The Tables Turned by Edith Nesbit
The story revolves around a group of children who are left alone on a rainy day and decide to play a game where they take turns being the "grown-up" and the others have to obey their commands. As the game progresses, the children start to realize that being in charge is not as easy or desirable as they thought it would be.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1900 · Genre: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Adventure · 1,243 words
First lines
WE knew it was a dog, directly the basket was set down in the hall. We heard it moving about inside. We sniffed all round. We asked it why it didn't come out (the basket was tightly tied up with string). "Are you having a good time in there? " said Roy. "Can't you show your face? " said I. "He's ashamed of it," said Roy, waving his long bushy tail. Then he growled a little, and the dog inside growled too; and then, as Roy had an appointment with the butcher at his own back door, I went out to see him home.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tables Turned is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1900 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: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Adventure, Comedy
- Length: 1,243 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tables Turned by Edith Nesbit
- 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
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Tables Turned?
- How does this short story by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Horse by Oliver Herford
- The Vain Setter by Edith Nesbit
- Acting For The Best by Edith Nesbit
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is told from the perspective of a dog, a common technique in children's literature to engage young readers. The language is simple and the plot revolves around everyday events and interactions between dogs, making it suitable for children.
- Animal Fiction — The main characters are dogs, and the story revolves around their interactions, fights, and friendships. The dogs are anthropomorphized, displaying human-like thoughts, emotions, and conversations.
- Adventure — The story involves various incidents and confrontations between the dogs, which can be seen as small-scale adventures. The dogs face challenges, engage in fights, and form alliances, all elements of an adventure narrative.
- Comedy — The story contains elements of humor, particularly in the interactions and conversations between the dogs. The dogs' human-like behavior and the situations they find themselves in are presented in a light-hearted and amusing manner.
Tags
Fantasy · Children's Literature · Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Fairy Tale · Reversal of Fortune · Role Reversal · Power Dynamics · Class Struggle · Societal Critique