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Words Checked: 2629 Words in Oxford 3000: 94%
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About the Author Iris is nineteen years old now but according to Chinese lunar calendar, it is better to say twenty. She is a Taiwanese. Live and study in Kaohsiung and also share a flat with five roommates. English is her major subject at Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages. She is in favor of literature and journalism and had attended the school journal editing committee in her college life.
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Debbie, a seven-year-old girl, lives with her mother, Andrea. One day she tells her mother that she wants to apply for the Women’s School, which means she has to leave her mother to study. It’s a dilemma for both of them. Andrea is torn. She knows that studying at the Women’s School is a dream for every girl. She didn’t want to lose her daughter…… Will Andrea accept Debbie’s idea? Or will Debbie have to give up her dreams? WTUC 1 09 300 01 3 / 06.2007 4
Contents Page Chapter 1
6
Chapter 2
14
Chapter 3
22
Chapter 4
27
Chapter 5
31
Chapter 6
38
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Chapter 1
Debbie’s desire
Andrea, a staff writer, was writing with her laptop in the garden. She drank her favorite oolong tea, heard birds singing in the cage, and saw dogs chasing each other in the yard. “Everything was going fine,” Andrea thought. “A quarter to five.” There was a smile on her face when she looked at the clock. “Mom, I’m home. I’m home,” said Debbie in the front door. 6
Debbie was Andrea’s only hope in the world. She couldn’t live without her since her marriage no longer lasted two years ago. “How was school today, my cutie?” asked Andrea. “Today was totally not my day, except ……” said Debbie mysteriously. “I beg your pardon. What’s so unique, my princess? ” asked Andrea. “My teacher said that we could apply to study in the Women’s School, but the problem is we have to live in the 7
s c h o o l d o r m i t o r y, ” D e b b i e s a i d despondently. Andrea was torn. She knew that studying in the Women’s School was a dream for every girl, but she didn’t want to lose her daughter. “Okay, I will think about it tonight,” said Andrea sadly. During the night, Andrea couldn’t get to sleep. She didn’t want to ruin her daughter’s dream, but still she wanted her to stay by her side. 8
“Okay, I will surf the internet and look for the application details,” Andrea said to herself and fell asleep. THE LATEST NEWS OF THE WOMEN’S SCHOOL
The Women’s School The Women’s School: 300 girls are accepted each year Age: from seven to nineteen Notice: You have to pass the “entrance exam” first Once you are accepted, you can’t change your decision. If you still have some questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Please call 201-3458. 9
“Hello, this is Summer Elementary School,” said the operator. “Hello, this is Andrea speaking. Could I make an appointment with my daughter’s teacher, Mercy?” “Okay, how about this afternoon?” asked the operator. “That would be fine, thank you,” Andrea said. “I know that Debbie really wants to apply to the school, but I am still
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worried whether she could get used to it.” said Andrea. “It may be a little bit difficult for her, but this is also a way to grow up, isn’t it?” said Mercy with a smile. “Maybe you are right, but I’ve heard the entrance exam is quite difficult. And maybe the exam will turn her down,” Andrea went on.” “That’s right, but I think Debbie’s has thought about it clearly, so just keep your faith on her, and everything would be different.” 11
“Okay, now I have a clear idea. I will talk with Debbie tonight,” Andrea came away the meeting room. “Debbie, I agree to let you apply to the Women’s School. From now on, the only thing you have to do is to prepare for the exam.” “Mom, you’re really nice to me, and I won’t let you down,” Debbie said happily, ran back to her room and considered how she should dress for the entrance exam. 12
Andrea, stayed in her room and wrote her diary. For Debbie and for her, this is such a turning point. She needed to do something to calm herself down. Writing was the best solution and she wrote this event in her diary. Monday Debbie is quite happy to prepare for her entrance exam. Although I don’t want her to leave me, I still have to accept the truth, just like things happened two years ago‌‌ Andrea 13
Chapter 2
The Women’s School
T h e Wo m e n ’s S c h o o l w a s established in 1954, more than half a century ago. They had all kinds of lessons to teach girls how to become attractive women. There were many famous women who studied here. Also, the graduates worked in different areas such as Hollywood movie stars, talk-show anchorwomen, and international models. That was the reason why there was a huge quantity of girls would want to study in this 14
school. But the most special thing was its entrance exam. Everyone had heard it was difficult. And why the entrance exam was so different from other schools? Was it really difficult? In reality, the exam was not really difficult. The exam was just to test whether you are gifted to be an ideal woman or not. Girls from all over the country attended the exam to see whether they are gifted or not. And here was the way of how the exam went. 15
First, girls took a number card and went into a magic room. After they went into the room, they received a small black box, and this was the exam text. Next, when girls received the box, tried not to be too excited. And what they needed to do was to open the box slowly and waited for the result. Third, this was also the most exciting part because girls would know whether they could pass the exam or not. Opening the box, and they would 16
