The Three Kings by Edith Nesbit
Three kings from different lands embark on a journey to Palestine, guided by a star in the East. Each king brings unique gifts: one from Africa with rubies and ivory, another from Asia with gems and gold, and the third from Europe with myrrh. After many days of travel, they meet on Christmas Eve, only to realize that the star has disappeared. The first two kings are disillusioned, but the third king encourages them to have faith, believing that the spirit's pathway will lead them to the throne of the newborn King. They lay down beside animals and sleep, guided by angels' visions. The next day, they find the star shining bright again and follow it to a stable where they meet the baby Jesus, surrounded by Mary, oxen, and asses. The kings bow down, offering their gifts, and are transformed by their encounter with the divine child.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1909 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature · 931 words
First lines
WHEN the star in the East was lit to shine The three kings journeyed to Palestine;
They came from the uttermost parts of earth With long trains laden with gifts of worth.
What this Textopian page supports
The Three Kings is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Fairy Tale
- Length: 931 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Three Kings 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 The Three Kings?
- 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 Magic Ring by Edith Nesbit
- The Fire by Edith Nesbit
- Fortunatus Rex Co by Edith Nesbit
- The Fiery Dragon by Edith Nesbit
- The Two Princes A Story For Children by Edward Everett Hale
- The Deliverers Of Their Country by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements and mythical creatures.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a quest, involving various challenges and journeys.
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a simple, engaging style suitable for young readers.
- Fairy Tale — The narrative includes elements of traditional folklore and moral lessons.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Children's Literature · Classic · Fiction · Magic · Quest · Friendship · Loyalty · Bravery · Courage · Medieval