Childrens Parables: A Story of Inner vs. Outer Beauty This is one of my favorite stories, dear readers and is the perfect example of the scripture, “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 In a lovely country far away, there lived two girls; one rich and one poor. The rich girl was named Alicia and she was the prettiest little thing you ever saw. Alicia had everything a girl could need or want, yet she was not happy. She was very spoiled and was given anything and everything she wanted. The poor girl’s name was Tilly and she also had everything she wanted, though she did not always have everything little girls need. She did not have lots of clothes, toys, sweets, or even sometimes enough food, but she was always happy. She was not a pretty a very child but her inner virtue shined like an angle’s glory in her face, words, and actions. One day Tilly was playing in the forest when she saw Alicia dancing on the path ahead. “Oh my! She is so beautiful!” Alicia turned when she heard Tilly. “Who are you?” she demanded. “My name is Tilly. What is your name?” Alicia was intrigued by the ugly girl. How could someone as ugly and poor as she be so well spoken and genteel? “I should be ashamed if I were as ugly as she!” Alicia thought. Turning to the poor girl she extended her little hand. “My name is Alicia. You must come to my house to play.” Tilly thought she was lovely and shook her hand. “I will ask my mother if I can.” “Very well,” Alicia said with a toss of her head. “I will see tomorrow then.” They each said their goodbyes. One thing you must know about Alicia is that she did not have friends only playmates, whom her father hired to play with her. The other children refused to play with her because she would make everyone play her way, but would never do what they wanted. Alicia was not a likeable child, but no one ever cared to stand up to her, it was much easier giving in to her every want. Tilly however had many play fellows. She was always ready to include everyone in the game and only suggested ideas when asked. Tilly had not been privileged with capital education nor honored with the supreme title of nobility, but she had been blessed with the highest lessons in virtuous behavior. Tilly’s mother having given her consent walked her to Alicia’s house. Tilly kissed her mother goodbye. Alicia was waiting by the door when Tilly entered the gate. “Was that your mother?” she asked scornfully. Tilly smiles proudly, “She is the most beautiful woman in the world! I love her so much.” Alicia ignored this as they entered the house. Tilly was in awe as Alicia gave her the grand tour. As they were passing down the hall Tilly saw the most tragic person she had ever seen. She would have been beautiful if she did not have all those layers of makeup and jewels upon her. Her eyes were sad, her mouth scornful, and her nose was turned up in a permanent haughty air. “Who is that?” she whispered. Alicia frowned, “That is only my mother.” As Alicia spoke her mother turned, but as usual her mother did not notice her. “Nanette, the child is making too much noise, please do something about it.” A maid scolded the girls, shooing them away from Madam’s door. Passing another room, they saw Alicia’s father. He was a very powerful man and had no time for his only child. “Father, this is Tilly.” Alicia said excitedly. He patted her head like a little lap dog and absently replied, “Yes, yes dear. Here is a candy. Now leave Father alone, can’t you see I am busy with work?” “Come on Tilly, I’ll show you my room!” Alicia pulled Tilly along till they reached the prettiest room she had ever seen. “It is like a princess’s room!” Tilly said in awe. “Yes it is! My father gives me everything I want.” Alicia began to boast. She spent the next half hour showing off all of her things. “But where are your friends?”Tilly asked. “They only come when I call. My father pays them to come and play with me.” Alicia said in a business-like voice. “How terrible!” Tilly looked shocked. “What do you mean?” Alicia demanded. “How awful to be forced to play!” Tilly looked sad and disgusted. “It is not awful to me!” Alicia said with a toss of her head. Tilly began to think Alicia was not a very happy person; and over the next few weeks she began to like her less and less. Tilly found her to be bossy, rude, selfish, and only outwardly pretty. Yet Tilly felt somewhat sorry for her; Alicia was a sad and angry child who was ignored by her parents. Alicia was in a terrible mood when she met Tilly in the woods one summer day. “Where have you been Ali?” Tilly asked a little irritated. She had been waiting their all morning. “Oh do shut up Til! I have had a horrible morning and I don’t need you complaining. If you didn’t want to wait, you shouldn’t have come so early.” Alicia growled. “I