You Never Can Tell
The story revolves around a romantic triangle involving three main characters: Jerome, a wealthy businessman; Mabel, his fiancée; and Kate, a beautiful and charming woman who enters their lives. As the narrative unfolds, Jerome becomes increasingly enamored with Kate, leading to a tumultuous affair that threatens to destroy his engagement to Mabel.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational · 264 words
First lines
You never can tell when you send a word, Like an arrow shot from a bow By an archer blind, be it cruel or kind, Just where it may chance to go! It may pierce the breast of your dearest friend, Tipped with its poison or balm; To a stranger's heart in life's great mart, It may carry its pain or its calm.
You never can tell when you do an act Just what the result will be; But with every deed you are sowing a seed, Though the harvest you may not see. Each kindly act is an acorn dropped In God's productive soil. You may not know, but the tree shall grow, With shelter for those who toil.
What this Textopian page supports
You Never Can Tell is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Inspirational, Didactic
- Length: 264 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for You Never Can Tell by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- 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
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse and employs rhyme and meter.
- Philosophical — The themes explore the consequences of actions and thoughts, reflecting on moral and existential questions.
- Inspirational — The content aims to inspire and motivate readers to consider the impact of their words, actions, and thoughts.
- Didactic — The work seeks to teach a moral lesson about the unpredictability and far-reaching effects of one's behavior.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Relationships · Marriage · Infidelity · Deception · Secrets · Lies · Trust · Betrayal · Heartbreak