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The Child's Story
Everyone begins life's journey as a child. From one of the world's most beloved writers comes this memorable parable of life's transitions.
Originally published by Charles Dickens in the mid-1800s, "The Child's Story" is a timeless account of the journey we all take, from carefree childhood and spontaneous youth, through adulthood and marriage, and into our golden years. Now, almost 150 years after its original publication, acclaimed artist Harvey Chan adds his stirring images to Dickens's classic words, creating a unique and powerful reading experience that's ideal for children of all ages.
Originally published by Charles Dickens in the mid-1800s, "The Child's Story" is a timeless account of the journey we all take, from carefree childhood and spontaneous youth, through adulthood and marriage, and into our golden years. Now, almost 150 years after its original publication, acclaimed artist Harvey Chan adds his stirring images to Dickens's classic words, creating a unique and powerful reading experience that's ideal for children of all ages.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1852
8 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Charles Dickens
12.7k books31.4k followersCharles 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)
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)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 29, 2017
"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." so begins a grandfather's account of his life to his grandchild rendered like a children's story.
Can be read here:
https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/d/dick...
Can be read here:
https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/d/dick...
January 4, 2026
This is a classic story about the stages of life in the journey from childhood to death. It's a warm story full of family love at each stage.
May 12, 2015
A story that shows the impermanence of life and importance of letting things go as one grows older. Narrative was beautiful.
December 14, 2016
Another of Dickens' masterpiece for its depth & timelessness.
In this story, we get to meet a man's journey to all the stages of life (a child, a boy, young man in love & lastly a father, a mother & their children) and how all of them live & contributed to their parts of lives. They did what they had to do in that stage & left memories for the protagonist to remember in the end, as its only the memories that stay forever with us.
The narrative was beautiful & again the imagery was very strong.
In this story, we get to meet a man's journey to all the stages of life (a child, a boy, young man in love & lastly a father, a mother & their children) and how all of them live & contributed to their parts of lives. They did what they had to do in that stage & left memories for the protagonist to remember in the end, as its only the memories that stay forever with us.
The narrative was beautiful & again the imagery was very strong.
December 18, 2020
I wonder how many things written by Dickens I didn't give five stars? There can't be many. This should get five stars just because it is short and yet I know I won't forget it.
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.
That's how it begins. The traveller walks through the woods always meeting someone along the way. It 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. From a young child who is always playing, to a handsome boy who is always learning, down to an old man who is always remembering.
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.
It was a lovely little story. I won't be forgetting this one. Happy reading.
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.
That's how it begins. The traveller walks through the woods always meeting someone along the way. It 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. From a young child who is always playing, to a handsome boy who is always learning, down to an old man who is always remembering.
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.
It was a lovely little story. I won't be forgetting this one. Happy reading.
March 29, 2012
This book is about a traveler who watches a boy grow to a man and go through all the series of life, from playing and learning to working and having children. It touches the main ideas of the steps that most lives take. And most interesting it mentions the life experience of death. At the end, or maybe before, the reader may find that the traveler in the child, the boy, the young man, and the adult. It touches subjects like love, lose, and work. Things that most everyone encounter in a life time and a book like this can reveal to a child the reality of life and how it works.
May 17, 2016
This story is beautiful, and I did my best to arrange my thoughts on it into a haiku:
"Too many to count,
Experiences flash by,
Held dear at the end."
"Too many to count,
Experiences flash by,
Held dear at the end."
December 8, 2018
Quite a beautiful and also sad story about the inevitable journey of life.
January 8, 2026
Very sweet, short story (almost an essay) on growing up and growing old.
June 8, 2015
This short story was interesting; it was like a coming of age story. Basically, the narrator is a traveler walking through a forest and along the way he meets a baby who likes to play. Then, he meets a young man who likes to learn. After that, he meets a young man who likes to love. Then, he meets a middle-aged man who likes to be busy. Along the way, he would always lose these people and proceed to meet the next one. For example, when he lost sight of the baby, he met the boy, and so on. However, back to the middle aged man--- he was the only person the traveler met that was accompanied by other people, his family. He had a wife and children. Sadly, his wife died and his children did the same. However they didn't die traditional deaths, but only radiated a gold light and ascended into Heaven. At this point in the short story, I am thoroughly... confused. I wanted to uncover the deeper meaning for this narrative, but I didn't know where to start. I re-read it and noticed the different stages that a man may go through: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and eventually death. It dawned on me I Googled the real meaning of this short story and turned out to be just that-- an allegory of a man's life. It seems long when it starts, but ends when you're not ready.
