Little Miss Splendid, as her name suggests, is very splendid. She wears splendid hats and lives in a splendid house. How does Little Miss Splendid know she is so splendid? She knows because she has a magic mirror that tells her so. Each morning, Little Miss Splendid goes into her dressing room and stands in front of the mirror and asks:
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most splendid of all?
“Little Miss Splendid is the most splendid of all” answers the mirror.
Next door to little miss Splendid’s very splendid house is a castle which has stood empty for many years. One day, on her way to the shops, Little Miss Splendid notices that the old sign on the castle gate had changed.
“I wonder who has bought that?” She thought to herself.
The following day she found out. Little Miss Splendid was woken by trumpets and a commotion. She looked out of the window and saw the removal vans and a very splendid looking coach in horses moving in procession up the castle gate. She was told about a Princess who had moved in next door.
At first, Little Miss Splendid was very excited. Living next door to a Princess must make me even more splendid she thought as she walked to her dressing room. She put on her most splendid hat and got ready to visit her new next-door neighbour. But before she left, she stood before her magic mirror and asked:
“Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the most splendid of all”?
“The Princess next door is the most splendid of all” answered the mirror.
Little Miss Splendid could not believe her ears.
“But I am the most splendid of all”. She protested
“Not any longer”, pointed out the mirror
Little Miss Splendid watched the Princess for the rest of the week. She looked at the Princess’s splendid coach. She studied the Princess’s splendid crown. And she noted the princess’s splendid robe. Everywhere she went nobody noticed her any longer. All they talked about was the Princess and how splendid she looked. Little Miss Splendid grew increasingly jealous of the Princess.
The following week, Little Miss Splendid went shopping. She bought an incredibly decorated coach and two horses, a shimmering princess’ hat and a splendidly long robe. Little Miss Splendid was so pleased with her new purchases that she went straight into town to show them off. But no one took any notice of her.
“Good morning, Miss Splendid”, said Mr Happy, without any comment on what she was wearing. “Did you hear that the princess is coming into town, later? I can’t wait, it’s so exciting”
A very disappointed Little Miss Splendid went home and looked in her magic mirror.
“I do look splendid”, she told herself, admiring her reflection. But the mirror disagreed.
“The Princess next door is the most splendid of all”, said the mirror. “And if I may say, you look a little ridiculous”.
Little Miss Splendid was dismayed. But what could she do?
The next morning the answer came to her when she was reading the newspaper. The princess had put an advertisement for a coachman, a maid and a butler. Little Miss Splendid smiled to herself. A little later, she went round to see Mr Bump.
“There is a job going as the Princess’s coachman. It would be perfect for you”, she told Mr Bump.
‘Really?”, said Mr Bump and he accidentally broke his window as he hurried over to the castle to apply. Then Little Miss Splendid wen to see Little Miss Scatterbrain and suggested that she apply to be the Princess’s maid.
“Really?” said Litle Miss Scatterbrain, rushing off to the castle as fast as she could.
Lastly, Little Miss Splendid visited Mr Muddle who was very excited at the idea of being the Princess’s butler. He rushed to apply for the job. The truth is that he took a few wrong turns before he remembered how to get to the castle.
When Little Miss Splendid saw the princess next, it was obvious that her three friends had got the job. Mr Bump had crashed the Princess’s coach and wrecked it. Little Miss Scatterbrain had ironed the Princess’s robe and burnt a large hole in it. And Mr Muddle had muddled up the crown and the bread. He had put the bread in the safe and the Princess’s crown in the oven and melted it! The Princess did not look splendid at all. Little Miss Splendid stood in front of her magic mirror.
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the most splendid of all’? she asked.
“Little Miss Splendid is the most splendid of all”, came the reply with some hesitation.
“I knew I was the most splendid of all! Cried little Miss Splendid.
“Although” continued the mirror “I did hear that the Queen is coming to stay!”
And Little Miss Splendid’s smile disappeared.
The lesson
This version of Miss Little Splendid story is a bit more intriguing than the original one thanks to the cliffhanger added at the very end. We see the story ends abruptly at a dramatic and crucial moment.
Questions
1 Explain why in your opinion the end of the story leaves the reader in suspense?
Answer. The ending builds emotional tension. Miss Little Splendid hears some news which is problematic and the story ends without resolving the problem. The hero is left with a suspenseful ending that leaves the problem unresolved, compelling the audience to come back for the continuation of the story.
Fairy tales are timeless for a reason.
This story, like other fairy tales revolves around human weaknesses and hidden truths which never seem to change. In this fairy tale, like in others, the mirror plays a vital role. It is a critical character in the story. Mirrors do not always symbolize the same thing. Sometimes the mirror stands for truth and the voice inside us and reflects things as they are, not as we wish them to be. Other times the mirror stands for imagination and change. And on other occasions, mirrors remind us that everything has a double. There is good but also evil. There is the truth inside and the truth outside.
2 Tick what in your opinion is the symbolic role of the mirror in our story.
The mirror reflects true reality in an honest way and leads to self-discovery.
The mirror obsessively values appearance too and feeds the protagonist’s ego.
The mirror reminds its owner that the outside world mirrors his/her inner world.
The mirror becomes a tool of self-worship and stands for the danger of vanity and self-obsession.
3 What does Miss Splendid value most of all?
She values looks. In other words, she is vain, self-centered and obsessed with her appearance. Her huge ego prevents her from seeing the unchangeable reality: that true value lies elsewhere; not on looks. Her perception of what matters most ultimately destroys her peace.
4 Would you say that Miss Splendid is basically insecure despite appearing to be confident?
She is insecure and dependent on her mirror. She uses it for validation. Each day she needs the mirror to reassure her that she’s “the fairest.” She’s trapped in her own reflection, unable to see beyond her image. She is so green with envy that she works out a plan to destroy the princess.
The theme of comparison and self-worth.
Little Miss Splendid compares herself to others. She envies and competes endlessly. She does not focus on her own strengths, growth and happiness. Deep down she is inadequate because she looks for value externally not internally.
5 What would be best for Miss Splendid to do?
She should focus on what makes her happy and valuable. True worth is not about being the best. Happiness comes from self-acceptance. When you define yourself by the standards of others, and compare to others, you are insecure, and you end up in trouble.
6 What is your takeaway from the story? Put the True of False sign next to the following sentences
Self-esteem based on comparison is fragile, because there will always be someone “better” in some way.
Beauty, talent, or status is relative — it changes depending on who is around.
Value yourself and your qualities, rather than constantly measure yourself against others.
