Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Beauty from Rags
Elizabeth stretched out on the multi-colored oval rug on the living room floor. She loved this rug. It added color to their otherwise drab but love-filled home. But Elizabeth had learned not to complain. It was the time of the Depression, and everyone was struggling to make ends meet.
Elizabeth was happy that Mama and Grandma were able to take leftover clothes and strips of cloths to make this lovely rug. It added so much to their home. There was not much color in the home--they did not have money for painting and decorating or buying pretty pictures. But the rag rug was special. Not only was it interesting, it held memories. Many of the pieces of clothing worked into the rug had been worn by Elizabeth and her brothers and sisters when they were younger.
Elizabeth remembered the many hours her mother had spent on this rug. First, Mama would wash the clothes and rags one more time. Then, after hanging them on the line to dry, she and Grandma would cut the pieces into two-inch strips. Each evening after supper, her mama and grandma sat on the worn living room couch, braiding the strips of cloth together while listening to the radio. They would make several smaller squares of braided rug, about double the size of a potholder, and put them aside to attach together later. Elizabeth tried to help when she could, and she did okay. But her hands fumbled a bit, and she got bored easily so she only braided for a few minutes at a time.
