Writing Prompt: June 20 - "Create an origin story for a common saying, such as 'break the ice' or 'once in a blue moon'."

Once upon a time, there was a young boy who dreamed of being a tradesman.

He followed the master tradesmen of the town around to their jobs and observed with diligence what tools they used and how they accomplished their tasks through the day.

Following them around, he would commonly pick up bits and pieces of what they left behind.

He found tape and PVC from the plumber.

He found scrap wire and wire nuts from the electrician.

He found screws and chunks of drywall from the finisher.

He found dried mortar marbles and pieces of bricks from the mason.

He found nails and trimmings from two by fours from the carpenter.

Of all his collections, he treasured the nails and trimmings the most. The feel of the wood, the lovely clopping sound it made when clapped together, the sharp prick of the nail - it all called to him.

He decided, that day, he wanted to do that.

He stopped following the others and devoted all his time to watching the carpenter.

One day, the carpenter asked if the boy would like to help him frame a wall. He held a hammer out to the boy and pointed to where the join should go.

The boy held the nail to the wood on its side, and BAM, hit it with the hammer.

"Um", the carpenter said, "No. You won't do anything like that. The nail has to be pointy-side to the wood."

The boy put the pointy end of the nail to the surface of the wood, and BAM, brought the hammer across and the nail clattered away.

"Um...", the carpenter said, "No. You can't get the nail into the wood by smacking the side of it! You have to hammer down."

The boy thought to himself, "My, this is complicated, but I shant give up!"

The boy placed the nail back point-side to the wood. He raised the hammer high and brought it straight down with a mighty THUNK.

"Excellent!" the carpenter said. "You've hit the nail on the head!"

From that point on, the boy knew that though he might miss the first few times he did anything, he'd always work hard to eventually hit the nail right on the head.