“Puppet-Show Prayers,” Friend, Aug. 2026, 4–5.
Illustrations by Alice Marrollo. May be copied for Church use only.
Puppet-Show Prayers
What if Sonya missed the show?
A true story from Russia.
Benjamin skipped across the square. The sun was shining, and he was excited. His mom was taking him to the puppet theater! His friend Sonya would be there too.
Soon Benjamin and Mom were at the theater. “Where’s Sonya?” Benjamin asked.
Mom checked her watch. “Sonya’s grandma said they’d meet us here at six. They’ll probably get here soon.”
“OK.” Benjamin looked around. The theater lobby had glass windows with puppets on display. “Can we look at the puppets while we wait?”
“Sure.” Mom and Benjamin walked around to look at the puppets. One of them had pink hair. There was even a dragon puppet hanging from the ceiling!
But Sonya still didn’t come.
Benjamin started to worry. “Can we call them?”
Mom nodded and pulled out her phone. Benjamin listened to her talk to Sonya’s grandma. Then she hung up.
“They’re on the bus, but they’re stuck in traffic,” Mom said. “They’ll be here as soon as they can.”
Benjamin looked around. People were going toward the stage to sit down. “What if Sonya misses the show?”
“We just have to hope for the best,” Mom said. “Why don’t we say a prayer?”
“OK.” Benjamin folded his arms. “Heavenly Father, please help Sonya to make it here on time. We’re both really excited to watch the show.”
After their prayer, they waited a few more minutes. Then Mom said, “We should probably go sit down too.”
Benjamin trudged to the rows of cushy red chairs. There were hardly any empty seats left, so he put his jacket on the seats next to him to save them for Sonya and her grandma.
All the other children were ready for the show to start. But Benjamin kept looking at the door, hoping Sonya would come.
A theater worker began to close the door for the start of the show. Then, right at the last second, two people walked in. It was Sonya and her grandma!
Benjamin stood up and waved. “I prayed that you’d make it,” he said as Sonya sat down.
Sonya smiled. “Grandma and I prayed too while we were on the bus!”
Benjamin felt grateful. If Sonya had been late, it would have been OK. But it was a happy reminder that Heavenly Father loved them.
The curtains opened, and Benjamin and Sonya cheered. It was showtime!