Sunrise Story

A short story written by Deborah R. de Souza of Singapore.

A gentle yet powerful monologue about leaving the familiar and stepping into a calling greater than oneself. Sunrise tells the emotional journey of a young woman who must say goodbye to the only life she’s ever known — her village, her family, even a suitor who loves her — as she answers the quiet, relentless voice of God calling her forward.

Set in a small town filled with colorful memories and endearing characters, this piece explores themes of identity, purpose, sacrifice, and spiritual courage. With vivid storytelling and poetic reflection, this 10–12 minute drama captures the moment where faith meets destiny.

Perfect for women's ministry events, missions-themed services, or dramatic readings, Sunrise reminds us that when we trust God's calling, the journey ahead is not an ending — it’s a beautiful beginning.

Scene Setup: "The Hilltop Farewell"

Backdrop / Set Ideas:

• Painted or projected backdrop of a countryside village with a sunrise sky
• Optional house silhouette (cardboard cutout or distant lighting) representing “the house on the hill”

Props & Visual Elements:

• Old suitcase or travel bag – Symbol of the journey and personal choice
• Basket of faux wildflowers – She places or holds them as a farewell gesture
• Simple altar table with a small cross or candle – Symbolizes faith and her mother’s traditions
• Rocking chair or bench – Could represent her home porch, used during memories
• A pair of old shoes – Represent Zack, left behind to symbolize her decision
• Long scarf or shawl – Wind-blown movement, adds visual flow and emotion

Optional Characters (Non-speaking or with minimal lines):

• Father – Appears near the end, gives the blessing line “I’m proud of you”
• Sarah – Brief silent walk-by during memory section
• Zack – Stands in background during the paragraph about his love and proposal

🎶 Sound & Mood:

• Soft ambient music – Instrumental strings or piano to underscore emotional shifts
• Birdsong or wind chimes – Gentle nature ambiance
• Sound of a distant car – Cue for final scene arrival

Sample of story

CHARACTER:
Young Woman – standing at the top of a hill, suitcase by her side, gazing at her home.

SETTING:
Simple stage with a countryside backdrop, a house silhouette upstage, and a faint sunrise glow. A small basket of flowers sits nearby.

YOUNG WOMAN
(She turns slowly to face the house. Her voice is soft, reflective.)

She turned and looked at the house.
(Pause)
The house on top of the hill stared back at her.

(She steps forward slightly, eyes distant.)

For the past fifteen years, this had been her home. She knew how every lane, road, and path curved and bent. She knew exactly where each one would take her, and what she would see as she traveled along each one of them.

(She kneels, picks up the flower basket, cradling it gently.)

The fields that bordered these roads were always filled with flowers of every colour one could imagine.
She had gathered them, put them in vases, and placed them on the dining table so her home would look nice.
She even collected them and placed them at her altar.

(Soft smile, remembering.)

Her mother always said it was important to show the Lord how much you loved Him by doing little things like this.
(She sighs)
And despite all that, she never thought it important to know the names of these flowers.
(Pause)
How sad.

(She looks out at the audience.)

Now as they waved their good-byes to her, she felt a hand clutch her heart.
Yellow, purple, pink—even blue.
They all had names.
They knew her... but she never thought to know them.
(Softly)
And now, she would never know…

(She slowly stands and looks downstage, as if seeing the village below.)

The small village, with its three hundred and twenty-seven—well, twenty-eight people now that little Toby had made his entrance into the world—had been her world since she was five.

(Slight chuckle, remembering.)

It had been a huge place when she had first seen it. Everything was huge—
The grocery store... the shops with their porcelain coloured mannequins and out-dated fashion...
The Library with its very limited editions...
And the Church—with, at that time, round-faced and belly Father Albert Jenkins.

(Smirking)
He now looked tired and worn out, still sharing the same stories, giving the same homilies.
Even a glance at the opposite sex would render a girl pregnant!

(She laughs—genuinely—then softens into a warm smile.)

(Looks to the right side of the stage)
She looked to her right—at another house.
Sarah’s house.
Sweet Sarah.
Her first and best friend.

(She pauses, moved by the memory.)

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.