
THE BELGIAN TWINS
By - Lucy Fitch Perkins
To the friends of Belgian Children—
PREFACE
THE BELGIAN TWINS
I. THE HARVEST-FIELD
II. THE RUMORS
III. THE ALARM
IV. "FOR KING, FOR LAW AND LIBERTY"
V. DOING A MAN'S WORK
In a sun‑washed Belgian village, eight‑year‑old Jan and Marie Van Hove spend their days helping parents in the harvest, caring for chickens, and exploring the fields with their loyal dog, Fidel. Their simple, rhythmic life—building mouse nests, splashing in the canal, sharing a midday snack under a shady tree—captures the quiet joy of rural childhood just before the world turns upside down.
When the distant echo of war reaches the fields, the twins find themselves thrust into a sudden, perilous journey as refugees. Their quick thinking and fierce devotion to each other lead them to hide a treasured locket, a small token that becomes a beacon of hope amid the chaos. Along the way they encounter an enigmatic eel‑woman and a determined mother, figures drawn from real lives of courage, whose stories inspire the twins to keep moving forward.
Through vivid description and heartfelt resilience, the tale offers a moving portrait of youthful bravery set against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil, inviting listeners to share in the twins’ unforgettable first steps toward safety.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (123K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Lynn Hill. Dedicated to Betty Sheridan. HTML version by Al Haines.
Release date
Jan 1, 2003
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1937
Best known for the much-loved Twins books, this American writer and illustrator brought children into everyday life around the world through warm, lively stories. Her books mixed adventure, curiosity, and a strong visual sense shaped by her training as an artist.
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by Lucy Fitch Perkins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins