Short Stories » The Violets

The Violets

THE sun came out and shone down on the leafless trees that cast hardly any shadows on the pathway through the woods.

"Surely the spring is coming," the birds said; “it must be time to wake the flowers."

The thrush, and the lark, and the linnet sang sweetly. A robin flew up from the snow, and perched upon a branch; a little ragged boy at the end of the wood stopped and listened.

"Surely the spring is coming," he too said; “and mother will get well."

The flowers that all through the winter had been sleeping in the ground heard the birds, but they were drowsy, and longed to sleep on. At last the snowdrops came up and looked shiveringly about; and a primrose leaf peeped through the ground, and died of cold. Then some violets opened their blue eyes, and, hidden beneath the tangle of the wood, listened to the twittering of the birds. The little ragged boy came by ; he saw the tender flowers, and, stooping down, gathered them one by one, and put them into a wicker basket that hung upon his arm.

“Dear flowers," he said, with a sigh, as if loth to pick them, "you will buy poor mother some breakfast," and, tying them up into little bunches, he carried them to the town. All the morning he stood by the road-side, offering his flowers to the passers-by, but no one took any notice of him; and his face grew sad and troubled. “Poor mother!” he said, longingly; and the flowers heard him, and sighed.

"Those violets are very sweet," a lady said as she passed; the boy ran after her.

"Only a penny," he said, "just one penny, for mother is at home." Then the lady bought them, and carried them to the beautiful house in which she lived, and gave them some water, touching them so softly that the poor violets forgot to long for the woods, and looked gratefully up into hei face.

"Mother," said the boy, "see, I have brought some bread for your breakfast. The violets sent it to you," and he put the little loaf down before her.

The birds knew nothing of all this, and went on singing till the ground was covered with flowers, till the leaves had hidden the brown branches of the trees, and the pathway through the woods was all shade, save for the sunshine that flecked it with light.

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The Violets - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

The story shows that even small acts of kindness can bring hope and care, just like the boy helping his mother.

The Violets - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

It teaches us about empathy and caring for others, highlighting how nature and simple gifts can lift one’s spirits during tough times.

The Violets - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

The narrative invites a deeper reflection on the interplay between nature, human emotion, and social circumstances; it illustrates how small gestures can convey profound hope and solidarity in the face of hardship.

3 Fun Facts

• The story is set during early spring when flowers begin to awaken.
• A little ragged boy picks violets in the forest to help his ailing mother.
• The gentle interaction between nature and human kindness is central to the narrative.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• Who picked the violets in the forest?
• What did the boy do with the flowers?
• Who was the boy trying to help?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What did the birds believe the arrival of spring meant?
• Why did the boy collect the violets?
• How did the lady show kindness when buying the flowers?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• In what ways does the story use nature to reflect emotional renewal and hope?
• Discuss how the boy's actions highlight the theme of compassion amidst hardship.
• How might the contrast between the natural world and society’s response comment on social issues?