A Tale of a Penny by Ruth Lamb
"A Tale of a Penny" by Ruth Lamb is a story that revolves around the seemingly trivial incident of a lost penny and its far-reaching consequences on the lives of several characters. The narrative begins with a domestic scene involving siblings Flossie, Madge, and Jack, where Jack's search for a lost penny disrupts the household. Their mother uses this incident to recount a story about how a penny influenced the lives of two girls, Edith and Lizzie Northcote, twenty years earlier. The story within the story follows Edith and Lizzie, two sisters visiting London. Lizzie finds herself in a predicament at a railway station, short of a penny to buy a train ticket. After being refused help by a cold-hearted woman, she is assisted by a kind gentleman, Mr. Percival Long, who buys her a ticket. This act of kindness leaves a lasting impression on Lizzie and indirectly influences her sister Edith, who begins to reflect on her own selfishness and strives to change. As the narrative unfolds, Edith's transformation becomes evident, especially during their mother's illness, where she shows newfound selflessness and devotion. This change in Edith's character catches the attention of Henry Martin, a man of integrity and depth, who eventually proposes to her, seeing in her the qualities he desires in a life partner. The story concludes with the revelation that the narrator, the children's mother, is actually Lizzie, and her husband is Harold, who married Mr. Long's daughter, Mildred. The tale illustrates how small actions, like the giving of a penny, can have significant impacts on people's lives, leading to personal growth, strengthened relationships, and unexpected connections.
By Ruth Lamb · First published 1892 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Contemporary Fiction · 5 chapters · 13,736 words
First lines
"Do be quiet, Jack. I wonder who can read, write, or think, with any hope of satisfactory results, whilst you are turning everything topsy-turvy and rummaging round in such a fashion. What restless plagues lads are, to be sure!"
"And all because a penny is lost, stolen, strayed, or otherwise mislaid. I am sure it is not worth all that fuss," said sister number two, while the young gentleman addressed, no ways affected, continued his search for the missing coin.
What this Textopian page supports
A Tale of a Penny is listed on Textopian as a novella by Ruth Lamb, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Ruth Lamb
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Contemporary Fiction, Social Realism, Allegory
- Length: 13,736 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 211 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Tale of a Penny by Ruth Lamb
- 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
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative’s emphasis on character development and thematic depth suggests a literary approach that explores the nuances of human experience.
- Drama — The emotional conflicts and interpersonal relationships reflected in the title indicate a dramatic structure focused on tension and resolution.
- Contemporary Fiction — The setting and issues likely mirror current social and personal realities, grounding the narrative in a modern context.
- Social Realism — The attention to the value found in everyday objects and experiences points to a realistic portrayal of social conditions and human struggles.
Tags
fiction · narrative · metaphor · symbolism · economic struggle · social commentary · human experience · transformation · resilience · journey · life lessons · destiny