Mother Holle Summary

The short story I chose is " Mother Holle." The author is not noted. However, the translator is Margaret Taylor. This short story is set in a period where a daily task was to spin wool for clothing. A mother had two daughters, one pretty and industrious, the other ugly and idle. The stepmother reserved all the chores for the beautiful daughter. Besides, performing all the daily tasks such as the cleaning and cooking. She was also responsible for spinning all the yarn needed to make their clothes. One day while spinning, this daughter pricked her finger and dropped the shuttle down the well. When she told her stepmother that she had lost it, the stepmother responded with anger and told her to fetch it anyway. Being the dutiful girl, she was,

In the book, 11 Dimensions of wellbeing, the authors of the study give their definition of industrious as: "People who are industrious are achievement-oriented, self-disciplined, efficient, purposeful, and competent. Industriousness is strongly correlated with "grit"- passion and perseverance for long-term goals."

The pretty and industrious daughter would be well qualified for a position as a Private Household Manager. Mother Holle obviously thought so because the story says, " She attended to everything to the satisfaction of her mistress." From the beginning of the story until the end when she left to return to her home she unselfishly gave of herself. Not once did she need direction, her actions demonstrate she was purposeful and competent. Also, her tasked were performed daily, showing self-discipline, always achieving her end goal.

The responsibilities she had in the old woman's house were much the same as those described in the job description for a household manager. The fact that there was never an unkind word spoken to her, and that she performed to her mistress’s satisfaction, demonstrates that this young woman would provide the same service for others. References could honestly say she proved her