The Water-Drops. A FAIRY TALE by Charles Dickens
In a vibrant, fairy-inhabited land, Princess Cirrha is to choose a husband from suitors gathered at her father's palace. King Cumulus announces that Cirrha will marry a prince from Nimbus, a dark but benevolent realm. The suitors, eager to win her affection, descend to Earth to perform acts of service for humanity, with the most useful one earning Cirrha's hand. Among them are two fairies, Nebulus and Nubis, who face various misadventures in London. Nebulus, after a series of unfortunate events, finds himself trapped in a filthy environment, while Nubis navigates the polluted Thames, ultimately landing in a pitcher destined for a household. As they struggle with the challenges of their earthly tasks, they encounter the harsh realities of human life, including disease and poverty. Meanwhile, the Prince of Nimbus, seizing the opportunity, secretly marries Cirrha while the suitors are away. When they return, they discover the deception, leading to a brewing storm of discontent in the clouds. The tale explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and the often grim conditions faced by the less fortunate, contrasting the ethereal beauty of the fairy realm with the harshness of human existence.
By Charles Dickens · First published 1852 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 7,891 words
First lines
I.
THE SUITORS OF CIRRHA, AND THE YOUNG LADY; WITH A REFERENCE TO HER PAPA.
What this Textopian page supports
The Water-Drops. A FAIRY TALE is listed on Textopian as a novella by Charles Dickens, dated 1852 CE.
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- Work type: Novella
- Author: Charles Dickens
- Date: 1852 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature
- Length: 7,891 words
- Structure: 1 section, 124 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Water-Drops. A FAIRY TALE by Charles Dickens
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The title explicitly states that the book is a fairy tale.
- Fantasy — Fairy tales typically involve magical and fantastical elements.
- Children's Literature — Fairy tales are usually aimed at a young audience.
Tags
fairy tale · fantasy · children's literature · imagination · morality · nature · whimsical · adventure · magical realism · allegory · friendship · innocence