King Alfred and the Beggar
The story revolves around a young man who encounters an old beggar on his way to visit King Alfred. The beggar's words challenge the young man's perception of himself and his place in society, forcing him to confront the reality of his own privilege and the consequences of his actions.
By James Baldwin · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Moral Tale · 632 words
First lines
At one time the Danes drove King Alfred from his kingdom, and he had to lie hidden for a long time on a little is-land in a river.
One day, all who were on the is-land, except the king and queen and one servant, went out to fish. It was a very lonely place, and no one could get to it except by a boat. About noon a ragged beggar came to the king's door, and asked for food.
What this Textopian page supports
King Alfred and the Beggar is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Baldwin, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Baldwin
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Moral Tale, Legend, Inspirational
- Length: 632 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for King Alfred and the Beggar by James Baldwin
- 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 King Alfred and the Beggar?
- How does this short story by James Baldwin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The story is based on historical events involving King Alfred and the Danes, blending historical facts with fictional elements.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of adventure, such as the king's exile, the encounter with the beggar, and the subsequent battle.
- Moral Tale — The story conveys a moral lesson about generosity and divine reward, as seen in the king's act of sharing food with the beggar.
- Legend — The narrative has legendary qualities, with supernatural elements like the prophetic dream and the miraculous outcome of events.
Tags
Fable · Allegory · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Historical Fiction · Satire · Philosophy · Ethics · Moral Lesson · Cautionary Story · Tale of Redemption · Story of Transformation