Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of A Little Princess. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Sara Crewe, left penniless and treated as a servant after her father's death, is found by her father's friend Mr. Carrisford, who has been searching for her. He reveals that her father's diamond mines were successful after all, and Sara becomes rich again and leaves Miss Minchin's school, taking her friend Becky with her.
Quick facts
– Book: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
– First published: 1905
– Type: A children's novel
– Tone of the ending: Joyful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Sara is a kind girl sent from India to Miss Minchin's boarding school in London. Her father is rich, and she is treated as a princess. When he dies and loses his fortune, Miss Minchin makes Sara a servant, living in the cold attic with Becky. Sara keeps her dignity by imagining she is a princess.
What Happens at the End of A Little Princess
Mr. Carrisford, an invalid living next door, has been searching for Captain Crewe's daughter. His servant Ram Dass secretly brings food and warmth to Sara's attic. When Carrisford learns who Sara is, he adopts her. She leaves the school and takes Becky as her companion. Sara helps a poor girl, Anne, by giving her a job at the bakery.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Carrisford finds Sara.
- Her father's fortune was not lost.
- Sara rescues Becky.
- Sara remains kind.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Sara Crewe | Lives with Mr. Carrisford |
| Becky | Leaves with Sara |
| Miss Minchin | Loses her favourite pupil |
| Mr. Carrisford | Adopts Sara |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that kindness and imagination help people survive hardship.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find the sudden fortune too convenient, while others love the fairy-tale ending.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Kindness. Sara helps others despite her suffering.
Imagination. Sara imagines her way through hardship.
Class. The novel shows how wealth affects treatment.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of A Little Princess as joyful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Frances Hodgson Burnett to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are joyful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Frances Hodgson Burnett closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1995 film moves the story to New York and changes the ending so that Sara's father is alive.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading A Little Princess with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about kindness, and do you agree with Frances Hodgson Burnett's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as joyful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces kindness and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Frances Hodgson Burnett leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in A Little Princess often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of A Little Princess earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After A Little Princess
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Related: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like A Little Princess You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of A Little Princess?
Sara Crewe, left penniless and treated as a servant after her father's death, is found by her father's friend Mr. Carrisford, who has been searching for her. He reveals that her father's diamond mines were successful after all, and Sara becomes rich again and leaves Miss Minchin's school, taking her friend Becky with her.
Is the ending of A Little Princess happy or sad?
Most readers call it joyful.
What does the ending of A Little Princess mean?
The ending shows that kindness and imagination help people survive hardship.
Is the ending of A Little Princess the same in the adaptation?
The 1995 film moves the story to New York and changes the ending so that Sara's father is alive.
Who wrote A Little Princess and when was it published?
A Little Princess was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and first published in 1905.
Is A Little Princess worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Frances Hodgson Burnett prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read A Little Princess before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.