‘An Angel in Disguise’ is a beautiful heart-touching story written by American author

Timothy Shay Arthur in 1851. The author has contributed greatly towards social and moral
responsibilities required of people by writing a number of newspaper articles, poems, stories
and novels. He wrote stories with compassion and sensitivity. In this story too, he describes
the transformative and restorative power of selfless love. It relates to the advent of
Maggie, a frail young orphan into the lives of wheelwright Joe Thompson and his wife Jane.
The child’s presence had a miraculous effect on the lives of Mr and Mrs Thompson. They
thought they are helping her by adopting her; however, Maggie turned out to be the one who
took away the negativity from their lives and brought them happiness.
The story goes like this:
There lived a poor woman in a village. She had three children. She was hated by everyone in
the village. She was often despised, scoffed and spoken angrily about by people in her
neighbourhood. One day, she fell upon her door in a drunken fit and passed away right in
front of her children.

The old woman left behind three children—John, Kate and Maggie. Despite the hatred for the
woman, everyone in the village pitied the children as there was nobody to take care of them.
The old woman's death roused the neighbour's pity and they arranged for her burial. Everyone
came forward to help the children. John, a 12-year-old boy, was the eldest and was adopted
by farmer Jones. Mrs Ellis was looking for a maid, so she adopted Kate a girl between 10 and
11 whom she could groom easily to be of help. The youngest of the three kids was Maggie
who had injured her spine two years ago and was crippled for life. She was not wanted by
anyone. However, the ladies in the neighbourhood brought her discarded clothes and cleaned
her after the death of her mother. Maggie was not able to do anything on her own owing to
her spine injury. Maggie’s innocent looks attracted everybody but no one dared to take her in.
After a lot of discussions, it was decided that Maggie should be sent to the poorhouse. It was
a sad place for a child to be but for Maggie, it would be like a blessing where she could be
taken care of, kept clean, given healthy food and be under medical observation whenever
necessary.

On the day of the burial, John and Kate were taken away by their new families but poor little
Maggie was left alone. The siblings bid each other a sobbing farewell and Maggie was left
alone and ignored by most of the villagers. Joe Thompson who was a wheelwright was one of
the last people leaving. He felt it was cruel to leave behind Maggie in that state. When he
entered the hut, Maggie was lying up straight and looked at him with pleading eyes. Maggie
was feeling sad so she requested Mr Thompson to not leave her alone.

Joe Thompson wrapped her gently in clean clothes, lifted her in his arms and took her to his
home. As Joe held Maggie close to his chest, he formed a bond of affection with her.
Mr and Mrs Thompson did not have any children. Joe was worried about the reaction of his
wife. Over the years, she had turned bitter and unkind. On seeing her husband bring a
diseased child home, Mrs Thompson grew angry. She kept questioning Joe about why he did
not drop her to the poorhouse directly. Normally, Joe kept quiet when his wife Jane
Thompson got angry or had a difference of opinion with him. But this time, he kept a firm
countenance and explained his point of view. He informed his wife that Maggie was left
alone in the hut by all the villagers. Her siblings were adopted by farmer Jones and Mrs Ellis,
but nobody wanted to pick up the poor child. Everyone decided that she be dropped at the
poorhouse, but nobody was willing to take her there. Joe said that she needed to be carried to
the poorhouse and he could take her there. It would require a couple of days and till then Joe
wanted her to stay at their house. He requested Jane to be kind and polite with her since she
had suffered a great loss of her mother and was separated from her siblings. He wanted his
wife to consider Maggie’s loneliness, her pain and sorrow, and he asks his wife to take care
of Maggie for some time.
Jane Thompson considered her husband's request and looked after the poor and suffering
child. She was very kind to her and she realised her pain of losing her mother and being
separated from her siblings. Years of loneliness had made her hard-hearted and ill-tempered,
but she comforted little Maggie and took care of her.

That night when Joe came home after completing his work, he noticed that the little chamber
where he had placed Maggie was illuminated. It caught Joe’s attention. Jane was sitting
beside Maggie talking to her. This was a positive sign for Joe. He observed both of them and
was relieved that everything was fine. There were no signs of bitterness.

Joe went into the chamber to meet Maggie. He had a little conversation with Maggie. He
asked her about her health and if she had any pain. Maggie was very grateful to him. She
pleasantly answered all his questions. Her answers reflected sweetness and thankfulness.

Jane has also developed tender feelings for Maggie. At the time of supper, she told Joe that
Maggie was very weak and therefore should not be sent to the poorhouse for a couple of
days.
Joe considered Jane’s thought and he did not see the Guardians of the Poor that day or any
other day in the future.

They never sent Maggie away. She had become a part of their house and was taken care of as
their own child. She became an angel in disguise for the childless Thompsons. She brought
back the happiness and fulfilment. Now, they had someone to shower their love, care and
affection. Joe Thompson was happy as his house was no more a dull and sad place.

They lived their lives happily and with love.

What can we learn from the story? How has the author shown the same?
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