I tried the "shoeshine" gag tonight on my sister. I smiled and asked her "Would you like me to shine your shoes?" She said to me "You're up to something." I giggled. She then said "What's up your sleeve". I said "Deodorant". She said "I mean what's in your mind." I said "My brains". She said "You're not funny."

She the informed me that her shoes are sneakers, and you can not shine sneakers. I said, "Your boots then". And was then notified that her boots are suede, and you can't shine them either.

Then just when I thought that the routine was going to be a disaster, she delivered the perfect straight line. She told me, "If you want to shine shoes, shine your own. That way if you ruin them, it will be your pair and not mine." So I said with determination, All right I'll do it. I'll show you." I marched up to the foyer, picked up my shoes, set them down in front of her, and said "I will now shine my shoes." I reached into my pocket, pulled out a pocket flashlight, pointed it at my shoes, and turned it on. "I knew it was a trick!" I knew it!", she exclaimed. I asked her, "Was it good"?

And she smiled, and said "yes", and then laughed.

P.S. If you are a clown minister, you can mention afterwords that the light of the world is Jesus, and that we are to be a reflection of Him. Just like the flashlight reflects off the shoes.