My Grandmother's Pearls

Read a folk tale to my grandson
In which kindness’ reward
Was, whenever the young maiden spoke,
Pearls from her mouth just poured.

Her evil sister’s punishment
Was toads instead of pearls,
The moral fairly obvious
For little boys and girls.

My grandson liked the story
And he understood the gist
But I realized there was something
That he likely might have missed.

For a pearl was unfamiliar,
Both in value and in looks
Though it sometimes does appear
In older fairy story books.

So I took my grandma’s necklace,
With its pearls, so white and cold,
And I held them to the camera
For my grandson to behold.

When bequeathing me her pearls
My grandma couldn’t have a clue
They’d connect to someone great great grand
And more than earn their due.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Watt Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 1:16 AM
Ilene, you are the pearl in this tale, for making the connection between story and treasured heirloom and giving your grand a teachable moment he can share with his grands someday. Heartwarming poem of the day, my friend!
Rigoler Avatar
May 24, 2020 at 12:55 PM
I have an experience similar to yours, Ilene, but with a disappointing ending. When my grandfather died,I, the oldest grandson, inherited his ruby ring set in pure gold. I was eager to pawn it then, more concerned with money than sentimentality. When I did take it to a reputable jewelry shop the ruby was appraised as aluminum oxide. Even so, I kept it for sentimental reasons and never told the family. A true story. / Maurice
Leffanta Avatar
May 23, 2020 at 2:23 PM
Grandson should watch Antiques Roadshow to be amazed at how much your toys sell for today! It is wonderful you have those pearls! My wife was an only child and inherited everything, but lost it all when our USA home was burglarized, including a box containing the first tooth lost by the eldest male child since the 13th century! Imagine the worth of that to today's DNA researchers! Aloha! Rico
Allison Avatar
May 23, 2020 at 4:12 AM
how wonderful you had these pearls to show him - another pearl of poetic wisdom flows from your wonderful pen :-) isnt technology wonderful that you can read stories to them even though you can't be with them in person:-) hugs jan xx
Krutsinger Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 9:43 PM
This is a wonderful testimony to leaving certain keepsakes to the right person, someone who will treasure and take care of them.
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 9:07 PM
Sorry for the mirror image comment...technical difficulties!
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 9:06 PM
Oh my, Ilene, I love the story you have told so poetically of your cherished family heirloom! I was given my grandmother's childhood doll. She is well over 100 years old now. I love her, but my boys think she's creepy...it's nice to see you're still here sharing your lovely and clever poetry. xx Rhonda
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 9:04 PM
Oh my, Ilene, I love the story you have told so poetically of your cherished family heirloom! I was given my grandmother's childhood doll. She is well over 100 years old now. I love her, but my boys think she's creepy...it's nice to see you're still here sharing your lovely and clever poetry. xx Rhonda
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