Task 4 - 4. Cinderella from the POV of one of the step-sisters

Hello, I’m Drizella. Due to the nature of my role in the story, I doubt anyone remembers me, not until I tell you that I am Cinderella’s stepsister. The one described as the taller, clumsier and skinnier stepsister of Cinderella. Are you picturing me in your mind now? Please do not in any way, have reference to the cartoons or fairytale books. They make me look so artificial, it is nothing like me! Anyway, I have a blood sister, Anastasia. She’s very much shorter and rounder than me. Well of course, as the story goes I am often described as the ruthless and horrible stepsister. I make the poor Cinderella wash clothes and do chores for me. However, in actual fact, I’m not as bad as the story describes me. I am not self-flattering, but no matter how hard I try to explain… No one listens.

As controversies goes, whatever I am about to say is nothing but the truth.

Our mother re-married to Cinderella’s dad, so that makes Cinderella my stepsister. Shocked, thrilled, anxious, worried, I had mixed feelings the moment our mother announced that we are going to have a new stepsister and stepfather. I was really looking forward to meet my new stepsister; I even tidied up her new room before her arrival! I imagined her as a gentle, beautiful and sweet girl wearing a flowery dress with her hair neatly combed and glittering eyes. However, Cinderella was nothing like that. The first time I saw her with her father (whom is our stepfather); she looked really innocent. Whenever she smiles, her eyes will melt a thousand guys’ hearts. I have to admit, she is beautiful, but what is inside of her is not.

She never helps with house chores, every time she will give excuses saying she is allergic to dust and her hands are precious to her. Since our mother does not want to hire a domestic worker, we take turns to do house chores. Mother takes care of the cooking and washing of clothes, my job is to wash and clean windows, floors and bathrooms. Anastasia does the tidying up of the study room, and folding our clothes then putting it in our closets. Cinderella’s job is the most simplest of us all. She’s in charge of washing the dishes, but she never does it. No matter how Anastasia and I complain to mother, she would cover up for Cinderella and turn a deaf ear to our words. Then mother would wash the dishes in her place. Cinderella goes shopping almost every week, buying the pretty dresses and shoes that cost a bomb. When she is in need of money, she opens her mouth and mother will hand her another huge sum of money. She loves cash, she loves cars, and she loves shopping. She is the only one in the house that has such a large expenditure.

The most interesting part of the story is definitely, the ball. The ball that the prince held in his palace, the aim of the ball is to choose his princess. The prince invited all of us, including Cinderella. Almost immediately after receiving the invitation, Cinderella went out to get the prettiest gowns and shoes. For Anastasia and me, mother took care of getting our gowns. Ours was not as fantastic as Cinderella’s, but we are very contented with what we got. We ironed it ourselves, because we treasured it more than anything else. Cinderella did not meet what you all called a fairy god mother; she called a limousine and had a chauffeur. She deliberately came late, because people would have their eyes glued on her when she walked in. She wore the most striking gown, with her hair very neatly combed and looking super ravishing. It is with no doubt; even the prince will notice her. So the prince fell in love with her the moment their eyes met. Yes, she is that wonderful. Anastasia, mother and I felt happy for her. Anastasia was a tiny bit jealous, but she got over it soon after.

Cinderella did not left at 12 because her fairy god mother told her to do so; she left at 12 because it was all in her plot. She wanted to leave a good impression even though it was just a night with the prince. It is the prince; of course she will add a little drama to her plot. And the glass shoe? Well, hers was not found intown. She bought it overseas, and it was sent over to our town. Like what you heard in the story, the prince went town to town to let girls try on the shoe and none of them fitted. It is because Cinderella’s shoe was tailor-made, the front and back of the shoe fit exactly for her and no one else. Even the shape can prove it.

In the end, what you all originally heard was the prince found his true love, Cinderella and they got married happily ever after. Whereby, we were left in our own home and life for us later was not very good. In reality, they did get married but all those exaggerating or my sister and I crying our hearts out and being jealous over her is not true! We felt happy for her; we attended her wedding and gave her our blessings. Everyone saw the whole process, but what they do not know is, Cinderella did not allow us to move over to the palace with her. She says that it is a disgrace to her royal family. We are not rich; we are neither talented nor smart. Why should we even be allowed to step in the royal palace? She became a real snob and only came over to visit us when the prince requests. Since our stepfather only comes to town once in a month, Cinderella seldom has a chance to see him anyway.

This is the truth. Believe it or not, it is really up to you. Fairytales and reality are two different things in life.

W3 - Task 3

Confessions of a Lawyer

Black suits, neat ties and with stern looks on everyone’s faces. His footsteps sounded like the thunder outside in the rain. The judge never fails to look so elegant and confident. At another corner, someone is sweating profusely, with his heart pumping as fast a screaming jet breaking the sound barrier. Intense yet exciting, this is practically what I do everyday. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Law; and I have been a lawyer for as long as I can remember.

Everyday up in my law firm, people walk in and out with worried and anxious expressions. However, my senior once told me that no matter how sophisticated, illogical or crazy a case may be, as lawyers, we have to be adventurous enough to take up any challenge we face. We never reject any client, though there may be exceptions, but we promise to service with a smile.

Murder, committing suicide, swindling and taking advantage of a company’s trust to attain a huge sum of cash are the most common cases I’ve seen in Singapore. What have the world become nowadays? People say money is the world, and the world revolves around money. When a person becomes greedy, a person will dedicate his or her whole life to the one thing that he or she desires to have. By hook or by crook, they will and must have that one special thing. Whereby, most of the time, is money.

This is where I step in, bringing justice to the innocent. Every time I hear a different story from many different people, I can imagine the whole scenario happening. I can even predict what is going to happen next and how the outcome might be. Experience has given me intelligence.

What comes next is making decisions and gathering evidences. This is the process I enjoy the most. Gathering evidences reminds me of a detective, not like shaggy or Scooby doo, but a real detective. Wearing tight white gloves and holding on torchlight, every step I take is a new adventure. I love exploring new places, finding the most disgusting and horrifying evidences. Making decisions are one of the most crucial and dangerous parts of the process. One wrong move and you might as well end up losing your case. This part takes time, perseverance and determination.

Family members, relatives and close friends understand how tough being a lawyer is, but there will always be a topic on the amount of salary I get. Yes, I admit being a lawyer can let one earn a lot of money. However, I would prefer they understand how exciting my job is rather than singing praises on achieving a high-paid job with my strong abilities.

I choose this job because I want to bring justice to all the innocent people in this world, and let the bad guys have a taste of their own medicine. They deserve it.

Task 2

(b) The room was badly decorated.

Striking Pink and dull green for the colours of the walls? Yuck! That reminds me of the time my pink skirt got stained by algae. There were weird looking chairs that have more than three legs and a study table with a curvy figure stood at the very right corner of the room, with a really dull lamp. The bed was worse; it looked unstable and so tiny. I wonder if anyone could squeeze onto it. This disgusting thing, what you call a room, seriously needs a makeover!

(c) Jake was angry at Diane’s accusations

“Just admit it! YOU were the one who stole John’s wallet.”

Diane had her nose held high and both her arms crossed. She was standing straight with her eyes staring at Jake. Jake was right infront of her, his fists was clenched so tight that he could beat up anyone any minute. He was exactly like a bull seeing red. Right in his mind, he had millions of furious words and screaming languages. Jake just stomped to his room.
(edited)