The White Dove. a Parable
A dairyman’s failure and wastefulness lead him into ruin as his debts mount and his cows die. With eviction and prison looming, the desperate father is unexpectedly granted mercy by a compassionate nobleman, who forgives his debts and offers funds to restart his life. While the parents overlook the significance of this gift, their young daughter recognizes the extraordinary kindness shown to her family. Deeply moved, she resolves to express her gratitude in a unique way. Sacrificing her treasured white dove—her symbol of love and devotion—she endeavors to present it as a modest offering to the benevolent lord. After a hesitant journey, the girl reaches the castle gate and entrusts her gift to a kindly servant, recalling the gentle assurance that her present will be prized. Her offering acts as a token of pure, heartfelt gratitude that transcends material value. Soon after, her humble gift is acknowledged when the dove returns with a message inviting her to come to the castle. Overcoming her initial fear and uncertainty, the girl accepts the invitation and is received personally by the noble benefactor. In his presence, she witnesses a world of unexpected kindness: she is led through the splendid castle, given a new dress, and her every need is met with care and generosity. The narrative then transforms into an allegory emphasizing the importance of gratitude. It contrasts the ingratitude of those who merely receive blessings without acknowledgement with the profound, filial thankfulness of the child. The moral of the story is that the sincere, humble expression of gratitude—symbolized by the gift of the dove—is recognized and rewarded. Moreover, it serves as a metaphor for the divine benevolence of a Heavenly Father, who forgives and lavishly bestows blessings upon those who, like the little girl, offer their heartfelt thanks. In essence, the story urges readers to remember and reciprocate the favors they receive, affirming that even the most modest act of sincere gratitude is valued above worldly wealth.
By Charlotte Maria Tucker · First published 1860 · Genre: Religious Allegory, Parable, Moral Fiction · 3,768 words
First lines
ERNST SEELE was a ruined man, there could be no doubt of the fact. For years he had pursued his trade as a dairyman in a wasteful and careless way, spending much more than he earned, seeming to be prosperous while his affairs were getting into a terrible state of disorder.
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The White Dove. a Parable is listed on Textopian as a fable by Charlotte Maria Tucker, dated 1860 CE.
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- Work type: Fable
- Author: Charlotte Maria Tucker
- Date: 1860 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Allegory, Parable, Moral Fiction, Didactic Fiction, Domestic Fiction
- Length: 3,768 words
- Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The White Dove. a Parable by Charlotte Maria Tucker
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Religious Allegory — The narrative uses symbolic characters and events to express Christian themes of divine grace, forgiveness, and gratitude.
- Parable — The work is explicitly crafted as a parable, delivering moral and spiritual lessons through a simple, allegorical storyline.
- Moral Fiction — The story underscores ethical behavior and the importance of gratitude, responsibility, and redemption in personal and familial life.
- Didactic Fiction — The text is designed to instruct readers on deeper spiritual truths and moral values through its narrative and character actions.
Tags
parable · allegory · spiritual · religion · symbolism · morality · divine · redemption · faith · enlightenment · transformation · moral lesson