
In a sun‑drenched village square, a wiry boy named Teddy captures his peers with a flamboyant retelling of his father’s final battle. He describes a heroic charge, a cascade of bullets, and the lone brass button that survived the carnage, turning the relic into a symbol of sacrifice and pride. The boys hang on his every gesture, their imaginations ignited by the clash of swords and the echo of triumphant shouts.
The story’s rhythm shifts when a sharp‑eyed girl in a sailor’s outfit challenges Teddy’s narrative, demanding proof of the tale’s truth. Her skeptical stare sparks a lively debate that forces Teddy to confront the line between legend and reality, while hinting at deeper family vows and personal promises. As the crowd sways between awe and doubt, listeners are drawn into a vivid portrait of youthful bravado, communal myth‑making, and the quiet resolve that may shape Teddy’s future.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (144K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

d. 1929
Best remembered for lively children's stories with a strong Christian message, this late Victorian and Edwardian writer produced a long stream of popular books that stayed in print for decades. Her fiction often blends adventure, family life, and gentle moral lessons in a way that still feels warm and readable.
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