The Wise Woman
'The Wise Woman' Summary
Born on the same day, Rosamond, a royal princess, and Agnes, the daughter of common shepherds, are equally spoiled by their parents, Rosamond through being overindulged and Agnes through being overly praised. Both girls grow into self-centered tyrants who make their parents miserable. A mysterious Wise Woman visits the palace and steals Rosamond, bringing her to a cottage deep in the forest, where she shows Rosamond a magic mirror that reflects her Inner Self; the reflection is so disgusting that Rosamond is terrified. Through a combination of the Wise Woman's magic, discipline, and kindness, Rosamond comes to feel ashamed of her behavior but is powerless to control it, having never been taught self-restraint. One day when the Wise Woman leaves her alone, Rosamond discovers a magical hidden portrait gallery. Stepping through one of the paintings, she finds herself on a hillside near Agnes's home.
Just as Rosamond is escaping, the Wise Woman steals Agnes from the shepherd's croft and takes her to her cottage. All the Wise Woman's efforts to help her fail, as Agnes, while outwardly obedient, is thoroughly conceited. Upon being shown her revolting Inner Self, Agnes resolves not to improve it, but to conceal it. Agnes, too, discovers the portrait gallery, where she is intrigued by an image of the palace. She steps through the painting and makes her way to the palace, where the King and Queen are still seeking their daughter. Agnes is put to work in the kitchens, where she attempts to curry favor by hinting that she knows the location of the lost princess. Eventually word of this reaches the King and Queen, who send soldiers to bring Agnes's parents to the palace.
Agnes's parents search for their missing daughter only to discover Rosamond lost in the wilderness. They tend her back to health and decide to keep her in place of Agnes. At first Rosamond genuinely attempts to be good, but she slowly slips back into her old bad habits until she is asked to leave. Rosamond now truly wishes to be a better person and tries to return to the Wise Woman's cottage, only to become lost in the woods. The Wise Woman rescues her, and Rosamond begs for her help, having now learned humility. The Wise Woman subjects Rosamond to a series of magical trials, all of which she fails; however, the Wise Woman is encouraged to see Rosamond tries all the harder with every new attempt. Looking into the magic mirror once more, Rosamond finds her Inner Self has begun to grow beautiful, only to realize the magic mirror is in fact the Wise Woman's eyes and that the Wise Woman has always seen how beautiful she could be. Finally the Wise Woman shows her the way home through the portrait gallery.
At the palace, Agnes's parents stand accused of kidnapping the lost princess when Rosamond bursts into the courtroom to speak in their defense. Rosamond is so altered her parents cannot see she is their daughter. The Wise Woman appears and accuses the King and Queen of being so superficial that they cannot recognize goodness when it is standing before them. She curses them to be blind until they change their ways. Rosamond volunteers to care for them until they are cured.
The Wise Woman returns Agnes to her parents. Because Agnes's parents made her what she is, she is now their punishment. The shepherd begs the Wise Woman to teach him how to be a better person and parent, and the Wise Woman agrees to take him to her cottage. Before leaving with the shepherd, the Wise Woman promises Rosamond she will always be near if Rosamond needs her.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1875Genre/Category
Tags/Keywords
Author
George MacDonald
England, Scotland
George MacDonald (10 December 1824 – 18 September 1905) was a Scottish author, poet and Christian minister. He was a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of...
More on George MacDonaldDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
Not Quite Eighteen by Susan Coolidge
Not Quite Eighteen is a delightful collection of children’s stories that range from moral to whimsical. From unfinished fairy tales and daydreams abou...
Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann
Der Struwwelpeter, zuerst erschienen als “Lustige Geschichten und drollige Bilder mit 15 schön kolorierten Tafeln für Kinder von 3-6 Jahren”, wurde 18...
The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen
"The Emperor's New Clothes" is a literary folktale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, about a vain emperor who gets exposed before his...
Shen of the Sea: A Book for Children by Arthur Bowie Chrisman
This book was awarded the John Newbery Medal by the Children’s Librarians’ Section of the American Library Association, for the most distinguished con...
Nutcracker and Mouse King by E. T. A. Hoffmann
"The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" (German: Nussknacker und Mausekönig) is a story written in 1816 by Prussian author E. T. A. Hoffmann, in which you...
Tom Swift and His Big Tunnel by Victor Appleton
Tom Swift and His Big Tunnel, or, the Hidden City of the Andes, is Volume 19 in the original Tom Swift novel series published by Grosset & Dunlap.
The Adventures of Poor Mrs. Quack by Thornton W. Burgess
It is a children's book that tells the story of Mrs. Quack, a duck who is trying to find a new home for her family. The book was first published in 19...
Little Lame Prince by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik
Paralyzed in an accident while a baby, young Prince Dolor is imprisoned in a lonely tower by his usurping uncle. He is visited by his mysterious godmo...
American Indian Fairy Tales by Henry Schoolcraft
With no written language, Native Americans living in the Lake Superior region passed their cultural identity down through the generations by way of st...
William Tell Told Again by P. G. Wodehouse
This book is a humorous retelling of the classic Swiss folk tale of William Tell, the legendary crossbowman who shot an apple off his son's head. Engl...
Reviews for The Wise Woman
No reviews posted or approved, yet...