Don’t Be Stubborn (A Short Play)
Sandra is proving too stubborn to handle. Mrs. Amy, head proprietress and teacher, calls for the attention of her parents. She consequently realizes the root behind Sandra’s problem.
Characters
Sandra Pupil
Mrs. Amy Proprietress
Mr. George Sandra’s Father
Mrs. George Sandra’s Mother
Office of Mrs. Amy
Mrs. Amy is on seat to engage Mr. and Mrs. George over Sandra’s behavior. Sandra is present.
Mrs. Amy: It has to come to my notice that Sandra’s stubbornness calls for serious concern. All teachers, including me, have complained about her anomaly. Initially, I thought it was one of those things children put up for show. But when all the teachers began complaining of this same attitude of hers, I had no choice other than to call your attention. We’ve tried our best but it appears our very best is not good enough. Tell me, what else can I do?
Mrs. George: First, I salute your judgment. As a seasoned educationist and counselor, your words are esteemed and no doubt, have been tested and trusted. Mr. George, what else can we do? [Mrs. George uses her eyes to cynically stare at her husband from head to toe. Mrs. Amy notices, as does Sandra. Mr. George refuses to stare back]
Mr. George: Thank you very much for your observation. Mrs. Amy, I must say, my greatest decision for Sandra is enrolling her into your very school. I see that learning with character plays a role in the formative years in a child’s life. However, as in the case of my daughter’s demeanor, the saying ‘’there is no smoke without fire’’ holds true.
Mrs. George: What did you just say?
Mr. George: Guilty conscience fears accusation! Learn to read my lips, woman!
Mrs. George: Are you covertly saying I’m the very cause of our daughter’s stubbornness?
Mr. George: Why do you want to create a scene?
Mrs. George: You’re very funny, you know.
Mr. George: You started with your cantankerous lifestyle. It’s all in your DNA!
Mrs. George: You are the cause of the problem affecting our daughter!
Mr. George: Go ahead, woman! Put the blame on me! Always deflective in your approach to issues like this…
Mrs. George: Tell me, we’ve been at loggerheads over so many issues. Now, you’ve chosen to wash our dirty linens in public. Mr. Man, man up!
Mr. George: You’ve started what you can’t finish. You chose to let the cat out of the bag. So, let the cat roam freely.
Mrs. George: You failed to recognize our daughter is hearing all what we’ve been saying, word for word.
Mr. George: I should be saying the same thing to you. Why are you so stubborn? I guess your daughter is your carbon copy. I guess she isn’t your daughter, right? By their fruits, you shall know them.
Mrs. George: You sowed the seed. So, whose fruit?
Mr. George: You’re something else. Was this you I got married to?
Mrs. George: Of course, yes.
Mr. George: In case you don’t know, each time I wake up from sleep and set my eyes on you every morning [points his index finger at her] I regretted being married to you.
Mrs. George: Hmm…How am I expected to feel? Mmmm… ‘’sorry’’, right? No way! Let me let you know now. Do you know the reason I prove recalcitrant to your instructions most times? It’s simply what you just started!
Mr. George: We all know the fire causing the smoke.
Sandra: Dad, Mom, keep quiet. You’re making much noise!
Mr. George: I’m sorry, sweetheart. It’s just that your mommy has really gotten on my nerves! I warn you, woman, don’t be stubborn!
Mrs. George [looks at her daughter, and then looks at him]: You mean Sandra? Oh not me… Are you talking to me?
Mr. George: You’ve gone bunkers!
Mrs. George: You can say that again, even in the presence of your own daughter!
Mrs. Amy: Decorum! Quiet! Sit down! I’m older than both of you! Sit down just like your daughter is sited. For her sake, at least, show or pretend to have courtesy.
Mr. George: I’m sorry
Mrs. George: I apologize, Mrs. Amy.
Mrs. Amy: You’d better be! It’s obvious why Sandra is proving too stubborn to handle, at even five years of age!
Mrs. George: Again, I sincerely express my apologies. If not for Mr. George…
Mr. George: Woman, watch what you say!
Mrs. George: What will you do?
