A Little Swiss Boy

A Little Swiss Boy by Johanna Spyri

A Little Swiss Boy follows Vinzi Lesa, a sensitive boy from Leuk whose deepest joy is music. His father, Vinzenz Lesa, is proud of his fine farm and expects his only son to inherit it, but Vinzi seems inattentive to cattle, fields, and work because he is always listening to bells, wind, water, and imagined melodies. His cheerful sister Stefeli understands his love of sound and tries to protect and encourage him. Vinzi becomes fascinated by Alida Thornau, a visiting child who plays the piano at Mrs. Troll’s house. After he returns Alida’s lost red scarf, she rewards him by secretly giving him piano lessons during her governess’s walks. Vinzi learns with unusual eagerness, but Mrs. Troll discovers him and treats him as an intruder. Hearing of the visits, Vinzi’s father decides that the boy must be sent away to Cousin Lorenz Lesa on the mountain, where farm-loving boys may teach him useful habits. Vinzi fears the journey and the strangers, but Lorenz, Josepha, and their sons Jos, Faz, and Russli welcome him warmly. He sleeps in their hayrick and soon discovers that the mountain pasture, with its streams, larches, flowers, bells, and stars, fills him with wonder. His kindness also changes the household: he carves pipes for the boys, protects little Russli from rough treatment, and brings music into the family’s evenings. The cousins learn songs and play together, while Vinzi’s gentle influence makes the other boys calmer and happier. Vinzi meets the aged grandfather who lives by the old Tower and spends winters with the monks at the hospice. The grandfather asks him to play and tells him of his own remorseful youth, his return to faith, and a hymn whose refrain he remembers: “Yes, the holy hymn of grace / Sounds through all eternity.” Vinzi cannot recall the hymn, but composes music around the refrain and leads a choir of herd boys in singing it for the grandfather. The old man also obtains verses from Father Silvanus about sunlight, alpine roses, waterfalls, mountains, and Heaven. Vinzi sets these words to his own music, and the mountain children adopt the song as “Our Song.” Father Silvanus, a learned musician at the hospice, hears Vinzi’s composition and recognizes his exceptional gift. He teaches Vinzi the harmonium, explaining harmony and musical writing. Vinzi progresses eagerly and spends hours practising, while the mountain community values his music. Eventually Vinzi’s father calls him home, despite Lorenz and Josepha’s wish to keep him longer. Vinzi sadly bids farewell to Father Silvanus, the grandfather, and his cousins. At home, Vinzi’s parents are struck by his greater confidence and happiness, but his father is angered when Vinzi admits that more than anything he wants to learn the harmonium. Mr. Delrick, a thoughtful lodger who has become the family’s friend, argues that Vinzi’s love of music is serious work rather than childish play. Vinzenz still fears that a musician must become a homeless vagabond and plans instead to send Vinzi to his silent brother’s farm in Freiburg. Mr. Delrick returns from the mountain with praise from Lorenz, the grandfather, and Father Silvanus, who declares that Vinzi is “full of music.” He persuades Vinzenz to let Vinzi live with him for a year or more, promising to care for the boy as his own son. Meanwhile Jos comes from the mountain to stay with the Lesas and proves to be the farm-loving helper Vinzenz had wanted in a son. Stefeli happily returns to the pasture with Jos, and later Alida and Hugo Thornau come to live with Mrs. Lesa for the summer. Country life restores Hugo’s strength and awakens his interest in farming, while Alida regains an interest in music. Near the end of Vinzi’s year away, the families meet in Freiburg. In the old church, Vinzenz hears magnificent organ music and discovers that the player is Vinzi. The music becomes the “Song of Grace,” and Jos joins it with the remembered refrain. Overcome, Vinzenz finally recognizes his son’s ability and agrees that he should pursue music. Mr. Delrick reveals that Vinzi has been offered a position playing in a Dresden church while continuing his studies. Vinzenz accepts the plan, and Vinzi is to visit Father Silvanus again before leaving. The story closes as the friends part happily, expecting to meet again the following summer.

By Johanna Spyri · First published 1909 · Genre: Children's Literature, Coming-of-Age Fiction, Domestic Fiction · 11 chapters · 56,339 words

First lines

THE June sun shone on the green slope above the village of Leuk and the grass carpeting the heights far beyond with cool green filled the air with fragrance. In front of an isolated house on the road to the baths of Leuk two women engaged in earnest conversation.

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children's literature · Swiss Alps · coming of age · family · orphanhood · rural life · nature · friendship · moral education · poverty · kindness · compassion

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A Little Swiss Boy is listed on Textopian as a novel by Johanna Spyri, dated 1909 CE.

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