The Daddy Long-Legs and the Fly

A daddy long-legs and a fly engage in a series of absurd conversations, with the fly attempting to persuade the daddy long-legs to join him on a journey to the moon. The daddy long-legs declines, citing his preference for staying on earth where he can enjoy the company of his friends and family.

By Edward Lear · First published 1837 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy · 845 words

First lines

I Once Mr. Daddy Long-legs, Dressed in brown and gray, Walked about upon the sands Upon a summer's day:

And there among the pebbles, When the wind was rather cold, He met with Mr. Floppy Fly, All dressed in blue and gold;

What this Textopian page supports

The Daddy Long-Legs and the Fly is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edward Lear, dated 1837 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Short story
• Author: Edward Lear
• Date: 1837 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy, Humor, Adventure
• Length: 845 words
• Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Daddy Long-Legs and the Fly by Edward Lear
• 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 The Daddy Long-Legs and the Fly?
• How does this short story by Edward Lear fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Nutcrackers And The Sugar Tongs by Edward Lear
• Calico Pie by Edward Lear
• Angels Toys by Oliver Herford
• The New Vestments by Edward Lear
• The Forgetful Forgetmenot by Oliver Herford
• The Flower Circus by Oliver Herford

Genres

• Children's Literature — The work features whimsical characters and playful themes suitable for a young audience.
• Poetry — The text employs rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetic forms.
• Fantasy — The narrative includes anthropomorphized insects and fantastical elements like a court and a magical journey.
• Humor — The dialogue and situations present a light-hearted and humorous tone.

Tags

Nonsense Verse · Satire · Poetry · Children's Literature · Fable · Animal Characters · Wordplay · Rhythm · Meter · Imagery · Symbolism · Allegory

More by Edward Lear

• Nonsense Drolleries (1889)
• The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker and the Tongs (1888)
• The Duck and the Kangaroo (1888)
• The Cummerbund. An Indian Poem (1888)
• The Dong with a Luminous Nose (1888)
• Calico Pie (1888)
• The Courtship of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo (1888)
• Incidents in the Life of My Uncle Arly (1888)
• All works by Edward Lear