The big sister takes the potion, and the other gifts vanish into the mist, as if they were never truly there. She drinks half, then hands it to the little sister, who drinks the other half. When the potion is empty, the bottle also vanishes into mist, and the two sisters look at each other. As they are faceless mannequins, it’s impossible to tell what emotion they are feeling. Even their body language reveals nothing.
“After drinking the potion, both the big sister and the little sister broke out into wide grins, and their eyes filled with light and joy. Their parents, unsure, asked the pair ‘Are you happy?’ to which the pair cheerily replied ‘Yes! We are truly happy!’ The merchant chuckled at such a spirited response, and asked the sisters ‘I have a large estate, and it needs many hands to keep it running. How would you like to come work for me?’ The big sister looked to the little sister, the little sister looked to the big sister, and they cheerily replied ‘We’d be happy to!’ And so, the big sister and the little sister left their home, and traveled to the city with the merchant.”
The two sisters walk off with the merchant, not even waving to say goodbye to their parents. The whole scene vanishes into mist, and is replaced by the interior of a fancy mansion. The only people occupying it are the merchant and the sisters. The merchant is almost always shown lounging, while the sisters shift into mist between various jobs.
“At the merchant’s home, there was much work for the sisters to do, and they were always happy to do it.”
The sisters are on their hands and knees, sweeping up dust from the floor with small brushes while the merchant looks on.
“‘Clean my floors!’ said the merchant, and they did so, happily.”
The sisters are busy in a kitchen, preparing an elaborate feast that is set out on a long table, the only place set is the one the Merchant is sitting at.
“‘Make me dinner!’ said the merchant, and they did so, happily.”
The sisters are carrying large loads of supplies, so much so that they can’t stand up straight. The merchant waits for them with crossed arms, as if annoyed at how long they’re taking.
“‘Go to the market!’ said the merchant, and they did so, happily.”
As the scenes shift, it shows more vignettes further showing the grueling work that the sisters were subjected to. With each one, the mannequins looked more beaten and worn down, and it was almost impossible to believe that they could ever be happy regardless of what the narration kept claiming.
“It was hard work, but they always said that they were happy to do it. Even when the merchant called them cruel names, or made them work late into the night, or didn’t give them time to eat, they always said they were happy. No matter what, they always smiled and did what they were told.”
The mists swirl around, forming a dimly lit room containing nothing but a pair of uncomfortable looking beds. The two sisters sat on each one, facing each other, in the pantomime of a conversation.
“One rare night when the sisters didn’t have work to do and had a moment to themselves, they looked at each other. Though they still smiled, the light had left their eyes. ‘Are we really happy?’ one sister asked the other.”
“How did the sister reply?”
On some deep level, you know that once again, the story is waiting for a response from you. That you are the one who decides how they answer. And on an even deeper level, you know that there are only two answers that you can choose from.
[I am’] [You aren’t]
