Leo's Post-Office
A young boy named Leo, inspired by his mother's frequent need for stamps, decides to create a makeshift post-office in their home. He convinces his mother to lend him money from his savings to purchase stamps, postcards, and wrappers from a local chemist. With the help of his sisters, he organizes his supplies in a cupboard, establishes rules for his post-office, and begins selling stamps to family members. Initially, the venture is successful, with Leo keeping meticulous records of his sales. However, he soon discovers that stamps are mysteriously disappearing from his stock. Despite consulting his mother and siblings, no one admits to taking them, leading Leo to suspect theft. His mother suggests they investigate the matter, and Leo's father, who is often busy, unwittingly becomes the source of the missing stamps. One evening, while his mother checks on the post-office, she catches Leo's father in the act of taking stamps without informing anyone. Amused, she reveals the situation to Leo, who learns that his father had been using the post-office for his own needs. To make amends, Leo's father contributes to the post-office's funds and gifts Leo a letter-weighing scale and envelopes to expand his business. With the mystery resolved, Leo's post-office flourishes, and he considers adding more items to his inventory. The experience teaches him about responsibility, entrepreneurship, and the importance of communication within the family. The story concludes with Leo's post-office thriving, free from further incidents of missing supplies.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1882 · Genre: Children's Literature, Family Drama, Coming-of-Age · 3,950 words
First lines
'Oh dear! ' said Leo's mother, 'there, I have run out of stamps again. And I don't like getting them from the servants. It is so apt to cause mistakes. It is really very stupid of me. Have you any, Marion?'
Marion was Leo's big sister. She was fifteen.
What this Textopian page supports
Leo's Post-Office is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth, dated 1882 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: 1882 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Family Drama, Coming-of-Age, Slice of Life, Humor
- Length: 3,950 words
- Structure: 1 section, 75 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Leo's Post-Office by Mary Louisa Molesworth
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Leo's Post-Office?
- 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 is centered around a young boy's imaginative venture into running a post-office, appealing to a child audience.
- Family Drama — The narrative explores family dynamics, relationships, and the interactions between siblings and parents.
- Coming-of-Age — Leo's journey reflects themes of responsibility, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.
- Slice of Life — The story captures everyday family life and the small adventures that occur within it.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fantasy · Adventure · Coming-of-Age · Friendship · Growing Up · Imagination · Magic Realism · Mystery · Nostalgia · Orphaned Protagonist · Post-Office Setting