The play opens with Elias trying to get his family to sit in a row so he can give a sermon.
Both Mother and Lucinda, Elias' wife are not amused with the situation and try to give feedback as to what is being said.
Elias tells a story of a man who lived in a house full of pots.
After finishing the rest of his sermon Father congratulates Elias on a job well done, while Mother and Lucinda are skeptical about the subject matter of the story.
Lucinda being a tin pot who does not follow god at all, Mother being a brass pot who is skeptical but still loves her son, Father who is silver who supports his son but is not as vocal, and finally Elias, the golden child, who trusts in god until the very end when he tries to save the others.
This story heavily uses the rule of three, which establishes the smallest pattern a person is able to recognize.
The rule of three is used heavily in bible verses, songs, stories, speeches and quotes.
Because of the small number it makes people remember the information for a longer period of time and helps the message stick.
[3] Because of this people have honored Marita Bonner's wishes and have not produced a published production of this play.