Danger Cliff, and Other Stories: "Boy Wanted. "
In "Boy Wanted" by Pansy, Mr. Peters, a wealthy man, frequently displays a "Boy Wanted" sign in his window, seeking an errand boy. Despite many applicants, none meet his expectations until Crawford Mills arrives. Previous boys, John Simmons and Charlie Jones, fail to complete a task involving organizing a box of seemingly worthless items in the attic, leading to their dismissal. Crawford, however, diligently sorts the box, discovering a five-dollar gold piece at the bottom. Impressed by Crawford's thoroughness and integrity, Mr. Peters hires him permanently. Crawford's dedication and faithfulness in small tasks lead to his eventual success, becoming a partner in the firm Peters, Mills, Co. The story emphasizes the moral that faithfulness in small responsibilities can lead to greater opportunities, as highlighted by the biblical motto Mr. Peters gives Crawford: "He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much."
By Pansy · First published 1884 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Moral Fiction · 1,737 words
First lines
PEOPLE laughed when they saw the sign again. It seemed to be always in Mr. Peters' window. For a day or two, sometimes for only an hour or two, it would be missing, and passers-by would wonder whether Mr. Peters had at last found a boy to suit him; but sooner or later, it was sure to appear again.
What this Textopian page supports
Danger Cliff, and Other Stories: "Boy Wanted. " is listed on Textopian as a short story by Pansy, dated 1884 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Pansy
- Date: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Realistic Fiction, Humorous Fiction, Moral Fiction, Satire, Short Story
- Length: 1,737 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Danger Cliff, and Other Stories: "Boy Wanted. " by Pansy
- 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
Genres
- Realistic Fiction — The narrative centers on everyday life, work, and human behavior with detailed descriptions of common experiences and social interactions.
- Humorous Fiction — The story employs irony and witty observations through the absurdity of the errand boy situations and the peculiar character of Mr. Peters.
- Moral Fiction — The work contains an underlying moral message about diligence and fidelity, as emphasized by the repeated lesson in the narrative.
- Satire — Subtle social commentary is evident in its critique of business practices and power dynamics between employers and workers.
Tags
short stories · literary fiction · drama · adventure · thriller · suspense · coming-of-age · psychological · risk · mystery · exploration · edgy