A Child's Dream of a Star
Illustrated by Hammatt Billings
"A Child's Dream of a Star" by Charles Dickens is a poignant short story written in the late 19th century. It is a reflective piece that embodies themes of love, loss, and spiritual connection, exploring the bond between siblings and the concept of an afterlife. This narrative captures the imagination with its ethereal qualities and deep emotional resonance. The story follows a child who shares a close relationship with his sister, with both captivated by the beauty of the world around them and a particular star that shines brightly in the night sky. As they grow, the sister falls ill and eventually passes away, leading the child to dream of a mystical star that serves as a gateway to the afterlife. Throughout his life, he experiences further losses, including that of his mother and daughter, but each time he dreams of the star and the angels that await them. In the end, as the child grows into an old man, he reflects on his life, recognizing the star as a symbol of reunion with his loved ones in the celestial realm, ultimately finding peace as he approaches the end of his earthly existence.
Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.
- Language
- English
- On Project Gutenberg since
- 1 March 2013
- Read in the last 30 days
- 1,022 times at Project Gutenberg
More by Charles Dickens
See all: More by Charles Dickens
The Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 2, 1857-1870
The Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 1, 1833-1856
The Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 3, 1836-1870
Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Charles Dickens
"Old Scrooge": A Christmas Carol in Five Staves.
A Christmas Carol; Or, The Miser's Warning!
Scenes and Characters from the Works of Charles Dickens
The Poems and Verses of Charles Dickens
Hunted Down: The Detective Stories of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens' Children Stories
Tales from Dickens
Stories from Dickens
Dickens' Stories About Children Every Child Can Read
Nell and Her Grandfather, Told from Charles Dickens's "The Old Curiosity Shop"
Pearl-Fishing; Choice Stories from Dickens' Household Words; First Series
The children of Dickens
Pearl-Fishing; Choice Stories from Dickens' Household Words; Second Series
Holly berries from Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities