
In a sun‑dappled valley where an old Southern mansion called Locust watches over a mile of towering locust trees, a curious contraption awakens after years of silence. The Magic Kettle, hung with silver bells, bubbles and sings whenever its water boils, letting anyone who touches its steam smell the meals of every kitchen in the kingdom. Children from the nearby town, eager to hear the tales that once filled the Little Colonel’s house party, send letters begging for answers to their lingering questions.
When the kettle is finally set alight again, its tinkling chimes summon the Little Colonel and her lively companions back into view. Listeners are invited to gather around the steaming pot, feeling the warm vapor as it reveals snippets of past adventures—mischief, friendship, and the charming antics that made the original celebrations unforgettable. The story unfolds like a gentle, nostalgic carousel, perfect for those who love whimsical recollections and the magic of childhood curiosity.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (271K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2012-08-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1931
Best known for creating the much-loved Little Colonel books, this American writer built a wide readership with warm, lively stories for young readers. Her work remained popular well into the early 20th century and helped make her one of Kentucky’s best-known authors of children’s fiction.
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