Short Stories » Seeking the Violets

Seeking the Violets

ALL the wood had been blue with violets, but now they were nearly gone. The birds sang louder and louder to keep them and to call them back, but soon there was not a violet left in all the wood from end to end. The snowdrops died, and the primrose faded, the cowslips and blue-bells vanished, the thorn grew white with blossom, the wild honeysuckle filled the wood with its fragrance, and soon the fruit began to ripen.

The blackbirds and the swallows and the chaffinches, and all the birds they knew, gathered round the garden trees and bushes, and forgot the woods, until suddenly one day they espied a little child. She was sitting on a chair under a tree; she had a little table before her and a pink ribbon round her hat; she was eating fruit with a large silver spoon. The birds were afraid, and held aloof until a sparrow chirped and the child looked up, and when they saw how blue her eyes were, they sang out bravely and fluttered round her, thinking that she had brought them news from the violets. But she never looked up again, though the birds crowded on to the branch above her, and perched upon' the table, and rubbed their little beaks against her plate. She just held on her hat with one hand, and with the other went on taking up fruit with a silver spoon.

"Ah, dear child," a swallow twittered, "perhaps you do not know what is written in your eyes; so many of us carry secrets that we ourselves know last of all"

Seeking The Violets - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

Always be kind and considerate towards others, as it can bring happiness and unexpected rewards.

Seeking The Violets - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

If you always help others and show kindness, you will find joy and friendship in unexpected places.

Seeking The Violets - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

True happiness often comes from appreciating the simple beauty in the world around us, just like seeking out the scent of violets on a spring day.

3 Fun Facts

• Violet is a shy and elusive flower that hides under leaves and is not easy to find.
• When the violets were finally found, they came in different colors, such as purple, yellow, and blue.
• The story teaches the value of patience and teamwork as even the youngest children helped in finding the hidden violets.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What was the main activity the children were excited to do in the garden?
• Who told the children about the beautiful violets in the garden?
• How did the children feel when they finally found the violets hidden under the leaves?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What were the girls searching for in the story?
• How did the girls feel when they couldn't find any violets at first?
• What lesson did the girls learn by the end of their adventure in the woods?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• What gift did Paul receive from his Aunt Lou and what was his initial reaction to it?
• Describe the relationship between Paul and his mother as depicted in the story.
• How did Paul demonstrate his newfound understanding of selflessness at the end of the story?