The Stranger in the Village

Name: The Stranger in the Village
Author: Mary E. Wilkins

In a quaint village, a young girl named Margary lives with her mother in a charming cottage adorned with flowers and a garden. One day, while fetching water, she encounters a beautiful boy in fine clothing, who captivates her and her friends. The boy visits Margary's home, where he is warmly welcomed and fed, leading the villagers to believe he is a prince. After he departs, the village buzzes with excitement about the stranger. Days later, a dirty beggar boy arrives, claiming to be the same boy. However, the villagers dismiss him, believing he cannot be a Lindsay, a noble family known for their love of butter. Margary recognizes him and invites him in, where he shares his tragic story of being robbed and separated from his father. Margary and her mother care for him, providing food and clothing. Eventually, the boy's father, Lord Lindsay, arrives to reclaim his son, expressing gratitude to Margary and her mother. The villagers, embarrassed by their earlier mistake, learn to treat strangers with kindness. Margary grows up to be admired in the village, and in time, she marries Lord Lindsay's son, who cherishes a sprig of rosemary she gave him. Their wedding is a joyous occasion, celebrated by the entire village, and the schoolmaster, despite losing his poem about the stranger, writes a new one for the couple. The story concludes with a reflection on the importance of kindness and the bonds formed through compassion.

By Mary E. Wilkins · First published 1918 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 2,837 words

First lines

"Margary," said her mother, "take the pitcher now, and fetch me some fresh, cool water from the well, and I will cook the porridge for supper."

"Yes, mother," said Margary. Then she put on her little white dimity hood, and got the pitcher, which was charmingly shaped, from the cupboard shelf. The cupboard was a three-cornered one beside the chimney. The cottage which Margary and her mother lived in, was very humble, to be sure, but it was very pretty. Vines grew all over it, and flowering bushes crowded close to the diamond-paned windows. There was a little garden at one side, with beds of pinks and violets in it, and a straw-covered beehive, and some raspberry bushes all yellow with fruit.

What this Textopian page supports

The Stranger in the Village is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary E. Wilkins, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Romance, Folklore
Length: 2,837 words
Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Stranger in the Village by Mary E. Wilkins
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Stranger in the Village?
How does this short story by Mary E. Wilkins fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The story explores themes of social class, identity, and the contrast between appearances and reality, typical of literary fiction.
Children's Literature — The narrative features child protagonists and moral lessons, making it suitable for a younger audience.
Fantasy — Elements of wonder and the idealization of characters, such as the 'fairy prince' concept, align with fantasy themes.
Romance — The story culminates in a romantic union between Margary and the stranger, highlighting themes of love and connection.