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The purpose of this skit is to impress upon the collaborators the importance of good preparation when teaching the Book 5 lessons to children. In the skit, two adults have just flown in to an unfamiliar city and rent a car to drive to their conference site.

My co-tutor and I practiced the skit quite a bit before presenting it -- we used the script as a guide to improvise the dialogue. We introduced the skit by its title, "Why is driving a car, etc" and simply saying, "Two people have arrived at the airport of a new city, and will rent a car to get to a Baha'i conference."

We made sure we kept the dialogue slow and clear in the opening lines about not really needing a map, and not needing to familiarize oneself with the car because "all cars are pretty much the same." The participants had no problem picking up the intent of the skit after that, and the more experienced teachers laughed the hardest because they recognized themselves in mishaps we dramatized.

I spoke with a couple people afterwards to be sure all was understood, and they made connections I didn't even realize were there! It was a good example of the power of drama to address sensitive issues and change behavior.

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In Scene One, the driver and passenger are over-confident. They do not take the time to plan their route, or familiarize themselves with the operation of the car they have rented. The result is that when the unexpected happens, they cannot respond effectively. They become flustered, then frustrated, and eventually conclude that the journey did not go as planned due to their own lack of preparation.

In Scene Two, the driver and passenger are prepared and are much better able to effectively respond to changing conditions. They are relaxed and able to enjoy the journey, and look forward to repeating the experience.

One could say that:

• driver/passenger = children's class teachers
  car = lesson route/journey = class period
  road conditions = children's behavior/reactions in the class

The concepts above might also apply to tutoring a study circle.

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Why is driving a car like teaching children's classes?

Two people have arrived at the airport and rent a car to get to a conference.

Scene One

Driver: Did you get a map to the conference center?
Passenger: No - I glanced at the map on the wall. Seems pretty straightforward. We can just follow the signs. Wow, nice car they gave us!
D: Yeah, way better than mine.
[They get in and the driver starts the car.]
P: Aren't you going to get to know the instrument panel a little before you drive? Seems like there's a lot of new technology there.
D: Hey, one car is pretty much like the rest! Let's get going.
P: The freeway is that way. We just look for the exit to Palmer Street.
D: The seat is a little too close. I'll just adjust it a little [Seat back drops and the driver momentarily loses control.] Whoa!
P: Careful! You almost hit that van!
D: Sorry.
P: Okay. Hey, looks like rain.
D: Looks fine to me.
P: It's starting to sprinkle.
D: It's just a few drops.
P: It's getting harder. Turn on the wipers.
D: Ignore it.
[They drive in silence.]
P: It's really coming down. My gosh, is that hail? It's the size of grapes!
D: OK, OK! Now where's that switch? [Fumbles around with a knob.]
P: Arrgh! You opened the sunroof! Close it, close it!
D: OK - got it. Wipers on. Your hair is really messed up.
P: Thanks. I think I'll turn on the radio. [Fumbles with radio]
D: Was that just a sign for Palmer Boulevard?
P: Don't know - wasn't looking.
D: Do I take Palmer Boulevard? Didn't you say it was Palmer Street?!
P: Oh. Ummm. I'm not sure. Let me just get the paper out of my purse.
D: Hurry! It's coming up!
P: OK, OK! Here it is - it's Boulevard. There's the exit! Get over!
D: There are five lanes of traffic!
P: Whew! That was close. There's the conference center. We're there.
D: That's the worst drive I've ever taken - the traffic, the weather! And the car was so difficult to drive. On the way back, let's take a cab.

Scene Two

Driver: Did you get a map?
Passenger: Yup. We get on the freeway and take the Palmer Boulevard Exit -not to be confused with Palmer Street - and the conference center is right there. Wow, nice car they gave us!
Driver: Way nicer than mine. [They get in.] Hmm. Think I'll make a quick survey of the instrument panel. Wipers, AC, heat, sunroof! Let's open it! Just need to adjust my seat. There. Ready to go.
P: Look at that bridge crossing the river. What beautiful form!
D: And the skyline! This is really a beautiful city, full of parks and trees. The freeway is a bit congested but the drivers are so polite.
P: I think I felt a drop. It may be starting to rain.
D: I'd better close the sunroof just in case.
P: Good thing you closed it. Looks like it'll pour soon.
D: I'll just turn on the wipers.
P: The exit should be coming up.
D: Better get over to the right so I don't miss it.
P: Here it is - wow, it came pretty fast. Good thing we knew it was coming up or we would have missed it!
D: Here's the conference center. What a nice drive. I'm looking forward to the trip back! By the way, did I tell you that your hair looks great today?