“A handful of good life is worth a bushel of learning.” “Dear Emily,–I have a brilliant idea, and at once hasten to share it with you. Three weeks ago I came up here to the wilds of Vermont to visit my old aunt, also to get a little quiet and distance in which to survey […]

“I’m so tired of Christmas I wish there never would be another one!” exclaimed a discontented-looking little girl, as she sat idly watching her mother arrange a pile of gifts two days before they were to be given. “Why, Effie, what a dreadful thing to say! You are as bad as old Scrooge; and I’m […]

The Queen sat upon her throne, and all the fairies from the four kingdoms were gathered for a grand council. A very important question was to be decided, and the bravest, wisest elves were met to see what could be done. The Frost King made war upon the flowers; and it was a great grief […]

Once upon a time two little fairies went out into the world to seek their fortune. Thistledown wore a green suit, a purple cloak, a gay feather in his cap, and was as handsome an elf as one could wish to see. But he was not loved in Fairyland; for, like the flower whose name […]

Down in the deep sea lived Ripple, a happy little water sprite. She lived in a palace of red coral, with gardens of sea-flowers all round it, the waves like a blue sky above it, and white sand full of jewels for its floor. Ripple and her mates had gay times playing with the sea-urchins, […]

A little girl lay on the grass down by the brook wondering what the brown water said as it went babbling over the stones. As she listened she heard another kind of music that seemed to come nearer and nearer, till round the corner floated a beautiful boat filled with elves, who danced on the […]

Once upon a time there was a very wise old spirit called Mother Nature, who lived in a beautiful place, and had a large family of children, whom she found it rather hard to manage. When they obeyed her, all went well; but when they played pranks or quarrelled, everything was in confusion, and all […]

One summer morning a party of little wood-people were talking together about something which interested them very much. The fruit-fairy was eating her breakfast as she swung on a long spray of the raspberry-vines that waved in the wind; a blue-bird was taking his bath in the pool below, looking as if a bit of […]

For many seasons the Golden-rods had reigned over the meadow, and no one thought of choosing a king from any other family, for they were strong and handsome, and loved to rule. But one autumn something happened which caused great excitement among the flowers. It was proposed to have a queen, and such a thing […]

She was not a real Brownie, but a little girl named Betty, who lived with her father in a cottage near a great forest. They were poor; so Betty always wore a brown frock, a big brown hat, and, being out in the sun a great deal, her face was as brown as a berry, […]

“I wish I were a sea-gull or a fish or a mermaid; then I could swim as much as I like, and not have to stay on this stupid dry land all day,” said Nelly, as she sat frowning and punching holes in the sand one summer morning, while the waves came murmuring up on […]

“The naughty cuckoo has been here while we were gone, and left this great blue egg among our little white ones,” said the linnet to her mate as they came back from their breakfast one day and found the nest full. “It is not a cuckoo’s egg, my dear,” answered the father bird, shaking his […]

Marion had been ill, and was still so weak that she had to lie on her bed many hours each day trying to sleep and rest. One winter afternoon when the snow fell quietly outside and the room was very still, with Nurse dozing in her chair, the kitten purring on the rug, and nothing […]

In high Olympus’ sacred shadeA gift Minerva wroughtFor her beloved philosopherImmersed in deepest thought. A shield to guard his aged breastWith its enchanted meshWhen he his nectar and ambrosia tookTo strengthen and refresh. Long may he live to use the lifeThe hidden goddess gave,To keep unspotted to the endThe gentle, just, and brave. December, 1887.

A little grey curl from my father’s headI find unburned on the hearth,And give it a place in my diary here,With a feeling half sadness, half mirth.For the long white locks are our special pride,Though he smiles at his daughter’s praise;But, oh, they have grown each year more thin,Till they are now but a silvery […]

Lines Written by Louisa M. Alcott to Her Father Like Bunyan’s pilgrim with his pack,Forth went the dreaming youthTo seek, to find, and make his ownWisdom, virtue, and truth.Life was his book, and patientlyHe studied each hard page;By turns reformer, outcast, priest,Philosopher and sage. Christ was his Master, and he madeHis life a gospel sweet;Plato […]

The mules were my especial delight; and an hour’s study of a constant succession of them introduced me to many of their characteristics: for six of these odd little beasts drew each army wagon and went hopping like frogs through the stream of mud that gently rolled along the street. The coquettish mule had small […]

“A stitch in time saves nine.” “O Pris, Pris, I’m really going! Here’s the invitation–rough paper–Chapel–spreads–Lyceum Hall–everything splendid; and Jack to take care of me!” As Kitty burst into the room and performed a rapturous pas seul, waving the cards over her head, sister Priscilla looked up from her work with a smile of satisfaction […]

“Children and fools speak the truth.” I “What’s that sigh for, Polly dear?” “I’m tired, mother, tired of working and waiting. If I’m ever going to have any fun, I want it now while I can enjoy it.” “You shouldn’t wait another hour if I could have my way; but you know how helpless I […]

“Handsome is that handsome does.” I Once upon a time there raged in a certain city one of those fashionable epidemics which occasionally attack our youthful population. It wasn’t the music mania, nor gymnastic convulsions, nor that wide-spread malady, croquet. Neither was it one of the new dances which, like a tarantula-bite, set every one […]