Questions by Edith Nesbit (1913)
The poem explores the theme of seasonal change and its impact on nature. The speaker asks their mother what roses and lilies do after summer and June have passed, respectively. The answers describe the flowers' dormant state, dreaming of the sun and moon. The final question poses the speaker's own longing for something new and untried, symbolized by an unborn rose and a fleeting lily.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1913 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 122 words
First lines
WHAT do the roses do, mother, Now that the summer's done? They lie in the bed that is hung with red And dream about the sun.
What do the lilies do, mother, Now that there's no more June? Each one lies down in her white nightgown And dreams about the moon.
What can I dream of, mother, With the moon and the sun away? Of a rose unborn, of an untried thorn, And a lily that lives a day!
What this Textopian page supports
Questions is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure
- Length: 122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Morning by Edith Nesbit
- Silence by Edith Nesbit
- The Vain Spell by Edith Nesbit
- Rye by Edith Nesbit
- The Island Of The Nine Whirlpools by Edith Nesbit
- Kenneth And The Carp by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The book is primarily targeted towards a younger audience, with its simple language, imaginative plot, and moral lessons.
- Fantasy — The book involves magical elements and fantastical adventures, which are characteristic of the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The narrative involves a series of exciting events and challenges that the characters must overcome.
Tags
Fantasy · Children's Literature · Adventure · Mystery · Fiction · Classic · British Literature · Early 20th Century · Quest · Magic · Supernatural · Imagination