The Crimson Silk of Discord
When news spread that the prince was hosting a ball, the house was filled with nothing but excited chatter. Cinderella's stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella, had received an invitation, and their excitement was unbearable. As Cinderella swept the hearth, she could hear them daydreaming. "Imagine the palace! Imagine the jewels! Imagine the prince!" they chirped, completely ignoring their wardrobes already overflowing with expensive gowns.
"None of these are elegant enough!" Anastasia declared, tossing a velvet dress into the air. "We must have something new, something spectacular!" Drizella nodded eagerly, and in a flash, they summoned the most renowned tailor in the kingdom. A short, bald little man with a curly grey mustache arrived, carrying his most prized fabrics.
He unrolled them carefully: a satin as blue as the night sky, a lace as delicate as a spider's web. But both sisters' eyes immediately fell upon a single roll of silk. It was a deep crimson red, woven with threads of real gold that shimmered like fire. It was a fabric that seemed alive, and a dress made from it would surely capture the prince's attention.
Both reached out to touch it. "I want it!" shrieked Anastasia. "No, it's mine! It matches my hair better!" Drizella retorted. The tailor, seeing a storm brewing, smiled nervously. "Ladies," he said, "I'm afraid I only have this one roll of this most precious silk. It is just enough for a single, magnificent gown."
Those words were like a spark to gunpowder. Anastasia grabbed one end of the fabric, Drizella the other. "Let go! I saw it first!" "It's not true, it's mine!" They began to pull, each towards herself, in a furious, undignified struggle. Cinderella, watching from the doorway, held her breath. The tailor grew pale.
Suddenly, a horrible sound echoed through the room: a sharp, final RIIIP! The magnificent crimson silk split into two ruined, useless pieces. The sisters stared, mouths agape, each holding a tattered scrap of fabric. Silence fell. They had fought so hard to have it all that, in the end, they had nothing. The tailor, shaking his head sadly, packed his things and left, leaving them alone with their foolishness and their shattered dreams.
Moral Values and Lessons
- Selfishness Leads to Ruin: By wanting the fabric all to themselves, the sisters ended up with nothing. Selfishness often makes us lose the very thing we desire.
- The Importance of Sharing: If they had found a way to share or compromise, they could have created something beautiful. Sharing creates opportunities, while greed destroys them.
- Vanity Makes You Foolish: Their desire to be the most beautiful made them silly and argumentative, causing them to act irrationally.
- True Elegance is on the Inside: The story suggests that a beautiful dress cannot hide an ugly character. Kindness and grace are more important than any fabric.
Story Questions
Comprehension Questions
- Why were the stepsisters so excited at the start of the story?
- Even though they had many dresses, why did they want new ones?
- Describe the red fabric that both sisters wanted.
- What did the tailor say that started the fight?
- What was the final result of their fight over the fabric?
Critical Thinking Questions
- What could the sisters have done to solve the problem peacefully? Think of at least two solutions.
- Do you think the tailor expected them to fight? Why or why not?
- In what way did the sisters' behavior make them "ugly," even though they wanted to be beautiful?
Personal Connection Questions
- Have you ever argued with someone over the same thing? How was the situation resolved?
- What does "being generous" mean to you?
- Do you think it's more important to have nice things or to be a kind person? Explain why.
Fun Activities
- Design Your Dream Gown: Imagine you've been invited to the ball. Draw the gown or suit you would wear. What color would it be? What fabric?
- The Creative Solution: With a friend, imagine you are the sisters, but this time you are wise and kind. How could you use one piece of fabric to create two beautiful, coordinating outfits? Draw your ideas.
- Act It Out: Perform the scene with a friend or family member. Try to show the sisters' emotions: excitement, greed, anger, and finally, disappointment.