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Three Legends: The Snow Goose, the Small Miracle, Ludmila
The Snow Goose, The Small Miracle and Ludmila
126 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
2 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Paul Gallico
190 books318 followersPaul William Gallico was born in New York City, on 26th July, 1897. His father was an Italian, and his mother came from Austria; they emigrated to New York in 1895.
He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.
During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.
He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.
Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.
He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.
He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.
He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.
During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.
He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.
Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.
He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.
He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 7, 2023
My father’s favorite story was Paul Gallico’s The Snow Goose.this trio of short stories was a delight. The stories are full of nature, magic, and miracles.
December 17, 2014
'The Snow Goose' cemented a miser's only meaningful relationship in WWII England.
'The Small Miracle' of the boy in Assisi who challenged a bureaucratic church for the well-being of his donkey.
Saint 'Ludmilla' in Liechtenstein helps a most feminine little cow win the milking contest.
In general these were better than I had expected. I liked the first story. The second seemed appropriate for a child's picturebook (too cute, had a moral/lesson). Didn't care for the third story so much. I think they resonate better with a Catholic upbringing and appreciation. I probably won't read the author again, because I don't usually look for sentimental fiction.
'The Small Miracle' of the boy in Assisi who challenged a bureaucratic church for the well-being of his donkey.
Saint 'Ludmilla' in Liechtenstein helps a most feminine little cow win the milking contest.
In general these were better than I had expected. I liked the first story. The second seemed appropriate for a child's picturebook (too cute, had a moral/lesson). Didn't care for the third story so much. I think they resonate better with a Catholic upbringing and appreciation. I probably won't read the author again, because I don't usually look for sentimental fiction.
May 7, 2021
The three “books” I read are in a slim volume titled, Three Legends, by Paul Gallico and includes: “The Snow Goose,” “The Small Miracle,” and “Ludmila.” All three have been published as separate books, but each of them qualify as either a short story or a novella. With the volume I read, published by Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, NY, in 1966, with delightful illustrations by Reisie Lonette, comes a twelve-page introduction by Mr. Gallico. “The Snow Goose” original copyright was in 1940, “The Small Miracle” in 1950, and “Ludmila” in 1959.
The inside jacket quotes Mr. Gallico in saying,
Each has an animal as a central figure: a cow, a donkey, and a bird...They came into being because of an affection for all animals but in particular for a people, a Saint, and a country.
In the introduction he goes into how each story came to be and shows the parallels between each story as well as detailing how each had its own unique genesis.
The Snow Goose
“The Snow Goose” first introduces Philip Rhayader, the main human character, a misshapen oddity, a castoff from mainstream society, who chooses to move into an abandoned lighthouse in Great Britain in the “late spring of 1930” in order to paint the many birds and lovely landscapes in the vicinity. One thing leads to another, and soon he is cultivating a bird sanctuary. He's a lonely man who finds contentment in his art. Although he's not part of the village he lives near where he goes to buy his supplies, he is accepted in his niche on the outskirts of town. Things change when Fritha, a small girl, shows up at his door with an injured snow goose. Without giving away too much of the plot, the man and the goose are involved in saving soldiers who are stranded at Dunkirk in World War II.
The Small Miracle
“The Small Miracle” takes place in Assisi, Italy, where Pepino, a small orphaned boy, considers himself blessed because when his family dies he inherits the small, smiling donkey, Violetta. Pepino loves and cherishes Violetta and appreciates the reality that they make a good team in their small village in earning enough money to have a place to stay and food to eat. Trouble shows up when Violetta becomes ill. Pepino has the biggest challenge of his life since his parents' passing when he needs to find a way to save his beloved Violetta.
Ludmila
Where the first two are closer to short stories, “Ludmila” is closer to a novella. There are more characters and the characters are better-developed in it. Set in Liechtenstein, the first part of the story talks about the tradition of some families taking cows up in the mountain pastures for months, living in seasonal structures, and milking the cows and making cheese on-site. When the weather cools, the people and the cows return. The villagers who did not go are waiting in their best outfits to welcome them home. The best producing cow of the herd leads the returning procession. One of the cows in the herd, nicknamed “The Weakling,” produces little-to-no milk and has a weak frame. Alois, the head of the pasture group, talks with Father Polda, who makes a nightly walk up to the encampment from the village, and says “The Weakling” needs to be taken to the knacker as she's good for nothing. Over the months, during their nightly conversations, Father Polda works on the heart of the gruff Alois, who begins to soften and enlists the help of Ludmila, his seven year-old daughter, to keep an eye on “The Weakling” when the rest of the herd is led up to the high ground to graze.
With each of these stories, I ended up blubbering like a little baby. There is a piercing spirituality in each of them. Gallico took bits and pieces of fairy tales, religious icons, and actual history and wove magic around them. The charming illustrations make them that much better. You could probably read all three on one afternoon or evening if you set aside some time. I highly urge you do to so. Your heart will thank you for it.
