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Usually when I tell this story, I don't use the rhyme scheme.  I follow the story line and interact with the audience whether that is on the streets, or in churches.  I use comedy and juggling as I act it out!  If you'd rather read it with the tricks the way I might do the routine click.

 

THE POOR RICH JUGGLER

by Nathan Dorrell

There once was a juggler from a far away place
Who had heard of America’s beauty and grace.
He remembered every detail he’d ever been told,
But the thing he liked most were the streets paved with gold.
So he saved every nickel, he saved every dime,
he saved every cent--one at a time.
It was a high price to pay; but he knew he could lick it--
He saved all his money and bought a boat ticket.
 
He said good-bye to his mom and his dad.
"Don’t be sad." he said, "It’s time to be glad.
For I’m going to America--the place in which--
Even a juggler can go and get rich!
When I return I’ll be the richest guy in our town
So start smiling and laughing and WIPE OFF THAT FROWN!"
 
He got on the boat and he sailed and he sailed
Across seas and across oceans; the waves never failed.
One day he saw the sight he was waiting to see--
Standing tall in the harbor--the Statue of Liberty.
He got so excited he leaped from the boat to the street.
To his disappointment, there was no gold at his feet.
Just like everyone else, He had to start out slow.
He found even in America, a juggler’s income is low.
 
But he worked hard, and got really good.
And he practiced every second he could.
He had the quickest hands of any juggler around--
No better juggler on the face of the earth could be found.
When it came to speed, there was nobody faster!
Known as the "King of Jugglers"--he was the master!
Proudly he wore his crown of balls on his head.
His costume--magnificent--from the finest of thread.
 
He impressed the Americans with lots of neat tricks
with rings, balls, boxes, clubs, knives and FIRE STICKS!
He could even roll a ball from one ear to the other
A trick that impressed everyone--even his mother.
He was rolling in money--success on each side!
At last it was time to return through the tide.
 
Fortunately, he realized that in his far away land
his American money wouldn’t even buy sand.
So he took all his money to buy something worth-while;
and he spotted that something before walking a mile.
It was the biggest most beautiful diamond on earth!
There was no telling just how much it was worth!
So he bought it; and it cost every penny he had.
But he knew it was worth it so he went away glad.
He packed up his bag and he got back on the boat.
He was headed for home with his diamond and tote.
 
But there was a man on the boat that recognized his face.
He had seen him performing some where or some place.
"When it comes to juggling I hear you’re the King.
I hear you can juggle almost anything!
If you’re really that good, I have one thing to say,
You ought to be able to impress me today."
 
With a confident smile the juggler said, "And I will.
You just stand right there and be still."
Then the juggler proceeded to juggle his best.
He sucked in his gut and stuck out his chest.
He took five balls and juggled them off the floor
Everyone watching was shouting for more!
Everyone that is except that one man--
He said, "I’m not impressed, you’ll have to do more.
If you’re truly the king--then don’t be a bore!"
 
So the juggler pulled more tricks from his bag.
He wasn’t even about to throw in the rag!
He juggled six rings as everyone cheered.
But I guess this guy was a little bit weird.
He said, "I’m not impressed, you’ll have to do more.
If you’re truly the king--then don’t be a bore!"
 
So he juggled five clubs and then seven balls in the air!
Everyone cheered, but this guy just wasn’t fair.
He still insisted, "You’ll have to do more.
If your truly the best--then don’t be a bore!"
 
The juggler even risked his life to impress that one man--
doing something not just anyone can.
He juggled three knives that were bigger than big.
Risking his life while dancing a jig.
Everyone cheered--except that one man--
He said, "I’m still not impressed, are you really the best?
You’ll have to do better if you want to pass this test!
As far as I’m concerned your just like the rest."
 
So the juggler announced that he was also the best balancer around.
Then without even making a sound,
he balanced nine blocks on the tip of his chin
Everyone cheered and thought he would win.
Everyone cheered, that is, except that one man.
He said, "Impress many, yes, I admit that you can.
But my expectations are higher since you are the best.
Do something spectacular and put this to rest!"
 
That was the last straw! The juggler reached deep into his pocket.
He pulled out the diamond, and it shown like a rocket.
He said, "I don’t miss, watch and you’ll see.
I’ll juggle my fortune and you’ll be amazed at me.
I’ll throw it so high it’s almost out of sight.
Then I’ll catch it and win this juggling fight.
 
So he took the diamond in his hand and threw it up high!
From what the crowd saw, it wasn’t a lie!
He caught it and kept juggling--and the man was almost impressed.
He said, "I’ll admit, you may be the best.
Throw it up out of sight--then I’ll admit that you’re the winner.
And then, I may even treat you to a victory dinner.
 
So the juggler took the diamond in his hand once again.
Everyone held their breath hoping he would finally win
And praying the diamond would land
In just the right spot in the juggler’s hand.
Then he threw the diamond up, way out of sight. . .
Would this be the end of this juggling fight?
As the diamond came back into sight, the boat lurched forward!
. . . the diamond fell into the ocean.
Everything the juggler had worked for in life was lost!
 
The moral of the story is:
If you put your faith in yourself--you throw your life away.
But if you put your faith in God--you have a new hope and new life each and every day!
Look at your life, in who’s hands does it fall?
God’s perfect hands have room for us all!
 
God sent Jesus so that we could put our lives into His PERFECT HANDS!
Won’t you believe in Him—rather than throw your life away?
"For God so loved the world. . ." John 3:16