
A quiet New England village comes alive through the eyes of its youngest resident, a bright‑hearted girl wrapped in hand‑stitched shawls and a tin lunch pail. As she makes her way to school on a crisp winter morning, the simple rituals of family, friendship and modest generosity are gently observed, offering a tender portrait of childhood resilience and community values. The narrative’s warm humor and vivid details invite listeners to linger on the small wonders of everyday life.
The collection expands beyond Lucretia’s day, presenting a series of short, self‑contained tales that echo the same gentle moral compass. From a resourceful girl crafting a rag doll for a neighbor, to a mischievous child’s encounter with a mysterious “parsley stew,” each story captures moments of kindness, curiosity, and the quiet magic of rural living. The illustrations that originally accompanied the tales add an extra layer of charm, making the book a cozy listening experience for all ages.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (275K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-11-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1852–1930
A sharp, observant voice of New England fiction, this American writer is remembered for stories that capture the quiet pressures, stubborn pride, and inner lives of small-town people. Her work helped define local-color writing while giving unusual depth to women’s everyday struggles.
View all books
by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman

by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman

by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman

by William Dean Howells, Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews, John Kendrick Bangs, Alice Brown, Mary Stewart Cutting, Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman, Henry James, Elizabeth Garver Jordan, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Henry Van Dyke, Mary Heaton Vorse, Edith Wyatt

by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman

by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman

by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman

by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman