Mrs. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion

by Roberts, Emma Perry

• ISBN13: 9780974019048
• ISBN10: 0974019046
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-03-15
• Publisher: Inspire Every Child

Summary

Mrs. Murphy's neighbors see her unusual little home as a blemish in their nearly perfect neighborhood. But an invitation for them to visit leads to unexpected changes of heart as they learn the error of making judgments based on outer appearances."Mrs. Murphy lived on a very fine street, in a very fine neighborhood, in a very fine town. She was a very fine person. When Mrs. Murphy took her dog, Pickles, out for a walk she would greet everyone with a smile and say, "Have a very fine day!"The neighbors always watched with amazement when Mrs. Murphy returned from her walk and entered her house. It looked so small they wondered how she could move around once she got through the door. They did not like the strange little house. In fact, they tried to pretend it wasn't there at all."Find out what happens as Mrs. Murphy's neighbors struggle to win The VERY FINEST NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEST with this eyesore of a dwelling situated in the middle of the their block. In the end realizing that; "It is a very fine day indeed, when we learn that beauty on the inside is more important than beauty on the outside."

Excerpts

Pages 2-3Mrs. Murphy lived on a very fine street, in a very fine neighborhood, in a very fine town. She was a very fine person. When Mrs. Murphy took her dog, Pickles, for a walk she would greet everyone with a smile and say, "Have a very fine day!"Page 4-5The neighbors always watched with amazement when Mrs. Murphy returned from her walk and entered her house. It looked so small they wondered how she could move around once she got inside. They did not like the odd little house. In fact, they tried to pretend it wasn't there at all.Page 6-7One very fine day, when Mrs. Murphy left her house, she found the neighbors gathered around a large billboardPage 8-9Chattering with excitement, they each offered ideas on how to make their neighborhood even more beautiful."Let's put up a grand welcome sign," said Mr. Brown."And elegant lamp posts on every corner," suggested Ms Black."Let's add trees and flowers along the sidewalks," said Mrs. Green, "and park benches with a fountain in the circle.""We must include a magnificent statue!" declared Mr. Gold."What very fine ideas," observed Mrs. Murphy, with a cheerful smile.Page 10-11As soon as she walked away, the neighbors began complaining about Mrs. Murphy's peculiar little house."Her house is really ugly," muttered Ms Black."It's barely bigger than a cracker box!" said Mr. Gold."We certainly won't win the VERY FINEST NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEST with that awful little house on our street," shouted Mr. Brown. "It should be torn down!"Page 12-13When Mrs. Murphy returned from her walk, Mr. Gold called out to her, "We have an important matter to discuss with you. It's about THE VERY FINEST NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEST.""And about your house," said Mrs. White. "You see, we think it's not... well, we just think that..."Page 14-15"What she's trying to say," interrupted Mr. Brown, "is that your house doesn't belong on our very fine street.""YOUR DREADFUL LITTLE HOUSE SIMPLY HAS TO GO!" they all shouted at once."Oh my," said Mrs. Murphy, looking up at her neighbors with surprise. "You must all come inside and see for yourselves that my house is very fine indeed. I insist that you join me tomorrow for lunch."The neighbors looked at one another in astonishment and began to whisper among themselves. Finally Mr. Gold announced, "We have decided to accept your invitation."Page 16-17The next day, when Mrs. Murphy's neighbors stepped through her peculiar little door, they were flabbergasted. "Your house appears to be quite roomy!" gasped Mr. Brown."I do love open spaces," replied Mrs. Murphy.Page 18"Just look at all these doors!" exclaimed Mrs. White."With more surprises behind each one," said Mrs. Murphy with a satisfied smile.Page 19"Your home is so full of light!" said Ms Black."And doesn't that make it bright and cheerful?" replied Mrs. Murphy.Page 20-21"This is astonishing!" declared Mrs. Green. "You have wonderful plants and flowers everywhere!""Why of course," said Mrs. Murphy. "They add such beauty and color."Page 22-23With ongoing exclamations of amazement, the guests followed Mrs. Murphy from one magical room to another. At last they came to her extraordinary kitchen, where a very elegant lunch was being prepared.Page 24-25Mrs. Murphy's neighbors chattered happily as they ate the mouth-watering meal. The delicacies included cheddar and mushroom quiche, baked yams with honey glaze, and a wild green salad with pine nuts. Next the guests enjoyed Mrs. Murphy's lively entertainment as they feasted upon strawberry-rhubarb pie a la mode. The meal was topped off with a cup of homemade cinnamon tea.Page 26-27When it came time to leave, Mrs. Murphy thanked her neighbors for coming and invited them to return another day.As they walked away, Mrs. White said, "On the inside, her house is so much different than I expected." The others nodded their heads in agreement."When we looked only at the outside, "declared Mr. Brown, "we couldn't appreciate the inside."Page 2