
In a quiet, close‑knit community, Mrs. Govers eagerly awaits the birth of a son, only to be handed a daughter she names Ellaphine. She dreams of turning her “ugly duckling” into a swan, hoping the elegant name will shape the child’s future. Instead, the village children tease her with the nickname “Elephant,” and Ellaphine grows up under the weight of her mother’s high hopes and modest expectations.
Nearby, Eddie Pouch—born Egbert and rechristened by his uncle—struggles with his modest station in a feather‑duster factory run by Uncle Loren. Though small and shy, he harbors a secret admiration for the town’s celebrated beauty, Luella Thickins. When Luella unexpectedly asks him to join the Sunday‑school picnic and share a favorite dish, Eddie’s nervous excitement hints at a possible shift in his ordinary life. The story captures the tender humor and quiet longing that define small‑town relationships, inviting listeners to watch how ordinary hopes can spark unexpected connections.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (502K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Colin Bell, Woodie4, Michael and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1872–1956
A remarkably versatile early-20th-century figure, he moved easily between novels, music writing, military service, and the young film industry. Best remembered today for his lively, wide-ranging career, he also wrote an influential multivolume life of George Washington.
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