IGCSE narrative essay | 2010 Oct-Nov | A letter turns up which has been lost in the



Question

You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:

A letter turns up which has been lost in the post for ten years. Write a story which explains the effect of this letter when it is finally delivered.

Model Essay

A Letter from the Past

The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden hue over the quiet suburban neighborhood. Emma had just returned home from work, feeling the usual fatigue of a long day. As she sifted through the mail, a weathered, yellowed envelope caught her eye. The postmark read 2014, a full ten years earlier. Confused, she carefully opened the envelope, her curiosity piqued.

Inside was a letter addressed to her father, David Clarke. Her hands trembled slightly as she unfolded the letter, revealing a neat, cursive script. The letter was from a law firm, informing David that he had inherited a substantial estate from a distant relative he had never met. The estate included a house, a significant amount of money, and several valuable family heirlooms. Emma’s heart pounded as she read the final lines: “Please contact our office at your earliest convenience to discuss the details.”

David Clarke had passed away five years ago. The letter had never reached him, and now, it was up to Emma to uncover what might have been.

The next day, Emma contacted the law firm mentioned in the letter. After explaining the situation, she learned that the estate was still unclaimed. The lawyer expressed surprise and sympathy, stating that the firm had made several attempts to reach David but had assumed he was not interested. The unclaimed estate had remained in limbo all these years.

Emma’s mind raced. What would her father have done with this unexpected windfall? Would their lives have been different? She decided to visit the estate, which was located in a small town a few hours away. As she drove through the countryside, her thoughts drifted to her father. He had always been a hardworking man, struggling to provide for his family. The thought of him missing out on such a significant inheritance filled her with a mix of sadness and curiosity.

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When she arrived at the estate, she was greeted by an old, stately mansion surrounded by overgrown gardens. The house, though neglected, still held an air of grandeur. Emma wandered through the rooms, imagining her father’s reaction to such a place. She could almost hear his voice, filled with wonder and disbelief.

In the attic, she discovered a collection of letters, photographs, and journals belonging to her father’s relative. As she sifted through the dusty memorabilia, she uncovered a family history rich with stories and connections she had never known. It was as if her father’s legacy had been waiting for her to find it.

Emma decided to restore the estate in her father’s honor. She used the inheritance to renovate the mansion, turning it into a community center for underprivileged children, something she knew her father would have supported wholeheartedly. The heirlooms were displayed in a small museum within the center, preserving the family’s history for future generations.

As the years passed, the community center flourished. Emma found herself frequently reflecting on the chain of events that had brought her there. The lost letter had not only changed her life but had also touched the lives of countless others. It was a reminder that even in the face of loss and missed opportunities, there was always a chance to create something meaningful.

The letter, delayed by a decade, had ultimately led Emma to a deeper understanding of her father and her family’s legacy. It had brought her closer to the past, while also giving her a purpose for the future. And in the quiet moments, as she walked through the halls of the restored mansion, she felt a profound connection to the man who had shaped her life, grateful for the twist of fate that had brought the letter to her door.

Word Count: 618