A young girl named Katya, nicknamed the "ugly duckling," was constantly ridiculed and belittled by her classmates for her appearance, specifically her hand-me-down clothes. Her life changed drastically after her parents were involved in a car accident, leaving her mother disabled and her father deceased. Katya's mother had to work menial jobs to make ends meet, and Katya herself had to endure the humiliation of wearing her mother's old clothes to school events, including a physical education lesson.
After graduating, Katya disappeared from her classmates' lives, and 10 years later, they were reunited at a school reunion. However, Katya did not attend, but instead sent a mysterious gift to each of her former classmates - luxurious clothes from famous couturiers. The classmates were shocked to discover that the gift was from Katya, now a renowned fashion designer known as Catherine Taylor.
The gift was a lesson to her former classmates, teaching them not to judge people by their appearance. Katya's success was a testament to her hard work and determination, and she had risen above the cruelty and humiliation she endured in her childhood.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Katya's parents were in a car accident when she was three years old, resulting in her father's death and her mother's blindness and disability.
2. Katya spent her childhood wearing cast-off clothes from sales and flea markets due to financial difficulties.
3. Katya's mother got a job through the society of the blind, collecting electrical switches and clothespins.
4. Katya was ridiculed by her peers at school for her appearance and clothing.
5. Katya was excluded from her school's graduation celebration due to her appearance.
6. 10 years after graduation, Katya's former classmates organized a reunion.
7. Katya became a successful fashion designer and changed her name to Catherine Taylor.
8. Katya sent expensive gifts of designer clothes to her former classmates during the reunion.
9. Katya's goal in sending the gifts was to show that people should not be judged by their appearance.