Maghar's Leap by Frank R. Stockton
"Maghar's Leap" by Frank R. Stockton is a tale set in a time when fairies and magicians roamed the earth. It follows a brother and sister, Maghar and Sybil, who are orphans after their home is destroyed by an invading army. Maghar, a scholar and warrior, joins a battle against the invaders, leaving Sybil behind. When he does not return, Sybil seeks the help of a magician to find him. The magician reveals that Maghar is a prisoner in a distant castle, and Sybil must find a fairy to help him escape. Sybil and their servant Christern travel to the castle, where they encounter a fairy who had been transformed into a boar and saved by Sybil. Grateful, the fairy devises a plan to rescue Maghar. Christern, posing as a beggar, gains access to the castle with the fairy's help. They inform Maghar of the escape plan, which involves a daring leap from the castle tower on a magical horse provided by the magician. Maghar, with renewed hope, boasts to his captors about his ability to make the leap, prompting them to allow him to attempt it, believing it will lead to his death. However, with the aid of the magical horse and the fairies, Maghar successfully makes the leap across a chasm, earning his freedom and the admiration of his enemies. The tale concludes with Maghar's escape and the enduring legend of his courageous leap.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1875 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure · 5,675 words
First lines
It chanced upon a time, a very great many years ago, while fairies and magicians still dwelt upon earth, that a youth and maiden-brother and sister-were walking in a forest, talking about their recent misfortunes, and laying plans for their future. The youth was clad in armor, according to the warlike fashion of those times. But he had under his arm a book, which was not in accordance with the fashion of those times. The maiden wore a dress of some coarse woolen stuff; and, in her hands she held a sheet of parchment, and a pen.
Suddenly there broke into their quiet talk the sound of clashing arms, and the mad plunging of horses. Sybil, the maiden, stopped terrified.
What this Textopian page supports
Maghar's Leap is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1875 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: 1875 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure, Chivalric Romance, Historical Fiction
- Length: 5,675 words
- Structure: 1 section, 74 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Maghar's Leap 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
- Fantasy — The narrative is abundant with magical elements, from fairies and wizards to enchanted horses and miraculous feats.
- Fairy Tale — Its structure, motifs, and moral undertones, including magical interventions and quests, align with traditional fairy tale narratives.
- Adventure — The story centers on a perilous quest, heroic deeds, and daring escapes, which are hallmarks of the adventure genre.
- Chivalric Romance — Elements of knightly valor, honor, and the crossing of dangerous challenges echo the conventions of chivalric romance.
Tags
adventure · fantasy · allegory · fable · whimsy · humor · satire · mystery · paradox · myth · romance · folklore