Podcast Summary

Storytime for Grownups – “A Little Princess: Chapter 9” (Nov 27, 2025)

Host: Faith Moore
Episode Theme: Classical literature, community, and resilience
Primary Content: Reading and discussion of A Little Princess Chapter 9, with community commentary, literary analysis, and an ongoing emphasis on gratitude and connection during the holiday season.

Overview:

Faith Moore invites listeners to enjoy classic literature in a cozy, interactive way in this “Christmas Spectacular” episode. She opens with warm, holiday-themed reflections and community announcements, then recaps the evolving story of Sara Crewe in A Little Princess as she faces adversity and loneliness. Moore provides literary context and real-time commentary throughout her reading of Chapter 9, “Melchizedek,” fostering deep engagement and emotional connection to the story.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Thanksgiving and Community Reflections (00:49–05:36)

• Gratitude for Listeners: Faith shares her appreciation for the podcast community, especially on Thanksgiving. She reflects on how sharing books has built unexpected connections:

  "I have found so much joy in creating this podcast and sharing it with you... I could not be more humbled, more grateful than I am." (01:32)

• Personal Holiday Anecdote: A charming story about riding the NYC subway on Thanksgiving, feeling united with others carrying dishes to gatherings. She draws a parallel to the podcast community:

  “Somehow this podcast is like that. It’s that same sort of indescribable sense of coming together, of being a community. Even though we don’t actually know each other in real life.” (04:26–04:41)

• Message to Lonely Listeners: An explicit gesture of inclusion and warmth:

  "If you are struggling this Thanksgiving... borrow us, borrow this community. Adopt us. We are your friends. We are your family." (05:00–05:18)

2. Announcements & Community Builders (05:36–10:29)

• Prize drawing for a Storytime for Grownups mug
• Encouragement to enter by purchasing "Christmas Carol"
• Reminders for holiday activities: Christmas card exchange and upcoming family livestream with Faith’s dad and brother (Andrew and Spencer Clavin)
• Details on “Tea Time” online meet-up for deeper book discussion

3. Story Recap & Audience Interaction (10:41–14:09)

• Recap of Sara’s Downward Turn:
  • Sara transitions from privileged student to a servant-like existence at Miss Minchin’s school.
  • She is isolated except for Becky and, eventually, Ermengarde.
• Listener Messages Highlighted:
  • Notable praise for Ermengarde's character growth (Debbie Rudin, 12:35).
  • Child listeners (Lucy, 7; Nora, 5) expressing their delight and attachment to Sara and admiration for Faith’s character voices.
  • Julia, the mother, notes nuances in the evolving relationship between Becky and Sara; observes social differences persisting despite their new friendship.

4. Literary Commentary & Thematic Analysis (14:09–26:27)

• Sara as Cinderella/Fairy Tale Princess:

  • Faith compares Sara’s “fall” to Cinderella’s, noting which friends remain loyal (Ermengarde—the “dunce,” and Becky—the servant).

• Class and Friendship:

  • Analysis of Burnett’s complex attitude toward class:

    “Burnett is both presenting us with a world in which the class system is real... but also, she's presenting us with a world in which you can recognize that a person is still a person regardless of their class.” (20:04–20:29)

  • Sara fears losing her “princessness” but still strives to keep her inner dignity.
  • The tension between inherent worth and societal roles is explored with direct quotes from the book and Faith’s thoughtful analysis.

• Sara’s Kindness and Courage:

  • Sara tries to maintain her sense of self through adversity, showing dignified endurance and empathy.
  • The importance of “playing pretend” (imagination as survival):

    “If I didn't [make up things], I don't believe I could live.” (Faith quoting Sara, 48:57)

5. Reading of A Little Princess, Chapter 9: “Melchizedek” (28:17–53:15)

Major Plot Points:

• Lottie Joins the Trio:

  • Lottie is confused by Sara’s changed circumstances; Sara gently redirects her curiosity. (29:26–33:11)
  • Lottie is shown the beauty Sara sees (and invents) in her bleak attic room through vivid imagination.

    "You see... there could be a thick, soft blue Indian rug on the floor, and in that corner there could be a soft little sofa with cushions to curl up on." (37:00)

  • Lottie quickly becomes enchanted, illustrating Sara’s power to see and create hope.

• Sara Befriends the Rat (Melchizedek):

  • A rat visits for crumbs; Sara empathizes with its plight, personifying the animal and naming him “Melchizedek.” (41:08–45:10)
  • In her loneliness, this unlikely friendship helps relieve her sense of isolation.
  • The rat symbolizes the overlooked/outcast finding comfort and acceptance—mirroring Sara and Becky.

• Ermengarde’s Introduction to Melchizedek:

  • Ermengarde, frightened but curious, is shown Sara’s “Bastille” world and becomes part of Sara’s imaginative survival.
  • Playful, tender exchange about imagination and the importance of stories:

    "Everything's a story. You are a story. I am a story. Ms. Minchin is a story." (50:32)

• Secret Communication with Becky:

  • Sara and Becky signal each other through the walls, reinforcing themes of covert friendship and finding connection in darkness (50:31–51:15).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Faith on Community:

  “If you are struggling… borrow us, borrow this community. Adopt us. We are your friends. We are your family.” (05:00)

• Literary Analysis:

  “The people who still want to be with Sara… are kind of the lowest of the low in the social pecking order... But it's Ermengarde who doesn't even think to change her mind about Sara.” (15:21–15:44)

• Sara’s Empathy (quoted from reading):

  "I shouldn't like people to scream and jump and say, 'Oh, a horrid Sara,' the moment they saw me... Nobody asked this rat if he wanted to be a rat..." (41:08)

• Imagination as Survival:

  “If I didn’t [make up things], I don’t believe I could live... I’m sure I couldn’t live here.” (Faith as Sara, 48:57–49:16)

• Everything is a Story:

  "Everything's a story. You are a story. I am a story. Ms. Minchin is a story." (51:15)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Thanksgiving Opener & Community Message: 00:49–05:36
• Announcements and Prizes: 05:36–10:29
• Chapter 8 Recap & Listener Feedback: 11:00–14:09
• Literary/Thematic Commentary: 14:09–26:27
• Reading of Chapter 9: 28:17–53:15
  • Sara & Lottie in the Attic: 29:26–39:01
  • Sara befriends Melchizedek the rat: 41:08–45:10
  • Ermengarde meets Melchizedek, “Everything is a story”: 45:43–51:15
  • Secret codes with Becky: 50:31–51:15

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Faith’s delivery is warm, nurturing, and gently reflective, highlighted by a pronounced appreciation for community and the emotional/intellectual sustenance found in classic literature. The episode celebrates empathy, fantasy as resilience, and the importance of sustaining kindness and friendship in adversity—mirroring both the values of A Little Princess and the podcast itself.

Listeners are left feeling connected, seen, and empowered to look for small wonders in hard times—just as Sara does in her attic.