The Necklace

GUY DE MAUPASSANT

The Necklace

Once there was a lady named Matilda – pretty, young having desire to live luxury life, but she was born in the family of clerk. So having no dowry she was married to another clerk named Mr. Loisel . She was living simple life unhappy and unsuccessful in hiding her wish to be rich.

One day her husband wants her to take to a ball-party but she refuse to attend the party as having no dress. Her husband brought her a beautiful dress but the new problem was of no jewels she had. So she lend one necklace of diamonds from her rich friend Mme Forestier. At the day of ball Matilda was a great success. She was prettiest of all and enjoyed, danced and what not. She was very-very happy. In the morning she returned home and when she had her final look in the mirror she was very shocked to see that her necklace was lost. Mr. and Mrs. Loisel searched for the necklace everywhere but it was no-where.

Finally they got the new exactly same necklace for thirty-six thousand. They paid all saving of them which was eighteen thousand francs and borrowed the rest. Here starts the their miserable life of odious work for the repay the frightful debt. They were living poor life. Matilda now looked older after ten years because of heavy household work. She became cruel, harsh and irritated woman who speaks loudly. She often thinks of the night when she lost the necklace and that how small things can ruin or save one’s life.

One Sunday she meet her old friend Mme Forestier who was still young and pretty and disclose her the fact that she bought the new diamond necklace in thirty six thousand as she last her original necklace. She had to lend debt for this. At the end of the lesson Mme Forestier said her necklace was false and not worth over five hundred francs!

It was the shocking secret for Matilda and she regret a lot for this.

JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYACHARUWA, HARDA

THE NECKLACE….. A story of how small a thing will ruin or save

one!

…… GUY DE MAUPASSANT