"The Necklace" is a short story by Guy de Maupassant that follows Mathilde Loisel, a woman who dreams of a luxurious life. She borrows a beautiful diamond necklace from her wealthy friend, Madame Forestier, to wear at a fancy ball. After enjoying the evening, Mathilde discovers that she has lost the necklace. To replace it, Mathilde and her husband, Monsieur Loisel, work for ten years to pay off the debt incurred from buying a replacement. In the end, Mathilde learns that the original necklace was actually a fake, highlighting themes of pride, vanity, and the harsh realities of life.