A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert. Short summary

5 seconds

A lonely, good-hearted maid raises other people’s children, and then she transfers all her love to her parrot. As she dies, she sees her bird.

1 minute

A humble servant, Felicite has worked for Mrs. Aubin for many years. She is a lonely, simple and kind-hearted woman.

The maid was very attached to her mistress’s children, Paul and Virginia. When Mrs. Aubin’s daughter became seriously ill and died, Felicite did not leave her body for two days, naively believing that she would come back to life.

Years went by. One day Mrs. Aubin was given the parrot Lulu, which she had given to Felicite.

The maid became very attached to Lulu. She transferred to the bird all her unspent maternal love and care.

When the parrot died, the maid was terribly grieved. The mistress ordered that a stuffed bird be made to ease Felicite’s suffering.

Mistress Aubin dies. Felicité’s health grows worse and worse. One day she asks for a priest. The woman is brought an effigy of Lulu so that she can say goodbye to him.

As she dies, Felicité sees a huge parrot hovering above her.