The Golden Windows by Laura E Richards (Intermediate)

Intermediate

story

In a quaint village bordered by whispering woods and rolling meadows, there lived a young lad named Charlie. Each evening, as the sun painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Charlie would stand by his humble cottage window, gazing out at a distant hill adorned with a house that appeared to possess windows of pure gold.

One crisp autumn evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Charlie’s father observed his son’s fixed gaze and inquired, "What captivates your thoughts so deeply, my boy?"

"Oh, Father," Charlie responded, his eyes not moving from the golden spectacle, "those windows on the hill shine so brilliantly, like treasures of gold. Imagine the wonders that must fill such a house!"

"Perhaps," his father mused, "the true worth of those windows is not what lies behind them, but what they reflect. Why not venture there tomorrow? See for yourself what secrets they hold."

 

Emboldened by curiosity, Charlie set out at dawn. With the rising sun at his back, he journeyed across fields and streams, drawn ever towards the mysterious house. Upon arrival, the midday sun revealed a startling truth—the windows were but ordinary glass, dulled by the glare of the overhead sun.

Disheartened, Charlie knocked on the old wooden door, which was promptly answered by a young girl with a kind, knowing smile. "Hi, What brings you to my humble home?"

Charlie, hesitant yet honest, replied, "I came for the golden windows, but it seems I was mistaken."

"Ah," the girl showed Charlie around the hill and farm and shared some apples. As they sat, she explained, "The gold you see is but the sun’s farewell kiss to the world. Come, sit with me. Watch as the day ends."

They sat in silence as the sun began its descent. Turning his gaze homeward, Charlie's breath caught in his throat—the windows of his own little cottage now gleamed with radiant golden light.

"It’s a curious thing," the woman observed, following his astonished gaze, "how gold can be found not in the seeking, but in the returning."

With a heart enlightened by wisdom, Charlie thanked the woman and hastened home. Bursting through his door, he exclaimed, "Mother, Father, our windows—they are the golden windows! It was our home all along!"

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His parents embraced him, their laughter filling the room, as the last rays of the sun danced across their faces.

"And so," his father said, "it seems the greatest treasures are those we already possess, but only see when we view them from a new perspective."

Charlie learned that day that the quest for beauty and value often leads back to the familiar and overlooked treasures of home. From then on, he never saw the sunset or his humble windows in quite the same way again.

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Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/915946858/the-golden-windows-by-laura-e-richards-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

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Curious (adj) - eager to know or learn about something

Journey (noun) - the act of traveling from one place to another

Ordinary (adj) - with no special or distinctive features; normal

Disappointed (adj) - sad or displeased because someone or something has failed to fulfill one’s hopes or expectations

Elderly (adj) - (of a person) old or aging

Wisdom (noun) - the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment

Realization (noun) - an act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact

Treasures (noun) - valuable items, typically money or jewels

Embark (verb) - to begin a journey, especially on a ship or airplane

Deceptive (adj) - giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading

Catalyst (noun) - a person or thing that precipitates an event or change

Perceptions (noun) - the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted

Enlightened (adj) - having or showing a rational, modern, and well-informed outlook

Radiant (adj) - sending out light; shining or glowing brightly

Accompanies (verb) - go somewhere with (someone) as a companion or escort

Burst through the door (phrase) - to enter a place suddenly and forcefully

The sun’s farewell kiss (idiom) - the last light of the sun as it sets, poetically described as a gentle goodbye

The greatest treasures are those closest to home (idiom) - the most valuable things are often those that are familiar and nearby

Painted the sky (idiom) - to color the sky, typically during sunrise or sunset, creating a picturesque scene

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Questions

1. Why did Charlie decide to visit the house with the golden windows?

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A. He was looking for a place to live.

B. He was curious about the treasure he believed was inside.

C. He wanted to meet the owner of the house.

D. He was lost and needed directions.

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2. What did Charlie find out about the golden windows once he reached the house?

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A. They were made of gold.

B. They were actually ordinary glass.

C. They were a trick played by the villagers.

D. They were not windows at all but mirrors.

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3. Who accompanies Charlie on his journey to the house with the golden windows?

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A. His father.

B. His mother.

C. No one; he went alone.

D. His friend from the village.

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4. What was Charlie's reaction upon discovering the truth about the golden windows?

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A. He was excited to learn the truth.

B. He was disappointed but learned from the experience.

C. He decided to stay at the house with the elderly woman.

D. He didn’t believe the elderly woman and continued his search.

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5. What does the ‘golden windows’ symbol most likely represent in the story?

