Title: “Peter, the apprentice”.
Author: Yanett Mora.
5 characters:
- Peter (10 year old boy).
- Mom (40 years old woman).
- Dad (45 year old man).
- Lucy (42 year old woman).
- Dora (40 year old woman).
Act I
Setting: Peter’s room.
Introduction: Peter was sleeping. It was his first day of work with his father in the family shoe store.
Mom: Peter, wake up honey! Your big day has arrived.
Peter: At last, Mom! At last I will learn the art of the family like daddy.
Mom: Peter, I want you to know that no matter what happens, you will always be my son and I will always be proud of you.
Mom hugs Peter and smiles.
Mom: Now Peter, let’s have breakfast! You have a big day ahead of you.
Act II
Setting: Peter’s family’s shoe factory.
Introduction: Peter’s dad was giving basic instructions to Peter from the shoe factory.
Dad: Well my son, at last you will learn the art of shoe making!
Peter: Yes Dad, I want to learn everything and make the most beautiful shoes ever!
Dad: Wow son, I love your attitude, but don’t go so fast. Shoe making is an art that takes time to learn. Notice how you must first have in mind the design you want to create and then carve it in wood, like this.
Peter watched carefully.
Dad: Now Peter, you try it.
Peter grabs the hammer and gets ready to hammer in his first nail.
Peter: OUCHHH!
Dad: Oh Peter, you hurt yourself, you hit yourself too hard with the hammer! What happened?
Peter (rubbing his finger): I think I didn’t aim well and instead of hitting the nail I hit my finger.
Dad: Well, don’t worry Peter, learning to nail takes time! Come on, try drawing the foot sizes we already have measurements for.
Peter goes to the other side of the workshop to sit and draw.
Five hours went by and Peter was still drawing, suddenly his father came in.
Dad: Well, Peter, I think that’s all for today! Let’s go home and have dinner with your mother.
Peter: Yes, Dad!
Act III
Setting: Peter’s kitchen.
Introduction: Dad, Mom and Peter were eating together.
Mom: So, tell me how Peter’s first day was.
Dad (Laughing): Well, Peter had trouble using the hammer and stubbed his toe.
Mom: Oh Peter, does it hurt?
Peter (embarrassed): No Mom, it doesn’t hurt. Don’t worry about it.
Mom: Well, Peter, it’s all right, the first day is always like that. You’ll learn little by little.
Act IV
Setting: Peter’s family’s shoe factory.
Introduction: Dad was still giving Peter instructions.
Dad: Well, Peter, today we will continue practicing with the hammer. Take one of the hammers on your right and drive these two nails into the sole of this shoe.
Peter (holding the hammer to his right): Yes, Dad!
Peter gets ready, takes a deep breath and all of a sudden….
OUCH!!!
Dad: But what happened Peter? Don’t tell me you stubbed your toe again.
Peter: Yes Dad, I stubbed my toe again, but this time on the finger of the other hand.
Dad: Well,Peter, this can’t happen all the time. And now the finger of the other hand? That way you won’t be able to learn quickly.
Peter felt quite embarrassed.
Dad: Come on, Peter, you’d better go back to the other side and keep drawing the carvings.
Peter went back to the other side of the workshop to draw.
Peter (Distressed): If I go on like this, I’ll never be able to advance and learn how to make real shoes. drawing won’t get me anywhere!.
Peter didn’t realize that his father was behind him, listening to him.
Dad: Peter, I know you feel bad for not being able to use the hammer properly, but you should know that every step in this workshop is as important as the last. If one were missing, you wouldn’t be able to make shoes.
Peter: I understand, Dad.
Act V
Setting: Peter’s family’s shoe factory.
Introduction: Peter was drawing while his dad was gluing some soles.
Dad: Peter, today marks one month since you’ve been working with me here at the factory.
Peter: That’s right, Dad.
Dad: You’ve made a lot of progress with your drawing, every design you’ve created has been to the clients’ liking.
