The Little Persian Princess
A young girl named Dorothy lives with Dame Betsy and her six unattractive, ill-tempered daughters. Dorothy, taken from an almshouse, works hard spinning flax into linen for the daughters' dowries, while receiving little kindness in return. One day, a beautiful gray cat appears in the cottage, which the daughters initially disdain but ultimately decide to keep. Dorothy, however, sees the cat as a Persian princess in disguise, who reveals her true identity to Dorothy and shares her quest to find her enchanted brother, a Maltese prince turned into a cat. The princess offers Dorothy a chance to escape her difficult life. She instructs Dorothy to present a piece of her splendid robe to Dame Betsy, promising that it will secure her freedom. Dorothy follows the princess's guidance, and after some negotiation, Dame Betsy agrees to let Dorothy go in exchange for the beautiful bridal gown. Dorothy and the princess then embark on a journey, living in a quaint cottage where the princess teaches Dorothy to create beautiful items from her dresses. Dorothy sells these creations, earning enough money to take her grandmother out of the almshouse and provide her with a comfortable life. As their friendship deepens, the princess prepares to leave on her travels to continue searching for her brother. Before departing, she expresses her fondness for Dorothy, who is saddened by the farewell. The princess assures her that they will meet again. Years later, Dorothy, now a young woman, encounters the princess again while delivering a cushion made from one of the princess's dresses. The princess reveals that she has found her brother, who is still enchanted. They discuss their lives, and the princess expresses contentment with her current situation, despite the lingering enchantment. The story concludes with the princess and her brother remaining in their cat forms, enjoying their lives while Dorothy prepares for her own future, filled with love and happiness. The princess bids farewell, wishing Dorothy a joyful life, while the ladies in the house remain oblivious to the true identities of the cats they adore.
By Mary E. Wilkins · First published 1910 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Fairy Tale · 5,050 words
First lines
"And you must spin faster, Dorothy, or you'll go to bed without your supper," said Dame Betsy.
"Yes, ma'am," replied Dorothy. Then she twirled the wheel so fast that the spokes were a blur.
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Persian Princess is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary E. Wilkins, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Mary E. Wilkins
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Fairy Tale, Adventure, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 5,050 words
- Structure: 1 section, 85 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Little Persian Princess by Mary E. Wilkins
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Little Persian Princess?
- How does this short story by Mary E. Wilkins fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fantasy — The story features magical elements, including a princess disguised as a cat and transformations, which are central to the plot.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is aimed at a young audience, with themes of kindness, hard work, and moral lessons suitable for children.
- Fairy Tale — The story follows a classic fairy tale structure, including a quest, magical beings, and a moral resolution.
- Adventure — The characters embark on a journey that involves exploration and personal growth.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Drama · Coming-of-Age · Family Saga · Social Commentary · Cultural Identity · Female Protagonist · Persian Culture · Royal Family · Love Story · Tragic Love