The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker and the Tongs is a humorous poem by Edward Lear, first published in 1871. The poem tells the story of four household items, the broom, the shovel, the poker and the tongs, who are all in love with each other. The broom is in love with the shovel, the shovel is in love with the poker, the poker is in love with the tongs, and the tongs is in love with the broom. The poem follows the four items as they go through a series of adventures, including a visit to the seaside, a trip to the moon, and a journey to the bottom of the sea. Along the way, they encounter a variety of strange creatures, including a giant lobster, a mermaid, and a talking whale. In the end, the four items are reunited and live happily ever after. The poem is a lighthearted look at the power of love, and the joy of being together.
By Edward Lear · First published 1888 · Genre: Humor, Children's Literature, Fantasy