
A curious little boy named Billy spends his morning helping his mother with the chores, polishing tin dishes while the delicate china cup waits for his careful touch. When the cup slips and shatters, fear grips him and he hides the broken pieces, unsure whether to confess. Suddenly, a bright green grasshopper appears, offering gentle questions that coax Billy to examine his own feelings and consider the importance of honesty.
The tale unfolds as Billy wrestles with his fear of disappointing his mother, while the wise grasshopper serves as a calm, encouraging voice. Their quiet conversation invites listeners to reflect on courage, responsibility, and the simple power of telling the truth. Warm illustrations accompany the narrative, creating an inviting atmosphere for young listeners who enjoy stories that blend everyday mishaps with gentle moral guidance.
Language
en
Duration
~19 minutes (18K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Steven Giacomelli, David Garcia and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2007-01-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known today for a single surviving children’s book, this little-known American writer left behind a gentle, nature-filled set of stories with clear moral lessons. Her work has endured mainly through reprints and public-domain archives, giving modern readers a small but vivid glimpse of early 20th-century children’s literature.
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