Mummy Wheat by Edith Nesbit (1902)
The story revolves around a mother's love and sacrifice for her child. The narrative is woven around a wheat seed that holds life within it, symbolizing the mother's hopes and dreams for her child's future. The poem explores the themes of mortality, faith, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The mother trusts Death to keep the seed safe until the day it will rise again, yielding a sevenfold harvest.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1902 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 243 words
First lines
LAID close to Death, these many thousand years, / In this small seed Life hid herself and smiled; / So well she hid, Death was at least beguiled, / Set free the grain -- and lo! the sevenfold ears!
Warmed by the sun, wooed by the wind's soft word, / Under blue canopy they hold their state: / For this, ah, was it not worth while to wait / Through all the centuries of hope deferred?
What could they know who laid the seed with Death / Of this Divine fruition fixed and planned? / Love -- since Life parts us -- lend my hand your hand / And look with me into the eyes of faith.
What this Textopian page supports
Mummy Wheat is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1902 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: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 243 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mummy Wheat 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
Similar titles
- The Blue Mountain by Edith Nesbit
- Magic by Edith Nesbit
- The Lighthouse by Edith Nesbit
- The Home Coming by Edith Nesbit
- The Champion by Edith Nesbit
- November by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is primarily aimed at young readers, with a simple and engaging plot, and characters that children can relate to.
- Fantasy — The story involves magical elements, such as a mummy and enchanted wheat, which are typical of the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of exciting events and challenges that the characters must overcome, characteristic of adventure stories.
Tags
Children's Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Mystery · Family · Friendship · Growing Up · Imagination · Magic · Quest · Ancient Egypt · Archaeology