Animals talk at Bangor church

BANGOR – “When Animals Could Talk,” a new play written and directed by Charlene Kent Witting, will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 9-10, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Union Street Brick Church.

The play adapts the Jewish tradition in the Garden of Eden and the Christian legend of Christmas that animals have in the past been able to speak.

The play is based on the biblical books of Genesis and Isaiah, and draws on the tradition that there was a time when the animals could speak.

This is not hard to imagine in a place like the Garden of Eden, explained the pastor, the Rev. Lee Witting, when there was limitless time, no fear and every creature lived in peace. It seems natural that there would be no barriers for anyone – a place of complete understanding between Adam, the clay man and the animals.

As the play describes, the world was good but it was not yet complete.

Because even though Adam walked and talked with the animals, and he walked and talked with God, Witting said, he still felt lonely. God had made the animals to be Adam’s friends, but Adam still felt a need.

So, God took material from Adam’s side, the pastor said. He didn’t return to the dirt to make a new being in Adam’s shape, but took from Adam himself and made for his favorite clay creature a companion. She was flesh from flesh, bone from bone – two from one. Adam was no longer alone, and he grew in love, two from one and two living as one.

Of course, this Eden did not last, and the humans – by trusting the lies of the jealous serpent – were thrown out of the garden, changing the very nature of life on earth, Witting said. The humans would no longer easily understand the animals, nor would they be able to walk easily with God.

“But fortunately for us, God had a plan, one of forgiveness, of hope and ultimately of overwhelming love. God would become a clay creature, too,” Witting said. “And again, so the legend goes, the animals spoke on that night when God became one of us – a sign that in the promised future of a new creation of love, the animals will speak again.”

This fable-like play was written for children of all ages, and includes swordplay, a dragon and original music by Henry Woods. The play runs under an hour. There is no admission fee, and refreshments will be served after the show. For further information, call the Union Street Brick Church at 945-9798.