find something in it. If they received a jewel, it means they have passed the exam. The jewel signified one’s purity and attribute. For example, if a girl received a ruby. Ruby would present as her identity signifies and she was required to take all the courses of Ruby. That meant this genre of Ruby girls studied the lessons of Ruby and know how to improve their personality to become a perfect woman. It was not a common exam. Girls may not pass it even if they were intelligent. Here, the 17
only thing they paid attention to was one’s “deserved jewel”. Only if you received a jewel, could you be accepted in this school. “Debbie, Nancy, Margaret, Lizzie, now it’s your turn to go into the room and receive the box.” Debbie took a deep breath and opened it. Inside the box, Debbie found a Topaz, which meant she passed the entrance exam and she couldn’t wait to tell her dear mother this news. 18
“Those who find a jewel, come to the front and take the papers you need in order to study at the Women’s School.” Tonight, Debbie came to sleep with a smile, just like a princess receiving her crown. Next to Debbie’s chamber was her mother’s. She fell asleep with a frown, which symbolized the leaving of her daughter. She wanted to persuade Debbie not to study at the Women’s School. She couldn’t accept the truth that her 19
daughter was leaving home to study. But she realized she couldn’t ruin her daughter’s dream. The persuasion was not necessary and perhaps Debbie would hate her forever if she made such a decision. Tuesday I can’t believe my daughter is leaving me so soon. Will she think of me in the school dormitory? I need to support Debbie, since I can’t give her a complete family. I hope she won’t hate me. My little princess, you’re always 20
in my mind wherever you go. Mom is always here to give you full strength. Andrea
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Chapter 3
Life at the Women’s School
This was the first day for Debbie in Women’s School. Everything was new for her, the school, the buildings, the teachers, the classmates, and also her roommates. She thought of her happy life with Mom, but soon she forgot of her unhappiness. She remembered her desire to study here, and she wanted to become a perfect woman. From the first day she came to Women’s School, she began to keep a diary, which might remind her of her 22
beautiful life here. Tuesday This is my second day here. I still c a n ’t g e t u s e d t o l i v i n g w i t h o u t mommy. Even though I knew she was sad about our separation, and there will always be a secret in my mind forever. The REAL reason I came here was I hoped to become a perfect woman. There will be no man can desert our love, which happened in our family two years ago. It won’t happen again, I promise, I promise. Debbie 23
It was really an amazing thing s t u d y i n g a t t h e Wo m e n ’s S c h o o l . Debbie learned formal amenities, the way to keep pure, and how they could use their instinct perfectly, and how to dress when went to a formal occasions. One day in class, the teacher announced the annual party and all the girls were excited to attend……
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Wanna be the Party Queen? Don’t hesitate. Just sign up. The Next Party Queen could be YOU. DATE: 11/25 All girls in Women’s School are able to join Manuel
dress
needed
Th e win ner can represent our school and go to a TV show and get a second BLACK BOX in W o m e n ’ s S c h o o l . Thursday Everyone has a strong desire to attend the party. Will I go? Should I go? But I am not as brilliant as other girls
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in my class. What should I do to enter the party? Everyone prepared secretly, maybe that’s because they don’t want to reveal their plans. I am so confused. Mom, could you give me some suggestions? I miss you a lot. How’s l i f e g o i n g ? D o n ’t b e s a d , w i n t e r vacation is coming and we can live together again. Big smile and Debbie is always in your heart. Debbie
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Chapter 4
Women’s Competition
It was 11/20 now, and there were still five days they could prepare for the annual party. The girls applied their knowledge and the things they learned in class to make their own dress. It was also a way to test their sense of beauty. The things the girls cared about now are no longer their grades because they just cared about who would be the winner. They have started to deceive their classmates. They did not say their feelings truthfully and try to defend 27
their best friends. Their minds were not pure anymore. They have become evil and dark. Debbie was a little bit disappointed and there was no one who she could turn to, so she thought of her diary again. Wednesday The party is coming in five days. Everybody wants to be the party queen. Everyone wants to be unique. Most of us are defending our dear classmates. This is not what I expected to see here. Is there any solution? Will 28
the situation get better? Things are so confusing, and I can’t think about it anymore. What a difficult situation! Debbie
Debbie joined the party, too, but she thought winning the crown was not such important for her. She wanted to be herself and not getting disturbed by other girls. In truth, her naĂŻvete was teased by her roommates, words like she was dishonest, and she tried to let them down. They used these harmful
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words to hurt Debbie. “Maybe studying here is not a right decision. Everybody thought of themselves, and no one cared about the others,�
Debbie
disappointedly.
