The Child's Story: by Charles Dickens

by Charles Dickens

The Child's Story
by Charles Dickens
Fiction
Short Stories

Genres: Classics, Short Stories, Fiction, Christmas, Victorian, Classic Literature, Childrens

5 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2017

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ahmed Ejaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

*INITIAL REACTION
I was very excited about this short story, any guesses why? Because this story was written by one of the most popular writers Charles Dickens and I hadn't read any of his works. When I was in 10th grade, my English book contained a summary of his well known novel "Great Expectation". After reading that, I was so interested in his works. So, when I found this story I left everything and read it.

*MY FEELINGS
I enjoyed this story. It was so interesting and straight forward. I think, after reading this I can say he was the master of story telling. (because he is not more) *feeling sad*

*BRIEF OVERVIEW
This is a story of a traveler, who goes on a journey and meet different kinds of people like a child, a handsome boy, a young man, a middle-aged gentleman & finally an old man. He stays with every one and loses them one by one.

I think, author was trying to tell us the life style of every age such that how different ages have different styles and struggles.


*THINGS I LIKED
- The Writing style, I think, this was the best writing style I ever read. It was so simple and easy to understand.
- Characters' life, It was very well written.
- Explanation of scenes, that was awesome.
- 3rd person POV, I think, this was the first story I liked in 3rd person POV.


*THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
- The ending, because every one who had lost came back in an unsatisfying way. ( at-least for me)
But that didn't matter for me because I was satisfied by the sense of story.

- The title, I didn't understand it after reading this story. Because this wasn't only a child's story, this was something more than that.


*RECOMMENDATION
I recommend this story to everyone, This was so -- intriguing. This was a very good read for me. I hope it will be good for everyone.

I hope you like my review, if you don't then point out my mistakes. I would be happy to see that!

Thanks for your attention!


*WHERE TO READ IT?
CLICK ME!

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Child’s Story by Charles Dickens is a small novella that is a beautiful parable of our lives in a timeless journey that we all take. This is a story of a traveler on a beautiful journey as in the forest he first meets a child, a young boy, a young man, a middle-aged man and his family, and then an elderly man. As he moves along in his travels, he always asks them, “What do you do here?” They then invite him to be part of their life. But then it is time to move on as they suddenly disappear and he journeys on. And all of this is told in beautiful and poetic prose and beautiful art work.

“Once upon a time, a good many years ago, there was a traveler, and set out upon a journey. It was a magic journey, and was to seem very long when he began it, and very short when he got halfway through.”

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the one hand, this is a touching little metaphor for our journey through life. On the other, it’s over-simplified and lays it on quite thick. Some lovely images though.

“But, when it snowed, that was best of all; for, they liked nothing so well as to look up at the white flakes falling fast and thick, like down from the breasts of millions of white birds; and to see how smooth and deep the drift was; and to listen to the hush upon the paths and roads.”

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Child's Story (1852) is a parable about life's journey, in which a Traveller asks all he meets, "What do you do here?" and they invite him to join them, until it's time to move on.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet little parable gave me chills. All the nostalgic feelings!

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short poetic story by Dickens.

Breve racconto poetico di Dickens.

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Child's Story by Charles Dickens is a short parable about the beautiful journey of life. We pass through each stage of life until the end, where we are left with our memories of a life hopefully well spent. As a mom who feels all the time that her children are growing too quickly, this little story really tugged at my heartstrings.

"Once upon a time, a good many years ago, there was a traveller, and he set out upon a journey. It was a magic journey, and was to seem very long when he began it, and very short when he got half way through."

[Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful short read. A traveller wanders through a forest and on his journey meets a child, a boy, a young man, a middle aged man and his family and then an elderly man. It's a parable for life and is thoughtful and charming and this edition is beautifully illustrated by Robert Ingpen.
A delightful, quick read.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a charming story about a man’s Journey through life.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows the journey of a man from playful child to old age, while he embraces the stages of his life.

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Dickens' "The Child's Story" is a short story about watching the different stages of life, looking back and the cycle continuing for the next generation.

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Once upon a time, a good many years ago, there was a traveller, and he set out upon a journey. It was a magic journey, and was to seem very long when he began it, and very short when he got half way through. He travelled along a rather dark path for some little time, without meeting anything, until at last he
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came to a beautiful child. So he said to the child, “What do you do here?” And the child said, “I am always at play. Come and play with me!” So, he played with that child, the whole day long, and they were very merry. The sky was so blue, the sun was so bright, the water was so sparkling, the leaves were so green, the flowers were so lovely, and they heard such singing-birds and saw so many butteries, that everything was beautiful. This was in fine weather. When it rained, they loved to watch the falling drops, and to
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smell the fresh scents. When it blew, it was delightful to listen to the wind, and fancy what it said, as it came rushing from its home — where was that, they wondered! — whistling and howling, driving the clouds before it, bending the trees, rumbling in the chimneys, shaking the house, and making the sea roar in fury. But, when it snowed, that was best of all; for, they liked nothing so well as to look up at the white flakes falling fast and thick, like down from the breasts of millions of white birds; and to see how
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smooth and deep the drift was; and to listen to the hush upon the paths and roads.
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But, one day, of a sudden, the traveller lost the child. He called to him over and over again, but got no

