Podcast Summary: Storytime for Grownups

Host: Faith Moore
Episode: A Little Princess: Chapters 18-19
Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this bittersweet, festive episode—the last in the “A Little Princess” series—Faith Moore guides listeners through the concluding chapters (18 and 19) of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic. As always, she weaves her own notes and literary insights into the reading, drawing out themes of transformation, resilience, and the magic of love. The episode is filled with reflections on the story’s fairy-tale structure, connections to Cinderella, and the wonderfully satisfying resolution that provides hope, joy, and closure just in time for Christmas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bittersweet Endings and Community Reflections

Timestamp: 00:02 – 07:38

• Faith warmly thanks her listeners for making the “A Little Princess” journey special, noting how quickly time has flown by and the joy she’s found in reader emails and Victorian Christmas activities.
• She encourages participation in the upcoming Victorian Christmas singalong and gives reminders about the book giveaway and prize drawing for her novel, “Christmas Carol.”
• Faith underscores that while endings are sad, “if it’s sad, it means that it was wonderful” (04:13), promising more stories to come with “David Copperfield” in January.

2. Recap of Chapters 16–17 and Thematic Setup

Timestamp: 07:38 – 11:24

• Sara and Becky are "certain that this was all magic" when food and comforts mysteriously appear. Sara's benefactor remains hidden, but the girls’ health and spirits return.
• The school is baffled, especially Miss Minchin, who fears Sara may have outside support.
• Sara’s mysterious provider is revealed to be Mr. Carrisford, culminating in a moving reunion.

3. Listener Comments and Fairy Tale Parallels

Timestamp: 11:24 – 19:28

• Faith reads audience messages drawing connections between A Little Princess and “Cinderella.”
  • Virginia Chapman: Appreciates the “deliciously” satisfying reunion and notes Miss Minchin’s persistent cruelty.
  • Danya Ivory: Wonders, “is there going to be a prince for our princess, or perhaps maybe her dad filled that role?”
  • Luca (age 8): Identifies Miss Minchin as the wicked stepmother and Lavinia/Jessie as evil stepsisters.
• Faith agrees, exploring how the story pieces fall into place, likening Sara’s journey to a puzzle completing itself.

4. Transformation, Princessness, and the Power of Love

Timestamp: 19:28 – 35:18

• Faith deeply analyzes Sara’s transformation, arguing her inner “princessness” finally aligns with her external circumstances, thanks to the “magic” of kindness and love.
  • “She has always been a fairy tale princess on the inside...Now she is a princess on the outside. It makes sense.” (21:54)
• Becky's transformation—now believing in magic and hope—is highlighted as further evidence of Sara’s influence.
  • Quote from Becky: “If it ain’t here in the morning, Miss, it’s been here tonight anyways, and I shan’t never forget it.” (24:59)
• Lavinia and Jesse’s contrasting reactions to Sara’s fortunes showcase the true wickedness of valuing status over love and humanity.
  • Lavinia: “She never invites us to share things. Not that I care, but it’s rather vulgar of her to share with servant girls and attics.” (28:06)
  • Jesse’s response: “Well, I think it’s horrid. They've no right to starve her to death.” (29:22)
• Miss Minchin’s fierce control is undermined as Sara’s resilience begins to sparkle through:
  • Miss Minchin: “The spirit and will of any other child would have been entirely humbled and broken by the changes she has had to submit to. But upon my word, she seems as little subdued as if—as if she were a princess.” (32:18)

5. Sara’s Fairy Tale—But Not Quite

Timestamp: 35:18 – 41:08

• Faith reflects on the role of the “prince” in fairy tales and how, for Sara, it is not romantic love but rather found family and enduring friendship that cements her transformation.
  • “Sara’s too young to get married...there is no Prince Charming in this story in that sense. But there is someone...who could love Sara enough to want to become her family.” (39:23)
• The “magic” at play, Faith argues, is ordinary but profound love—“the most important magic of all.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the book’s enduring themes:

  • “Part of Sara’s superpower all along...has been her ability to pretend and, through pretend, make positive change.” (20:15)

• On love as magic:

  • “The miracle isn’t just the food or the clothes or the warm blankets. The miracle is Sara and the love that Sara has given her.” (25:18)

• Listener Luca (age 8) recognizes the Cinderella parallels:

  • “Ms. Minchin is the stepmother, and Lavinia and Jesse are the evil stepsisters.” (13:57)

• Moment of triumph:

  • “It’s like the princessness that she’s always had is suddenly too big to hide and it’s beginning to shine through into the world.” (32:35)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening reflections; show community and prizes — 00:02 – 07:38
• Recap of previous chapters and last episode setup — 07:38 – 11:24
• Listener comments and Cinderella motif discussion — 11:24 – 19:28
• Themes of inner transformation, goodness, and the role of kindness — 19:28 – 35:18
• Sara’s “princess” status reframed; discussion of fairy tale ending and ‘prince’ analogy — 35:18 – 41:08

Chapter Readings & Story Highlights

(41:08 onward — story reading interspersed with notes. Notable story developments include):

• Mrs. Carmichael explains to Sara the truth of her fortune and her benefactor, Mr. Carrisford, who is revealed not to be a “wicked friend” but her father’s loyal partner (41:35).
• Sara’s response to Mr. Carrisford:
  • “You sent the things to me...you are my friend.” (44:52)
• Showdown with Miss Minchin:
  • Carrisford asserts that Sara will not return to the seminary; Miss Minchin’s legal maneuvers are quashed by Mr. Carmichael (47:53).
  • Sara rejects Miss Minchin’s appeal:
    • “You know why I will not go home with you, Miss Minchin. You know quite well.” (52:30)
• Miss Amelia’s outburst:
  • “She did, she did, like a little princess! ... And now you’ve lost her...and it serves you right.” (57:01)
• School uproar & Sara’s restored fortunes revealed to all:
  • Ermengarde: “There were diamond mines! … Millions and millions of diamonds in the mines and half of them belonged to Sara…” (59:38)
• Becky’s gratitude:
  • Ram Dass ensures Becky is not forgotten, inviting her to contact Sara and maintain their bond (1:03:15).
• Sara’s benevolence in practical action:
  • Sara arranges for the baker’s buns to be given freely to hungry children, drawing from her experience of “dreadful days” (1:10:05).
  • “I was wondering if I could go to see the bun woman and tell her that if when hungry children...come and sit on the steps...she would just call them in and give them something to eat, she might send the bills to me.” — Sara (1:12:30)

Closing Notes

• Faith teases the forthcoming conclusion episode and upcoming season, encourages listeners to share their thoughts, and reiterates her gratitude for everyone’s engagement and support—leaving the audience feeling part of both the story and the podcast’s warm, bookish community.

Final Thoughts

Faith Moore’s gentle commentary and literary insight help illuminate A Little Princess as both a timeless fairy tale and a story about the “magic” found in kindness, dignity, and love—even when it isn’t supernatural. The episode brings both a close reading and a sense of festive celebration, making the journey with Sara Crewe one of warmth, community, and uplift.

How to Engage Further

• Victorian Christmas Singalong and Conclusion Episode: Monday, Dec 22
• Next Book: “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens in January
• Comments & Questions: faithkmoore.com or via show note links

”It’s the love that powers everything that happens for good in the story and probably also in the world too, come to think of it.” — Faith Moore (27:40)