Around the World with Josiah Allen's Wife

In a small Midwestern town a devoted mother watches over her ailing son, Tommy, whose lungs have been weakened by a bout of measles. The local physician insists that only a long sea journey will restore his health, urging the family to escape the chill of autumn. While the child’s imagination runs wild with his invisible companion Carabi, his mother balances tender care with a growing sense of urgency.

Her husband, Josiah, is steadfastly opposed to any voyage, refusing to set foot on a ship beyond the creek that runs past their farm. He clings to his familiar routine, declaring that his life will never cross foreign waters again. Caught between her love for the child and her loyalty to her husband, the narrator wrestles with the prospect of leaving home, setting the stage for a comically fraught adventure that may carry her far beyond the familiar fields.

As she gathers courage and a modest fortune, the story promises a whirlwind tour of exotic ports, cultural curiosities, and the inevitable mishaps that follow a determined woman determined to defy convention. With wit and warm‑hearted observation, the narrative invites listeners to join a journey where duty, love, and the stubbornness of a rural husband collide.