"François le Bossu" by comtesse de Sophie Ségur is a children's novel written in the early 19th century. The story revolves around the friendships and adventures of a sensitive boy named François, who faces ridicule due to his physical appearance, being a hunchback. The book explores themes of kindness, compassion, and acceptance, as François interacts with his charming friends Christine and Gabrielle. The opening of the book introduces Christine, who visits hercousin Gabrielle, and together they play and work on a doll's dress. During their time together, they meet François, a shy boy who lacks confidence because of his hunchback. Despite their initial surprise, Christine and Gabrielle quickly show kindness and support towards him, highlighting his gentle nature. The interaction sets the stage for the development of a strong friendship between the three children, where they will navigate childhood experiences and social challenges together, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding. (This is an automatically generated summary.)