SHEILA MAE PASCUA DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2022

ACTIVITY # 3

A. PIAGET’S STAGE OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

A FATHER’S LETTER

Leaving her dream of becoming a lawyer behind, Nancy, the only child of her parents, got married at the
age of 21. She harboured hopes for a happy life with her husband, Peter, but unfortunately, her
relationship was nothing less than a nightmare. After returning home from work every evening, Peter
would drink heavily and create a ruckus. One night, when Nancy served dinner, Peter, who had already
finished half a bottle of whisky, got so enraged that he threw the plate in the air and pushed her. “You
are worthless! You can’t even cook a nice meal!” He shouted in his drunken rage. Visually shaken and
devastated, Nancy felt that she couldn’t bear this torture anymore. Later that night when Peter passed
out after drinking, Nancy mustered the strength to escape.
She headed back to her family home where her brother David and his wife Angela lived. Although Nancy
had informed them about her return, they didn’t seem too pleased to see her. She took her bag and
went to her room where she had spent her life before getting married. To her surprise, everything
looked unfamiliar to her the cupboard with her toys and books was removed, and even her bed was
gone. Nancy broke down into tears and rushed to her father’s room, who had passed away a few years
ago, and opened his cupboard to find all her belongings neatly arranged on the bottom shelf.
She came across a diary and flipped through the pages filled with her father’s handwriting. She
discovered a letter that he wrote a day before he had passed away.

Dear Nancy,
I hope you are doing well. The last time I saw you, I felt that you were not happy. Although you tried to
conceal your sadness with a smile, I noticed your pain. I did not say anything but made peace with the
fact that my little girl is all grown-up and is very strong. Nancy, I want you to know that I am very proud
of you. But remember that you don’t have to sacrifice your happiness to make others happy. My only
regret is that you didn’t pursue your dream of becoming a lawyer. It’s not too late, my child. You can still
do it. I have complete faith in you.
I hope to see you soon. Stay well my dear and take care of your family.
Your papa.
Nancy was dazed. She felt as if her father was sitting next to her and saying those words. Her
tears turned into determination as she gazed at his photograph on the wall and said, Thank you, papa. I
will not let you down.
Ten years have passed since then. Today, Nancy is a successful lawyer and has a big office where
she deals with several clients daily. Every morning, before starting work, she takes out her father’s diary
and reads the letter that changed her life.