“Can I open the present?” asked Mary. “No, silly, dad
said if we open the present we will vanish!” replied Rebecca sternly. Rebecca
was ten years old, tall and slim. She listened to people when they told her
something. She was not like her sister, Mary at all. Mary sat in a corner at
school and when the teacher called her name, she blushed. She always wanted to
do what people told her not to. “Well,” said Mary, “only a little peak.” “No,”
said Rebecca, “I’ve told you a million times.” She stopped and raised her
voice. “Do you really want to vanish for ever?” Mary said, “You didn’t tell me
a million times, it was only four since yesterday!” Rebecca left the room
burning hot with anger. “Doesn’t my sister care about anything except curiosity?”
she mumbled. While Rebecca was reading, Mary looked at the present. It was
wrapped in silver wrapping paper with hearts. Mary thought, “A nice box like
that wouldn’t do me any harm.” So just as her sister was walking into the room,
she saw Mary with her hands on the lid. “No,” screamed Rebecca but she felt it
was too late. The box was open. She thought that her sister would vanish
immediately. But no! She just sat there amazed. Rebecca went close to her and
was so surprised to see that in the box there was a violin. “I always wanted
one,” gasped Rebecca. Then dad walked in. Mary said, “Oh, I am so sorry I
opened the box.” Dad smiled kindly and said. “Happy Birthday Rebecca! Since
it’s your birthday today I bought you this. I told you the vanishing joke so
you wouldn’t open it because I know you are obedient. Give me a hug!” So, happy
as they were, they forgot all about the present. Actually, after that, Mary was
not curious any longer.
