Last Words: A Final Collection of Stories

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25710

Title

Last Words: A Final Collection of Stories

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A heartwarming collection of moral tales and gentle humor by Juliana Horatia Ewing, featuring stories about neighborly love, the joys of gardening, and the lessons of childhood. With charming illustrations and a tender tone, this final gathering of stories offers timeless wisdom for young readers and adults alike.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Last Words: A Final Collection of Stories*, Juliana Horatia Ewing presents a poignant anthology of domestic life, nature, and moral instruction, written shortly before her death. The collection is anchored by the opening tale, *Mary's Meadow*, which explores the complexities of neighborly conflict and reconciliation through the eyes of children. In this narrative, a dispute over a shared garden path between the narrator's family and the wealthy 'Old Squire' is mediated by the gentle wisdom of a friendly bull-dog named Saxon and the song of a nightingale. Ewing uses this intimate perspective to highlight themes of contentment, patience, and the importance of loving one's neighbor, contrasting the greed of adults with the innocence of youth. The volume also features the humorous story *Snap-Dragons*, which depicts a couple who constantly contradict each other in public yet remain deeply affectionate at home. Through their endless bickering over trivial details like weather and dinner times, Ewing illustrates how a marriage can thrive on mutual understanding despite a lack of public agreement. Another whimsical tale, *The Blind Man and the Talking Dog*, blends fantasy with deeper reflection, while biographical sketches of animals, such as the gluttonous crow Slyboots, serve as cautionary tales against greed. These narratives are unified by Ewing's gentle humor, vivid imagery, and unwavering commitment to moral growth. The collection concludes with a poem by George Herbert, reinforcing the theme of spiritual renewal and the transient nature of earthly joys. Ewing's work is characterized by its grace and empathy, using simple stories to illuminate complex adult issues and emphasizing virtues like kindness and contentment. This final gathering of tales stands as a testament to her legacy as a writer who found profound meaning in the everyday moments of family life and the natural world.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-04 16:09 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Children's stories