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Copywork
About This Passage
This sentence catches the funny, sad collapse of the tea-in-the-garden story: everyone keeps insisting on doing what the others want until hidden grumpiness turns a kind plan into a real quarrel. Copying it helps a child see that honestly and kindly saying what you would like is often kinder than a showy display of unselfishness.
Soon someone is saying ‘Very well then, I won’t have any tea at all!’, and a real quarrel ensues with bitter resentment on both sides.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Tell the story of Screwtape's twenty-sixth letter to Wormwood in your own words. What is the difference between real charity and the fake 'unselfishness' the devils like? And what funny, sad thing happens in the story about having tea in the garden?
Discussion Questions
- Screwtape wants a man to give a thing up not so the other person can be happy, but just so HE can feel unselfish about giving it up. Is a gift given to make the other person glad, or a gift given so the giver can feel unselfish, the real kindness — and why? Which detail in the letter to Wormwood helps you decide?
- Screwtape says people often give in but keep 'a secret grudge' and a 'secret claim' to be thanked — pretending to be kind while quietly feeling cross. Why is giving something up while feeling grumpy and wanting praise not really being kind? Name the detail in the letter to Wormwood that shows the secret grudge.
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
Real love that wants and works for the good of others.
Item 2
A bad feeling kept secretly against someone.
Item 3
A demand to be owed something, such as thanks.
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Critical Thinking
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