
audiobook
Two siblings, Charles and Lucy, return home from school to find their mother’s mysterious surprise waiting in the kitchen. Their curiosity leads them down a hidden staircase where a bright, bustling pantry reveals an unexpected guest—a small Chinese boy with glossy black hair braided with silk tassels, quietly shelling peas. The scene is lively, with a chatty parrot mimicking the household’s Irish chatter and a mischievous kitten looping its tail around the boy’s pigtail.
The children’s fascination quickly turns into gentle friendship as they watch the newcomer’s quiet diligence and the playful antics of the pet birds. Through simple, everyday moments, the story hints at a deeper lesson about kindness and the wonder that arises when children from different worlds meet. Listeners will be drawn into a warm, slice‑of‑life adventure that celebrates curiosity, cultural exchange, and the simple magic found in a kitchen’s hidden corners.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (91K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-01-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1839–1905
A 19th-century writer and editor with a gift for turning history, travel, and faith into lively reading for young people. Best known for his long connection with The Youth's Companion, he wrote widely and traveled often, bringing a broad view of the world to his books and poems.
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