To a Mouse by Alice Meynell (1907)
"A Mouse" is a short poem written by Alice Meynell in 1893. The poem tells the story of a mouse who is startled by a cat, and its subsequent flight to safety. Throughout the poem, Meynell uses simple language and vivid imagery to convey the mouse's fear and desperation. The poem ends with the mouse finding refuge in a hole, symbolizing the idea that even in the face of danger, there is always a place of safety to be found.
By Alice Meynell · First published 1907 · Genre: Children's literature, Fantasy, Animal Fiction · 482 words
First lines
"On turning her up in her nest with the plough", "November", 1785
WEE, sleekit, cow'rin', tim'rous beastie,
What this Textopian page supports
To a Mouse is listed on Textopian as a poem by Alice Meynell, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Alice Meynell
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's literature, Fantasy, Animal Fiction
- Length: 482 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To a Mouse by Alice Meynell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering To a Mouse?
- How does this poem by Alice Meynell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Poet To The Birds by Alice Meynell
- At Michaelmas by Bliss Carman
- The Voice Of A Bird by Alice Meynell
- Ode To Autumn by Alice Meynell
- The Tale Of Mrs Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter
- From Harold by Alfred Tennyson
Genres
- Children's literature — The book features a conversation with a mouse, which is a common narrative technique in children's literature.
- Fantasy — The ability of a human to communicate with a mouse belongs to the realm of fantasy genres.
- Animal Fiction — The title character is a mouse, making it an animal fiction.
Tags
poetry · nature · animals · mice · inspiration · winter · seasonal · literary · classic · British · Victorian · romanticism
More by Alice Meynell
- Poems: SONNET -- MY HEART SHALL BE THY GARDEN (1903)
- Poems: SONNET -- THOUGHTS IN SEPARATION (1903)
- Poems: TO A POET (1903)
- Poems: SONG OF THE SPRING TO THE SUMMER: THE POET SINGS TO HER POET (1903)
- Poems: TO THE BELOVED (1903)
- Poems: MEDITATION (1903)
- Poems: TO THE BELOVED DEAD -- A LAMENT (1903)
- Poems: SONNET (1903)
- All works by Alice Meynell