In the Enchanted Tower
A young girl lives in a tower by the sea, where she has been imprisoned for an unspecified amount of time. She uses her lamp to guide ships safely through the rocky coastline, but when one ship approaches, she realizes it has come to rescue her and take her back home. However, fearing the Sea-king's power, she extinguishes her lamp, allowing the ship to pass by safely, but also abandoning her chance at freedom.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1907 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 166 words
First lines
The waves in thunderous menace break Upon the rocks below my tower, And none will dare the Sea-king's power And venture shipwreck for my sake.
Yet once, -- my lamp a path of light Across the darkling sea had cast -- I saw a sail; at last, at last, It came towards me through the night.
My lamp had been the beacon set To lead the ship through mist and foam, The ship that came to take me home, To that far land I half forget.
But since my tower is built so high, And surf-robed rocks curl hid below, I quenched my lamp -- and, weeping low I saw my ship go safely by!
What this Textopian page supports
In the Enchanted Tower is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure
- Length: 166 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In the Enchanted Tower 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 In the Enchanted Tower?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Blue Mountain by Edith Nesbit
- Winter by Edith Nesbit
- The Magic Ring by Edith Nesbit
- Song by Edith Nesbit
- The Fire by Edith Nesbit
- The Vain Spell by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements, enchanted settings, and non-human characters.
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a simple, engaging style suitable for young readers, with themes of adventure and discovery.
- Adventure — The plot involves a quest, exploration, and overcoming obstacles.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Children's Literature · Magic · Tower · Mystery · Quest · Friendship · Bravery · Courage · Exploration · Imagination