Page 66 - Nuts to You - The Nutcracker Retold

Hustle, Bustle, Toil and Trouble
Mrs. Stahlbaum was in an uproar – and whenever Mrs. Stahlbaum was in an uproar, the whole house echoed her uproar. For a week, the chaos had been growing and growing, until today. Everywhere one looked, there was a hustle and a bustle. The reason for all the trouble was simple, but sixteen years in the making. Ever since Clara was born, in fact.
For on the day of Clara’s birth, Mrs. Stahlbaum had looked down on her wee infant girl and made PLANS. Plans to marry her off and be rid of her, that is. It’s really not quite as heartless as it sounds. Mrs. Stahlbaum dreamed grand visions of marrying her only daughter off to a handsome prince – correction: a rich and handsome prince – clarification: an exceedingly rich and handsome prince.
The thought of her daughter married to – final clarification: an exceedingly rich and generous, handsome prince – made Mrs. Stahlbaum even more exceedingly happy. For years she had dreamed this dream, planned for this day, and had never given one thought as to whether it was Clara’s dream or would make Clara happy. After all, Mrs. Stahlbaum was
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