The Six Poor Little Princesses
Six sisters, referred to as princesses, live in a nursery under the care of a governess, Miss Burton, who is strict and lacks understanding of their need for play and imagination. The eldest, Helen, and the youngest, Baby, along with their four other sisters—Ginevra, Agatha, Elspeth, and Belinda—struggle with their limited toys and books. Ginevra, or Jinny, takes the lead in their imaginative play, often lamenting their dull existence and dreaming of a doll to play with. The sisters discuss their situation, comparing themselves to imprisoned princesses. Jinny devises a plan to acquire a doll, believing that a true princess would take matters into her own hands. She enlists the help of a boy from next door, known for his red hair, who agrees to buy a doll with money he can gather from selling a silver mug that Jinny possesses. The sisters eagerly anticipate the arrival of the doll, each expressing their preferences for its appearance. As Christmas approaches, Jinny's excitement builds, but she struggles to keep her plan a secret. When the boy returns with the doll, the sisters are initially disappointed to find it is a dressed china doll, not the beautiful, interactive doll they had envisioned. Despite their initial dismay, they resolve to make the best of the situation, showing affection for the doll and planning to create new clothes for it. On Christmas Eve, they receive a letter from their Aunt Ginevra, announcing her return and promising gifts. The sisters are overjoyed when a large box arrives containing six exquisite dolls, each more beautiful than the last. They celebrate their newfound happiness, but Jinny feels guilty about her earlier actions and worries about the fate of her old doll. Ultimately, Aunt Ginevra is understanding and compassionate, assuring the sisters that they will be happy together. The story concludes with the sisters embracing their new life, with Jinny learning the value of patience and the importance of family. The old doll is repurposed as a maid for the new dolls, symbolizing the sisters' growth and the joy of their reunion with their aunt.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1890 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 4,225 words
First lines
"And all the Christ Child's other gifts. / . but still -- but still -- / The doll seem'd all my waking thoughts to fill. " / _The Doll that ne'er was Mine._
THERE were six of them, beginning with Helen and ending with Baby, and as Helen was only twelve and Baby already five, it is easy to understand that they were all pretty near of a size. But they weren't really princesses. That was all Jinny's planning. Indeed most things which were nice or amusing or at all "out-of-the-way" were Jinny's planning.
What this Textopian page supports
The Six Poor Little Princesses is listed on Textopian as a short story by Mary Louisa Molesworth, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Social Commentary
- Length: 4,225 words
- Structure: 1 section, 97 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Six Poor Little Princesses 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
Similar titles
- The Poor Mans Guest by Edith Nesbit
- The Story Of Tommy Tucker by L. Frank Baum
- The Scarecrow Appeals To Glinda The Good by L. Frank Baum
- The Bad Fairy by Mary Louisa Molesworth
- The Dummy That Lived by L. Frank Baum
- The Enchanted Types by L. Frank Baum
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at a young audience, featuring child protagonists and themes relevant to childhood experiences.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes elements of imagination and play, with the characters envisioning themselves as princesses and engaging in fantastical scenarios.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the children's quest for a doll, showcasing their determination and resourcefulness in overcoming their limitations.
- Family — The story explores themes of familial relationships, particularly the longing for maternal care and the bond among siblings.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fairy Tale · Fantasy · Girls' Fiction · Humor · Imagination · Magic · Moral Lesson · Nobility · Poverty · Princesses · Satire