Mrs. Amy: Shut up! Listen up! Act for once as grown adults. Why would you talk about your differences in the presence of your daughter? That’s not proper!
Mr. George: It wasn’t intended
Mrs. Amy: So…
Mrs. George: He’s always fond of talking aloud
Mrs. Amy; Are you any different from him?
Mrs. George: No comment
Sandra: Mom, Dad, this is Mrs. Amy’s office.
Mrs. Amy: Thanks Sandra. Your daughter knows what it means to comport oneself. Why can’t you grown adults behave?!
Mrs. George (upset): With all due respect, madam, I plead with you to watch what you’re saying to me.
Mr. George: Have you extended it to her? Remember those days when you told me she’s your mentor.
Now, you appear to act otherwise.
Mrs. George: How is it your concern, man?
Mrs. Amy: Sandra, I think you have to go class. Your mathematics teacher will be in class in the next five minutes [checks her wrist-watch]
Sandra: Okay, Mrs. Amy.
Mr. George: Dear, you have to go [parts Sandra on her back]
Mrs. George: Princess, you have to go to class. Let daddy and mummy handle matters.
Sandra: Okay.
[Sandra leaves their presence]
Mrs. Amy: ‘’Charity’’, the saying goes, ‘’begins at home’’. No wonder Sandra is very stubborn! When you want to settle your differences, do you do it in her presence?
Mrs. George: I take complete exception to what you’ve just said
Mrs. Amy: That’s the reason for your daughter’s unruly behavior!
Mr. George: Yes, Mrs. Amy. But I don’t believe my daughter is unruly. She’s just…
Mrs. Amy: Yes…Say it…
Mrs. George: Mrs. Amy, how is it your business?
Mrs. Amy: I’m her teacher. Learning with character is the bedrock of my teaching. It’s too young for an Elementary School pupil like Sandra to depict stubbornness. But it’s crystal-clear where she got it from
Mr. George (Looks sternly at his wife): You see what you’ve just caused…Sandra is just like you! Like mother, like daughter! Just a chip off the old block!
Mrs. George: Who sowed the seed into my womb that begat the experience, Sandra? [Sighs]
Mr. George: I’m not surprised at all
Mrs. Amy: Mr. and Mrs. George, learn to act as married couples.
Mrs. George: Mrs. Know it all, how do we act as married couples?
Mr. George: How is it your matter? Mr. Man, I asked her a question, not you! So shut up!
Mrs. Amy: Okay. Mr. and Mrs. George, please keep quiet. To your question, Mrs. George, you and your husband have to ensure that Sandra is not around or present when there is a heated argument between you two. You can NOW see with your very own eyes why Sandra is stubborn.
Mrs. George: I’ve known you for quite sometime now and you may think we’re married, though not happily married, right?
Mrs. Amy: Yes. I know you’re married. As regards not happily married, that, to me, is subjective.
Mrs. George: On the contrary, I want to burst your bubble.
Mr. George: Go ahead. Let the whole world know our LITTLE SECRET!
Mrs. George: Thank you, Mr. Man. Mrs. Amy, my so-called husband and I are contemplating on divorcing each other.
Mr. George: She has a point.
Mrs. Amy (shocked): What? You never told me anything like this before. Despite our relationship and knowing I’m a marriage counselor, neither you nor her deem it fit to tell me. Hope Sandra isn’t aware of this.
Mrs. George: She’s my daughter and I do know for a fact that our divorce won’t affect her
Mrs. Amy: Really?
Mrs. George: You can take what I said to the bank!
Mr. George: If my so-called wife is granted custody of Sandra, she will grow up to be that woman society would detest because of how stubborn she’d really be.
Mrs. George: That’s your opinion.
Mrs. Amy: Do you think divorce is the best option to end the rift?
Mr. George: Yes. Since she’s turned deaf ears to my words, I’m left with no choice other than calling our marriage quits!
Mrs. George: This action of yours, Mr. Man, is one that I’ll easily harken to. You’ll make my day!
Mr. George: I can see what you have in mind
Mrs. George: Mind reader! Goodness knows what you have in yours.
Mrs. Amy: If you divorce each other, how would Sandra’s stubbornness become a thing of the past? I’m asking both of you.
