The Rhyme of Triangular Tommy
Triangular Tommy embarks on a carefree walk on a sunny May morning, engaging in typical boyish antics like shouting at cats and picking flowers. His day takes a turn when he encounters Triangular Tilly, whom he admires, but soon his attention shifts to his friend Triangular Ted. The two boys indulge in various games, including leap-frog and hide-and-seek, until they spot Schoolmaster Jones approaching. In a mischievous act, they set a trap with twine to trip the old man, resulting in a comical crash that delights the boys. However, their laughter quickly turns to fear as Jones, furious, chases after Tommy. In a frantic escape, Tommy runs towards a railroad track, where he trips and falls. The story culminates in a darkly humorous twist as a train approaches, leading to Tommy's unfortunate demise. The narrative blends playful childhood mischief with a cautionary tale about the consequences of reckless behavior.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1920 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Adventure · 1,184 words
First lines
Triangular Tommy, one morning in May, Went out for a walk on the public highway. Just here I will say, 'Twas a bright sunny day, And the sky it was blue, and the grass it was green, The same sky and grass that you've all of you seen; And the birds in the trees sang their usual song, And Triangular Tommy went trudging along.
But I can tell you He cared naught for the view. He did just what small boys of his age always do: He shouted out "Scat! " At a wandering cat, And he picked a big daisy to stick in his hat; The clovers he topped, And the toadstools he cropped, And sometimes he scuffled and sometimes he hopped.
What this Textopian page supports
The Rhyme of Triangular Tommy is listed on Textopian as a poem by Carolyn Wells, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Carolyn Wells
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Adventure
- Length: 1,184 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Rhyme of Triangular Tommy by Carolyn Wells
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Children's Literature — Carolyn Wells was known for her children's literature, and the playful, alliterative title aligns with this genre.
- Poetry — The use of the term 'Rhyme' in the title suggests a book of poetry.
- Adventure — The name 'Triangular Tommy' implies a unique character who might go on adventures, characteristic of the Adventure genre.
Tags
children's literature · poetry · rhymes · adventure · imagination · friendship · fun · whimsy · illustrated · fantasy · playful · creative