CHARACTERS: Narrator, father, son (teenager), daughter (girl).
SETTING (The living room of a humble house.)
STORYTELLER. The total love of a father and his dedication to the home are the best example he can give to his children. In this story based on real events, we will be able to see the proof of it.
(The children enter the room. The son begins to study and the girl begins to play.)
STORYTELLER. Two years have passed since her mother passed away. The father has dedicated himself completely to his children and despite his poor economic situation, he has never allowed them to lack what they need.
(The girl jumps and jumps a lot.)
SON. Katty don’t jump so much, I don’t want you to get hurt! You know that my dad always asks me to take care of you until he comes back.
LITTLE GIRL. It’s okay! I’d better finish making this card for my dad (picks up the card he had left on the table.) We made it at church and all I have to do is finish painting it. I hope you like it! (She goes to work on the card.) You know? I am anxious that my dad will arrive soon. (He approaches the brother showing enthusiasm.) Because he promised me that he was going to buy me a doll!
SON. Again with the same thing! Don’t bother my dad anymore! You know that he hasn’t found a job for a long time and what he gets to give us he gets out of trinkets that he makes out there… And that’s not enough for him! We must show him the same understanding that he always shows us.
LITTLE GIRL. Right… (She turns serious.) You’re right.
DAD. (At that moment the father enters, happy and smiling.) Hello my little children! (He approaches them.)
LITTLE GIRL. Daddy daddy! (She comes running towards the father, excitedly.) You finally arrived! Here, daddy, happy day! (He gives her the card and hugs him.) By the way, daddy, (hesitating to ask him) Could you buy me the doll?
DAD. I’m sorry, my little girl! I couldn’t, but I’m saving little by little so I can buy more later, what do you think?
LITTLE GIRL. (She lovingly hugs her father.) It’s okay, daddy, it doesn’t matter!
DAD. Well kids, I’m going to prepare lunch, here I brought something delicious to prepare (shows a bag) Are you hungry yet?
SON. Yes, dad, yummy!
LITTLE GIRL. Yes, and you cook so well, daddy!
DAD. Well, then, go finish your homework while I prepare the food…
SONS. Okay!
(They all leave the stage.)
STORYTELLER. Five years have passed and the love and dedication of this father have not changed and he has always been a man concerned with giving the best example to his children knowing the essentials of a Christocentric life. The father, always struggling with his bad situation, kept not getting a stable job. One day his delivery to God and his children was put to the test, let’s see what happened.
DAD. (She enters the stage, she sits in the living room and reads a newspaper or magazine; the phone rings and the father answers.) Hello! Yes? (…) Yes, with the same speech. (…) How are you? To the times that I know about you… How have you been? (…) Well, I…? Not as well as I would like… My son is already studying at a Higher Institute to prepare himself and get a good job. He’s looking but still can’t get anything… Me? Well… I still don’t get something stable, but God has never allowed us to lack what is necessary… How? You have a job for me…!
(He stands up excitedly, turning his back on the door through which the characters enter. The children enter the room, but seeing that the father is busy, they stand there waiting for the father to stop talking. The father continues talking; he agrees. backs to the children and does not see that they are there.)
DAD. Will I be able to earn thousands of dollars? (Admired.)
(The children show admiration.)
DAD. In that way? What is it about? (Suspiciously.) Take a parcel to another country? What kind of assignment? What do I have to bring? (…) How! Re crazy! I would never do that! (…) Never in my life have I even taken drugs in my hands!
(The children look at each other and scared put their hands to their mouths and faces.)
DAD. NEVER! Although you offer me riches, goods, cars and get out of this poverty from one day to the next; I owe myself to God and to my children. What example would you set for them if you did that? I’d rather starve than the Lord and my children see me doing it! Did you know? (Hurrying up.) Excuse me but I have to hang up, bye! (Hangs up and sits down.)
(The sons approach the father excitedly, sit next to him and hug him.)
SON. (Very happy and excited.) You know? I have good news for you. I already got a job, today I signed a contract!
DAD. What joy, son, how good! Congratulations! (She pats him.)
SON. (Putting her hand on his shoulder.) Thanks, Dad! Imagine, now I can help you with household expenses and our situation will improve. And now I can also help you, naña, in whatever you need. (He looks at her, addressing her.) And I owe it all to God who gave me a father like you. If it weren’t for your dedication and the example you’ve always given us, I wouldn’t be what I am.
DAD. (Excited.) Thank you son!
DAUGHTER. Yes Dad! I am also proud to have you as a father. Your love and Christian example are the best gift you have given us in life. (Hugs father.)
SON. It’s true, we are happy that God has given us a father like you.
DAD. (Recovering from her emotion.) Well, well… Thank you for those words, children, but… I think you guys are already hungry, right? (It smiles.)
SONS. If true. (They smile.)
SON. How about if I invite you to eat out to celebrate my first job?
Father and daughter. Yeah come on!
(They all leave the stage happily talking.)
STORYTELLER. Happy is the home where the love of Christ governs the heart of a father and by whose example the children are guided in the paths of the Lord. His Holy Word says this: “presenting yourself in everything as an example of good works, in teaching showing integrity, seriousness”. God bless parents and their selfless work in our lives!