Introduction
This distinctively English tale has a lot of Cinderella in it, but in some ways it is a richer story, framed by an Aesop-like moral and not cluttered by magic.
A WEALTHY man was determined to find out which of his three daughters loved him best. So he asked the first how much she loved him, and she replied ‘Why, as I love my life!’ and the second said, ‘More than all the world!’
But the third said, ‘As raw meat loves salt.’
Now this did not sound at all respectful, so he turned her out of the house.
Thinking her fine clothes would bring trouble, she hastily made herself a hooded cloak from rushes, and then found employment as a scullery-maid in a grand house some miles away.
One night, there was a ball on the neighbouring estate. Some of the servants walked over and peeped into the ballroom, but ‘Cap o’ Rushes’, as Cook had nicknamed her, said she would rather go to bed.
So it was next morning before she heard how a mysterious beauty in fine clothes had danced three times with their own Master’s son – and quite captured his heart!
Précis
A father asked his daughter how much she loved him, and when he did not undertand the reply turned her out of the house. Disguised in a cloak of rushes (earning the nickname Cap o’ Rushes), she went to work as a maid. Soon after her arrival, the son of the house fell for a mysterious beauty at a ball. (60 / 60 words)
A father asked his daughter how much she loved him, and when he did not undertand the reply turned her out of the house. Disguised in a cloak of rushes (earning the nickname Cap o’ Rushes), she went to work as a maid. Soon after her arrival, the son of the house fell for a mysterious beauty at a ball.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, because, if, just, or, unless, whereas, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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Grok : Ask Grok
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