STORY-TELLER: Long ago, in Galilee, there lived a man called Ishmael.
Ishmael had a terrible skin-disease known as leprosy.
People who had this disease were called lepers. They had to live far away from towns and villages. If anyone came near them, they had to
call out. "I am a leper, I am a leper.!!" But let's get back to Ishmael.....
ISHMAEL: I've heard that Jesus of Nazareth is coming. He should reach the village below by morning. If I hurry I can reach there under cover of darkness, and wait nearby till he comes.
STORY-TELLER: And off he went, running, scrambling down the side of the hill, and as he
ran, he thought to himself......
ISHMAEL: Jesus can heal me. I know he can.
If he healed all those folk in Capernaum, surely he will heal me.
Imagine being able to walk down any street and not have mothers drag their
children away from me. I might even get a job at the fishing again.
STORY-TELLER: He was sure that Jesus had the power to make him well again. He was sure
that if Jesus healed him, he would be completely well. What he wasn't sure of,
was, he do it? And so he waited, out of sight, until he heard the sound of voices.
A group of men were approaching the village. Wait !
Yes, they called the man walking in the midst of them - Jesus.
JESUS: We'll have time to get something to eat before going to the synagogue.
STORY-TELLER: Ishmael rushed out from his hiding-place; and fell on his knees before
Jesus
..........
ISHMAEL: Sir, if you want to, I know you can heal me !
JESUS: Of course I want to! Be clean again !
STORY-TELLER: Straight away, the leprosy disappeared. His skin was clean. He was healed !
JESUS: Now go and show yourself to the priests, taking with you the sacrifice called for in
the Law. But be careful not to tell anyone how this has happened to you.
STORY-TELLER: But Ishmael could not keep it to himself and told everyone he met what had
happened.
ISHMAEL: Jesus of Nazareth made me well...I was a leper and he took the leprosy away!
STORY-TELLER : Soon Jesus was unable to move about openly, or go into any town, but
had to stay out in the open countryside. Even so people came to him from far and wide.