Old Mother West Wind
By Thornton W. Burgess
Published 1910
Old Mother West Wind is the book that started it all. It introduces us to the character who gives the book its name, a kind and wise personification of the wind, who comes down from the Purple Hills every morning to wake the world. She carries her children, the Merry Little Breezes, in a giant bag, letting them out to play and help the animals of the Green Meadows.
The book is a series of "Why" and "How" stories. Through Mother West Wind's eyes, we learn why Grandfather Frog has no tail, how Reddy Fox was outwitted, and why Jimmy Skunk wears stripes. It serves as the "origin story" for the entire Burgess universe, establishing the rules of the forest and the Meadow, where kindness is rewarded and boastfulness usually leads to a tumble. It is a story about the rhythm of nature: how the sun rises, the wind blows, and every creature has a place in the grand design.
Main Themes: Stewardship, Origins, and the Passage of Time
Nature & Character Connection
Old Mother West Wind: The Force of the Atmosphere
In nature, wind is the movement of air caused by differences in air pressure and the heating of the Earth. Wind is essential for life: it carries seeds to new places (seed dispersal), moves clouds to bring rain, and helps birds migrate. Thornton Burgess personifies this as "Mother West Wind." By depicting her as a motherly figure who cares for the "Merry Little Breezes," the story teaches children that the wind isn't just "weather"—it is a vital, life-giving force that connects the hills, the meadows, and the forest.
The Merry Little Breezes: Nature’s Busy Helpers
The Merry Little Breezes represent the "gusts" and light winds that move close to the ground. In the story, they are the ones who whisper secrets to the animals and play in the grass. In the real world, these low-level breezes are what insects and small birds use to travel. They also help pollinate flowers by shaking pollen from one bloom to another. When the Breezes "play" in the story, they are actually demonstrating how the movement of air interacts with the environment to keep the ecosystem healthy.
The Changing Seasons: The Rhythm of Life
A major part of Old Mother West Wind’s character is her punctuality - she arrives every morning and leaves for the Purple Hills every night. This reflects the "Diurnal Cycle" (day and night) and the changing seasons. In the wild, animals rely on these cues to know when to hunt, when to sleep, and when to store food for winter. Mother West Wind acts as the "Grand Clock" of the story, teaching readers that nature operates on a beautiful, predictable schedule that every creature must respect to survive.
Simple Activity Ideas
Seed Racing: Collect "winged" seeds (like maple keys or dandelion fluff). Use a small fan or your own breath to act as the "West Wind" and see whose seed the "Merry Little Breezes" can carry the farthest.
Wind Vane Craft: Build a simple wind vane using a straw, paper, and a pin. Track which direction "Mother West Wind" is blowing from each morning for a week.
Nature's "Why" Stories: Have students pick a local animal (like a squirrel or a robin) and write a short "Burgess-style" story about why it has a specific feature (like a bushy tail or a red chest).
Discussion Prompts
On Duty: Mother West Wind has a job to do every single day. Why is it important that she is never late? What would happen to the animals if the wind stopped blowing?
On Secrets: The Merry Little Breezes often hear things and whisper them to the animals. Why is it important for forest creatures to "listen to the wind"?
On Kindness: Mother West Wind is very kind to her Breezes and the animals. How does her kindness make the Green Meadows a better place to live?
Morals & Values Learned
Consistency: The reliability of Mother West Wind teaches us the value of being dependable and fulfilling our responsibilities.
Interconnectedness: We learn that the wind, the water, the plants, and the animals are all part of one big family that depends on each other.
Humility: Many of the stories in this book involve a "boastful" animal (like Reddy Fox) being humbled, teaching us that it is better to be quiet and wise than loud and proud.
Public Domain Notice: The original text of this book is in the public domain. Site layout, study guides, and supplemental materials are © burgess-books.com.
