The Trial of Jack Pale

When I was writing stories on a more regular basis I had the idea that I wanted a story that I could memorize and bring out around campfires and such. (No clue why I had that idea, I don’t frequent many campfires) So I set about writing a story that would rhyme sort of like a campfire story. In the end it came out much more Dr. Suess than campfire, but I still think the result adds life to an old concept.

Synopsis:

If you have been anywhere around churches you have probably heard a pastor ask, “If you were on trial for being a Christians, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” This story takes that idea and makes it into a Dr. Suess style story/poem.

Spiritual idea:

You are saved by grace. But a Christian should never live like everyone around them; a Christian should live demonstrably different. If your life isn’t different than the people around you in ways other than just church attendance it is time to reevaluate the way that you are living.

The Story:

Open your mind and let’s make believe

That it’s some time in the future say two-O-fifty three

And this country has changed as they tend to do

and being Christian’s illegal

“No Way!”

Yes it’s true

The law passed one year with overwhelming approval

And all churches were scheduled for immediate removal

Now Christians are criminals in the eyes of the state

And murder and worship now draw the same fate

But don’t worry the Christians haven’t all gone away

They meet now in secret to this very day.

 

One group that met in a house in Glendale

Had a member that went by the name of Jack Pale

Now Jack was always there when they met together

He would never miss no matter the weather

One night when his church was quietly praying

From outside they heard a megaphone saying

“FBI! Come on Out! You’re being arrested”

Some went out quiet while others protested

But both groups soon ended up in the jail

And Jack’s wife was called to help him post bail

“A Christian!” she cried to the voice on the line

“There’s no way a Christian is a husband of mine”

“But, M’am, he’s confessed he claims that it’s real”

She said, “There’s no way and here is the deal

I don’t care what he says we’re going to court

And when I get there I’ll give a report

Of the life that he lives away from that place

How he lies and he cheats with a smile on his face.”

 

So she got her a lawyer and they set a court date

And gathered the evidence but Jack was irate

“I’m a Christian,” he tried to explain to his wife.

“No your not,” she replied, “I have looked at your life

I have gathered your friends who will tell what you do

And the judge will see that a Christian’s not you.”

 

So the strangest of trials that our town ever had

Was of a man who screamed “GUILTY!” with all that he had

 

“I’m guilty,” he said, “and this isn’t funny

I go every week I even give money

I sing all the songs. I stand and I kneel

Now they try to tell me that this isn’t real

Just see what I do at that house in Glendale

Now I rest my case for that’s my whole tale”

“Exactly!” screamed the lawyer sitting by Jack Pale’s wife,

“But you’ve only talked about a part of your life

What happens when you’re not with the other church guys?

Do you act like a Christian or do you tell lies

Do you treat other people with fairness and grace

Or do you treat them unkindly and then lie to their face?”

 

What happened next was a line for four days

Of people Jack’d wronged in various ways

“He cheats!” said his friend. “It’s true!” said another,

“Why I even saw him pull a scam on his mother.”

“His mother!” cried the lawyer “you must be mistaken”

But the friend had the proof of all the money he’d taken

Some others explained how course jokes were the norm

And one guy gave testimony of his room full of porn

The parade was relentless, ruthless, and complete

It even included an ignored bum from the street

Ms. Pale’s lawyer rested after showing his proof

Jack was dejected his wife seemed aloof.

 

Mr. Pale said the Judge I know this is odd

And your place as a Christian is between you and your God

But here in my court we judge people by facts

And is seems you don’t act like a real Christian acts

You claim you’re a Christian but you come in this court

With nothing to sustain it and no evidence in support

You say you’re a Christian and that may be true

But what shows you’re a Christian are the things that you do

THE END