Allegories of Life

audiobook

Allegories of Life

by Mrs. J. S. Adams

EN·~2 hours·23 chapters

Chapters

23 total
1

I. THE BELLS.

7:37
2

II. THE HEIGHT.

11:11
3

III. THE PILGRIM.

2:19
4

IV. FAITH.

6:36
5

V. HOPE.

6:12
6

VI. JOY AND SORROW.

14:03
7

VII. UPWARD.

3:06
8

VIII. THE OAK.

5:10
9

IX. TRUTH AND ERROR.

14:51
10

X. THE TREE.

3:17

Description

In a quiet valley, the ancient bells of a church have long marked the rhythm of daily life, their golden tones ringing out with steadfast devotion. As Christmas approaches, a restless high‑pitched bell grows weary of its single note and persuades the others to fall silent, hoping a break will bring change and a fresh perspective. Their collective hush sets off a chain of anticipation and anxiety among the villagers, especially a grieving family whose ailing child longs to hear the beloved chime one last time.

The story follows the sexton’s frantic attempts to revive the silent choir, the mysterious arrival of the bell’s owner, and the poignant reactions of those awaiting the familiar sound. Through the interplay of music, silence, and human hope, the narrative explores themes of purpose, renewal, and the fragile balance between tradition and the desire for something new—all framed within a tender, allegorical winter tableau.

Collections

Browse all

Details

Language

en

Duration

~2 hours (140K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Wright American Fiction, Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

Release date

2005-05-24

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

MJ

Mrs. J. S. Adams

1845–1885

Best known for Allegories of Life, this 19th-century American writer published reflective, moral tales under her married name. She is also identified in library and public-domain records as Harriet Ada Adams, née Marr.

View all books

You may also like