LOVE STORY
Ruth 4: 14-22

Scene opens with Naomi sitting holding a baby in her lap. Ruth is sitting also and at first is not attentive to what Naomi is saying.

Naomi: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the Father of Boaz, (perhaps hold the baby up) Boaz the father of Obed. (bring the baby back down, and cuddle it. Silence for a few moments then………..) and I told you to leave.
Ruth: What was that Naomi?
Naomi: I told you to leave.
Ruth: More than once.
Naomi: Ruth, why didn't you go back?
Ruth: Do you still wish it.
Naomi: Of course not, but why did you come with me when you could have rejoined your family.
Ruth: When I married your son I became part of his family. I couldn't leave you alone.
Naomi: I freed you of your obligation
Ruth: It was not obligation that made me stay.
Naomi: Pity then.
Ruth: Love
Naomi: Kindness, nothing more.
Ruth: Naomi , how can you say that. Can you not see the love. For ten years I was married to your son before he died. For ten years you showed such kindness. I could not leave you, not for obligation, or to return your kindness, but because of the love that grew for you.
Naomi: I can see the love. I could have seen it then, but I was blinded by my grief.
Ruth: And now?
Naomi: I can see the love between you and Boaz, and can feel joy that you two have created. Here in my arms is that joy. This joyhas taken away my grief and left me redeemed.
Ruth: (Stand up and walk to Naomi as you pick up the child you say.)Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of ….
The line of course is left unfinished. Naomi rises and they both exit.