Shannen Anne Malubay

Bachelor of Arts in Literature – 2A

Sweet Child Play based on The Golden String (original story)

Characters:
Maria
Maria’s Mom
Mrs. Santos
Golden Fairy/ Narrator

/Curtains Open/
Golden Fairy: Once in the earlier times, there was magic. Magic that is not necessarily as witches
and wizards combined but rather something within us. It was said that the moment we were born,
we earn a golden string that is only seen by the one who wanted and follows it. Others were
given the chance to find the string at such an early age but some got lost in finding it and ended
up not able to find it. The golden string was said to lead you to a happiness no one could describe
how it feels. Now, let’s follow Maria, a young girl following her dreams.
Setting: Home
- Maria came in to the center stage -
Maria: Mom, have you heard of the golden string? All my classmates say it’s real because they
have one. Do you have one as well?
Maria’s mom was busy… not looking at her own child, she replied
Maria’s Mom: Yes, I did hear of it when I was young but don’t waste your time my love. The
golden string is not real.
Maria didn’t ask anymore and thought to herself – faced the audience and asked.
Maria: How does it feel to have one?

-Lights dim-

Setting: Classroom
Teacher comes in.
Mrs. Santos: Hello, class! Today, we’re going to talk about dreams, your dreams to be exact. I
need you to stand up and tell me what your dream starting from…
A student interrupted and stood up.
Student 1: What was your dream, Mrs. Santos?
Mrs. Santos: I know that all of you has heard of the golden string. I know as well that you kids
have a golden string. I have mine and I get to reach the end of the golden string. Look where it
got me – a teacher. Now my advice for you kids is to always follow the string to wherever it
takes you; it will be difficult but it’ll be worth the happiness it gives you in the end. So, who here
has their golden string.
Everyone cheered and excited – raised their hands except one, Maria.
One by one, they stood up, stated their dream until they got to Maria.
Maria slowly stands up and takes a deep breath, thinking of what she’s going to say.
Mrs. Santos: Yes, Maria?
Everyone looked at Maria, waiting, equally curious.
Maria: Golden String. My dream is to find my golden string.

-Lights dim-

Setting: Street
Golden Fairy: On their way home as they pass from shop to shop, there was one in particular that
caught her attention. She stopped by the window pane, and her mom continued walking by
herself. Unlike any shop that’s full in color, this one was old and unwelcoming; there were few
who came in and unlike its depressing aura, people somehow took interest to come inside, and
the glow in their eyes can’t deny it as they pick up books that come in sizes from the shelves.
Despite the appearance of the said bookshop, Maria seems to be out in frenzy when she just
realized something. In her point of view, the place looks ravishing, all the details were enhanced,
the shelves were golden, books which were once old and dusty are now new with gold edges,
and lastly, there it was – the golden string hanging by the door knob. Maria was stunned, unable
to process what it meant, denying herself that it was indeed the golden string.
Maria’s Mom: Maria!
Maria: I FOUND IT. I FOUND THE GOLDEN STRING, MOM!
Maria’s Mom: What are you talking about? Golden string is not real, Maria! It’s a myth. Don’t
waste your time chasing for something that isn’t real. Focus on your studies instead.
Golden Fairy: Maria was disappointed. She never saw it again. She didn’t mention about it for a
day, for a month, and for years until…
-Lights dim-

Setting: House

Maria’s Mom: What do you want to be when you grow up, Maria? I think it is time for you to
think about it now that you’re going to be a freshman.
Maria: I haven’t thought about it, to be honest.
She lies.
She knows her mom has other plans for her.
Her mom’s face lit up.
Maria’s Mom: An architect. I want you to become an architect. It pays well, they say.
But before her mom can even finish, she interrupted.
Maria: I want to be a writer.
Maria’s mom: A writer? It doesn’t pay well, Maria. It takes a great skill to become a writer. Plus,
it’s a gamble. Please be practical for once in your life. Look at your cousins, they are successful,
they are rich now.
Maria’s mom walked out.
Maria faced the audience and asked.
Maria: But are they happy?
-Lights dim-

Setting: Coffee shop

Golden Fairy: Years passed, she’s now a third year in college, and never once did she think
about her golden string since. Maria was in a coffee shop, doing her research when suddenly she
noticed a woman in her early 40s across the table – a familiar person, who was staring in wonder
at her.
Maria looked up and decides to ask the lady.
Maria: Can I help you or something, Ma’am?
Turns out, it was Mrs. Santos
Mrs. Santos: I’m sorry, that’s a rude of me. I don’t think you remember me, you were still a child
back then. I was your second-grade teacher, Mrs. Santos.
Maria: Oh my God, Mrs. Santos. I’m sorry. I do remember you, it’s just that I’m a bit pre-
occupied lately. How are you? It’s so great to see you, Ma’am. Have a seat!
Mrs. Santos: You were so young back then. Well, I’m doing fine now. I’m still teaching second
grade. How are you doing? I was staring at you back there, because how could I forget that
innocent child who made an impression to me. I assume you already got your dream.
Maria, slightly got triggered of the thought of not having her dream achieved.
Maria: Yes, I did. I’m actually studying to become an architect. I guess I grew up.
Mrs. Santos: I still can’t forget what you said back then. Your dream was to find the golden
string. Is that your golden string?
Maria smiles.
Maria: No. I don’t believe them anymore, Mrs. Santos.
Mrs. Santos held her hand, and something in her was stunned.
Before she could even blink, Mrs. Santos was gone.
That was the moment she knew, it was her – the golden fairy.
remembered, then Mrs. Santos was gone before she could even blink.
Golden Fairy: Yes, it was I. And so, Maria, without having second thoughts, gathered all her
things and ran outside to look for something. There was something oddly going on inside her
head when I held her hand – she remembered everything, the place where she saw the golden
string. She tried to track down everywhere, until she found the place across the street. She found
me right by the door where the golden string is.
All’s well that ends well, Maria followed her golden string and when she opened that door, she
felt happiness she could not describe.