Style Assignment

      It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. A man from a wealthy background found his own wife, and eventually married her. The man and woman from high society lived together in a tall house where all of London could be seen. The woman, born into a wealthy family, was used to receiving anything she desired. While living with her new husband, the pampered woman spent her days enjoying the view from her window. In her new home, her husband obtained anything the woman desired. The man had a plethora of wealth, allowing him to buy anything her heart yearned for. However, one day, while the spoiled woman was gazing the land around her, she bore witness to something beautiful. A garden of which the likes have never before been seen lay within close proximity to her household. As the days passed, the woman became more obsessed with the plot as it produced fruit beyond comparison.

      Although the woman was delivered all the possible fruit she could ever desire, it was never enough to quench her lust for fruit from her precious, but forbidden yard. The land the garden was located on was in fact not the woman’s property. More preciously, the husband did not own that portion of land. After weeks of watching the fruit ripen, the woman reached the brink of destruction. Trying to push her mind away from the fruit, the woman spent her days on a nicely dressed sofa, doing some needlework of little use and no beauty. In the end, her mind was still occupied by the tempting fruit. She informed her loving and caring husband of her dilemma shortly after she could take no more, and provided an ultimatum. Her love for the forbidden fruit was so powerful, that if she did not receive the fruit, she would take her own life to end her suffering. The husband was shocked to find his wife delivering such a drastic solution and concluded the only way to save his wife was to obtain the far-flung fruit, no matter the cost.

      The days passed, and the man never found an owner working the land. Assuming the owner was from a lower class, the husband planned to buy the fruit. However, despite his hopes, the man found no luck. The man then came to terms with himself, and decided to take the fruit back to his wife. One night, the proud man left his home to find the garden bearing such brilliant fruit. Upon his arrival, the man immediately began placing fruit into a basket for his wife. Just as he was done picking the fruit, the arrogant man simply started walking away from all the damage he had caused. An enchantress then appeared to find the man leaving behind nothing but ruin. In her intense rage, she proclaimed,

“How can you dare descend into my garden and steal my fruit like a thief! You shall suffer the consequences!”

He answered, “How is it possible that a woman of your social standards owns this land? My wife desires these fruit and I will do whatever it takes to please her. As you are a woman, it is unlikely you own this garden. As a result, I will take what I want. I will have you know, I am from the highest social class in London. It is my right to take what I want!”

The enchantress replied, “You and your filthy wife shall pay! I curse your family for eternity! You will know what it feels like to love a child, but not for long. Now, if you wish to return with your life, you will promise to give me your first born child! I shall care for her as my own. You then can keep your stolen fruit!”

      The man, fearful of losing his life, agreed to the terms provided. In due time, the husband and wife had their first child; a daughter. Soon after she was born, the enchantress came to the household, upholding her side of the bargain. The daughter was now placed under the enchantress’ care, leaving her true mother and father behind. Although the taste of the fruit was everything she imagined, the wife yearned to see her daughter again. Neither parent saw how their young daughter grew into a beautiful young woman, but they were not the only one. The enchantress placed her new adopted daughter in a tower with one window, where she would never be seen. Now as the days go by, the daughter yearns for society and company, hoping one day, a lost traveler will pass by the forgotten tower to save her.