BENJI
This is a beautiful story, Ollie.  I just wished God cared about me.

OLLIE
What's your name?

BENJI
Benji.  Ollie, say you're not the donkey that got to carry Jesus.  Are you?

OLLIE
Yes, I just brought my master's youngest, and Stephen healed him right before Saul took him away.

BENJI
That Saul's a bad fellow.  He treats everyone really bad.  Even his animals.  His last donkey he rode so hard, they'll have to put him out to pasture.

OLLIE
How do you know so much about him?

BENJI
(holds up her bandaged legs)
I was his donkey.

OLLIE
God will take care of you, Benji.  He always takes care of his own.  Just ask him to.  He'll help you.  I know he helped me believe in myself when everyone hated me.  He can fix you up as good as new and give you to a new master, a kind one.  There, there, don't cry.

NARRATOR:

Ollie licks Benji's face to help dry the tears.

BENJI
You really think God would take care of me?

OLLIE
I know he will.

SCENE FOUR - STALL INT. - MORNING

NARRATOR:

Saul walks in accompanies by some other men.

SAUL
You there, fetch my donkey.  I must be off to Damascus.

INNKEEPER
I'm sorry, but your donkey is nearly lame.  I don't think she could even get you out of the city in her poor condition.  Look at her feet.  Her hooves are split.

SAUL
What about this one?  He should do just fine.

INNKEEPER
That belongs to some of the guests.

SAUL
Are you questioning an official of the temple?

INNKEEPER
No, I'm not questioning you.  It's just not mine to sell.

SAUL
(pulls out some coins)
There are more than enough denaris here.  Now saddle him up.

INNKEEPER
Alright.  (Accepts the money.)  He answers to the name of Ollie.

They depart out of the stall.

SCENE FIVE - DAMASCUS ROAD EXT. - DAY

Ollie stumbles along with Saul's weight on him.

SAUL
(swings the lash)
Move quicker, you miserably cow.  Move along, move along right now.  (Ollie is lashed.  His flank is bleeding.)

OLLIE
Help me.

SONG:
FATHER HELP ME

Father help me, give me strength
Help me Lord, for heaven's sake
My legs are weary, my knees grow faint
Help me Jesus, I just ache.

A blinding light hits Saul.

NARRATOR:

Saul, being totally blind, leans on Ollie for support as they  make their way into Damascus to wait for Jesus to tell him what to do.  When they finally arrive, Ollie is very thirsty and stops at a water trough where he meets another donkey.  Saul's companions take him to the house of Ananias and Ollie decides to try and find him.

JESUS
Saul, Saul.

Saul falls off of Ollie clutching his eyes.

SAUL
Who is it?

JESUS
Saul, why do you persecute me?

SAUL
Who is it, Lord?  I can't see.

JESUS
It is I, Jesus.  Go into Damascus and you will be told what to do.

SAUL
Ollie, come here.  Let me lean against you.  Lead me into the city.

Ollie comes over.

SAUL
I'm sorry I've been so cruel, Ollie.  Please forgive me.

SONG:
FORGIVE ME
Forgive me
I've known not what I've done
Forgive me
I've been hurting everyone
Forgive me
My hands are covered with blood
Forgive me
I really need more love.

SCENE SIX - DAMASCUS - STREET EXT. - DAY

Ollie is standing by a water trough.

NARRATOR:

Ollie drinks quickly and trots along the street until he finally spots another donkey tied up outside the home of Ananias.  

OLLIE
(to another donkey)
Where is the house of Ananias?

ABE (donkey)
Is your master's name Saul?

OLLIE
Yes, how did you know?

ABE
My younger brother is Ananias' donkey.  You just missed them.  They've already headed out for Straight Street.  Hurry or you'll miss them.

SCENE SEVEN - SAUL'S ROOM EXT. - DAY

NARRATOR:

He gazes into the window and sees Saul sitting while Ananias lays his hands on his head and prays for him.

ANANIAS
Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me here so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

SAUL
I can see.  It's like scales have been taken off my eyes.

NARRATOR:

Ollie watches Saul being healed and is reminded of his young master Jehu also being healed.  He gets very homesick and starts to cry.  Donkey Jerem tries to cheer him up.  Ollie turns to Jerem.

OLLIE
I brought him here after he was blinded on the Damascus Road.  But now I sure wish I could go home.

Ollie starts to cry.

DONKEY JEREM
Don't be sad.  Damascus is a nice city.  Where are you from, anyway?

OLLIE
My master is from Bethany.

DONKEY JEREM
Who know?  Maybe your master will come back and rescue you.

NARRATOR:

Months pass and Saul's preaching has stirred up the synagogue leader to hatred.  They plan on taking Saul's life.  Ollie remains in Damascus and is more and more homesick for everyone back in Bethany.  He even misses his three brothers.  Unknown to him, Elizabeth has persuaded her mom to let her travel to Damascus with her Aunt Rebecca to find Ollie.  Today is the day she finally arrives.  She goes from inn to inn asking the innkeepers if they have seen Ollie.

SCENE EIGHT - INN INT. - DAY

ELIZABETH
Are you sure you've never seen him?  He's just a small donkey and very pale in color.

INNKEEPER
You might try over at Nabul's down on Straight Street.  Most of the out-of-towners keep their animals there.

REBECCA
Is it far from here?

INNKEEPER
No, just a stone's throw.  Here, but through the back.  Go right by the Jewish temple and you'll be there before you know it.

NARRATOR:

As they are walking down the back alley, they hear loud shouting out of the synagogue window.  They stop to listen.

