Little Annie's Ramble (From "Twice Told Tales")

"Little Annie's Ramble (From 'Twice Told Tales') by Nathaniel Hawthorne" is a 19th-century children's story that follows a little girl named Annie as she explores a lively town. The story highlights themes of childhood innocence and the differences between how children and adults see the world where, guided by a thoughtful narrator, young Annie encounters interesting sights and sounds, like shops brimming with treasures, a toy store full of fun, and a zoo filled with strange animals. While Annie is purely curious and delighted, the narrator thinks about more serious things, showing the contrast between a child's joy and the weight of being an adult. When they go back home, the narrator considers how important it is to see the world with a child's eyes because it can bring happiness and remind us of life's beauty, even when things get hard.