The Crying Stone | listening task

Summary

In a distant village, a young girl with a cold heart is trapped by her own pride and lack of love. Her mother tries to guide her, but the girl rejects her kindness. As her heart grows colder, she is punished by a curse that turns her into stone. The transformation serves as a powerful lesson on the consequences of neglecting love and respect for others. The story warns that without kindness, one’s heart will harden, and the girl’s statue stands as a reminder of the painful outcome of her actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story centers around a young girl with a cold heart, who lives in a village far over the hills.
• 😀 Despite her outward grace, the girl lacks kindness and love, rejecting her mother's affection.
• 😀 The girl's pride and refusal to respect her mother lead to a sense of shame and emotional distance.
• 😀 A transformation begins when the sky turns dark, and the girl experiences a painful change.
• 😀 The girl's feet turn to stone, and her hands become heavy, symbolizing her growing emotional burden.
• 😀 Her tears fall like rain, representing sorrow and the pain within her heart.
• 😀 Her mother, helpless, prays to the gods, but no solution or hope is found.
• 😀 The girl's transformation continues, with the Stone Rose growing as her voice grows weaker.
• 😀 The girl’s pride is revealed as her prison, and she faces the consequences of her actions.
• 😀 As the rain continues, the girl disappears, and a statue of her crying alone stands on a hill forever.
• 😀 The story ends with a lesson: a heart without kindness will grow cold, and rejecting love will lead to sorrow and pain.
• 😀 The narrative warns that, like the girl, anyone who turns away from love may become the next one to cry every day.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the script?

The central theme of the script is the importance of kindness and love, and how a lack of these qualities can lead to emotional and personal consequences, as portrayed through the story of a young girl who becomes a statue due to her pride and unkindness.

What is the significance of the girl's transformation into stone?

The transformation of the girl into stone symbolizes the emotional and spiritual consequences of living without kindness and love. It represents how her pride and lack of empathy solidify her fate, turning her into a cold, unfeeling figure, both literally and figuratively.

How does the girl's pride affect her relationship with her mother?

The girl's pride causes her to be ashamed of her mother, leading her to turn away from her and refuse to speak with her, despite her mother's worn and weakened condition. This reflects how her vanity distances her from those who truly care for her.

What lesson is the girl meant to learn, according to the script?

The girl is meant to learn that a heart without kindness will grow cold, and that respecting and cherishing those who love you is crucial. Her lack of kindness leads her to a lonely and sorrowful fate, symbolized by her transformation into stone.

What role does the mother play in the script?

The mother plays a pivotal role as the figure who continues to care for the girl despite her rejection. She pleads to the gods for help, showing her enduring love and compassion, even when her daughter turns away from her.

What happens to the girl after she transforms into stone?

After the girl transforms into stone, she disappears, leaving behind a statue that stands alone on a hill, crying forever. This symbolizes her eternal isolation and the consequences of her unkindness and pride.

What does the rain symbolize in the script?

The rain symbolizes the girl's sorrow, regret, and the emotional weight she carries. Her tears falling like rain reflect the deep pain and remorse she feels as she undergoes her transformation into stone.

Why does the script emphasize the phrase 'no no, what's happening to me'?

The phrase 'no no, what's happening to me' emphasizes the girl's realization of her impending fate, highlighting her confusion and fear as she begins to understand the consequences of her actions. It also reflects the tragic realization of her lost chance for redemption.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Pride was her prison'?

The phrase 'Pride was her prison' signifies how the girl's excessive pride confined her emotionally and spiritually. Her inability to embrace love and kindness trapped her in a state of coldness, ultimately leading to her transformation into stone.

What message does the script convey to the audience at the end?

At the end, the script delivers a cautionary message about the importance of kindness and respect for those who love us. It urges the audience to avoid turning away from love and to recognize the destructive power of pride and emotional coldness.