The Little Old Man by Hilaire Belloc
A man lives alone in a small cottage on the edge of a forest. He is old and poor but content with his simple life. One day, he meets a young woman who has been traveling through the forest. She is kind to him and they share a meal together. The old man learns that she is fleeing from her husband's cruelty. The woman asks the old man for shelter and he agrees, but only if she will help him with his chores in exchange. She accepts and stays with him for several days. During this time, the old man teaches her how to live off the land and be self-sufficient. As they work together, the old man begins to see the woman as a daughter rather than just a guest. He is proud of her progress and happy to have someone to share his life with. However, he also knows that she must eventually leave him and return to her own life. The woman's husband finds out where she is staying and comes to the old man's cottage demanding that she return with him. The old man refuses to give her up, but ultimately, the woman decides to go back to her husband.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1904 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Fantasy · 1,960 words
First lines
It was in the year 1888 ("O noctes coenasque deum! " -- a tag) that, upon one of the southern hills of England, I came quite unexpectedly across a little old man who sat upon a bench that was there and looked out to sea.
Now you will ask me why a bench was there, since benches are not commonly found upon the high slopes of our southern hills, of which the poet has well said, the writer has well written, and the singer has well sung: --
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Old Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1904 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: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Fantasy, Pastoral, Historical Fiction
- Length: 1,960 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Little Old Man by Hilaire Belloc
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Little Old Man?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — Explores deep themes of identity, belonging, and the connection between humans and their environment.
- Literary Fiction — Focuses on character development and the beauty of language, with an emphasis on introspective narrative.
- Fantasy — Incorporates elements of the fantastical, such as the old man's claim of living for 3000 years.
- Pastoral — Celebrates the natural landscape and rural life, emphasizing the beauty and tranquility of the English countryside.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Social Commentary · Poetry · Nonsense Verse · Children's Literature · Humor · Irony · Critique of Society · Morality Tale · Fantasy · Adventure