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May 2, 2016Personal Response: I thought it was a good story and kept me interested. It made me think about each stage of my life. I liked how much the main character, the traveller, cared about his family.
Plot: This time traveller goes through time and visits stages of his life. The first stage he came to a child. As a child he was always at play. The second stage was a boy. In this stage he was always learning new things. After each stage he loses them. The third stage is a young man. He met a girl like Fanny. Then in the fourth stage he met a middle aged gentleman. They went through the woods. But the gentleman wasn't alone, his wife and children were with him. Yet again he lost them like the rest. The beautiful boy, the handsome boy, the young man in love, the father, mother, and children. It went through his whole life until he grew old. He realized he is a grandfather and hasn't lost anything.
Recommendation: I think this short story would be good for teens up to adults. It got a little confusing going back and forth in time. Understanding what was happening was a bit of a challenge, until it got to the end. Then it all comes together.
Plot: This time traveller goes through time and visits stages of his life. The first stage he came to a child. As a child he was always at play. The second stage was a boy. In this stage he was always learning new things. After each stage he loses them. The third stage is a young man. He met a girl like Fanny. Then in the fourth stage he met a middle aged gentleman. They went through the woods. But the gentleman wasn't alone, his wife and children were with him. Yet again he lost them like the rest. The beautiful boy, the handsome boy, the young man in love, the father, mother, and children. It went through his whole life until he grew old. He realized he is a grandfather and hasn't lost anything.
Recommendation: I think this short story would be good for teens up to adults. It got a little confusing going back and forth in time. Understanding what was happening was a bit of a challenge, until it got to the end. Then it all comes together.
September 11, 2016
I always love stories that reminded me of amazing poetry or literature I came across before. This directly made me remember Ode. Intimations of immortality by William Wordsworth. It is a poignant story about life. About the phases of life... the child who always plays in Wordsworth is "Thou Child of Joy/Shout round me, let me hear thy shouts, thou happy/ Shepherd-boy!" The young man in love in Wordsworth is "Some fragment from his dream of human life,
Shaped by himself with newly-learnèd art;
A wedding or a festival,
A mourning or a funeral;
And this hath now his heart,
And unto this he frames his song:
Then will he fit his tongue
To dialogues of business, love, or strife;"
And so this amazing, if poetic book goes on and on in the trail of Intimations of Immortality. And I loved every bit of it. It urges us to love our moment. Whatever that is. While not forgetting our condition of travellers here. In this life. Right now. I think it's a very worthy short story. Reading it is a complete pleasure. It is as well written as any Charles Dickens' classic. 5 Stars.
Shaped by himself with newly-learnèd art;
A wedding or a festival,
A mourning or a funeral;
And this hath now his heart,
And unto this he frames his song:
Then will he fit his tongue
To dialogues of business, love, or strife;"
And so this amazing, if poetic book goes on and on in the trail of Intimations of Immortality. And I loved every bit of it. It urges us to love our moment. Whatever that is. While not forgetting our condition of travellers here. In this life. Right now. I think it's a very worthy short story. Reading it is a complete pleasure. It is as well written as any Charles Dickens' classic. 5 Stars.
October 12, 2023
A beautiful short story that represents the stages of human life and how to simply let go of people when it's time, even though how hard that is.
I've read it in French, since I'm taking advantage of short stories both to improve and get used to read in french and italian.
I certainly didn't expect to like it as much as I did. It's definitely worth a read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ [3'5 stars rounded up]
I've read it in French, since I'm taking advantage of short stories both to improve and get used to read in french and italian.
I certainly didn't expect to like it as much as I did. It's definitely worth a read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ [3'5 stars rounded up]
December 10, 2015
“What do you do here?” And the old man said with a calm smile, “I am always remembering. Come and remember with me!”
The shortest masterpiece I have ever read ... Thanks Sarah Alamhdi for the recommendation
The shortest masterpiece I have ever read ... Thanks Sarah Alamhdi for the recommendation
June 12, 2018
It was a creative concept...3.5 stars.
November 26, 2022
This was a short and sweet story about traveling through life. It didn't have a familiar Dickens feeling to it, though.
June 23, 2016
This story had a very fairytale like feel to it. It gave the reader insight into how beautiful the world and life truly are. It put a positive aspect on every stage of life and taught you to appreciate every year. I loved how although the traveller lost each character throughout the tale, they all came back to him as an old man, in his state of remembrance. He also realised that he hadn't lost anything, for he now had grandchildren who would respect him, honour him and still had their lives to live out. The narrative perspective was very effective and the use of language was beautiful. I loved the use of description and almost magical creation of a wonderful setting. I would recommend this book to people of all ages as something can be taken from this tale by anyone.
