Under the Lilacs

Under the Lilacs is a children's novel written by Louisa May Alcott and published in 1878.

Bab and Betty are two little girls having a tea party with their dolls when an unknown dog appears and steals their cake. The girls find the dog, Sancho, along with his owner Ben Brown, a run-away from the circus who is hiding in their play barn in a carriage. They discover that Ben is a horse master and when he is taken in by the Moss', they get him a job on a neighboring farm.

After the news of Ben's death, he moves to Miss Celia's house, who helps Ben to overcome the pain of loss. Ben now has a wonderful life, with work and family, but on the other hand his circus life was full of adventures, which sets up an internal struggle within him.

After many adventures and stories during the summer, Ben will gradually find his place in life with his friends. In addition, we will know the adventures and misadventures of the dog Sancho and many more stories of the group of friends.

"The elm-tree avenue was all overgrown, the great gate was never unlocked, and the old house had been shut up for several years.
Yet voices were heard about the place, the lilacs nodded over the high wall as if they said, "We could tell fine secrets if we chose," and the mullein outside the gate made haste to reach the keyhole, that it might peep in and see what was going on."