A Remarkable Watch
A group of children, eager for a morning swim, persuades their mother to allow them to go, provided they are quick. Lilly, a kind and responsible older girl, is asked to accompany them. After a fun and organized bathing session, the children return to lunch, but Lilly realizes she has forgotten her cherished watch on the shore. Concerned, the boys rush to retrieve it, but the tide has likely covered the stones where it was left. Lilly is distraught over her carelessness, but her family comforts her. The boys, Bill and Humphrey, devise a plan to return at night when the tide recedes, hoping to find the watch. They sneak out under the moonlight, navigating the rocky shore. After some searching, they spot the watch glimmering among the stones, successfully retrieving it. When they return home, they surprise Lilly with the watch, which requires repairs but remains a treasured possession. The story emphasizes themes of responsibility, family support, and the joy of friendship.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1888 · Genre: Children's Literature, Family Drama, Adventure · 1,838 words
First lines
"May we bathe this morning, Mamma? " said the children, putting their heads in at the door of the drawing-room.
Mamma glanced at the time-piece.
What this Textopian page supports
A Remarkable Watch is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Family Drama, Adventure, Realism, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 1,838 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Remarkable Watch by Mary Louisa Molesworth
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Remarkable Watch?
- How does this short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The story revolves around children and their adventures, focusing on themes of friendship, responsibility, and family.
- Family Drama — The narrative explores family dynamics, parental guidance, and sibling relationships, highlighting emotional responses to loss and care.
- Adventure — The plot includes a quest to recover a lost watch, emphasizing exploration and problem-solving among the children.
- Realism — The story presents relatable situations and characters, reflecting everyday life and experiences of children.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fantasy · Adventure · Mystery · Coming-of-Age · Friendship · Imagination · Magic · Realism · Social Class · Family Dynamics · Growing Up