
The Potato Child and Others, by Mrs. Charles J. Woodbury
THE POTATO CHILD & OTHERS
By Mrs. Charles J. Woodbury
If only our help could begin as soon as our hindrance does.
The Potato Child
A Story That Never Ends
A Nazareth Christmas
In a cramped attic above a bustling dressmaker’s shop, a shy young girl named Elsie endures a solitary routine of chores and quiet obedience. The house is filled with the clatter of needles and the scent of fresh fabric, yet the only voice she hears is the stern, word‑sparse Miss Amanda who runs the household with an iron hand. Though never cruel, the matron’s indifference leaves Elsie yearning for the warmth and affection she once knew from her mother.
To fill the emptiness, Elsie fashions an unlikely companion from a humble potato, endowing it with a face and a name. The tiny “child” becomes the focus of her secret conversations, a fragile source of comfort in a world that offers her little. When the modest creation disappears, her heart reels, and the loss awakens a deeper longing for connection that will drive her quiet rebellion against the loneliness that surrounds her.
Language
en
Duration
~37 minutes (36K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Schwan, and David Widger
Release date
May 1, 2004
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
b. 1848
Best known for the gentle story collection The Potato Child & Others, this little-known American writer has a warm, old-fashioned way of writing about children, kindness, and everyday feeling. Her work is brief and quiet, but it leaves a strong impression.
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