LEADER
I say, we should kill him.  Why, already over half of our congregations have become believers in this messiah he speaks about.  If we wait much longer, there will be none of us left.

BARUCH
I agree with Rabbi Heldert.  Saul of Tarsus should not be allowed to live.  I say we do it tonight while he lies asleep at Judas's house.  We should also post guards at all the city exits lest he try and sneak out.

RABBI
Barabas, you have experience in this.  Will you perform this service for your temple?  We have adequate funds in the treasury to reward you with.

BARABAS
Gladly.

Rebecca and Elizabeth leave right before someone notices them.

ELIZABETH
Do you suppose that's the Saul that took Ollie they are talking about?

REBECCA
He must be, but imagine that--him preaching about Jesus.  Well, child, we'd best be off to warn him.

SCENE NINE - HOUSE INT. - DAY

Rebecca and Elizabeth pound on a door.

SAUL
What can I do for you, sisters?

ELIZABETH
I'd like to know where Ollie is, my donkey?

SAUL
(laughs)
Didn't the innskeeper pay you for him?  I paid handsomely.

REBECCA
Apparently not.  We'd thought you'd stolen him.

SAUL
Well, he's in excellent health.  Praise the Lord, although I do think he's a bit homesick.  You can see him right over there.

REBECCA
We have something of an urgent nature to discuss with you.  May we come in . . . (She looks for Elizabeth.)  Elizabeth . . .

SAUL
Don't sorry.  She's gone to see her donkey.  A special one, isn't he?  I wonder if he wasn't praying for God to knock some sense into me.

REBECCA
You must leave the city, Saul.  The synagogue leaders have paid Barabas to take your life.  They plan on doing it tonight while you sleep.  

PAUL
I'm no longer called Saul, but Paul.  I can't leave, Rebecca.  I've just started here.  

REBECCA
They've also posted watchmen at each of the city exits so you can't slip out without being noticed.

PAUL
Then it shall be tonight.  I'll have my friends lower me in a basket.  You and Elizabeth wait with Donkey Ollie just the other side of beggar's path.

NARRATOR:

After warning Paul, Rebecca leaves for the stall to tell Ollie and Elizabeth of the plans.  

SCENE TEN - STALL EXT. - DAY

NARRATOR:

Rebecca goes into the stall area to tell Ollie and Elizabeth of the plans.  She is surprised at what good health Ollie is in.  

REBECCA
He looks fine to me, Elizabeth.  Paul wants us to meet him outside beggar's path just after it turns dark.  

NARRATOR:

A young boy is tending the other animals and overhears them.  He turns in their direction to listen more closely.

ELIZABETH
You mean we're going home tonight?  Ollie, we're going home and Saul's coming too?

REBECCA
Not Saul, Paul.  God's given him a new heart and we're going to make sure he gets to carry out God's purposes.

NARRATOR:

The young boy runs out.

ELIZABETH
That stable boy sure left awful fast.  He was so nice earlier.  Said he worked for Barabas.

REBECCA
That name sounds awful familiar.  Barabas!  Elizabeth, what if it was the Barabas that the high priest wanted to hire to murder Paul?

ELIZABETH
To be safe, why don't we pick another spot?  This city is too big.  They would probably never find us.

REBECCA
Yes, let's go and tell Paul.

SCENE ELEVEN - STALL INT. - NIGHT

DONKEY ABE
So you're sneaking out tonight, Ollie?

OLLIE
I sure hope everything goes O.K.  I sure don't hope for anything bad to happen to Elizabeth or Rebecca.

DONKEY ABE
I learned a trick in my earlier days.  Tie up your hooves with sackcloth and you can sneak out of here quietly.

OLLIE
How am I going to do that?

DONKEY ABE
Just tell your master.

OLLIE
Donkeys aren't supposed to talk.

SONG:
DONKEYS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO TALK

No one is supposed to know
That we can talk
They think we can't overhear
While we walk

How can we break the news
Help the escape
They won't believe their ears
Then it will be too late

Donkeys aren't supposed to talk
Even though we do
Donkeys aren't supposed to talk
All we're supposed to do is chew.
Donkeys aren't supposed to talk
Even when spoken to
We're not supposed to answer back
And seldom ever do

DONKEY ABE
Shhh, here comes Elizabeth.  Tell her.

Elizabeth enters the room.

ELIZABETH
I brought you some carrots, Ollie.  Tonight we're leaving.

OLLIE
I know.

ELIZABETH
Who said that?

OLLIE
(stamps his hoof)
I did.

ELIZABETH
Oh Ollie, you can talk!  I always knew there was something really special about you.

OLLIE
You must tie up my hooves with sackcloth so we can sneak out of Damascus quietly.

ELIZABETH
That's a great idea.  Come here and I will tie them up.

SCENE TWELVE - CITY STREETS EXT. - NIGHT

NARRATOR:

Ollie travels down the city streets so quietly that no one can ever hear him.  They pass under one of the temple spies.  He can hear them.  Finally they pass through the city gates and wait by the wall for Paul to be lowered down.  Paul's friends put him in a big basket and lower the rope down.  Ollie can barely stand still, he's so excited about getting to go home.

ELIZABETH
Ollie, quit fidgeting about.  We'll be going home soon.  Look, here comes the basket now.  You must stand under it so I can tie it on to you, in case any of the spies look over the wall.

NARRATOR:

They wait under a window as Paul is lowered down in a basket.  They tie the basket to Ollie and walk off.

OLLIE
O.K. there.  Throw the rope around my stomach.  Now tighten it a bit.  Good, he's on.  Let's go.  We made it.

SONG: WE MADE IT

SONG: OLLIE'S RAP