An Honest Little Man
The narrative centers on a young child, referred to as Baby, who is characterized by his gentle nature and strong sense of fairness. The story unfolds during a family dessert gathering, where Baby and his older brother, affectionately called "Budder," are excited to join their parents and an aunt for a special treat. Baby's demeanor is serious yet thoughtful, reflecting his understanding of social norms and manners. During dessert, Baby receives a cocoa-nut biscuit from his aunt but chooses not to eat it because his brother has not received one. This act of selflessness earns him praise from his mother, who acknowledges his honesty and fairness. The aunt, moved by Baby's behavior, shares a touching story from her recent experience in Edinburgh, where she encountered a crippled boy who, despite his hardships, displayed remarkable honesty when offered a choice between a penny or a cookie. The boy, content with his halfpenny, declined the offer for more, demonstrating a pure and simple integrity. The aunt's story resonates with the children, particularly Baby, who is influenced by the themes of honesty and kindness. The narrative emphasizes the importance of these values through the interactions of the characters and the lessons they learn from each other. The story concludes with a sense of warmth and satisfaction, as Baby and Budder enjoy their biscuits, reflecting on the honest little boy and the joy of sharing. The overarching message highlights the beauty of integrity and the impact of small acts of kindness in everyday life.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1894 · Genre: Children's Literature, Moral Tale, Family Fiction · 1,912 words
First lines
OUR Baby is very fond of coming down to dessert. I almost think it is the greatest pleasure in his small life, especially as it is not one that very often happens, for, of course, as a rule, he has to go to bed before father and mother begin dinner, and dessert comes at the end of all, even after grace, which I have often wondered at. Our Baby is four; he has rather red hair, and merry-sad eyes, if you know what I mean; and in summer, because his skin is so very fair -- "quite lost on a boy," nurse says -- he has a great many freckles, especially on his dear little nose. He is a great pet, of course, but not in a very babyish way -- he seems too sensible for that; and he is very gentle and thoughtful, but not at all "soft" or cowardly. Our Baby has a brother -- he is really, of course, brother to us all; but Baby seems to think he is only "budder" to him -- a very big, almost grown-up brother, Baby considers him, for he is nearly seven! Well, one evening lately both these little boys came down to dessert for a great treat, because an auntie had come on a visit, and this was the first night. They were both so pleased. "Brother" was chattering and laughing in what we call his "big man way," and Baby smiling soberly. That is his way when he is pleased, and that reminds me how we did laugh the first night he ever came down! He was so dreadfully solemn and quiet we thought he was going to cry, and father said, "That child had better go to bed, he looks so miserable; " but when I asked him if he would like to go up, he looked at me and smiled, and said, "Oh no, Cissy.
What this Textopian page supports
An Honest Little Man 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, Moral Tale, Family Fiction, Realism, Short Story
- Length: 1,912 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for An Honest Little Man by Mary Louisa Molesworth
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is centered around young children and their interactions, focusing on themes of honesty and kindness.
- Moral Tale — The narrative conveys moral lessons about honesty and generosity through the actions of the characters.
- Family Fiction — The plot revolves around family dynamics and the relationships between siblings and parents.
- Realism — The story depicts realistic scenarios and emotions, particularly in the portrayal of children's behavior and social interactions.
Tags
Children's Literature · Classic Novel · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Drama · Friendship · Growing Up · Humor · Innocence · Kindness · Literary Fiction · Moral Lesson · Nostalgia