Mrs. Weera (an educated woman whom the Taliban forced out of her job)
Nooria (Parvana�s older sister)
Mother (The two girls� mother)
Parvana (The Breadwinner)
MRS. WEERA: Yes, it is the perfect solution. You will be able to fetch water without worrying.
MOTHER: If anyone asks who you are, we will say you are a cousin visiting from Jalalabad....and if anyone asks where you are, we will say you are visiting an aunt in Kunduz.
NOORIA: Oh, but don�t worry...no one will ask for you.
Parvana immediately gives her sister a dirty look. Then turns back to look at the adults in a pleading way.
PARVANA: It�ll never work....I have long hair; I don�t look like a boy.
Nooria rushes over to a cupboard door and pulls out a pair of scissors. She snaps them open and shut several times, seemingly excited by the entire plan.
PARVANA: (Pleading to the adults) No! Please don�t cut my hair! (She clutches her hair.) Cut Nooria�s hair!
NOORIA: No one would believe that I�m a boy. (She looks down at her body and smiles.)
Parvana shoots her another dirty look.
MRS. WEERA: Listen closely, Parvana. We cannot force you to do this. We can cut your hair by force, but you will still have to decide whether you go out there and act like a boy. It is entirely your decision, but know that we really need you to do this and that you are the only one who can. We know it is a tough decision, but I believe in you. What do you say?
Parvana is thoughtful...she then says:
PARVANA: All right...I�ll do it.
MRS. WEERA: You have made a wise choice, Parvana.
NOORIA: I�ll cut her hair.
Mother takes the scissors away and looks at Parvana.
MOTHER: I will cut your hair. Let�s do it now, Parvana. If you think about it some more, it will only be a more difficult decision.
Mother and Parvana go into the bathroom (offstage). Mrs. Weera and Nooria begin to prepare what will now be Parvana�s boy clothes.
Ellis, Deborah. 2000. The Breadwinner. CA: Publishers Group West. ISBN 0-88899-419-2.
