Witches' Loaves by O. Henry (1906)
The story revolves around a poor widow who lives with her two children and struggles to make ends meet. She discovers that the local baker has been selling stale bread at an inflated price, taking advantage of the community's desperation. The widow decides to take matters into her own hands by baking her own bread, using a recipe she learned from her mother. Her loaves are fresh, wholesome, and priced lower than the baker's stale offerings. As word spreads about the widow's delicious and affordable bread, people begin to flock to her doorstep, buying up all of her loaves. The baker, realizing he is losing business, tries to sabotage the widow by spreading rumors that she is selling "witches' loaves" - bread made with dark magic. Despite the baker's attempts to discredit her, the widow continues to bake and sell her bread, earning a reputation as a kind and honest provider for her community.
By O. Henry · First published 1906 · Genre: Short Story, Comedy, Romance · 1,498 words
First lines
Miss Martha Meacham kept the little bakery on the corner (the one where you go up three steps, and the bell tinkles when you open the door).
Miss Martha was forty, her bankbook showed a credit of two thousand dollars, and she possessed two false teeth and a sympathetic heart. Many people have married whose chances to do so were much inferior to Miss Martha's.
What this Textopian page supports
Witches' Loaves is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Drama
- Length: 1,498 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Witches' Loaves by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Witches' Loaves?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Story first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Not So Much A Tam Fool by O. Henry
- The Disinterested Arbiter by Ambrose Bierce
- A Righteous Outburst by O. Henry
- Ulysses And The Dogman by O. Henry
- A Madison Square Arabian Night by O. Henry
- The Dog And The Playlet by O. Henry
Genres
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on character interactions and a specific incident.
- Comedy — The story employs humor through misunderstandings and character quirks, particularly in the interactions between Miss Martha and the artist.
- Romance — There are romantic undertones in Miss Martha's feelings for the artist, highlighting themes of unrequited love and longing.
- Slice of Life — The narrative captures everyday moments and the mundane aspects of life, focusing on the bakery and its patrons.
Tags
Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Fiction · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Magical Realism · Fantasy · Supernatural · Mystery