The Midwife's Apprentice

The story opens with a young girl with no name, no family, burying herself in a dung heap for warmth. The girl is taken in by a midwife, Jane, who dubs her Beetle for her choice of sleeping quarters. Jane's decision to take Beetle in is not due to benevolence, however, but greed; Jane sees that Beetle is a hard worker who will lighten her load. Jane gives Beetle all the difficult work of her profession, but she is careful to keep Beetle away from observing Jane during delivery, fearing Beetle will learn the secrets of midwifery and become a competitor.

Slowly Beetle grows in experience and self-confidence, saving a boy from drowning, aiding a cow in delivering twins, even helping a mother with an impossible delivery give birth to a healthy girl. Beetle renames herself Alyce and she begins to learn Jane's secrets and aid Jane in deliveries.

Then Alyce is confronted with a tough delivery. She finds she must call Jane in to save the mother and child. Alyce is left feeling despondent, useless. She runs away.

It is only after much reflection that she is able to acknowledge her love for midwifery and to accept that failure is part of learning and to return to her work with Jane.