beautiful hand
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Some girls were boasting about their beautiful hands.
One of them dipped her hands in the sparkling water and the drops of water looked like diamonds dropping from her palms.
“See what beautiful hands i have!” she said, and held up her hands for the others to admire. Her hands were very soft and white, for she had never done anything but wash them in clear, cold water.
Another girl crushed some strawberries in her palms. The juice ran through her fingers and they turned as pink as sunrise.
She, too, boasted,”See what beautiful hands I have!” Her hands were very pink and soft, for she had done nothing but wash them in strawberry juice every morning.
Another girl crushed some violets in her hands until they smelled like perfume. “See what beautiful hands I have!” she said proudly. Indeed her hands were very soft and sweet smelling, for she had done nothing but wash them in violets every morning.
The fourth girl did not show her hands but put them on her lap.
An old woman came down from the road and stopped before the girls. All three girls showed her their hands and asked her to name the one with the most beautiful hands. She shook her head at each one and then asked to see the hands of the fourth girl.
“Oh, these hands are clean, indeed,” said the old woman as she held the hands of the shy fourth girl,”but they are hard and rough from toil. These hands have been helping Mother and Father wash and dry the dishes, and sweep the floor, and wash the windows, and weed the garden
These hands have been taking care of the baby, and carrying hot tea to Grandma, and showing little brother how to build his blocks and fly his kite. Yes, these hands have been busy making the house a happy home, full of love and care.”
Then the old woman fumbled in her pocket and brought out a ring set with sparkling diamonds, with rubies redder than strawberries, and turquiose bluer than violets.
“Here, wear this ring, my dear,” she said to the fourth girl. “You deserve the prize for the most beautiful hands, for they have been the most beautiful.”
~love stories of a different kind
