Emily’s transformation at college broke her grandmother Janet’s heart. She went from a sweet, kind girl to someone obsessed with fitting in with a materialistic crowd. One day, Emily demanded, “Grandma, I need you to sell your jewelry,” to fund a trip with her new friends. Janet, shocked and hurt, devised a plan.
“Emily,” Janet said, “if this trip is so important, I’ll consider selling the jewelry. But first, invite your friends over for tea.” Emily reluctantly agreed.
When Emily’s friends arrived, Janet offered them a deal: a piece of her jewelry if they canceled on Emily. They eagerly accepted, revealing their true colors. “We didn’t want her to come anyway,” one admitted.
Emily, overhearing, was devastated. “I thought you were my friends!” she cried. Her friends dismissed her, revealing they never truly liked her. “We were just being polite,” one said cruelly.
Janet comforted Emily, who realized her mistake. “I just wanted to fit in,” Emily sobbed. Janet replied, “True friends will never ask you to change who you are.”
Emily apologized to her family and old friends, slowly finding her true self again. Janet’s jewelry remained, a testament to family values and the lessons Emily learned about friendship and self-worth.