was here that early because you asked me to come.” Tilly said hurt. “Boo hoo! Let’s go!” Alicia snapped. This was the last straw for Tilly. “No.” Alicia spun around. “What?” “I am not one of your playmates you can boss around and I expect an apology for your rude treatment.” Alicia laughed in reply. “I am sorry your parents ignore you, but that doesn’t give you the right to push other people around and make them feel less than you! You are a selfish person Ali. If you think your beauty and riches can save you, you’re wrong. You can hide your pain behind all your toys and clothes, but you’re only fooling yourself.” Tilly scolded Alicia was furious! “A lot you know! You’re just jealous of me because you’re ugly and poor! You’ll never be me!” Tilly shook her head sadly, “Nobody wants to be you Ali. You think you are this coveted little princess but the truth is the only people who covet your life are those who are already like you.” Alicia slapped her, “How dare you speak to me in this way!” Tilly looked straight into her eyes, “Because you are my friend and I love and care enough to tell you the truth.” “I don’t want to ever see you again. I hate you!” Alicia screamed. “Goodbye then Ali.” Tilly said as she kissed her on the cheek and walked away. It was the last time they saw each other for a long while. The years passed quickly for each girl. Tilly grew into a beautiful and educated woman who ran the local orphanage. Her parents had long since passed and she now lived at the orphanage where she was a mother to all. Alicia had taken over her father’s business and was known to be a dangerously beautiful and cruel woman. She was getting ready to announce her engagement to the Governor’s son. Her father had died months before and her mother was living abroad. Once again she found herself alone and ignored. She had everything but she was not happy. One day the two women met each other by the river. Alicia did not recognize Tilly and gave her a haughty look. Tilly however knew her right away. “Ali, is that you? You look simply lovely.” Alicia frowned and then in shock said, “Til? You’re pretty!” Tilly laughed. “Still rude as ever I see.” Alicia grunted, “Still rich and beautiful as well.” Tilly shook her head, “Are you happy?” “What does happiness matter when you have everything?” Alicia snapped. “Happiness gets you nothing; look at you!” “Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.” Tilly quoted. “Still pure and naïve I see!” Alicia scoffed. “I did not get where I am today being pure and naïve, though I pretend to be so when it suits me. How do you think I got the Governor’s son to propose to me? I have my father’s money and when I marry the Governor’s son I’ll have more power and money than I’ll know what to do with! I will be the most coveted woman around!” Tears came to Tilly’s eyes, “You are headed for a life of self-destruction my dear friend.” “I am not your friend!” Alicia screamed as she pushed Tilly into the river. “Ali No!” Tilly screeched. “I can’t swim!” “Oops! I guess you’d better start praying to that God you love so much!” Alicia laughed coldly. Unknown to both, the Governor’s son had been traveling in the woods nearby. He had heard the entire conversation and upon seeing his future bride throwing the poor girl into the water, he jumped off his horse and dove into the river. He pulled the now shaking and soaked Tilly onto the grass. As he wrapped her with his own coat he turned to Alicia. “What have you done?” “Oh please, Killian! She’s just some poor and rude peasant. I was merely defending myself.” Alicia said in her most dramatic voice. “Don’t lie to me Madam! I saw and heard everything! Is this the woman I am to marry?” he said scornfully. “Don’t you even dare, turn on me Sir! You have already promised yourself to me and you cannot honorably discard me.” Alicia said threateningly. “My dear woman,” He replied coldly, “What was promised me was a lie, thus I may lawfully take back what is mine!” Alicia jumped upon the horse’s back screaming with anger. The horse bolted into the woods and neither the horse nor Alicia where heard of again. Killian carried Tilly to his home where every comfort was provided for her recovery. Several weeks later the Governor died, leaving his son to govern the people. Killian was so taken by the kindness and beauty of Tilly that he asked her to marry him. Tilly was honored to become the wife of such a kind and godly man. Many years later they had a daughter, who they named November Del Ray. What have you learned from this story my dear readers? Which is the better; inner or outward beauty? apieceofmyirishmind.blogspot/2014/06/a-story-of-inner-vs-outer-beauty.html
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 20:52:04 +0000
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