The Magic Fishbone

The story contained herein was written by Charles Dickens in 1867. It is the second of four stories entitled ?Holiday Romance? and was published originally in a children?s magazine in America. It purports to be written by a child aged seven. It was republished in England in ?All the Year Round? in 1868. For this and four other Christmas pieces Dickens received £1,000.

?Holiday Romance? was published in book form by Messrs Chapman & Hall in 1874, with ?Edwin Drood? and other stories. For this reprint the text of the story as it appeared in ?All the Year Round? has been followed.

There was once a King, and he had a Queen; and he was the manliest of his sex, and she was the loveliest of hers. The King was, in his private profession, Under Government. The Queen?s father had been a medical man out of town.

They had nineteen children, and were always having more. Seventeen of these children took care of the baby; and Alicia, the eldest, took care of them all. Their ages varied from seven years to seven months.