Short Answer
The speaker introduces a story in a confidential tone, but it is interrupted by the audience’s restlessness. The narrative about a good yet uninteresting girl fails to engage listeners and is deemed improper for children, highlighting challenges in ensuring age-appropriate and captivating storytelling.
Step 1: Introduction of the Speaker
The speaker, likely a character of authority, begins telling a story in a ___________ tone. This is characterized by a *low, confidential voice*, which suggests a sense of *intimacy* or *importance*. However, the story is quickly interrupted by *loud, petulant questioning* from her audience, highlighting that the listeners are either restless or disengaged with the narrative.
Step 2: The Nature of the Story
The story itself is about a little girl who embodies the ideal of being *good*, yet it is described as *unenterprising* and *deplorably uninteresting*. This reflects a common challenge in storytelling where the content may not resonate with the audience, leading to a lack of engagement. The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of crafting narratives that appeal to children while being appropriate for their understanding and appreciation.
Step 3: Reactions to the Story
The response to the narrative is quite severe, as another character brands the tale *improper for young children*. This indicates that the story not only failed to captivate but also potentially *undermined* the teachings of proper behavior that the children had received in the past. This reaction emphasizes the importance of *age-appropriate content* in storytelling, especially for young audiences.