Little Lisbeth by Paul Heyse (1914)

Name: Little Lisbeth
Author: Paul Heyse

Little Lisbeth is a heartwarming story about a young girl who is determined to make her dreams come true. Lisbeth is a young girl living in a small German village. She is a bright and determined girl, but her family is poor and she has no chance of getting an education. Despite this, she is determined to make something of her life. One day, Lisbeth meets a mysterious old man who tells her that if she works hard and never gives up, she can make her dreams come true. Lisbeth takes this advice to heart and begins to work hard, doing whatever she can to make her dreams a reality. As she works hard, Lisbeth meets a variety of people who help her along the way. She meets a kind old woman who teaches her how to read and write, a young man who helps her find a job, and a wealthy family who takes her in and helps her get an education. Through her hard work and determination, Lisbeth eventually achieves her dreams and becomes a successful businesswoman. Little Lisbeth is a story of hope and determination, and a reminder that anything is possible if you never give up.

By Paul Heyse · First published 1914 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Romance · 3,059 words

First lines

YOU must know that I am a clergyman's daughter from Baden, the sixth of fourteen children, boys and girls, in varied succession. Although I could have found a goodly number of living playthings at home, I nevertheless chose for my favorite doll a stranger child--the daughter of our sexton--a puny little thing who was neither very pretty nor very clever; but the small creature somehow bewitched me as soon as I knew her; and for days at a time, when I had nothing else to do, I would devote myself to her, would take her walking, play with her, and save for her all the choice morsels from my own plate. They were not many, to be sure, for in a parsonage so rich in children, Jack Pinchpenny is steward; but there came holidays and birthdays, and of what wee good things fell to my share, the little Lisbeth--for so my treasure was called--had to have the larger half.

What this Textopian page supports

Little Lisbeth is listed on Textopian as a short story by Paul Heyse, dated 1914 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Paul Heyse
Date: 1914 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 3,059 words
Structure: 1 section, 86 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Little Lisbeth by Paul Heyse
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 Little Lisbeth?
How does this short story by Paul Heyse fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Realistic Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Realistic Fiction — The book follows the story of a young girl, Lisbeth, and her journey of self-discovery and growth. It is a realistic portrayal of her life and the struggles she faces.
Coming-of-Age — The book follows Lisbeth as she matures and learns more about herself and the world around her. It is a story of her growth and development.
Romance — The book follows Lisbeth's romantic relationships and her journey to find true love. It is a story of love and heartbreak.
Historical Fiction — The book is set in 19th century Germany and follows the customs and traditions of the time. It is a story of the past and how it shapes the present.