The Enchanted Clock
This is the story of Fanny, who was beautiful and talented, but extraordinarily unpunctual and a little bit conceited.
— Who are you calling unpunctual and conceited? I don't like what you're doing! — Well, Fanny, weren't you supposed to meet your father at the town hall half an hour ago? — It's fine. He'll wait. Not many get to see a girl like me, the most wonderful singer in the country. Why, even the prince invited me to sing at the palace tomorrow. — And you say you're not conceited? — Not at all! Go away, let me get dressed!
Waiting at the Town Hall
Dear audience, this is Fanny. For now, let's leave her and go meet her father.
— Mr. Emerson, where is Miss Emerson? She was supposed to be here half an hour ago. The Governor has arrived. I'm afraid if she doesn't come, we'll have to start without her opening song, and people will be upset. — Oh, Mr. Brooks, I'm sure she's on her way. — You should have sent the carriage for her earlier. — Well, I sent it an hour ago. — Come on, Fanny, come on!
Fanny's Arrival
— Oh, Father, I'm so sorry! — Fanny, look at the time! — I'm sorry! The Governor is here. How shameful to be late! I hope I'll make you proud tonight, Father. — Oh, you certainly will, dear, as always. — Come on!
As always, Fanny sang wonderfully. Everyone praised her and listened with delight. She was a star. And as she was leaving, someone approached her.
A Charity Invitation
— Hello, Miss Emerson. We are from the 'Help the Children' foundation and we want to organize a charity event. We would love for you to sing at the event. Can we meet and discuss it? — Well, I'm very busy right now. — Well, tomorrow she will be singing at the palace, and her godmother will be coming to see her. Can you come to our place the day after tomorrow at two in the afternoon? — Oh, of course, sir! Thank you very much!
The Prompt Fairy
Indeed, the next day, Fanny's godmother, the Prompt Fairy, came to have lunch with Fanny. She was called the Prompt Fairy because she was very punctual. So, if she said she would arrive at 12, she wouldn't come 10 minutes early or late, but exactly at 12.
So, at exactly 12 o'clock, the Prompt Fairy rang Fanny's doorbell.
— Oh, hello, madam, come in! — I was expecting Fanny to open the door. Where is she? — Ah, she's not home, but she's surely on her way. — So, make yourself at home.
However, of course, Fanny wasn't there. She was at a friend's house, trying on all her dresses and feeling wonderful. She only arrived home around two o'clock.
— Oh, Godmother, ah, I am so, so, so sorry I'm late! — It's nothing! I fell asleep while waiting for you, and it did me a lot of good. But now I'm starving. — Of course, come! Let's eat!
The Enchanted Clock
They ate an elaborate four-course lunch and relaxed on the sofa with coffee. Then Fanny's angry father arrived.
— Oh, heavens, Fanny, why aren't you ready? — For what, Father? — You'll drive me mad today! Don't you remember we were supposed to be at the palace today at 4 o'clock? And it's already time! I told you to be ready by 3! We'll never make it on time! Ah! — Oh no! She forgot because she spent time with me! Wait a moment! There! Doesn't it look wonderful? Go, my dear, but wait a moment! This is it! — What is it? — My gift for my goddaughter! It's a clock! It will help you be on time for your appointments! Now go! And be back by 10! You're not old enough to stay out later! — Mwah! Of course, Godmother! Thank you very much!
Punctuality at the Palace
And Fanny sang amazingly. The Prince and all the royal guests delighted in Fanny's wonderful voice. The clock struck 10, and at that moment, the clock around Fanny's neck began to tick continuously.
— Oh, I must leave, Your Highness!
And Fanny had to leave on time. Her father was so proud of her that when they were in the carriage on their way home, he promised her something.
— My dear, I am so proud of you that I want to buy you that emerald bracelet you wanted. — Oh! Thank you, Daddy! — Then it's settled. Tomorrow we'll go shopping first. First, we'll go to the jeweler's at 10 in the morning, then to the store at 11, where you can get some new dresses, then at 12 we'll have lunch at Truble. You have a meeting at 2 for the charity event, don't you? And then at 7 you have to sing at the Grand Auditorium, and then dinner. And by 10 we have to get to the train station. Your grandmother is coming, remember? She'll be very happy if you wait for her at the station. — Oh, yes, Daddy! I can't wait for tomorrow to begin!
The Clock's Noise
So, the next morning, they left for the jeweler's at 10 o'clock. When she arrived there, Fanny was so delighted by the diamonds, rubies, and precious stones that she thought she could stay there all day. But the clock wouldn't allow it. At 11 o'clock, it started to tick.
— Father, can you take this clock out of the store? — Well, alright. — Hey, Mr. Emerson! What's with that sound? What's with that awful sound? I can't stay here anymore! — Fanny, take your clock and let's go, please! — Ah, fine! Let's go!
So, even though she didn't want to, Fanny had to stick to the morning schedule.
Running from the Clock
But when she got home, she took the clock to the attic and prepared to rest all afternoon.
— If anyone calls for me, tell them I'm resting and can't speak to them.
At two o'clock, the people from the 'Help the Children' foundation rang the doorbell.
— We've come to speak with Miss Emerson. — Well, she's resting, she can't speak. — What's that? Is that the clock? — Miss, what's happening? Is something hitting the roof? — The people from the foundation are here! Tell them I'll be right out!
And Fanny had to meet them. But she wasn't happy; she was determined to get rid of the clock. So, that night, when she was going to the Grand Auditorium, she stopped the carriage and threw the clock into a ditch, very, very far from the auditorium.
The Lesson Learned
She sang wonderfully again, and again everyone praised her.
— You sing like a nightingale, dear! Have dinner with us! — Fanny, it's almost 10! We have to leave for the station! — Oh, please, Father! Send the driver for Grandma! I want to stay a little longer! — What's that? A storm at this time? Could it be the clock? — Ah, I think so. Come on, Father!
And Fanny went to the ditch where she had thrown the clock, as fast as she could, and picked it up. She took a stone and was about to smash it to pieces, when her godmother appeared before her and the storm stopped.
— You can try all you want, dear, but you can't get rid of the clock. Your only hope, if you want the clock to stop embarrassing you, is to be punctual and keep your promises as a mature and trustworthy person should. — Godmother, I'm so sorry! — Now go. Your grandmother is probably waiting for you. — Yes.
Fanny went to the station, and her grandmother was very happy to see her. She was so happy she had tears in her eyes.
— My dear, how happy I am that you came to wait for me! — See? She would have been very disappointed if you hadn't come. — I know, Father. I'm glad I came.
Fanny, hey, Fanny, do you agree with me now? Were you unpunctual and conceited?
— Alright! You were right! I'm sorry!
Well, guess what, Fanny? You're becoming a better person. So, as a reward, I'll give you a happy ending.
And so, dear audience, little by little, as the clock compelled her to keep her promises, Fanny began to understand the joy of doing her duties and being punctual. When she kept her promises, everyone was happy. And seeing everyone happy, she felt much better than when she was unpunctual and conceited. And then, the clock no longer needed to tick for Fanny to be punctual.
The moral of the story: Punctuality and keeping promises bring joy and trust, transforming a person into a mature and responsible individual.
