alyssa by cj moore
alyssa is reading her father calls to her alyssa alyssa
alyssa runs to the door there is a car outside the house her father is talking to a fat man
this is alyssa she reads all day her father says the two men laugh
alyssa her father says my friend has worked for you in the city
there isn't any work here in the village you must go with him the fat man smiles at alyssa
how old are you he asks i'm 12. she says the fat man laughs again alyssa doesn't like him
she doesn't want to go with this man she wants to go to school in the village she likes school
she likes reading your mother is packing your things you must go to the city her father says
the fat man gives some money to alyssa's father alyssa's father is pleased and happy
alyssa is angry and afraid alyssa does not want to go with this man but she must obey her father
alyssa and the fat man arrive in the city they drive to a house a thin man comes to the door
the two men talk here is your room the thin man says to alyssa he points to a door under the steps
alyssa goes into the room the room is small and dark it is her new home the next morning the thin
man takes alyssa into the house this is alyssa the man says to his wife she likes reading they laugh
suddenly the woman shouts at elissa you aren't going to read here she shouts
you're going to cook and clean and wash alyssa works 15 hours a day
the woman shouts at her every day alyssa is very unhappy she cries every night
one day the thin man says to alyssa pack your things you must go
my wife doesn't like you the thin man takes her to a clothes shop in the city the shop owner
is a large woman she gives the man some money he goes away he doesn't say goodbye to alyssa
alyssa works with five other girls they work in a small dark room
the girls work all day they make clothes they work 12 hours a day at midday they eat lunch
after lunch they rest for 10 minutes at night they sleep on the floor
each month the shop owner gives the girls a little money alyssa buys a book with her money
she reads the book after lunch the shop owner is surprised the other girls can't read
can you write can you count the shop owner asks yes i can alyssa says
come the shop owner says you are going to work in the shop
alyssa likes working in the shop she serves the customers the customers are rich ladies
they buy expensive dresses one of the customers is a tall and pretty lady
she always smiles at elissa she gives alyssa small presents
one day the tall lady leaves her purse in the shop alyssa runs out into the street
she runs after the lady here is your purse alyssa says the ladies smiles
she takes some money from the purse thank you she says to alyssa you are an honest girl
take this money no no says alyssa i don't want your money
she runs back to the shop the shop owner shouts at her don't leave the shop again she shouts
i pay you a lot of money i pay you to work i don't pay you to run out into the street
alyssa is angry you don't pay me a lot of money she shouts i'm a slave here
you're an ungrateful girl the large woman says you have a bed and food and money do you want more yes
i do alyssa says she is crying now wait a quiet voice says the tall lady is standing at the door
alyssa isn't ungrateful the tall lady says she is an honest girl the tall lady speaks
to alyssa aren't you happy here she asks what do you want alyssa says i want to go to school
the tall lady turns to the shop owner alyssa will live in my house she says
she won't work she will go to school you must pay me the shop owner says
no the tall lady says alyssa isn't a slave pack your things alyssa she says we will go home
now alyssa goes with the tall lady she is going to a new home she is going to be happy you