Too Clever by Half by Edith Nesbit
What a delightful tale! Mrs. Buffy's story is a charming and humorous account of a cat named Mrs. Tabby White who tries to imitate human manners, with hilarious and sometimes disastrous results. The story is full of clever observations about the differences between humans and cats, and how even the best intentions can go awry when one species tries to mimic another. The character of Mrs. Tabby White is well-drawn and relatable, as she navigates her way through a series of misadventures with her kittens. The writing style is engaging and playful, with a conversational tone that makes the reader feel like they're sitting down for a cozy chat with Mrs. Buffy herself. The use of language is rich and evocative, with vivid descriptions of the setting and characters that bring the story to life. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the story is its lighthearted humor, which pokes fun at the idea of cats trying to be like humans without fully understanding the consequences. The image of Mrs. Tabby White's kittens wearing salmon-colored kid shoes is particularly amusing, as is the scene where she tries to bathe them in a tub with rose-scented soap and a Turkey sponge. The moral of the story, "there is such a thing as being too clever by half," is well-taken and relatable. It serves as a reminder that sometimes it's better to stick with what we know and love, rather than trying to emulate others or be something we're not. Overall, Mrs. Buffy's tale is a delightful and entertaining romp through the world of cats and humans, full of humor, wit, and charm.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1907 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Fable · 1,908 words
First lines
"TELL us a story, mother," said the youngest kitten but three.
"You've heard all my stories," said the mother cat, sleepily turning over in the hay.
What this Textopian page supports
Too Clever by Half is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Nesbit, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Fable
- Length: 1,908 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Too Clever by Half by Edith Nesbit
- 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 Too Clever by Half?
- 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
- Accidental Magic Or Dont Tell All You Know by Edith Nesbit
- En Tout Cas by Edith Nesbit
- Grandsire Triples by Edith Nesbit
- The Dyers Dog by Edith Nesbit
- The Adventurer by Edith Nesbit
- Septimus Septimusson by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a simple, engaging style with anthropomorphized animals, a common feature in children's literature. The narrative also includes a moral lesson, typical of children's stories.
- Fantasy — The story involves talking animals and their human-like behaviors, which is a characteristic of fantasy genre.
- Fable — The story features animals with human characteristics and ends with a moral, which are key elements of a fable.
Tags
Classic · Children's Literature · Mystery · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Family · Sibling Rivalry · Childhood Adventures · Imagination · Fantasy · Whimsical