A Little Hero by Madeline Leslie
A young boy in the German town of Weser demonstrates remarkable bravery when a mad dog charges toward him and his sister. Rather than fleeing to safety, he wraps his coat around his arm and presents it to the animal, allowing the dog to tear at it while the men in pursuit catch up and kill the beast. When questioned about why he did not simply run away, the boy explains that he could not abandon his sister to the danger, and that his deliberate sacrifice of his coat was meant to protect her from harm. This act of selfless courage in the face of genuine physical danger, performed calmly and without hesitation by a child, establishes the central theme of the narrative: that true heroism is not the absence of fear but the willingness to place the safety of others above one's own.
By Madeline Leslie · First published 1872 · Genre: Children's Literature, Moral Fiction, Coming-of-Age · 181 words
First lines
THERE was a little boy in the town of Weser, in Germany, playing one day with his sister, when he was alarmed by the cry of some men who were in pursuit of a mad dog.
The boy, suddenly looking round, saw the dog running towards him. But, instead of making his escape, he calmly took of his coat, and wrapping it round his arm, he boldly faced the dog. And holding out the arm covered with the coat, the animal attacked it, and worried the coat till the men came up and killed the dog.
The men reproachfully asked the boy why he did not run and avoid the dog, which he could so easily have done.
What this Textopian page supports
A Little Hero is listed on Textopian as a short story by Madeline Leslie, dated 1872 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Madeline Leslie
- Date: 1872 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Moral Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Adventure, Domestic Fiction
- Length: 181 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Little Hero by Madeline Leslie
- 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
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is written by Madeline Leslie, a prolific 19th-century author known for children's stories, and the title 'A Little Hero' suggests a narrative centered on a young protagonist.
- Moral Fiction — Leslie's works typically emphasize moral lessons and virtuous behavior, common themes in 19th-century children's literature designed to instruct young readers.
- Coming-of-Age — The narrative of a 'little hero' typically involves a young character's growth, development, and journey toward heroism and maturity.
- Adventure — The concept of a hero suggests action, challenges, and adventures that the protagonist must overcome to achieve their heroic status.
Tags
children's literature · juvenile fiction · 19th-century American literature · moral instruction · Christian values · family life · courage · kindness · obedience · honesty · duty · self-sacrifice