*MATILDA*

'Matilda' by Hillarie Belloc makes us to realise the result of a foolish behaviour.

Matilda, a young girl was in the habit of telling dreadful lies. Matilda developed the habit of telling lies just for fun and to have a sensational play. Her aunt who was greatly regarded truth could not see through the lies of Matilda. In fact, the discipline imposed by her Aunt to be very truthful compelled Matilda to create lies in a convincing way. In her simplicity she took everyone to believe in her lies. She would have lost her life if she had not discovered Matilda's weakness for lies. The poet says,
"MATILDA told such dreadful lies; It made one gasp, and stretch one's Eyes.

One evening Matilda was playing in the street and suddenly realized that all her playmates have left her alone and hence she became tired of play. Seeing that she was alone, she wanted play a trick and tiptoed to the telephone. She rang up London's Noble Fire-Brigade and summoned its immediate aid saying that her house was on fire. Within an hour the gallant man of the Fire-Brigade arrived at her house from Putney, Hackney Downs and Bow. The fire brigade galloped roared through the Town with lots of courage and glowing hearts. They did not even wait to see if the house was on fire. With the help of ladders they mounted on the first floor and began directing their water- jets on the house. So, all the pictures in the house were soaked with water. Matilda's Aunt was shocked to the happenings, it took sometime for Matilda's aunt to realize what has happened and she had to pay some money to send them away.

A few weeks later she was alone in the house. Her aunt had been gone to see the play "The second Mrs. Tanqueray", a very interesting he purposely did not take her niece with her on that occasion, to entertainer. give some punishment. She showed her displeasure to the liar-Matilda. Suddenly Matilda realized that smoke was coming from her house. She went inside to find that the house was really caught fire. Matilda without knowing the action to be taken madly shouted for help. But the people in the street passed by, saying that it was another prank of the little liar. People refused to believe the words of Matilda. They thought that it was one of the tricky lies of Matilda. As such Matilda could not get any help from anyone It was too late when her aunt returned from the drama. The house had been burnt down, and Matilda along with it. What a sad and pitiable end it was for Matildal Lies therefore are not to be told even for fun.