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thought
Chapter 5
The Party Queen
The party was coming and most everyone went to it.
Each girl
dressed formally and some also put on make-up, which made them look much more beautiful. “First, I thank you all for coming and supported this party. Everybody had prepared it for a long time. But now, there is one thing you need to do. Can anyone guess?” asked the hostess. “Choosing the party queen among us?” a girl in the front said. 31
“ N o , t h a t ’s n o t t h e c o r r e c t answer,” answered the hostess. “Enjoy the party?” “Be divided into groups?” “I am so sad that no one can get the correct answer. The thing that you need to do is to take out your own jewel. Is that clear? Everybody hands over your black box and later on you’ll know what we are going to do,” the hostess announced. They gathered all the boxes and the ball still went on. After two hours, 32
everybody was exhausted and wondered who the winner was. “Good evening, everybody. Now I am here to announce the annual party queen. Take a breath,” the hostess said excitedly. “But how did you evaluate us?” a girl asked. “That’s right, we don’t even know the rules. How did you get the list?” a girl said furiously. “Of course we did. In the beginning of the party, we asked you to 33
hand in your boxes. Do you r eme mb er ? And th at’s how we evaluated you. Don’t forget. Your jewel represents you all the time. We collected your jewels to read some of your feelings and thoughts before the party. Unfortunately, there is only one pass the evaluation. Now, can you get a clear idea about what I am saying?” said the hostess while taking out the crown. “Now, let’s welcome our party queen. Congratulation to Debbie from 34
the first grade.” “But she is not as beautiful as other girls,” a girl shouted “You are wrong, her heart is the purest among you. Eventhough she is still young, she doesn’t deceive her classmates or tease them. And that’s why she win the crown,” explained the hostess. “Congratulations! You will get a second black box at Women’s School. The ball is over. Thanks for attending.”
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Announcement Annual Party Queen: Debbie Jewel: a one carat diamond The 29th Party Queen of Women’s School Party day I can’t believe that I won the crown. Everything was so surprising. It was a big day for me and I will buy a gift for myself and write a letter home. Winter vacation is approaching and I will go home and live with mom for a few weeks. I appreciate mom for giving 36
me a chance to study here. Mom, you are always my angel. And I will always be the little princess in your heart. Debbie
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Chapter 6
A Lesson
I t w a s a b i g d a y i n Wo m e n ’s School. A famous TV host, who was also the 28th party queen, returned to Wo m e n ’s S c h o o l a n d g a v e a s p e e c h . The girls were so excited and they couldn’t wait to see their successful life after graduating. The speech began, and she shared her studying experiences with those young girls. “I used to have a lot of dreams when I was your age. Everything was new to me, 38
and
I
also
learned
things
by
heart, not just by my eyes. Remember, your instinct jewel is still important, but you are the leader in your life. Don’t forget to trust yourself every m i n u t e . T h e r e ’s n o o n e c a n m a k e y o u sad in the world, even if yourself. Try to learn more things at school, and you will find a totally different life. That’s how I succeeded. If I can do it, why couldn’t you? The party queen is not to e v a l u a t e y o u r b e a u t y, b u t y o u r sincerity. Try to believe in yourself as there’s 39
always a faith in your heart, so d o n ’t i g n o r e i t , b u t a p p r e c i a t e i t . Yo u w i l l f i n d t h a t ’s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t thing in your life. When you trust yourself, you can have the whole world.” Debbie was touched by the speech, she realized there were still a lot of things she needed to learn. Being a party queen was just a process in growing up.
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Debbie, a seven-year-old girl, lives with her mother, Andrea. One day she tells her mother that she wants to apply for the Women’s School, which means she has to leave her mother to study. It’s a dilemma for both of them. Andrea is torn. She knows that studying at the Women’s School is a dream for every girl. She didn’t want to lose her daughter…… Will Andrea accept Debbie’s idea? Or will Debbie have to give up her dreams? WTUC 1 09 300 01 3 / 06.2007 41