The Weather Maiden by Mary Louisa Molesworth

Name: The Weather Maiden
Author: Mary Louisa Molesworth

A lonely orphan girl named Merran lives with her unkind cousins in a bustling farmhouse after losing her loving parents. Shy and sensitive, she feels out of place and unloved, often scolded by her aunt for her perceived clumsiness. One day, after a particularly harsh reprimand, she retreats to the garret, a refuge filled with forgotten objects, including a broken weather-telling barometer she calls the "rain-house." In her despair, Merran wishes for a life free from her troubles, and to her surprise, a voice responds, instructing her to close her eyes and leap. When she opens them, she finds herself in a magical realm, greeted by a beautiful fairy who reveals herself as the figure from the rain-house. The fairy, known as Sunshine, explains that she and her husband, the Rain fairy, have been waiting for Merran, who has been chosen to receive magical gifts that will allow her to predict the weather. Merran receives a tiny umbrella and a parasol, each imbued with the power to forecast rain or sunshine. The fairy instructs her to keep these gifts a secret until she is grown and married, emphasizing that they will only work if used with kind intentions. Merran learns to use her gifts wisely, becoming known as the "weather maiden" in her community, helping farmers and neighbors with her accurate predictions. As time passes, Merran matures into a sweet-faced young woman, admired for her kindness and wisdom. She develops a close bond with Dirk, the youngest son of the farmer, who has returned from a sea voyage. Both share a sense of being different from others, and their mutual affection grows. Eventually, Dirk confesses his love for Merran, and she reciprocates, leading to their marriage. Together, they continue to use the magical gifts, bringing good fortune to their lives and those around them. Merran and Dirk embody kindness and generosity, ensuring their happiness and prosperity. The story concludes with a hint of the fairy realm's continued presence in the world, suggesting that magic may still exist in unseen ways.

By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1881 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 14,484 words

First lines

Once upon a time -- it does not matter if it was a long ago "once," or not a long ago one; it does not matter what country it was in, whether far off or near at hand -- it was just a "once upon a time," somewhere and somewhen -- a little girl sat crying quietly but very sadly, all by herself in a queer room which I will describe. But first I must tell you that she was not crying from temper, or from having been naughty and now being sorry, no, she was just crying because she was lonely and unloved and in a sense friendless. And it had not always been so with her. Some years ago -- to her they seemed many, for she was only twelve, but in reality they were but few -- she had had kind parents, father and mother both, who loved their only child very dearly, though she was not a very pretty or "taking" little girl. She was small for her age and more thoughtful than clever or amusing. And now that the dear ones whom she belonged to were gone, and her only home as an orphan, and a poor orphan, was with cousins, who, though good worthy people, had adopted her out of duty and did not understand the shy silent child, or care to do so, it is not to be wondered at that she grew shyer and silenter and often seemed what she was really far from being, stupid and slow and even sullen.

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The Weather Maiden is listed on Textopian as a novella by Mary Louisa Molesworth, dated 1881 CE.

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Work type: Novella
Author: Mary Louisa Molesworth
Date: 1881 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Fiction, Moral Tale
Length: 14,484 words
Structure: 1 section, 209 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Weather Maiden by Mary Louisa Molesworth
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Genres

Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at a young audience, featuring themes and narratives suitable for children.
Fantasy — The story incorporates fantastical elements, including magical weather phenomena and imaginative scenarios.
Adventure — The plot involves exploration and the characters' journeys, typical of adventure narratives.
Fiction — As a work of fiction, it presents a narrative that is not based on real events but rather on the author's imagination.