Un coeur simple

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"Un coeur simple" by Gustave Flaubert is a short story published in 1877 as part of Three Tales. It follows Felicité, a devoted servant girl whose lover abandons her to avoid military service. Working in a widow's household, she pours her affection into others—her mistress's children, her distant nephew, and eventually a pet parrot. Loss follows her at every turn, yet she continues to love without expectation of return. As her simple, unexamined life draws to a close, her humble devotion takes on an unexpected spiritual dimension.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.