Windflowers by Edith Nesbit (1903)
The story is a nostalgic and melancholic reflection on childhood innocence and the fleeting nature of life. The narrator reminisces about walking in the woods as a child, surrounded by windflowers and hyacinths, and attempting to gather them, but ultimately failing to preserve their beauty.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1903 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 137 words
First lines
WHEN I was little and good / I walked in the dappled wood / Where light white windflowers grew, / And hyacinths heavy and blue.
The windflowers fluttered light, / Like butterflies white and bright; / The bluebells tremulous stood / Deep in the heart of the wood.
I gathered the white and the blue, / The wild wet woodland through, / With hands too silly and small / To clasp and carry them all.
Some dropped from my hands and died / By the home-road's grassy side; / And those that my fond hands pressed / Died even before the rest.
What this Textopian page supports
Windflowers is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1903 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: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 137 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Windflowers 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
- Summer Song by Edith Nesbit
- April by Edith Nesbit
- The Beech Tree by Edith Nesbit
- The Garden by Edith Nesbit
- February by Edith Nesbit
- The Magic Flower by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is primarily aimed at young readers, featuring child protagonists and themes of adventure and imagination.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes elements of magic, mythical creatures, and fantastical adventures.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the protagonists' journey and the challenges they face.
Tags
Children's Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Romance · Coming-of-Age · Friendship · Family · Nature · Magic Realism · Imagination · Growing Up · Self-Discovery