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answer. So, he went upon his road, and went on for a little while without meeting anything, until at last he came to a handsome boy. So, he said to the boy, “What do you do here?” And the boy said, “I am always learning. Come and learn with me.” So he learned with that boy about Jupiter and Juno, and the Greeks and the Romans, and I don’t know what, and learned more than I could tell — or he either, for he soon forgot a great deal of it. But, they were not always learning; they had
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the merriest games that ever were played. They rowed upon the river in summer, and skated on the ice in winter; they were active afoot, and active on horseback; at cricket, and all games at ball; at prisoner’s base, hare and hounds, follow my leader, and more sports than I can think of; nobody could beat them. They had holidays too, and Twelfth cakes, and parties where they danced till midnight, and real Theatres where they saw palaces of real gold and silver rise out of the real earth, and saw all the wonders of the world at
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once. As to friends, they had such dear friends and so many of them, that I want the time to reckon them up. They were all young, like the handsome boy, and were never to be strange to one another all their lives through. Still, one day, in the midst of all these pleasures, the traveller lost the boy as he had lost the child, and, after calling to him in vain, went on upon his journey. So he went on for a little while without seeing anything, until at last he came to a young man. So, he said to the young
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man, “What do you do here?” And the young man said, “I am always in love. Come and love with me.” So, he went away with that young man, and presently they came to one of the prettiest girls that ever was seen — just like Fanny in the corner there — and she had eyes like Fanny, and hair like Fanny, and dimples like Fanny’s, and she laughed and coloured just as Fanny does while I am talking about her. So, the young man fell in love directly — just as Somebody I won’t mention, the first time he came here, did with
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Fanny. Well! he was teased sometimes — just as Somebody used to be by Fanny; and they quarrelled sometimes — just as Somebody and Fanny used to quarrel; and they made it up, and sat in the dark, and wrote letters every day, and never were happy asunder, and were always looking out for one another and pretending not to, and were engaged at Christmas-time, and sat close to one another by the fire, and were going to be married very soon — all exactly like Somebody I won’t mention, and Fanny!
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But, the traveller lost them one day, as he had lost the rest of his friends, and, after calling to them to come back, which they never did, went on upon his journey. So, he went on for a little while without seeing anything, until at last he came to a middle-aged gentleman. So, he said to the gentleman, “What are you doing here?” And his answer was, “I am always busy. Come and be busy with me!” So, he began to be very busy with that gentleman, and they went on through the wood together. The
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whole journey was through a wood, only it had been open and green at first, like a wood in spring; and now began to be thick and dark, like a wood in summer; some of the little trees that had come out earliest, were even turning brown. The gentleman was not alone, but had a lady of about the same age with him, who was his Wife; and they had children, who were with them too. So, they all went on together through the wood, cutting down the trees, and making a path through the branches and the fallen leaves,
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and carrying burdens, and working hard. Sometimes, they came to a long green avenue that opened into deeper woods. Then they would hear a very little, distant voice crying, “Father, father, I am another child! Stop for me!” And presently they would see a very little figure, growing larger as it came along, running to join them. When it came up, they all crowded round it, and kissed and welcomed it; and then they all went on together.
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Sometimes, they came to several avenues at once, and then they all stood still, and one of the children said, “Father, I am going to sea,” and another said, “Father, I am going to India,” and another, “Father, I am going to seek my fortune where I can,” and another, “Father, I am going to Heaven!” So, with many tears at parting, they went, solitary, down those avenues, each child upon its way; and the child who went to Heaven, rose into the golden air and vanished.
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Whenever these partings happened, the traveller looked at the gentleman, and saw him glance up at the sky above the trees, where the day was beginning to decline, and the sunset to come on. He saw, too, that his hair was turning grey. But, they never could rest long, for they had their journey to perform, and it was necessary for them to be always busy. At last, there had been so many partings that there were no children left, and only the traveller, the gentleman, and the lady, went upon
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their way in company. And now the wood was yellow; and now brown; and the leaves, even of the forest trees, began to fall. So, they came to an avenue that was darker than the rest, and were pressing forward on their journey without looking down it when the lady stopped. “My husband,” said the lady. “I am called.” They listened, and they heard a voice a long way down the avenue, say, “Mother, mother!”

