Ever wondered what it's like to live a life of luxury, only to lose it all and live in servitude? Dive into the riveting journey of Sara Crewe, a kind-hearted and imaginative girl who navigates a life of privilege, poverty, and a surprising twist of fate. Will she hold onto her belief that true nobility comes from within, even amid adversity?

A Little Princess

Sara Crewe, a bright and imaginative young girl, is brought to Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies in London by her wealthy and doting father, Captain Crewe. Having been raised in India, Sara exudes a natural charm and intelligence that set her apart from the other students. 

Captain Crewe spares no expense for his beloved daughter, ensuring she is treated like royalty. Sara's room is lavishly decorated, and she receives a wardrobe fit for a princess. Despite her wealth and privilege, Sara is humble and kind-hearted, qualities that quickly win her the admiration of her classmates and the envy of Miss Minchin, the stern headmistress.

Sara befriends Ermengarde, a slow-witted but sweet girl, and Becky, the scullery maid who works tirelessly under harsh conditions. Sara’s kindness extends to everyone she meets, including Becky, whom she treats as an equal despite their differing social statuses. Sara’s vivid imagination and talent for storytelling make her popular among the younger students, who love to listen to her fantastical tales. She often pretends she is a princess, using her imaginative play to comfort herself and others.

Miss Minchin tolerates Sara’s eccentricities only because of her father’s wealth. She ensures that Sara’s luxurious lifestyle is maintained, but secretly despises her for her independence and intelligence. Captain Crewe leaves for India, entrusting Sara’s care to Miss Minchin and leaving behind a large sum of money to cover her expenses. Despite missing her father deeply, Sara remains cheerful and optimistic, relying on her imagination to brighten her days.

On her eleventh birthday, Sara throws a lavish party, complete with cakes, gifts, and decorations. However, the joyful celebration is interrupted by devastating news: Captain Crewe has died of a fever, leaving behind no fortune as his investments have failed. Miss Minchin’s demeanor changes immediately. Furious at the loss of income, she strips Sara of her possessions, demotes her to a servant, and forces her to live in a cold attic. Sara’s life changes overnight, but she resolves to maintain her dignity and kindness, continuing to think of herself as a princess, even in the face of adversity.

Sara's Arrival at Miss Minchin's Seminary

Sara’s new life as a servant is grueling and humiliating. She is forced to clean, run errands, and endure constant scolding from Miss Minchin and the cruel cook. Her beautiful dresses and luxurious room are replaced with ragged clothes and a drafty attic. Despite the harsh conditions, Sara refuses to let bitterness consume her. She clings to her imagination, envisioning her attic as a cozy palace and herself as a princess enduring trials with grace.

Becky, the scullery maid, becomes Sara’s closest companion. The two bond over their shared struggles and find solace in each other’s company. Sara’s kindness and resilience inspire Becky, who marvels at Sara’s ability to remain cheerful despite their hardships. Sara also continues to entertain the younger students with her stories, bringing moments of joy to an otherwise bleak environment.

The other students react to Sara’s fall from grace in different ways. Ermengarde remains loyal, sneaking up to the attic to visit Sara and share food with her. Lottie, a younger girl, also seeks comfort from Sara, finding her presence soothing. However, Lavinia, a spiteful and jealous student, takes pleasure in Sara’s misfortune and mocks her whenever possible. Miss Minchin’s cruelty intensifies as she revels in her power over Sara, but Sara’s unwavering spirit frustrates her.

One day, Sara finds a sixpence in the street and uses it to buy buns from a baker’s shop. Despite her own hunger, she gives most of the buns to a girl outside the shop. The baker, moved by Sara’s generosity, resolves to help the girl outside and begins giving her food regularly. This act of kindness reflects Sara’s true nature and her belief that being a princess means behaving nobly, even when no one is watching.

The Harsh Realities of Servitude

A new neighbor moves into the house next to the seminary, bringing a sense of intrigue to Sara’s otherwise monotonous life. The neighbor, an elderly gentleman named Mr. Carrisford, has recently returned from India and is in poor health. Unbeknownst to Sara, Mr. Carrisford was Captain Crewe’s business partner and feels immense guilt over the failed investment that led to Captain Crewe’s death.

Mr. Carrisford’s servant, Ram Dass, notices Sara’s plight and is struck by her dignity and kindness. He begins to leave small gifts in her attic, such as food, blankets, and even a fire to warm the room. Sara, believing the gifts to be the work of magic, is deeply grateful and finds her spirits lifted. The mysterious generosity restores a sense of hope and wonder to her life.

Meanwhile, Mr. Carrisford is searching for Captain Crewe’s daughter, unaware that she lives next door. He is determined to find her and restore her rightful fortune, believing it to be the only way to atone for his perceived wrongdoing. Sara, unaware of her connection to Mr. Carrisford, continues to endure her hardships with grace and imagination.

One day, Ram Dass’s pet monkey escapes and climbs into Sara’s attic. Sara cares for the monkey and returns it to Ram Dass, unknowingly forging a connection with the household next door. Ram Dass shares stories of Sara with Mr. Carrisford, who becomes increasingly curious about the girl living in the attic. The stage is set for a life-changing revelation as the threads of Sara’s past and present begin to intertwine.

The Mysterious Neighbor

Mr. Carrisford’s search for Captain Crewe’s daughter intensifies as he scours London for any trace of her. Meanwhile, Sara’s situation at the seminary grows increasingly dire. Miss Minchin’s treatment of Sara becomes even harsher as she tries to break Sara’s spirit. Despite this, Sara’s acts of kindness and her ability to find beauty in the smallest things continue to inspire those around her.