The inside jacket quotes Mr. Gallico in saying,
Each has an animal as a central figure: a cow, a donkey, and a bird...They came into being because of an affection for all animals but in particular for a people, a Saint, and a country.
In the introduction he goes into how each story came to be and shows the parallels between each story as well as detailing how each had its own unique genesis.
The Snow Goose
“The Snow Goose” first introduces Philip Rhayader, the main human character, a misshapen oddity, a castoff from mainstream society, who chooses to move into an abandoned lighthouse in Great Britain in the “late spring of 1930” in order to paint the many birds and lovely landscapes in the vicinity. One thing leads to another, and soon he is cultivating a bird sanctuary. He's a lonely man who finds contentment in his art. Although he's not part of the village he lives near where he goes to buy his supplies, he is accepted in his niche on the outskirts of town. Things change when Fritha, a small girl, shows up at his door with an injured snow goose. Without giving away too much of the plot, the man and the goose are involved in saving soldiers who are stranded at Dunkirk in World War II.
The Small Miracle
“The Small Miracle” takes place in Assisi, Italy, where Pepino, a small orphaned boy, considers himself blessed because when his family dies he inherits the small, smiling donkey, Violetta. Pepino loves and cherishes Violetta and appreciates the reality that they make a good team in their small village in earning enough money to have a place to stay and food to eat. Trouble shows up when Violetta becomes ill. Pepino has the biggest challenge of his life since his parents' passing when he needs to find a way to save his beloved Violetta.
Ludmila
Where the first two are closer to short stories, “Ludmila” is closer to a novella. There are more characters and the characters are better-developed in it. Set in Liechtenstein, the first part of the story talks about the tradition of some families taking cows up in the mountain pastures for months, living in seasonal structures, and milking the cows and making cheese on-site. When the weather cools, the people and the cows return. The villagers who did not go are waiting in their best outfits to welcome them home. The best producing cow of the herd leads the returning procession. One of the cows in the herd, nicknamed “The Weakling,” produces little-to-no milk and has a weak frame. Alois, the head of the pasture group, talks with Father Polda, who makes a nightly walk up to the encampment from the village, and says “The Weakling” needs to be taken to the knacker as she's good for nothing. Over the months, during their nightly conversations, Father Polda works on the heart of the gruff Alois, who begins to soften and enlists the help of Ludmila, his seven year-old daughter, to keep an eye on “The Weakling” when the rest of the herd is led up to the high ground to graze.
With each of these stories, I ended up blubbering like a little baby. There is a piercing spirituality in each of them. Gallico took bits and pieces of fairy tales, religious icons, and actual history and wove magic around them. The charming illustrations make them that much better. You could probably read all three on one afternoon or evening if you set aside some time. I highly urge you do to so. Your heart will thank you for it.
August 9, 2023
3 great short stories for the young at heart. Each involves an animal and also a strong human. 2 other similarities; the locale for each is in Europe and they were all published in the Saturday Evening Post.
The Snow Goose was inspired by the American author hearing of the British battle at Dunkirk. A deformed recluse who cares for all the birds in his own sanctuary is brought a wounded snow goose by a village lass. Over the course of the summer she visits often and a friendship builds while caring for the fowl. Their relationship is then tested as he jumps in his small skiff to rescue the British soldiers trapped at Dunkirk. The goose goes too.
A Small Miracle is about a post-war Italian boy and his donkey. It takes place in Assisi from where that St Francis guy made famous. The donkey smiles while working and the boy’s kind approach to handling his problems become a nice tale of nice characters fighting through hardships. You really don’t mind traveling with them. The original title was, “Never Take ‘No’ for an Answer.” In 1951 they made a film and they used the original title. Gallico thought Hollywood just wanted to avoid the word, “miracle”.
Ludilla takes place in Lichtenstein. It is written similar to a fairytale. A cow dreams of working in the big leagues of dairy and a girl named after a local Saint innocently steps in to help.
The stories are short. The writing is well done by a seasoned pro.
The Snow Goose was inspired by the American author hearing of the British battle at Dunkirk. A deformed recluse who cares for all the birds in his own sanctuary is brought a wounded snow goose by a village lass. Over the course of the summer she visits often and a friendship builds while caring for the fowl. Their relationship is then tested as he jumps in his small skiff to rescue the British soldiers trapped at Dunkirk. The goose goes too.
A Small Miracle is about a post-war Italian boy and his donkey. It takes place in Assisi from where that St Francis guy made famous. The donkey smiles while working and the boy’s kind approach to handling his problems become a nice tale of nice characters fighting through hardships. You really don’t mind traveling with them. The original title was, “Never Take ‘No’ for an Answer.” In 1951 they made a film and they used the original title. Gallico thought Hollywood just wanted to avoid the word, “miracle”.
