
From the Five Rivers
By - Flora Annie Steel
London William Heinemann 1901
First Published 1893 Reprinted 1893; 1897; 1901
FROM THE FIVE RIVERS.
GUNESH CHUND.
THE BLUE MONKEY.
SHAH SUJAH'S MOUSE.
SUTTU.
AT A GIRLS' SCHOOL.
In a moonless night over a remote, dust‑laden plain, the village headman Gunesh Chund wanders among the lingering mist and fresh pools left by a recent rain. The quiet landscape, described in vivid, violet‑blue hues, mirrors his restless thoughts about legacy, duty, and the hope of a son to inherit his responsibilities. As he moves past his modest homes and the humble livestock, the rhythm of rural life—sheep bleating, cattle lowing—grounds the scene in a timeless, agrarian world.
Inside his modest house, the anticipation builds around a woman in labor, her cries echoing the ancient cycles of birth and death that shape the community. Gunesh’s yearning for an heir intertwines with the village’s collective prayers, while the surrounding stars seem to watch silently, promising renewal. The opening paints a portrait of a people bound to the land, poised on the brink of change, inviting listeners to step into a story of hope, heritage, and the quiet strength of everyday heroism.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (258K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books (Harvard University)
Release date
May 27, 2012
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1847–1929
Best known for vivid fiction and folktale collections shaped by years in British India, this late Victorian writer brought the Punjab and its stories to English-language readers. Her work often blends sharp observation, storytelling energy, and a strong interest in women’s lives.
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by Flora Annie Webster Steel

by Flora Annie Webster Steel

by Flora Annie Webster Steel

by Flora Annie Webster Steel

by Flora Annie Webster Steel

by Flora Annie Webster Steel

by Flora Annie Webster Steel

by Flora Annie Webster Steel