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It was the voice of the first child who had said, “I am going to Heaven!” and the father said, “I pray not yet. The sunset is very near. I pray not yet!” But, the voice cried, “Mother, mother!” without minding him, though his hair was now quite white, and tears were on his face. Then, the mother, who was already drawn into the shade of the dark avenue and moving away with her arms still round his neck, kissed him, and said, “My dearest, I am summoned, and I go!” And she was
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gone. And the traveller and he were left alone together. And they went on and on together, until they came to very near the end of the wood: so near, that they could see the sunset shining red before them through the trees. Yet, once more, while he broke his way among the branches, the traveller lost his friend. He called and called, but there was no reply, and when he passed out of the wood, and saw the peaceful sun going down upon a wide purple prospect, he came to an old man sitting on a
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fallen tree. So, he said to the old man, “What do you do here?” And the old man said with a calm smile, “I am always remembering. Come and remember with me!” So the traveller sat down by the side of that old man, face to face with the serene sunset; and all his friends came softly back and stood around him. The beautiful child, the handsome boy, the young man in love, the father, mother, and children: every one of them was there, and he had lost nothing. So, he loved them all, and was kind and
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forbearing with them all, and was always pleased to watch them all, and they all honoured and loved him. And I think the traveller must be yourself, dear Grandfather, because this what you do to us, and what we do to you.

[Sofía · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I read this in 2023 for my English Lit class, but did not leave the impact it did today: I feel emotionally attacked and also blessed. Life is a journey that I am honored to travel through and the people in my life have blessed me to no end. Life is finite and we should treat it as such. Do not take anything for granted and be grateful for what you have. A breath of fresh air. I cannot wait read this story to my future children.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this short story to be wonderful. It was gentle, engaging, reflective, and so very true. There are stages in our lives. This story was a signpost to me. I could identify with each stage and, being a traveller myself in the later stages of life, see the importance of reflecting back.

There is a gentleness in Dickens’s words, and wisdom, and, perhaps most importantly a Truth that we must realize.

Read this story, please.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather liked this story that compresses the stages of life into one man's journey. Many in our group saw it as sad, but I think it is rather the reverse when you think of someone having a full and complete life with all the stages fulfilled. The ending was sentimental, but I somehow appreciate sentimental in older stories.

[juli ୨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

es una historia muy breve que representa toda una vida, acorde y linda

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant little allegory about life’s eternal movement. In subject, though not in style, it reminded me of EM Forster’s ‘The Other Side of the Hedge.’

[Adam Zakeriya · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ GOOD

A remarkable exploration of the vivid imagination that defines childhood. Unlike many of his more famous works, this novella dives deeply into the emotional landscape of being a child, layering moments of joy with subtle reflections on innocence lost.

From the outset, Dickens captures the essence of wonderment. The child protagonist navigates a world that is both whimsical and thought provoking, often engaging with fantastical elements that highlight how children perceive their surroundings. The narrative encourages readers to recall the carefree days of youth, filled with adventures and endless creativity.

One standout aspect of the story is Dickens’ ability to blend simplicity with depth. The vivid imagery he conjures often evokes strong emotions, transporting one to a realm where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. Each setting is rich with detail, inviting readers to experience the world through the eyes of a child, free from adult constraints.

Moreover, the interactions between the characters are heartfelt and genuine. Dickens crafts relationships that resonate, showcasing the support and camaraderie often found among children. The lessons imparted, though gently woven into the fabric of the narrative, urge readers to reflect on the values of compassion and imagination.

While the story flows with an ease that makes it accessible, it also maintains an introspective quality that leaves a lingering impact. It serves as a gentle reminder that while childhood may be ephemeral, the essence of those experiences can shape our adult lives.

Overall, "The Child's Story" is not just a tale for children but also a poignant reflection for adults, urging us to reconnect with the magic of our own youth. This novella deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone who appreciates the simplicity and beauty of life through a child’s eyes.

[Sinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best short story I have listened to in a while. Has a sense of completeness even as it stuck a knife deep into the transience of life, and twisted it until it struck home. From play, to learning, to love, to busyness, to remembering. And when you get halfway you’ll realise it’s not all that long.

[Kenza Harrouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I read a work by the author Charles Dickens , and it is such a masterpiece .
The story is about our life's journey from the beginning to the end , from your childhood to your old age .

[Ella あいみ M.]

I listened to this while I was making a PowerPoint presentation for my mom's Sunday school message. I don't know if I was just too focused on making the slides or what, but it's safe to say that I had no idea whatsoever what the heck was going on the entire time.

[Timothy Morrison]

👅Once upon a time, a good many years ago, there was a traveller, and he set out upon a journey. It was a magic journey, and was to seem very long when he began it, and very short when he got half way through

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and strangely haunting.

[Júlia Vilarim · Rating 3 out of 5]

achei esse conto muito bonito… a vida continua, né?
lindo!

[Pages & Cup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! I loved this short story more than I thought I would. Maybe I was in the right mood to read it, but it tugged at the heartstrings.

[Joanne Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading Christmas themed books and stories for the holidays. This was part of #dickensindecember 2022. Loved this short story

[Melissa De Cunto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow this one is my favorite Charles Dickens story so far.

[Thano Prokos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heart is, indeed, warm.