Came up with a new show about the Prodigal Son by using a Runaway Dog theme.

1. Old man puppet is training his dog and talks about how much he cares for it and how he gives it food, shelter, etc....
2. Axtell basset hound decides to run away from home.
3. Axtell Diva does a rap song called, "Is there a blood hound in the lost and found?"
4. I put on a Sherlock Holmes cap and become a detective. I talk to the flea who also does some magic tricks. (ex. rising card, uncanny silks, stiff rope--make it look like the flea is walking across)
5. Bull dog from trash can. Turns out the bull dog took all the basset hound's food. Taught him the ways of the street! Last saw him when they were chasing some chickens.
6. Axtell hen-barely escaped with her life! Scared the eggs out of her! She last saw the dog going into the forest.
7. Egg tricks: silk to egg, egg bag, etc.
8. Magic Drawing Board. I draw a picture of the dog and put reward $1. The poster starts arguing with me about the amount.
9. I find the Wart Hog in the forest. Turns out that he taught the Basset Hound how to survive in the wild by eating bugs. Stink bug stir fry, Cockroach cassrole, snail souffle, etc. Last he heard the dog was headed back home. Going to ask if he could live in the dog house since he probably wouldn't be let back inside.
10. Reunion of old man and basset hound! My detective job is done!
11. I have to talk to the cat. He is NOT happy that the dog came back!

12. For a spiritual ending I called up an adult and dressed them in the Big Baby and talked about the love God has for his children. Went over extremely well!

NOTE: I did a shortened version of the above in 30 minutes. No Hen and no reunion scene, but you could easily get 45 to 50 minutes out of the above.

Options: Call a child up and put a detective hat and fake glasses and nose on them. Give them a magnifying lens. Do a few disappearing sponge balls and then the red sponge hand. (Caught me red handed! Good detective!)

Thank you, Tony, for the idea. God has blessed you immensely with the gift of creativity. This could also work for those of us who mainly perform puppet shows.

I did use the old man and dog behind the stage. If you do it as a puppet show you could add a parody of "My Little Runaway" or use the song, "Welcome Back" on RPM 2 by One Way Street.