Project Gutenberg 2005-03-08 Public domain in the USA. 181 McFadden, Elizabeth A. (Elizabeth Apthorp) 1875 1961 McFadden, Elizabeth Apthorp Alden, Raymond MacDonald 1873 1924 Why the Chimes Rang: A Play in One Act Produced by David Garcia, Lynn Bornath and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. "Why the Chimes Rang: A Play in One Act" by Elizabeth Apthorp McFadden is a theatrical adaptation of a story by Raymond MacDonald Alden, set likely during the early 20th century. This play revolves around themes of selflessness, charity, and the spirit of Christmas, portraying how true gifts come from the heart rather than material wealth. The setting features a humble peasant's hut, which contrasts with the grandeur of the nearby cathedral town where significant events transpire. The narrative follows Holger and Steen, two peasant boys eagerly anticipating the Christmas service at the cathedral, a place of great significance associated with a miraculous event known as the ringing of the chimes. However, when their parents are unable to take them, Holger decides to stay behind to care for an old woman seeking refuge in their home. As the boys' uncle Bertel departs for the service, Holger's unwavering compassion leads him to prioritize the old woman's needs over his own desire to attend the festivities. The climax centers on Holger's simple yet profound gift of two pennies he wishes to offer to the Christ-child, ultimately resulting in the long-awaited chimes ringing out, signifying the acceptance of true love and selflessness where it counts the most. The play eloquently conveys the lesson that genuine kindness and charity hold the greatest value. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 70.9 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. en Drama PS Text One Act Plays Category: Children & Young Adult Reading Category: Plays/Films/Dramas 116985 2025-08-06T13:24:45.803390 text/html 114702 2020-12-14T06:54:38 text/html 337123 2025-08-06T13:24:52.230324 application/epub+zip 336444 2025-08-06T13:24:49.016383 application/epub+zip 112654 2025-08-06T13:24:47.719376 application/epub+zip 513338 2025-08-06T13:24:54.432313 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 494136 2025-08-06T13:24:51.357368 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 210865 2022-09-07T20:57:32.502461 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 102285 2025-08-06T13:24:45.418390 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 102161 2020-12-14T06:54:38 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 102152 2020-12-14T06:54:38 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 20902 2025-08-06T13:24:54.567325 application/rdf+xml 18595 2025-08-06T13:24:48.212339 image/jpeg 4280 2025-08-06T13:24:47.965372 image/jpeg 39658 2020-12-14T06:54:38 application/octet-stream application/zip 250151 2020-12-14T06:54:38 application/octet-stream application/zip 39638 2020-12-14T06:54:38 application/octet-stream application/zip 338046 2025-08-06T13:24:45.830370 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia