A WREATH
OF
INDIAN STORIES.
_By
A. L. O. E.,
HONORARY MISSIONARY AT AMRITSAR,
Author of “The Young Pilgrim,” “Rescued from Egypt,” &c., &c._
[Illustration]
LONDON:
T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW;
EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK.
Preface.
The following stories have been written by A. L. O. E. since her arrival
in India, for the use of native readers. It is deemed most desirable by
those who thoroughly know the people, that their minds should be trained
in the first principles of morality, as well as of religion, by means of
amusing fictions, as they are particularly fond of stories. A. L. O. E.
desires, therefore, to devote her pen to the service of the land of her
adoption, as there are, comparatively speaking, hardly any writers who
enjoy the advantage of having the peculiar habits and failings of Hindus,
Mohammedans, Sikhs, and native converts, perpetually brought before their
notice, as is, or should be, the case with a member of a missionary band.
If her little “Indian Stories” be acceptable in her dear native land, she
will be thankful; but the object which she chiefly aims at is to write
in a way to amuse, and through amusement to instruct, the people of the
country of her adoption.
As stories placed in the hands of Oriental readers would be comparatively
useless unless written in an Oriental style, and describing scenes
and customs familiar to natives, A. L. O. E. has tried to adopt such
a style, and depict such scenes. When she reviewed her work, with the
mental question, “What would be thought of this in England?” she felt
how fanciful and affected her writings might appear to European readers,
and almost gave up all idea of sending them home. And yet, as quaint
and often grotesque ornaments brought from the East are not despised in
Britain because they are unlike our own manufactures, but are sometimes
even prized for their very quaintness, it is possible that a few of
A. L. O. E.’s Oriental stories may not be unacceptable in her native
land. They may even serve to awaken a little interest in a vast country
like India, where a Native Church is struggling against surrounding
evil influences,—a Church as yet small compared with the myriads of its
opponents, yet gaining strength year by year. That infant Church needs
tender care and indulgence from those who have been brought up in a land
bathed in the light of Christianity,—a land where children are taught
almost from the cradle the value of honesty and truth, and where little
is known of the fearful difficulties and trials which beset converts to
the pure faith of the gospel.
Contents.