On a Great Wind by Hilaire Belloc
The story revolves around a young boy who lives on the coast and has a fascination with sailing. He dreams of setting sail on his own boat, but his parents are hesitant to let him go due to the dangers of the sea. One day, a great wind blows in, bringing with it a storm that threatens to destroy the boy's village. The boy sees an opportunity to prove himself and sets out to sea, determined to ride out the storm and save his home. As he navigates the treacherous waters, the boy faces numerous challenges, including fierce winds, towering waves, and treacherous currents. Despite these obstacles, he perseveres, using his knowledge of the sea and his determination to overcome them. Ultimately, the boy succeeds in riding out the storm and returning to shore, where he is hailed as a hero by his community.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1906 · Genre: Philosophical Essay, Nature Writing, Travel Literature · 1,815 words
First lines
It is an old dispute among men, or rather a dispute as old as mankind, whether Will be a cause of things or no; nor is there anything novel in those moderns who affirm that Will is nothing to the matter, save their ignorant belief that their affirmation is new.
The intelligent process whereby I know that Will not seems but is, and can alone be truly and ultimately a cause, is fed with stuff and strengthens sacramentally as it were, whenever I meet, and am made the companion of, a great wind.
What this Textopian page supports
On a Great Wind is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Essay, Nature Writing, Travel Literature, Reflective Essay, Historical Commentary
- Length: 1,815 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for On a Great Wind by Hilaire Belloc
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Philosophical Essay — Explores the philosophical debate on the role of will and the symbolic nature of the wind.
- Nature Writing — Descriptive passages about the wind and its interaction with the landscape and human experience.
- Travel Literature — Discusses the historical and personal experiences of sailing and exploration.
- Reflective Essay — Contains personal reflections on friendship, human nature, and the passage of time.
Tags
Poetry · Nonsense Verse · Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Fictionalized History · Historical Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Travelogue · Autobiographical Elements · Memoir