December 3, 2020
Done from the viewpoint of a child, it tells the story of a traveller, meeting many different people on his journey. It soon becomes apparent that we are walking through the stages of life, as the traveller meets first a child, then a boy, then a young man, etc. It takes us through the ups and downs of life, including death, but focusing mostly on the love that you bring with you, even when your loved ones are gone. A cute, memorable, short story that is perfect in an edition of Christmas stories.
April 10, 2021
The Child's Story is a parable about the journey of life. But at the end, it gives us a universal truth. Charles Dickens has the power to thrill and amaze us with his concise observations on life and the way he pens down his thoughts. A good read for every occasion.
I decided to do a video of the short story after I enjoyed it. Watch it here. https://youtu.be/dyGogFRNgFM
I decided to do a video of the short story after I enjoyed it. Watch it here. https://youtu.be/dyGogFRNgFM
June 29, 2021
They say 15 minutes story but it just took 5 minutes.
.
And it's really good touching story..
Which talks about the journey of life..
And how each phase of life has some purpose and once that purpose is fulfilled you have to let go..
Let go of that thing..
A short and important story to remind you of your purpose in life which is same as everyone else's ..
And you will fullfil it anyhow.
.
And it's really good touching story..
Which talks about the journey of life..
And how each phase of life has some purpose and once that purpose is fulfilled you have to let go..
Let go of that thing..
A short and important story to remind you of your purpose in life which is same as everyone else's ..
And you will fullfil it anyhow.
April 23, 2009
This book explains how life passes us by in a way that a child would be interested. We go from child to young adult to a grandparent. I loved the pictures. Anything by Charles Dickens is always interesting to me.
December 21, 2022
A beautiful narrative about moving through life. I enjoyed this little short story by Charles Dickens more than I thought I would. I read from a library edition with large, beautiful illustrations, which added to the enjoyment of this story.
February 28, 2012
It's a lifetime story..
May 21, 2014
I loved it and made me cry a bit. Mr. Dickens had a great way to tell stories like he was right next to you saying it.
September 10, 2015
Good way to tell the story of life , the journey of life. The story included many feeling but our life still have more!
July 8, 2019
What a beautiful little short story. It is listed as a children's book but it was so moving and meaningful for me, as a grandparent.
January 12, 2026
A beautiful story of Life's journey. Each stage brings it's own joys. Each stage leads one onward along the path.
This short story is a poignant and touching, in each phase of Life. A wonderful Holiday read. I can see the original Readers really enjoying this story during the Christmas season.
This short story is a poignant and touching, in each phase of Life. A wonderful Holiday read. I can see the original Readers really enjoying this story during the Christmas season.
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May 10, 2024The Magnificent Journey
What does it feel like to go through a person's life with another person? What does it feel like to be someone's lifelong friend or company? How does it feel when something or someone is lost but it isn’t? Is it worth it to go on this kind of journey?
The answers to these questions will be given once “The Child’s Story” by Charles Dickens is fully read. This is my first time reading this story. When I first saw the title of the story, I didn’t know what to expect and what the story was going to be about. But when I read the first line of the story, I was surprised, it was not a story about a little kid, it was a story about a traveler going on a journey. What really drew me to this story was the line after that “ It was a magic journey, and was to seem very long when he began it, and very short when he got half way through.”
In “The Child’s Story”, it is a story that can make people feel connected and reliable. Even though this is my first time hearing about this author, my first impression on this author, Charles Dickens, was magnificent. He really uses his own words and description of what it’s like to go on this type of journey. This made me think back to the title of the story. I think the reason why he chose “The Child’s Story” as the title of the story because in the second paragraph it starts off with “He traveled along a rather dark path for some little time, without meeting anything, until at last he came to a beautiful child.”, which tells me that before he met the child, the child was a baby. As the traveler keeps on going down on his journey the child gets older and older.
The story begins with the traveler, he travels for some time and meets a child at last. The first thing that he says when he meets the child is “What do you do here?” And the child said, “ I am always at play....” So he played with the child until one day he lost the child. He tried many different ways to see if he could find the child again, but the child never came back. So he moved on with his journey until he met a second person, the young man. The experience that the traveler had with the child happened again with the young man and all the other people that the traveler meets with. But the answer to the traveler’s question was all different. The young man’s answer to the question is they were always learning, the third person person’s answer to the question is they were always in love, etc.
