In a Well by Frank R. Stockton
The story follows a man who falls into a well and must find his way out using only his wits and the items he has on hand. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges that test his resourcefulness and determination. Ultimately, he emerges victorious and learns valuable lessons about perseverance and problem-solving.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1893 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Family · 1,267 words
First lines
Perhaps very few of you have ever seen such an old-fashioned well as this. No pump, no windlass, no arrangement that you are apt to call at all convenient for raising the water. Nothing but that upright stake, on top of which moves a long pole, with the bucket hanging from one end of it. But the artist does not show in the picture the most important part of this arrangement. On the other end of this long pole a heavy stone is fastened, and it is easy to see that a bucket of water may be raised without much trouble, with the stone bearing down the other end of the pole. To be sure, the stone must be raised when the bucket is lowered, but that is done by pulling downward on the rope, which is not so hard as to haul a rope upward when the resistance is equal in both cases. Try it some time, and you will see that the weight of your body will count for a great deal in the operation. In old Mr. Naylor's yard -- he lived in a little town in Pennsylvania -- there was one of these wells.
What this Textopian page supports
In a Well is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Family, Historical Fiction, Humor
- Length: 1,267 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In a Well by Frank R. Stockton
- 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
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The story revolves around children and their playful activities, making it highly relevant for young readers.
- Adventure — The plot involves a thrilling rescue operation, adding an element of adventure.
- Family — The narrative includes family members and their interactions, emphasizing familial relationships.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and the old-fashioned well suggest a historical context.
Tags
mystery · suspense · adventure · psychological · survival · isolation · human nature · conflict · exploration · fear · desperation · decision-making