
audiobook
by Lydia Leavitt, Thad. W. H. (Thaddeus William Henry) Leavitt
WISE - OR - OTHERWISE - By - LYDIA LEAVITT - AUTHOR OF "BOHEMIAN SOCIETY," "A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD," ETC., ETC. - and - Thad. W.H. Leavitt
Illustrated by Anna Lake
PREFACE
BOOK THE FIRST - BY - LYDIA LEAVITT
LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
A FABLE
THE WIND
PASSING THOUGHTS
BOOK THE SECOND - BY - THAD. W.H. LEAVITT
ODDS AND-ENDS
A gentle, lyrical meditation opens the work, letting the refrain “Lead, kindly light” echo through the eyes of a youngster, a middle‑aged folk, and the waning old age. Each voice carries its own weight—bright optimism, weary hope, and a quiet surrender—painting a soft portrait of life’s passage without ever spelling out a plot. The prose drifts like a song, inviting listeners to pause and hear the subtle shifts between joy and melancholy.
The first fable follows an out‑of‑place tree that finds a companion of its own kind, only to discover that love demands self‑sacrifice and transformation. Through simple, almost spoken language, the tale explores belonging, the yearning to be understood, and the quiet generosity of one being nurturing another, even as seasons turn harsh. Interwoven with brief, thoughtful sayings and delicate illustrations, the book feels like a quiet garden of reflections, perfect for a contemplative listening experience.
Language
en
Duration
~41 minutes (40K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2005-06-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A little-known Canadian writer from the late 19th century, she is remembered for thoughtful, compact works that mix social reflection with moral and literary sketches. Her surviving books suggest a voice interested in ideas, character, and the everyday lessons people draw from life.
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d. 1909
A restless 19th-century newspaperman and storyteller, this American-Canadian writer moved between teaching, editing, public service, and authorship. His books range from local history to adventurous fiction shaped by life in Canada and beyond.
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