When I went to the 1 st. grade my mother sewed a beautiful check 
patterned party dress with a laced collar for me. It was very special 
as my parents did not have much money and to get new clothes was 
rare. So I was very proud and happy with my dress. So proud that I 
had to show my friends the dress. I put it on so that they could 
admire it and share my joy. It did not last long before my friends 
wanted to go play at the building site. UGH!
I did not take the time to change dress but ran along to the building 
site - an EL DORADO of gravel heaps, uneven files, building materials 
and mud-puddles between half finished familyhouses where we played hide 
and seek. On long board laid across a mudpuddle we played tight-rope 
walkers.....and I slipped and fell with great briliance into the mud. 
UPS! I was completely covered in mud. And my mother became very angry 
with me and my thoughtless behaviour. 
I do think that we were asked to party the next day 
and I should wear the dress.

 Lise Thygesen
 Cecilie's mother.

 Translated by Lise Thygesen