As I read this story, I kinda feel bad for him because of all the people that he met. They were having a really memorable time together, but they disappear when they think it is the time that the journey with the traveler should end by not telling him. After reading this story, I wanted to go on a journey like the traveler. I wanted to experience what it feels like to fully go through a
person's life. Also, to my surprise the other characters in the story are a part of the main characters a person's whole entire life story.
Even though reading the story, I had mixed feelings about this story. I didn’t fully understand what the author's message was or the purpose of this story. The only reason why I picked this story was because I liked the ending of the story. But when I read it the second time, I picked up the details that I missed. The whole story is about a viewer seeing a person going through their life. This made me feel shocked because I thought the people that the traveler met were separate individuals, when I first read this story, but now thinking back it could only be one person but in their different stages of life. After reading it again, I was shocked to find out that there are 2 more themes to this story which are company and lost.
Overall, I would really recommend this story. It really encourages you to read all the way until the end. The ending of this story will be something unexpected. It makes you have multiple different good feelings depending on the way it’s being looked at. In my opinion, I think Dickens really got his message across. After reading this story I started to get interested in his other works.
What does it feel like to go through a person's life with another person? What does it feel like to be someone's lifelong friend or company? How does it feel when something or someone is lost but it isn’t? Is it worth it to go on this kind of journey?
The answers to these questions will be given once “The Child’s Story” by Charles Dickens is fully read. This is my first time reading this story. When I first saw the title of the story, I didn’t know what to expect and what the story was going to be about. But when I read the first line of the story, I was surprised, it was not a story about a little kid, it was a story about a traveler going on a journey. What really drew me to this story was the line after that “ It was a magic journey, and was to seem very long when he began it, and very short when he got half way through.”
In “The Child’s Story”, it is a story that can make people feel connected and reliable. Even though this is my first time hearing about this author, my first impression on this author, Charles Dickens, was magnificent. He really uses his own words and description of what it’s like to go on this type of journey. This made me think back to the title of the story. I think the reason why he chose “The Child’s Story” as the title of the story because in the second paragraph it starts off with “He traveled along a rather dark path for some little time, without meeting anything, until at last he came to a beautiful child.”, which tells me that before he met the child, the child was a baby. As the traveler keeps on going down on his journey the child gets older and older.
The story begins with the traveler, he travels for some time and meets a child at last. The first thing that he says when he meets the child is “What do you do here?” And the child said, “ I am always at play....” So he played with the child until one day he lost the child. He tried many different ways to see if he could find the child again, but the child never came back. So he moved on with his journey until he met a second person, the young man. The experience that the traveler had with the child happened again with the young man and all the other people that the traveler meets with. But the answer to the traveler’s question was all different. The young man’s answer to the question is they were always learning, the third person person’s answer to the question is they were always in love, etc.
As I read this story, I kinda feel bad for him because of all the people that he met. They were having a really memorable time together, but they disappear when they think it is the time that the journey with the traveler should end by not telling him. After reading this story, I wanted to go on a journey like the traveler. I wanted to experience what it feels like to fully go through a
person's life. Also, to my surprise the other characters in the story are a part of the main characters a person's whole entire life story.
Even though reading the story, I had mixed feelings about this story. I didn’t fully understand what the author's message was or the purpose of this story. The only reason why I picked this story was because I liked the ending of the story. But when I read it the second time, I picked up the details that I missed. The whole story is about a viewer seeing a person going through their life. This made me feel shocked because I thought the people that the traveler met were separate individuals, when I first read this story, but now thinking back it could only be one person but in their different stages of life. After reading it again, I was shocked to find out that there are 2 more themes to this story which are company and lost.
Overall, I would really recommend this story. It really encourages you to read all the way until the end. The ending of this story will be something unexpected. It makes you have multiple different good feelings depending on the way it’s being looked at. In my opinion, I think Dickens really got his message across. After reading this story I started to get interested in his other works.
December 7, 2016
Read in A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Classics.
Three pages. The shortest complete life's story I've ever read, and an amazing feat for the normally effusive Dickens.
OH! I caught some symbolism all by myself in this one without needing it pointed out! Go me!
I'm not sure why this is included in the Christmas stories since there's nothing remotely Christmasy about it. It was published in Household Words, a periodical Dickens used to edit. I reckon it just came out at Christmastime, though I can't find anything online to confirm that.
Three pages. The shortest complete life's story I've ever read, and an amazing feat for the normally effusive Dickens.
OH! I caught some symbolism all by myself in this one without needing it pointed out! Go me!
I'm not sure why this is included in the Christmas stories since there's nothing remotely Christmasy about it. It was published in Household Words, a periodical Dickens used to edit. I reckon it just came out at Christmastime, though I can't find anything online to confirm that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews