The `` How ? '' has already been told , after a fashion , in the verses prefixed to `` Alice in Wonderland '' ; and some other memories of that happy summer day are set down , for those who care to see them , in this little book -- the germ that was to grow into the published volume . But the `` Why ? '' can not , and need not , be put into words . Those for whom a child 's mind is a sealed book , and who see no divinity in a child 's smile , would read such words in vain : while for any one that has ever loved one true child , no words are needed . For he will have known the awe that falls on one in the presence of a spirit fresh from GOD 'S hands , on whom no shadow of sin , and but the outermost fringe of the shadow of sorrow , has yet fallen : he will have felt the bitter contrast between the haunting selfishness that spoils his best deeds and the life that is but an overflowing love -- for I think a child 's first attitude to the world is a simple love for all living things : and he will have learned that the best work a man can do is when he works for love 's sake only , with no thought of name , or gain , or earthly reward . No deed of ours , I suppose , on this side the grave , is really unselfish : yet if one can put forth all one 's powers in a task where nothing of reward is hoped for but a little child 's whispered thanks , and the airy touch of a little child 's pure lips , one seems to come somewhere near to this . There was no idea of publication in my mind when I wrote this little book : that was wholly an afterthought , pressed on me by the `` perhaps too partial friends '' who always have to bear the blame when a writer rushes into print : and I can truly say that no praise of theirs has ever given me one hundredth part of the pleasure it has been to think of the sick children in hospitals -LRB- where it has been a delight to me to send copies -RRB- forgetting , for a few bright hours , their pain and weariness -- perhaps thinking lovingly of the unknown writer of the tale -- perhaps even putting up a childish prayer -LRB- and oh , how much it needs ! -RRB- for one who can but dimly hope to stand , some day , not quite out of sight of those pure young faces , before the great white throne . `` I am very sure , '' writes a lady-visitor at a Home for Sick Children , `` that there will be many loving earnest prayers for you on Easter morning from the children . '' I would like to quote further from her letters , as embodying a suggestion that may perhaps thus come to the notice of some one able and willing to carry it out . '' I want you to send me one of your Easter Greetings for a very dear child who is dying at our Home . She is just fading away , and ` Alice ' has brightened some of the weary hours in her illness , and I know that letter would be such a delight to her -- especially if you would put ` Minnie ' at the top , and she could know you had sent it for her . She knows you , and would so value it ... She suffers so much that I long for what I know would so please her . '' ... `` Thank you very much for sending me the letter , and for writing Minnie 's name ... I am quite sure that all these children will say a loving prayer for the ` Alice-man ' on Easter Day : and I am sure the letter will help the little ones to the real Easter joy . How I do wish that you , who have won the hearts and confidence of so many children , would do for them what is so very near my heart , and yet what no one will do , viz . write a book for children about GOD and themselves , which is not goody , and which begins at the right end , about religion , to make them see what it really is . I get quite miserable very often over the children I come across : hardly any of them have an idea of really knowing that GOD loves them , or of loving and confiding in Him . They will love and trust me , and be sure that I want them to be happy , and will not let them suffer more than is necessary : but as for going to Him in the same way , they would never think of it . They are dreadfully afraid of Him , if they think of Him at all , which they generally only do when they have been naughty , and they look on all connected with Him as very grave and dull : and , when they are full of fun and thoroughly happy , I am sure they unconsciously hope He is not looking .
I am sure I do n't wonder they think of Him in this XXXXX , for people never talk of Him in connection with what makes their little lives the brightest .
fun grave letters notice one suggestion task throne top way