Written by Scott Feraco, based on the lesson from The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide by Linda Kavelin Popov.
INT. LIVING ROOM.
A MOTHER sits on the floor with her 6-year old SON as he plays with his SUPER HERO ACTION FIGURES—
MOTHER
Super heroes have “noble qualities”. They practice virtues like
Courage, Justice and Trustworthiness.
SHOT: The mother picks up an action figure and speaks in her best super hero voice—
MOTHER
We are trustworthy! People can count on us! They can believe in us!
SHOT: On the son—
SON
Super heroes save the world!
MOTHER
That’s right. When people are trustworthy, we can relax and feel safe,
knowing they will keep their promises.
SHOT: CLOSE UP ON the super fero action figures.
MOTHER (V.O.)
Without trustworthiness, agreements and promises don’t mean anything.
When we practice trustworthiness, people don’t have to check on us
to see if we are doing something we promised to do.
Trustworthiness is the key to success in anything we do.
SHOT: The mother puts her arm around her son.
MOTHER
You know, you can be a super hero, too, if you
practice virtues like trustworthiness.
The mother leaves her son to play alone.
SHOT: SLOW ZOOM TO CLOSE UP on the boy. His mother’s words echo in his mind—
MOTHER (V.O.)
You know, you can be a super hero, too…
CUT TO:
A SUPER HERO CARTOON plays on the TV.
The son sits on the couch watching the cartoon—his super hero action figures at his side.
SHOT: The mother enters with a bowl of grapes.
MOTHER
Here are some grapes. Please practice moderation and don’t eat too many, okay?
SON
Okay.
MOTHER
No more than six, okay?
SON
Okay. I promise.
MOTHER
Can you keep your promise? When you are trustworthy,
you stop and think before making a promise…
to be sure it is something you really want to do.
She sets down the bowl of grapes and leaves the room.
SHOT: She watches from around the corner as her son enjoys his grapes—
SHOT: On the son as he eats grapes—
SON
(Talking to his action figures)
Grapes are so good… too bad you’re not a boy like me…
one more… how many have I had? Three more…
He eats three more—a total of six.
SON
I want more…
SHOT: The son pulls the bowl of grapes closer… closer… closer… he reaches… and picks up the bowl of grapes.
He takes the bowl of grapes to the kitchen, sets them down on the counter.
He returns to his action figures—
SON
We keep our promises…
SHOT: HIGH ANGLE of the boy sitting on the couch watching the super hero cartoon on TV.
MOTHER (V.O.)
When you are trustworthy, you have integrity.
Some day when you grow up you’ll be a real hero.
You’ll be someone that can be trusted.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE V CHANNEL 