The Little Red Purse
A young girl named Lu receives a small red purse on her tenth birthday, filled with ten cents, which she initially plans to spend on candy. However, during her shopping trip with her aunt, she encounters a poor man selling flower pots and decides to buy one instead, demonstrating her budding sense of charity. As she continues her day, she gives away more of her money to a beggar, ultimately purchasing only a few sticks of candy. When Lu loses her purse, a shabby girl returns it to her, and Lu offers her candy as a reward. This act of kindness inspires Lu to consider how she can use her weekly allowance to help others. Her aunt encourages her to save her money for charitable purposes, leading Lu to contemplate how she can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. As Lu begins to save her money, she faces temptations but remains committed to her goal. She learns about the struggles of a girl named Lucy, who is in need, and decides to use her savings to help Lucy and her family. Lu's efforts to assist Lucy deepen her understanding of poverty and the joy of giving. As Christmas approaches, Lu works hard to fill her purse, engaging in various tasks to earn money. She even attempts to perform for coins but is stopped by a concerned adult. Mysteriously, her purse begins to fill with extra coins, which she attributes to fairies or angels. On Christmas Eve, Lu joyfully distributes gifts to Lucy's family, experiencing the happiness of giving firsthand. The next morning, she discovers a large gold coin in her purse, secretly placed there by her grandfather, who admires her charitable spirit. He shares his own experiences with wealth and the joy of giving, encouraging Lu to continue her charitable endeavors. Lu decides to use her newfound wealth to support Lucy's sister's baby, Totty, ensuring she can attend nursery while Lucy goes to school. This decision solidifies Lu's commitment to helping others, and she realizes that the joy of giving far surpasses the temporary pleasure of candy. The story concludes with Lu cherishing her red purse as a symbol of her charitable journey, embodying the spirit of kindness and generosity.
By Louisa May Alcott · First published 1856 · Genre: Children's Literature, Moral Tale, Coming-of-Age · 5,306 words
First lines
Among the presents which Lu found on her tenth birthday was a pretty red plush purse with a steel clasp and chain, just like mamma's, only much smaller. In it were ten bright new cents, that being the sum Lu received each week to spend as she liked. She enjoyed all her gifts very much; but this one seemed to please her even more than the French doll in blue silk, the pearl ring, or "Alice in Wonderland," -- three things which she had wanted for a long time.
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Red Purse is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louisa May Alcott, dated 1856 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Louisa May Alcott
- Date: 1856 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Moral Tale, Coming-of-Age, Realism, Family Saga
- Length: 5,306 words
- Structure: 1 section, 77 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Little Red Purse by Louisa May Alcott
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is aimed at a young audience, featuring a child protagonist and themes relevant to childhood experiences and moral lessons.
- Moral Tale — The narrative emphasizes moral values such as charity, kindness, and the importance of helping others, which are central to the plot.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist, Lu, experiences personal growth and learns valuable life lessons about generosity and selflessness.
- Realism — The story depicts realistic situations and emotions, focusing on everyday life and social issues such as poverty.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fiction · Novel · Coming-of-Age · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Realism · 19th Century · American Literature · Female Protagonist · Young Adult Fiction · Morality Tale