Faith
The main theme portrayed in the story "The Young Man with the Carnation" is the theme of faith and a man's path to retrieve it. Charlie is a writer who lost faith, his connection to God because of the superficiality of his success. He is experiencing a writer's block and doesn't appreciate what he has. His faith is retrieved back to him when he realizes that he's been given a second chance after making a terrible mistake, and he begins to appreciate what he has. It is not only a story about faith but also a lesson to not overlook and appreciate one's fortune.
Good deeds pay off
The Sailor-boy's Tale is a tale about good karma and good deeds paying off. This story that is similar to a fairy tale follows a young sailor who decides to help a bird in need with no reason other than helping another creature. This deed comes back years later when he needs is the most and teaches the important lesson that as insignificant a choice to do something or not may seem, the results of it may come when one least expects it and have determining consequences on life.
Don't be quick in your judgment
The story "Pearls" explores the theme of judgment and how quickly one judges someone else based on their prejudice. Jensine immediately assumed that at least one of the pearls might be missing from her necklace that the old shoemaker repaired, refusing to even check it for a long time. When she does, she is met with a fortunate but embarrassing surprise with one big pearl having been added. This teaches her to change her perspective, not only when it comes to her prejudice, but also in the way she starts to see life as a full circle.
Dreams and reality
The important theme explored in "The Dreaming Child" is the theme of distinguishing between dreams and reality. The main character Jen is a young boy whose dreams came true, but he never really realized that his dreams became reality. His new mother and father, the house are all a part of his dream, and they never really become a part of his reality. He talks of his old poor home as his real home and the life he had as his real life. He soon dies and his existence there becomes like a dream. Emilie, on the other hand, decides to make a dream a part of reality, she decides to make Jen, the dreaming child, part of her and her husband's reality breaking the line of what is real and what a part of a dream.
