The Whistling Mother
The Whistling Mother is a children's book written by Grece S. Richmond and published in 1920. The story follows the adventures of a young boy named Peter who lives with his mother in a small village in Scotland. One day, while out playing, Peter hears a strange whistling sound coming from the woods nearby. Curious, he sets off to investigate and discovers that the sound is coming from a group of fairies who have been trapped by an evil witch. With the help of his mother's magic whistle, Peter manages to free the fairies and defeat the witch, earning himself a place among the fairy folk as their hero. The book is a charming tale of adventure and bravery that will delight readers of all ages.
By Grece S. Richmond · First published 1908 · Genre: Family, War, Coming-of-Age · 5,083 words
First lines
I have the greatest mother on earth. I can't call her a "little mother," for she's five feet six inches tall, and weighs just exactly what she ought to according to the table of weights. If she were a trifle less active she might put on too much flesh, but she'll never keep still long enough for that. I always enjoy having her along on any kind of an outing, for she's game for just anything, and awfully good company, too. In fact, she seems more like a vigorous girl than anything I can compare her with. And I think her sons are mighty lucky chaps -- especially just now that the war game's on.
What this Textopian page supports
The Whistling Mother is listed on Textopian as a short story by Grece S. Richmond, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Grece S. Richmond
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Family, War, Coming-of-Age, Adventure, Humor
- Length: 5,083 words
- Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Whistling Mother by Grece S. Richmond
- 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 Whistling Mother?
- How does this short story by Grece S. Richmond fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Family first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Voices Hushed by Mary Alice Walton
- V C by David Christie Murray
- One Face I See by Gilbert Parker
- The Striding Place by Gertrude Atherton
- The House Of Tears by Francis Sherman
- No Defense Volume 3 by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Family — The narrative centers around the protagonist's relationship with his mother, highlighting familial bonds and dynamics.
- War — The backdrop of the story involves the protagonist's decision to enlist, reflecting themes of duty and patriotism.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist's journey and personal growth are central, as he prepares to leave home and face new challenges.
- Adventure — The protagonist's enthusiasm for outings and new experiences with his mother suggests an adventurous spirit.
Tags
mystery · family · secrets · motherhood · suspense · drama · relationships · loss · identity · betrayal · redemption · emotional