Village Annals, Containing Austerus and Humanus: A Sympathetic Tale

"Village Annals, Containing Austerus and Humanus: A Sympathetic Tale" by Anonymous is a moral story set around the early 1800's that looks at themes of kindness, money, and how we affect others, through two opposite characters, Austerus and Humanus. The story happens in a small village, showing how people's actions affect everyone. Sir Filmer Hopewell finds himself at a village inn one winter night where the friendly owner tells him about Austerus, a rich and unkind man, and Humanus, a poor but giving soul. Austerus is seen as cruel because he doesn't care about the poor. Humanus, on the other hand, is always helping those in need and spreading happiness. The story uses examples of Humanus's good deeds to show us how important it is to be caring and think about how our choices impact the world.