The White Stone

"The White Stone" by Anatole France is a story about a group of French friends living far from home, figuring out friendship, old histories, and how amazing the past used to be compared to the not-so-great present. It's all happening in Rome, surrounded by really old ruins. The main people in it, like Joséphin Leclerc, M. Goubin, and Nicole Langelier, talk a lot about what those old monuments mean and what Roman culture was all about. Right from the start, they're hanging out in the Roman Forum, thinking about how important everything there used to be. As they look at the old buildings, they chat about everything from how beautiful Rome is to big ideas about gods and how people have changed over time. Everyone shares their thoughts, showing where they come from and how they see things, as they try to understand the difference between today's world and the awesome things from way back when. This beginning gets you ready for a deeper exploration of old stories and cultures as the book goes on.