THE CANTERVILLE GHOST
by : Oscar Wilde
Once upon a time, in the English countryside, there stood ancient mansion known as Canterville Cest. The house had a reputation for being haunted, and the local often spoke of the ghost of Sir Simon, who had roamed its halls for centuries. Despite these tales, an American family, the Otises, decided to purchase the mansion and move in.
The Otis family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Otis, their eldest son Washington, their daughter Virginia, and the mischievous twins, often referred to as "The Stars and Stripes". They were a practical and modern family, unfraid of the supernatural.
Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, who warned them about the ghost. The Otises, however, dismissed her concerns. As they settled in, they began to explore the various parts of the mansion.
The living room was grand, with high ceilings and antique furniture. It was here that they first encountered the infamous bloodstain on the floor, a remnant of Sir Simon's crime. Washington Otis, ever practical, cleaned the stain with Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover, only to find it reappeared the next morning.
The dining room was equally impressive, with a long table that could seat many guests. The family enjoyed their meals here, often discussing the pecuilar occurrences in the house. The kitchen was large and well equipped, a stark contrast to the rest of the mansion's old-world charm.
The hallway was lined with portraits of the Canterville family, including a stern-looking Sir Simon. It was in the hallway that the ghost made his first appearance, clanking his chains and moaning. Mr. Otis, unfazed, offered him a bottle of Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator to oil his chains.
The bedrooms were spacious and comfortable. Virginia's room was patricularly lovely, with a large window overlooking the garden. It was in her room that she found a secret oassage leading to a hidden chamber, where she would later have a significant encounter with Sir Simon.
The library was filled with dusty old books and a large fireplace. It was here that the ghost attempted to froghten the family by appearing as a handless Earl, but the twins thwarthed him with their pranks, such as setting up tripwires and throwing pillows.
Despite his best efforts, Sir Simon could not scare the Otis family. Instead, he found himself increasingly frustrated and humiliated by their lack of fear and their practical sollutions to his haunting.
One day, Virginia discovered Sir Simon in a sorrowful state. He confessed to her that he longed for eternal rest but was cursed to haunt the mansion until he could be forgiven for his past sins. Touched by his plight, Virginia agreed to help him.
She followed him through the secret passage to the hidden chamber, where she prayed for rhis forgiveness. Her pure heart and compassion broke the curse, and Sir Simon was finally able to find peace. He gave Virginia a box of precious jewels as a token of his gratitude.
The Otis family held a proper burial for Sir Simon, and the mansion was no longer haunted. The bloodstain disappeared for good, and the house felt lighter and more welcoming. The villagers were amazed by the change and began to visit the mansion more frequently.
Virginia kept Sir Simon's secret, cherishing the memory of her encounter with the ghost. The Otis family continued to live happily in Canterville Chase, their lives enriched by the strange and wonderful experience they had shared.
Group Activities :
1. Create a house map : In groups, draw a map of Canterville Chase. Include all the rooms mentioned in the story (living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway, bedrooms, library). Label each room and add details about what was found there.
2. Short Drama : Write a short play based on the story. Each group can choose their favorite scene and act it out in front of the class. Include dialogues and actions that match the story.
3. Rewrite the Ending : In groups, rewrite the ending of the story. What if Virginia did not help Sir Simon? Or what if there were more mysteries to uncover? Use your imagination!
4. Illustrate the Story : Draw illustrations of important scenes form the story, such as when Virginia finds the secret passage or when she helps Sir Simon
5. Group Discussion : Discuss in groups what makes this story interesting and spooky. What mystery elements did you like the most? How would you feel if were in Virginia's place?
Illustrations source : http://www.fairyroom.ru/?author=1
