Little Tobrah by Rudyard Kipling
The narrative follows a young boy, recently acquitted of his sister's death, who finds himself alone and destitute after a series of tragic events. Little Tobrah, belonging to a family of oil-pressers, recounts the hardships faced after a smallpox outbreak claims his parents and leaves him and his blind sister to fend for themselves. With limited resources, they struggle to survive, relying on begging for food. As their situation worsens, Tobrah's brother abandons them, taking the last of their money. In desperation, Tobrah contemplates the well where his sister ultimately meets her fate. He pushes her into the well, believing it to be a merciful act to end her suffering from starvation. However, she survives the fall, and Tobrah, frightened, flees the scene. Accused of murder, he is brought before a judge but is acquitted due to lack of evidence. After his release, he is taken in by an Englishman who, intrigued by the boy's plight, decides to feed him and offer him a place in his household. The Englishman’s grooms question Tobrah about his past, and he shares his story, evoking sympathy from the grooms' wives. They express outrage at the injustices he faced, particularly the betrayal by the grain-seller and the abandonment by his brother. Tobrah's narrative highlights themes of survival, innocence, and the harsh realities of life for the impoverished. His experiences reflect the struggles of children in dire circumstances, navigating a world that often shows little compassion. The story culminates in a moment of respite for Tobrah as he finds temporary solace in the kindness of strangers, yet the underlying tension of his traumatic past lingers, leaving readers to ponder the fate of a child shaped by tragedy.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1899 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Children's Literature · 1,412 words
First lines
[Footnote: Copyright, 1891, by MACMILLAN & Co.]
What this Textopian page supports
Little Tobrah is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 1,412 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Little Tobrah by Rudyard Kipling
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Little Tobrah?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of poverty, survival, and morality through the character of Little Tobrah.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms and the treatment of the impoverished in colonial India.
- Children's Literature — The protagonist is a child, and the story addresses themes relevant to young readers, such as innocence and hardship.
- Historical Fiction — The setting reflects the historical context of British colonial rule in India.
Tags
adventure · childhood · friendship · courage · imagination · exploration · nature · animals · family · growth · cultural themes · moral lessons