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A. The unattainable dreams of wealth.

B. The deceptive nature of appearances.

C. The beauty found in one's own life and home.

D. The passage of time and changing seasons.

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6. The story illustrates a moral lesson that Charlie learns by the end. What is this lesson?

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A. Always trust what you see.

B. It's better to travel than to arrive.

C. The greatest treasures are those closest to home.

D. Gold and wealth bring ultimate happiness.

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AP-Test Style Writing Topics

1. Analyze the role of the setting in "The Golden Windows." Consider how the journey between Charlie’s home and the house on the hill contributes to the development of the story’s theme. Discuss how the setting affects the protagonist’s understanding of his own perceptions and values.

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2. Compare and contrast the theme of appearance vs. reality in "The Golden Windows" to another literary work where characters discover the difference between what seems to be true and what is actually true. Discuss how this theme is developed through the characters' experiences and the outcomes of their discoveries.

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3. Discuss the significance of the elderly woman’s role in "The Golden Windows." How does her perspective and wisdom influence Charlie's understanding of his quest? Evaluate how her character serves as a catalyst for Charlie’s change and realization about the true nature of his own 'golden windows.'

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Answer Keys

1. B. He was curious about the treasure he believed was inside.

2. B. They were actually ordinary glass.

3. C. No one; he went alone.

4. B. He was disappointed but learned from the experience.

5. C. The beauty found in one's own life and home.

6. C. The greatest treasures are those closest to home.

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Sample AP-Test Style Writing Responses

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1. Analyze the role of the setting in "The Golden Windows."

The setting in "The Golden Windows" plays a crucial role in highlighting the story's theme about the value of perspective and the treasures of one's own life. The journey that Charlie undertakes from his own humble home to the house on the hill symbolizes his internal journey from naivety to enlightenment. Initially, the distant house with golden windows represents an idealized wealth and beauty, something Charlie believes is far superior to his own situation. This physical journey across varied landscapes under changing light conditions serves as a metaphor for his perception shifting as he moves away from familiarity into the unknown. When he reaches the house, the midday sun reveals that the windows are not gold but ordinary glass, symbolizing the clarity that comes with direct experience as opposed to distant admiration. On his return, as he sees his home bathed in the golden light of the sunset, the setting sun not only alters his perception but also enriches his understanding of value and beauty. This realization that the same golden glow he admired from afar also touches his own home illustrates how our environment and where we stand within it can drastically alter our interpretations and emotional responses.

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2. Compare and contrast the theme of appearance vs. reality in "The Golden Windows" to another literary work.

"The Golden Windows" shares a thematic connection with F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," where both narratives explore the theme of appearance versus reality. In "The Golden Windows," Charlie believes the golden windows indicate wealth and happiness, only to discover that they are merely reflections of the sunset on ordinary glass—a reality vastly different from his expectations. Similarly, in "The Great Gatsby," Gatsby's magnificent parties and grand mansion represent his ideal life and status, masking his unfulfilled desires and loneliness. Both Charlie and Gatsby chase illusions: Charlie's is a literal distant shimmer, while Gatsby's is the dream of Daisy's love, portrayed through the symbolic green light at the end of her dock. Ultimately, both characters confront the truth, although their outcomes diverge—Charlie gains insight and appreciates his own life, whereas Gatsby meets a tragic end, consumed by his illusions. These stories underscore how the pursuit of appearances can lead to a stark confrontation with reality, profoundly impacting individuals' lives and choices.

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3. Discuss the significance of the elderly woman’s role in "The Golden Windows."

In "The Golden Windows," the elderly woman acts as a pivotal catalyst for Charlie’s transformation, guiding him to a profound realization about the treasures of his own life. Her role is instrumental in shifting Charlie's quest from a search for external treasures to an appreciation of the intrinsic values present in his familiar surroundings. Through her simple yet profound observation about the golden glow being merely the sunset’s reflection, she imparts a wisdom that challenges Charlie’s initial perception. This interaction not only serves as the turning point in the narrative but also emphasizes the theme that true value often lies not in what we eagerly seek but in what we already possess. Her presence and her wisdom help Charlie to see beyond the superficial allure of the golden windows, leading him to discover the deeper beauty of his own home. The elderly woman embodies the voice of experience and wisdom, teaching that the most significant discoveries come from looking inward and recognizing the worth of our everyday environments. This lesson is vital for Charlie, transforming his understanding and appreciation of his own life, illustrating how a mentor figure can be crucial in one's journey of self-discovery and reassessment of personal values.

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