One evening, Ermengarde sneaks into Sara’s attic with a basket of food. The two friends share a rare moment of joy as they feast together and imagine themselves in a grand banquet hall. This simple act of friendship reinforces Sara’s belief in the power of love and imagination to overcome adversity. Becky joins them, and the three girls form a bond of solidarity that sustains them through their struggles.

The turning point comes when Mr. Carrisford’s solicitor uncovers a clue leading to Miss Minchin’s seminary. Mr. Carrisford learns that Captain Crewe’s daughter may be closer than he thought. At the same time, Ram Dass notices a familiar locket in Sara’s possession and realizes she is the girl Mr. Carrisford has been seeking. The realization sets off a chain of events that changes Sara’s life forever.

Miss Minchin, upon learning of Mr. Carrisford’s interest in Sara, tries to regain control of the situation. She attempts to present herself as a caring guardian, but her hypocrisy is quickly exposed. Mr. Carrisford’s arrival at the seminary marks the beginning of Sara’s vindication. He recognizes Sara as Captain Crewe’s daughter and reveals that her father’s investments have recovered, making her incredibly wealthy.

The Truth Unveiled

Sara’s transformation from a servant to a princess is both literal and symbolic. She moves into Mr. Carrisford’s home, where she is treated with the love and care she deserves. The once cold and desolate attic is replaced with a warm and luxurious bedroom. Sara’s fortune is restored, and she becomes the heir to her father’s wealth. Despite her newfound riches, Sara remains humble and generous, embodying the true qualities of a princess.

Becky, who has stood by Sara through her darkest moments, is brought to live with her as a companion. Sara ensures that Becky is no longer subjected to the harsh conditions of servitude. Ermengarde and Lottie remain close friends, visiting Sara often and sharing in her happiness. Sara’s acts of kindness extend beyond her immediate circle, as she uses her wealth to help those in need.

Miss Minchin’s fall from grace is swift and humiliating. Without Sara’s fortune to sustain the seminary, her reputation suffers, and she is left to grapple with the consequences of her cruelty. Sara, however, harbors no ill will and chooses to move forward without bitterness.

The story concludes with Sara embracing her role as a true princess—not because of her wealth, but because of her unwavering kindness, courage, and imagination. She continues to inspire those around her, proving that nobility comes from within. Sara’s journey from privilege to poverty and back again highlights the transformative power of resilience and compassion, leaving a lasting legacy for all who know her.

A Princess Restored

Sara Crewe, a bright and imaginative young girl, is brought to Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies in London by her wealthy father, Captain Crewe. Raised in India, Sara's charm and intelligence set her apart from the other students. Her father spares no expense, ensuring she is treated like royalty with a lavish room and a princess-like wardrobe. Despite her privilege, Sara is humble and kind-hearted, quickly winning the admiration of her classmates and the envy of Miss Minchin, the stern headmistress.

Sara befriends Ermengarde, a sweet yet slow-witted girl, and Becky, a hardworking scullery maid. Sara extends her kindness to everyone, treating Becky as an equal despite their differing social statuses. Her vivid imagination and storytelling talents make her popular among the younger students, who love her fantastical tales. Even with Miss Minchin's tolerance driven by Sara's father's wealth, Sara remains cheerful and optimistic, relying on her imagination to brighten her days.

On her eleventh birthday, Sara's world changes when she learns that her father has died and left no fortune due to failed investments. Miss Minchin, furious at the loss of income, demotes Sara to a servant, stripping her of her possessions and forcing her to live in a cold attic. Despite the harsh conditions, Sara maintains her dignity and kindness, envisioning herself as a princess enduring trials with grace.

Becky becomes Sara’s closest companion, and Sara’s unwavering spirit inspires those around her, despite Miss Minchin's increasing cruelty. Sara's acts of kindness, such as sharing her last sixpence to buy buns for a hungry girl, reflect her true nature. The baker, moved by Sara’s generosity, begins helping the girl regularly.

A new neighbor, Mr. Carrisford, who was Captain Crewe’s business partner, moves in next door. He feels immense guilt over the failed investment and is searching for Captain Crewe’s daughter, unaware that she lives next door. His servant, Ram Dass, notices Sara’s plight and secretly leaves her gifts, lifting her spirits. 

The search intensifies, and Mr. Carrisford’s solicitor uncovers a clue leading to Miss Minchin’s seminary. Ram Dass recognizes Sara as Captain Crewe’s daughter. Mr. Carrisford reveals that her father’s investments have recovered, making her incredibly wealthy. Sara moves in with Mr. Carrisford, who treats her with the love and care she deserves. She remains humble and generous, helping those in need, including Becky, who becomes her companion.

Miss Minchin’s reputation suffers without Sara’s fortune, leading to her downfall. Sara, however, chooses to move forward without bitterness. She embraces her role as a true princess, not because of her wealth, but because of her unwavering kindness, courage, and imagination, leaving a lasting legacy of resilience and compassion.

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A Little Princess

Frances Hodgson Burnett

6 Key ideas

11 MINS

4.8 (2.7k)

Ever wondered what it's like to live a life of luxury, only to lose it all and live in servitude?

Dive into the riveting journey of Sara Crewe, a kind-hearted and imaginative girl who navigates a life of privilege, poverty, and a surprising twist of fate. Will she hold onto her belief that true nobility comes from within, even amid adversity?