Faith by Edith Nesbit (1910)
The narrator stands before a gray wall, unable to see what lies beyond. Despite this, they have faith that a beautiful and welcoming world exists on the other side, with green lawns, white blossoms, and a loving heart waiting to care for those in need. The narrator contrasts their own knowledge of this unseen world with the ignorance of a tired tramp who only sees the grayness around him. The narrator prays to remember this faith in a world that currently seems bleak, trusting that there is more to life than what can be seen.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1910 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 298 words
First lines
A WALL Gray and tall, And a sky of gray, And a twilight cold; And that is all That my eyes behold.
But I know that unseen, Beyond the wall, On a lawn of green White blossoms fall In the waning light; And beyond the lawn Curtains are drawn From windows bright.
And within she moves with her gracious hands And the heart that loves and that understands, Waiting to succour poor souls in need, And to bind with her blessing the hearts that bleed.
I know it all, though I cannot see; But the tired-out tramp, Dirty and ill, In the evening's damp, In the Spring's clean chill, Knows not that there Is the heart to care For such as I and for such as he.
What this Textopian page supports
Faith is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 298 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Faith by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Faith?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- As It Is by Edith Nesbit
- The Eternal by Edith Nesbit
- An Appeal To The Gods by B. M. Croker
- Three Souls by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Decadent by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Prophets Paradise by Robert W. Chambers
Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is primarily aimed at young readers, with a focus on moral and ethical lessons.
- Fantasy — The story incorporates elements of magic and supernatural phenomena.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of exciting events and challenges.
Tags
Christianity · Religion · Spirituality · Philosophy · Theology · Mystery · Supernatural · Fantasy · Gothic · Victorian Era · British Literature · Classic