Mrs. George: That’s none of your business, Mrs. Marriage Counselor!
Mr. George: I must admit it’s going to be difficult. But when the bridge is gotten to, it will be crossed over.
Mrs. Amy: What a response from you, Mr. George!
Mrs. George: That’s my stand-point. Period!
Mrs. Amy: I see. I appreciate your response, Mr. George.
Mr. George: You’re welcome.
Mrs. Amy: I know time of the essence. But would you mind me telling you story.
Mrs. George: If it relates, I’m listening.
Mrs. Amy: It does a great deal.
Mrs. George: Ride on. But being succinct would be most appropriate.
Mr. George: Go on, please
Mrs. Amy: Good. You remind me, Mrs. George, of who I was when I was married…newly married and, even after ten years of marriage.
Mrs. George: I’m surprised at what you just asserted. Are you trying to lure me into the story proper?
Mr. George: Mrs. Amy is talking. So, pay at attention.
Mrs. George: I ask you, Mr. Man, how is it your business? Remember, she mentioned my name.
Mr. George: Don’t forget the issue is Sandra’s stubbornness.
Mrs. George: So…
Mr. George: Please, listen to what Mrs. Amy has to say!
Mrs. Amy: I was so stubborn to my husband that I got separated from him seven times within two years of marriage.
Mr. George: Wow!
Mrs. George: Go on…Very interesting
Mr. George: That’s what you like to hear
Mrs. George: What was your ‘Wow’ reaction all about? Please, sir, learn to listen. Remember, she’s talking!
Mr. George: Ok
Mrs. Amy: The result of my very stubborn attitude was seen in the life of my daughter, who, at six years of age, ran out of school because her teacher attempted scolding her for being stubborn; only to get hit by a hit-and-run driver…running at top speed [shedding tears] my daughter became paralyzed. Each time I engaged my husband in an argument, my stubbornness wouldn’t allow me put away my daughter out of the picture. Instead, she would watch us trade words. As fate would have it, however, my husband and I later reconciled and decided to stay happily married. But what I had to endure were my daughter’s incessant stubbornness which she, in a way, took from me in her formative years and the disturbing psychology of her lame state. Years on, I realized more often than not, daughters end up being like their mothers. No wonder the saying, ‘’Like mother, like daughter’’ can’t be disputed.
[Mrs. George sighs]
Mrs. Amy: I wouldn’t want the incessant complaints by my teachers about her demeanor be heard again. I wouldn’t want your daughter to influence her classmates with her behavior. Don’t you know that evil communication corrupts good manners? A word is enough for the wise! I take my leave. See you next time.
Mr. George: Sweetie, or sorry, woman, this’ a time well-spent.
Mrs. Amy: Yes. You couples should stand strong, believe in each other, communicate positively and settle your differences amicably so that your story won’t end up like mine. Sandra won’t end up like my daughter.
Mr. George: Food for thought.
Mrs. George: What a touching story. More powers to your elbows. Thanks for your counsel.
Mrs. Amy: You’re welcome. Please tell your daughter’s stubbornness doesn’t pay by trusting and communicating positively with each other. But you have to lead my example. Children learn faster by the examples or lifestyle their parents exhibit. So, settle your differences amicably and ensure she’s not present in the rift that could ensue. Mrs. George, try to be submissive to your husband. Mr. George, try to love your wife. You’ll then see how lovely your Sandra would be, behavior-wise. Your NEW lifestyle will always remind her: ‘’don’t be Stubborn!’’
Mr. George: Thank you, Mrs. Amy.
Mrs. George: We’ll work on it together. Mr. Man, what do you think?
Mr. George (nods his head in agreement, though frowning): Yes.
Mrs. Amy: Good. Let’s see an obedient Sandra…
[Mrs. Amy ushers them out of her office. She goes to the school’s library to read. Mr. and Mrs. George leave for home.]
After three months…
Mr. and Mrs. George reconciled their differences and decided to stay married. They began communicating positively with and trusting each other (with Sandra witnessing) and settling their differences (Sandra being not of the picture). Sandra’s turning a new leaf became glaring as she was awarded the Most Well-Behaved Student in school.