Peter: That’s good, Dad!
Dad: What’s the matter, son? You don’t look very happy, and this are great news!
Peter: Yes, I am happy. But I don’t feel complete. It’s been a month and I haven’t been able to put a shoe together at all. I’d like to make you a proposal, Dad.
Dad: What is it, my son?
Peter: I wanted to know if you would give me the opportunity to divide my work. I spend the mornings drawing new designs and in the afternoons I dedicate myself only to putting the shoes together.
Dad: All right, Peter, I’ll give you the chance. I’m very glad you’re not giving up.
Peter (with a happy tone): Thanks, Dad! You’ll see I won’t let you down.
Dad: But don’t neglect the drawings!
Peter: I won’t, Dad!
Peter got organized and worked every day dividing his mornings between drawings and afternoons between failed hammerings.
Act VI
Setting: Peter’s family’s shoe factory.
Introduction: Peter was alone practicing with the hammer. Suddenly he hears his mother’s voice.
Mom: Peter, my son! It’s already dark and you’re still here working.
Peter: Mom, what are you doing here?
Mom: I came to bring you food, I know you haven’t eaten all day. It worries me to see you staying at the factory so late every day.
Peter: I know, Mom, it’s been a long time. But I feel like I finally have some good news.
Peter finishes polishing the shoes on the table.
Peter: Look, Mom.
Mom: Oh Peter, they are the most beautiful shoes I have ever seen. But… don’t tell me you made them.
Peter: Yes, Mom! Not only did I draw them, I also managed to glue the soles and nail the nails. It’s taken me day and night this whole month, but I’ve finally done it!
Suddenly, Peter’s father enters.
Dad: I’m very proud of you, Peter.
Mom and Peter are surprised to see Dad come in.
Dad: That’s how I started, my son. In fact, in the beginning it took me longer than it has taken you to learn to hammer. You have an enormous talent, you not only put your designs on paper, you also managed to carve them by hand. Effort always pays off.
Peter: Thanks Dad! And look, I made them for Mom! My first shoes are for you, Mom, do me the honor of trying them on.
Mom (trying on the shoes): Oh Peter, they are so cute, and they fit me perfectly. Not only that, they are really comfortable. I can’t wait to show them to all my friends.
Mom and Dad go over to Peter and hug him.
Act VII
Setting: Cafeteria in town.
Introduction: Peter’s mom is having tea with her friends.
Lucy: But what beautiful shoes you have on! Where did you buy them?
Mom: I didn’t buy them, my son made them.
Lucy: So your son has already learned the art of the family!
Mom: That’s right!
Dora (entering the cafeteria): But what beautiful shoes! Where did you buy them?
Lucy and Peter’s mother burst out laughing.
Mom: I didn’t buy them! My son made them for me.
Dora: But how wonderful! How much will he charge me to make me some? I’ll pay him any price!
Lucy: Make it two pairs! I want the same pair too.
Peter’s mother couldn’t feel prouder.
Act VIII
Setting: Peter’s family’s shoe factory.
Introduction: Peter was late at night working.
Mom: Peter! Here’s your lunch.
Peter: Thanks mom, put it there, I’ll eat!
Dad: Well, Peter, I think at this rate we’re going, we’ll need to hire more people, the shoes you gave your mom have been a big hit.
Peter (using the hammer like an expert): Yes, Dad! We are definitely going to need more helpers, yesterday I drew another sportier model and two friends have asked me for them.
Dad: I have to congratulate you, my son. You have made the business grow. Success in life depends on hard work to achieve our goals and luck. Luck we can’t control, but hard work can. You didn’t give up when you couldn’t use the hammer and you were tapping your fingers and instead of giving up, you decided to divide your time so you could practice. Only practice makes perfect.
Peter: But I’m already lucky, Dad, and that’s you! I’m lucky to have the best dad in the world.
THE END.