Das Lämmchen

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

43332

Title

Das Lämmchen

Language

de

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A heartwarming tale of honesty and divine providence, this classic children's story follows Christine, a poor girl who returns a lost lamb to its owner despite temptation. Her integrity leads to a reunion with her long-lost mother and a life of prosperity, illustrating that a clear conscience is the truest wealth.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the backdrop of a rustic Bavarian landscape, Christoph von Schmid's *Das Lämmchen* (The Lamb) weaves a narrative of profound moral integrity and divine providence. The story centers on Christine, a ten-year-old girl who toils in the forest picking strawberries to support her sick mother, Rosalie. During a violent storm, Christine discovers a shivering, abandoned lamb. Although a local mason suggests keeping the animal for food, Christine, guided by her conscience and her mother's wisdom, returns the creature to its owner, a wealthy farmer on the Eichhof. Impressed by her honesty, the farmer gifts her the lamb once it is weaned, promising it will provide milk and wool for their humble household. The narrative expands to reveal the lamb's deeper significance. Christine's kindness and the farmer's generosity eventually lead to a miraculous reunion. The farmer's son, Karl, who was raised by a kind priest after surviving a shipwreck as a toddler, is revealed to be Christine's long-lost brother. Karl, now a wealthy landowner, returns to his roots. He uses his fortune not for personal gain but to uplift the entire village, establishing industries and ensuring the community thrives. The story is rich with themes of faith, honesty, and the rewards of a good conscience. Christine's mother teaches her that a clear conscience is the richest treasure one can possess. The plot culminates in a celebration where Karl, his mother, and Christine distribute sheep to the villagers, granting them the right to raise livestock and fostering local industries like weaving and dyeing. The tale concludes with the family's happiness and the village's prosperity, illustrating how a single act of honesty can ripple outward to transform a community. Through vivid descriptions of nature and heartfelt dialogue, von Schmid emphasizes that true wealth lies in virtue and that God's guidance often works through the smallest of things to bring about great blessings.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43332.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg43332.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Religion
• Fiction
• Family