A Basket of Flowers (Christoph von Schmid)

A Basket of Flowers

Paperback edition of this highly popular story. Tale of a girl learning lessons of integrity from her father, and then re-learning them all, in practice, when placed in difficult circumstances. We have never read a story which contains as many clear character-building lessons as this one.

Mary grows up sheltered and secure in a beautiful cottage with a loving father. She learns lessons about humility, purity and forgiveness under her father’s watchful gaze.

However, it doesn’t last. Even though she loves God and obeys him this does not protect her ultimately from the envy and hatred of others. Mary is given a generous gift of a new dress from her friend Amelia, the daughter of the local landowner. This incites envy from Juliette, Amelia’s maid who had wanted the dress for herself.

When Amelia’s mother’s ring goes missing Juliette decides to pass the blame onto Mary. Both Mary and her father are imprisoned for the crime and eventually exiled from their home. Mary learns to trust in God completely as difficulty follows after difficulty.

Even when she doubts if she will ever clear her name she turns back to God who is a constant source of comfort to her. Who did steal the ring in the end? That is the final unexpected twist in the tale, which makes this book a really good read.

Endorsement from a Reader

“I just completed reading this wonderful book. A dear friend gave it to me with this inscription, “this story is a precious reminder of God’s sovereignty despite trying circumstances.” Indeed it was a clear reminder. Oh to be more like Mary and less like Juliette. It’s a book that I will read to our daughter and keep a copy for our family and look to give out copies to others. Also in our years in the ministry, it’s another reminder that God will complete His work in our lives. Please read it.” — Posted by Kathy Lundberg

Table of Contents

1. Our Heroine’s Early History
2. Lessons From the Garden
3. Mary’s Gift to Amelia
4. The Missing Ring
5. Mary in Prison
6. Mary’s Trial
7. James Visits Mary in Prison
8. Banished
9. A True Friend
10. Help in the Hour of Need
11. Pleasant Days at the Pine Cottage
12. The Shadow of Grief
13. Death of Mary’s Father
14. New Trials
15. Driven Away
16. An Unexpected Meeting
17. Amelia’s Explanation
18. How the Ring was Found
19. A Just Recompense
20. The Power of Prayer
21. The Count’s Generosity
22. The Reward of Avarice
23. Juliet’s Deathbed
24. Mary’s Life at Eichbourg
25. The Monument

About the Author

Christoph von Schmid (1768-1854) was the pioneer writer of books for children, and his stories have been translated into 24 languages. He is regarded as the greatest educator Bavaria (Germany) produced in the 18th century.

When he began writing stories for the children in his own life in the late 1700s, he did not consider making them available to the general public. In 1841, he published his writings in 24 volumes. His introduction to this set explains that he most often read these stories to children after school as a reward, on the condition that they would write the story down at home. In this way, he became familiar with the patterns of thought and speech of children, and learned what impressed their minds and hearts.