An Old Story by George MacDonald
The story follows a young man named Michael who discovers an old book that transports him to another world where he meets a beautiful princess and must save her from the evil wizard. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and love.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Religious, Poetry, Fantasy · 565 words
First lines
I. In the ancient house of ages, See, they cannot rest! With a hope, which awe assuages, Tremble all the blest. For the son and heir eternal, To be son yet more, Leaves his stately chair supernal For the earth's low floor;
Leaves the room so high and old, Leaves the all-world hearth, Seeks the out-air, frosty-cold, Of the twilight earth -- To be throned in newer glory In a mother's lap, Gather up our broken story, And right every hap.
What this Textopian page supports
An Old Story is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1863 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious, Poetry, Fantasy, Mythology, Historical
- Length: 565 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Old Story by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering An Old Story?
- How does this poem by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Religious — The text centers around the birth of a divine child, with references to shepherds, sages, and celestial events, indicating a religious theme.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes supernatural elements such as celestial beings and divine intervention, typical of fantasy literature.
- Mythology — The story draws on mythological motifs, such as the birth of a savior figure and cosmic events, aligning with mythological storytelling.
Tags
fantasy · allegory · morality · spirituality · redemption · love · faith · imagination · childhood · adventure · self-discovery · mythical