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In: Short Stories·Children & Young Adult Reading·American Literature
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #26041.
Aunt Jo’s Scrap Bag, Volume 1 is a whimsical collection of short sketches that blend travelogue, animal observation, and gentle moral commentary. The opening chapter finds the narrator, a young girl named Jo, wandering alone through London’s Zoological Gardens on May Day. She describes the garden’s orderly paths, the bright hawthorn hedges, and a parade of exotic creatures, from a homesick American bison to noisy pelicans, dignified lions, frenzied tigers, and mischievous monkeys. Jo’s eye for detail turns each enclosure into a miniature landscape, while her tender remarks about a sick lioness and a shy boa bring a quiet compassion to the bustling menagerie. The piece ends with a lively anecdote about a street‑wise child selling newspapers in a storm, hinting at the book’s broader mix of urban adventure and animal wonder.
The voice is conversational and earnest, echoing the late‑Victorian sensibility of a well‑read child who delights in both nature and city life. The prose is vivid yet unpretentious, with a rhythm that mirrors the narrator’s curious wanderings. Readers who enjoy gentle, observational tales, especially those who appreciate historical settings, animal characters, and the charm of a youthful perspective, will find this volume an engaging companion.
Alcott. MY MAY-DAY AMONG CURIOUS BIRDS AND BEASTS. Being alone in London, yet wishing to celebrate the day, I decided to pay my respects to the lions at the Zoological Gardens. A lovely place it was, and I enjoyed myself immensely; for May-day in England is just what it should be, mild, sunny, flowery, and spring-like. As I walked along the well-kept paths, between white and rosy hawthorn hedges, I kept coming upon new and curious sights; for the birds and beasts are so skilfully arranged that it is more like travelling through a strange and pleasant country than visiting a menagerie. The first thing I saw was a great American bison; and I was so glad to meet with any one from home, that I'd have patted him with pleasure if he had shown any cordiality toward me. …
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