A Canary Tragedy
The narrative follows a young girl who cherishes her pet canaries, Frise-tete and Coo-coo. As her family downsizes their pets, she insists on taking her canaries with them on a trip to Germany. The journey proves challenging, but they arrive safely at an old-fashioned hotel where the canaries are settled in a window. The girl diligently cares for them until one fateful day when, distracted by a piece of sugar, she accidentally knocks the cage out of the window. The resulting crash sends her into a panic, fearing for their lives. Her mother rushes to the scene and discovers that Coo-coo has survived, but Frise-tete has died from the fall. The girl is devastated by the loss of her beloved bird, reflecting on the fragility of life and the sorrow that accompanies such a loss. They bury Frise-tete in the garden, marking a poignant moment of grief and the harsh realities of caring for pets. The story emphasizes themes of love, loss, and the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1894 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction, Animal Fiction · 1,875 words
First lines
When I was a little girl -- that is about three years ago -- I am now thirteen -- my own particular pets were a pair of canaries. We had lots of other pets; it would take me a very long time merely to give you the list of them even without telling you anything about them, and all their adventures and funny ways. But a good many of them had in one way or another come to grief, poor things, and as my brothers grew older and had less time to take care of them, my mother said we must really give up having so many.
What this Textopian page supports
A Canary Tragedy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth, dated 1894 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 Louisa Molesworth
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fiction, Animal Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Tragedy
- Length: 1,875 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Canary Tragedy by Mary Louisa Molesworth
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is aimed at a young audience, featuring a child's perspective and experiences with pets.
- Fiction — The story is a fictional account of a child's relationship with her canaries and the events surrounding them.
- Animal Fiction — The plot centers around the lives and experiences of canaries, highlighting their significance to the protagonist.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist reflects on her childhood experiences and the lessons learned through her attachment to her pets.
Tags
Children's Literature · Classic Novel · Victorian Era · Tragedy · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Coming of Age · Morality Tale · Poverty · Class Struggle · Child Labor · Industrialization