Ludilla takes place in Lichtenstein. It is written similar to a fairytale. A cow dreams of working in the big leagues of dairy and a girl named after a local Saint innocently steps in to help.
The stories are short. The writing is well done by a seasoned pro.
April 18, 2023
Paul Gallico wrote charming stories (Thomasina, made into a Disney film in the 1960s, The Poseidon Adventure, Mrs. Harris Goes go Paris, Manxmouse, The Man who was Magic, etc.). This short book captures three of three fables that are sweet and sad. The best-known is probably The Snow Goose (I had seen the film as a child, but didn't remember it well; it starred Jenny Agutter from Call the Midwife and Richard Harris). A lonely man cares for birds during WWII in England and a young girl ends up falling in love with him and the wild snow goose she takes to him to care for. When he volunteers to pick up soldiers at Dunkirk, things are up in the air whether he will return. The other two stories also involve animals. Simple and sweet...
November 26, 2025
I read my first Gallico book as a child, 'Flowers for Mrs Harris' (recently adapted into a film) and have collected them since early adulthood. Some do not stand the test of time, but 'The Snow Goose' (the first story in this collection of three), is sublime. I was reminded of this tale through an audio version that I recently stumbled across on BBC Sounds. 'The Small Miracle' and 'Ludmilla' are dated and oversentimental in style and would probably jar with a younger audience. But Gallico was a great storyteller and I'm reminded of my fondness for his very particular way with prose every time I return to him.
February 8, 2025
A trio of touching, sentimental stories centered around nature, animals, faith, and many types of love. This was an unexpected and pleasant read given to me by a relative. I enjoyed each story and thought readers of all walks of life could take something away from their messages regardless of age or creed.
December 21, 2021
A classic feel... great prose and fairytale style storytelling
September 26, 2022
Three excellent novellas on life, love, and faith.
November 20, 2024
It's basically 3 fables above love and faith
January 23, 2025
It took a long time for me to circle back to this one. It's not as flashy or exciting as most of my reads, but the trio of stories here were very sweet - ranging from a little sad to funny and cute.
June 19, 2011
Paul Gallico was a sports writer, novelist, animal lover, and a firm believer in God. His books and stories are often aimed at children and teach lessons of faith, love, and bravery. This is a little set of his short stories, each of which is sad in a very real way, but also teaches those lessons.
I am struck by the reality that children of this day would find Mr. Gallico's vocabulary and insights daunting -- even though these are children's books. We have lost a great deal in the last half-century since the invention of television, video games, and movies. Our children graduate from high school and sometimes from college with only a bare acquaintance with their native language, and are stumped by the deeper subtleties exhibited by the children's authors of the past, including Mr. Gallico, Twain, Dickens, and many others.
I only gave this four stars instead of five because there isn't a 4.5 stars rating, and the 1/2 star loss is because I wanted the stories to go farther -- I've always disliked short stories, not because they aren't well-written or insightful, but because I wanted more and was denied it. Very selfish of me.
I am struck by the reality that children of this day would find Mr. Gallico's vocabulary and insights daunting -- even though these are children's books. We have lost a great deal in the last half-century since the invention of television, video games, and movies. Our children graduate from high school and sometimes from college with only a bare acquaintance with their native language, and are stumped by the deeper subtleties exhibited by the children's authors of the past, including Mr. Gallico, Twain, Dickens, and many others.
I only gave this four stars instead of five because there isn't a 4.5 stars rating, and the 1/2 star loss is because I wanted the stories to go farther -- I've always disliked short stories, not because they aren't well-written or insightful, but because I wanted more and was denied it. Very selfish of me.
March 1, 2016
This book contains 3 wonderful short stories involving animals. "The Snow Goose" is about an artist living on the coast of England who takes part in the rescue of the British army at Dunkirk. "The Small Miracle" is about a young boy striving to save his sick donkey by bringing him to the shrine of St. Francis of Assisi. "Ludmilla" is about a weakling cow who achieves her dream of being the best milk producer. Gallico's writing style make all three stories very enjoyable to read.
July 17, 2014
Each of these "legends" are exactly what is so wonderful about good short stories in that they contain all you need to know in a nutshell of beautifully written prose. They are all gently and lovingly told without being overly sweet and are each rather touching in their own way. In addition, this volume contains a great introduction specially written by Paul Gallico for the book.
August 5, 2014
Gallico weaves these tales in such a way that they are believable yet miraculous. In fact, The Snow Goose was believed to be true by some. I remembered The Snow Goose from high school -it made such a strong impression on me.
May 5, 2011
If you want inspiration, read "Ludmilla."
May 3, 2016
A lovely collection of children's stories. I enjoyed "The Small Miracle" the most because of its combination of innocence, persistence, and St. Francis of Assisi.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews