THE

NECKLACE
Narrator- She was one of those rich and
charming girls born, almost unfortunately,
into a family of poorly paid clerks. It was
coincidental that her chestnut hair, icy blue
eyes and her nimbleness of wit, put this slum
girl on equal with the highest lady in the
land. But unfortunately, her father, the sole
breadwinner, earned the lowest income
possible.
She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born
for every delicacy and luxury. She suffered
from the poorness of her house, from its
mean walls, worn chairs, and ugly curtains.
All these things, of which other girls of her
class would not even have been aware,
tormented and insulted her. She hated her
poverty.
The girl’s name was Melinda Hastings.
Melinda- If I ask for Silk gowns, I get cotton
dresses. If I ask for diamond jewelry, I get
copper ones. I just wish my parents could
afford me better!
Mother- Melinda, you must appreciate how
your father wants and does the very best for
you. I realize this could be hard, but you
should not be this ungrateful!
But the girl was bent on being arrogant and
unappreciative.
Melinda- I wonder what it’s like to live
wealthy and rich. To live like I was born to
be. To live like Jean…
She had a rich friend, Jean Forestier, an old
school friend whom she refused to visit,
because she suffered so keenly when she
returned home. The Forestiers has nothing
less than a luxurious home.
One day, Melinda’s mother came to her,
clutching a large envelope in her hands.
Mother- Here is something for you, darling.
Your father had tremendous trouble trying
to get it.
Swiftly she tore the paper and drew out a
printed card on which were these words:
Melinda- (reads) The Minister of Education
requests the company of the family of Mr.
Hastings at the Ministry on the evening of
Monday, January the 18th.
Melinda- What am I to do with this?
Mother- Why, darling, I thought you'd be
pleased. You never go out, and this is a great
occasion. You will see all the really posh
people out there.
Melinda-And what do you suppose I am to
wear at such an affair?
Mother- The cotton skirt your father got you
last week. It looks very nice, to me.
Melinda- (Angrily) In front of all the rich
families? Either you get me a new gown, or I
stay very well where I am on the party night!
Her parents considered her stubborn request.
They scraped together all their savings- all,
and managed to produce a Silk and velvet
party gown of blue.
Melinda- This shall do, but I do want a
necklace to wear at the party.
Mother- We can never afford that. I think
you should borrow one from you friend Jean.
Reluctantly, Melinda went to see Jean, who
led her through fancy halls into her parlor.
Jean- Choose, my dear.
Melinda- I’ll take this diamond one. Oh, it’s
beautiful!
Jean- Then take it. Promise to return it by a
week, Mel. I might need it.
The party was fabulous. Melinda’s beauty
fetched her the spotlight of the event. All
wanted to be introduced to her, and was
charmed by the young lady. For once, the girl
felt truly happy.
Melinda- What fun that was. This apartment
looks dreary and old after the lovely
ballroom.
She removed the scarf which covered her
neck.
Melinda- THE NECKLACE! Mom, dad, my
necklace is missing!
Mother- Search for it! Oh God, this is
terrible!
Her mother shook her clothes. Her father
trailed the streets. Melinda herself looked
everywhere that pleased her.
By midnight, they still had not found it.
Mother- Send a note to Miss Forestier telling
her the clasp broke and we have sent the
necklace to mend. That can fetch us time,
hopefully.
By the end of a week they had lost all hope.
Melinda’s mother was tense.
Mother-We must see about replacing the
diamonds.
Melinda- Won’t it- cost, a lot?
Her mother did not answer.
The next day they took the necklace case to a
jewelers shop called Paradise Royal.
Jeweler- How may I assist you, ladies?
Mother- Your name was in this case. We
figured you sold a diamond necklace. Could
we see the same of that please?
Jeweler- I have not sold anything similar. But
I sell a lot of diamond stringed jewelry. I am
positive you will find what you are looking
for in this shop of mine. Here, check the
samples.
Suddenly, Melinda’s eyes fell on one that
looked exactly like hers, a strings of pretty
diamonds.
Jeweler- Ah, that’s worth forty two thousand
dollars. You can have it for thirty two
thousand instead.
It was rather expensive, and they begged the
jeweler not to sell it while they arranged for
the money. Melinda’s mother went to
Madame Forestier, Jean’s mother, asking to
lend her money. The irony was that she was
lending to pay for her own necklace.
Nevertheless, Melinda soon returned it to
Jean’s hands, without the girl noticing the
difference.
Mother- I will have to start working part
time jobs. We need to pay them back.
Melinda- Mom, look. The landlady is here!
The Landlady had come with a serious
complaint.
Landlady- You have not paid the rent for a
month now. I am sorry but you are evicted.
We are going to sell this place. You can pack
your bags and leave.
Mom- Please Madame. We had to attend to
other business.
Landlady- No excuses. We cannot afford a
tardy payment.
It was with a heavy heart that they moved
out to a small cottage. Poorer than ever,
Melinda learned the true meaning of poverty.
Her parents worked double shifts, and almost
all they earned had to be sent to the
Forestiers. They were no longer able to get
even regular meals. She no longer
complained, no longer was ungrateful. It was
terrible what a string of diamonds had done
to them, how fate can play cruel tricks. But
Melinda had now forgotten her past.
It was a year later, one a day of fine spring,
when out for a walk, that she saw Jean. It
had been so long now, and their debt was
paid off, so she decided to tell her the truth.
Melinda- Good morning, Jean
Jean- Oh, Melinda! It has been so LONG!
Why, you have changed much.
Melinda- Oh yes. My whole life has. I think I
should tell you this now, that I have had
many troubles on your family’s account.
Jean-My family? How come?
Melinda-You remember the diamond
necklace you lent me for the ball at the
Ministry? I had lost it. We had to arrange
money and buy a new one.
Jean halted. Her expression changed.
JEAN- You say you bought a diamond
necklace to replace mine?
Melinda smiled in proud and innocent
happiness.
Melinda- Yes, they are so identical. You
realize it wasn't easy for us; we had no
money. . . . Well, it's paid for at last, and I'm
glad indeed.
Jean Forestier, deeply moved, took Melinda’s
two hands in hers. She spoke slowly then,
unable to keep guilt out of her voice.
Jean-Oh, my poor Melinda! My necklace was
just a fake! It was worth at the very most,
twenty dollars!
Melinda was stunned, and found no words to
say.
The moral of this story, The Necklace is that
we should be grateful for what we have
rather than constantly seeking to acquire
more. The Necklace by Guy De Maupassant
teaches that not everyone may be rich as they
seem, as Jean had only an imitation of the
real necklace. The main message of the story
is that we should be what we are. False pride
is the cause of our sufferings. Things could
have been settled right if Melinda had
confessed the loss of the necklace to the
owner, Madame Forestier.

THANK YOU!