The story of Puff

The story of Puff by Mrs. C. M. Livingston is a children’s animal tale written in the late 19th century. Told as a first-person memoir of a pet canary, it follows a small bird’s adventures and lessons about freedom, danger, and the comfort of home.

Puff is taken from his nest by kind sisters Rita and Dody, learns to sing, and enjoys their sunny country home until a boastful visitor canary, Fred, tempts him to dream of life beyond the cage. Fred escapes; later Puff runs away, is briefly pampered in a grand house by gentle Rose but tormented by her mischievous brother and saddened by Rose’s death, then finds solace with her grandmother. Another flight leads to a night of predators, a season among wild birds, hunger, capture by a harsh, impoverished family, and rough handling. At last a compassionate passerby buys him—proving to be Dody’s father—and Puff is joyfully restored to his first home, concluding with the moral to shun bad advice, remember how quickly a rash choice brings long sorrow, and be content.