The Peter-Bird by Eugene Field
The poem tells the story of a bird that builds its nest on St. Peter's Church in Prague. The bird's nest is seen as a symbol of hope and freedom. The poem explores themes of beauty, nature, and spirituality.
By Eugene Field · First published 1894 · Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Coming-of-Age · 2,439 words
First lines
Out of the woods by the creek cometh a calling for Peter, And from the orchard a voice echoes and echoes it over; Down in the pasture the sheep hear that strange crying for Peter, Over the meadows that call is aye and forever repeated. So let me tell you the tale, when, where, and how it all happened, And, when the story is told, let us pay heed to the lesson.
What this Textopian page supports
The Peter-Bird is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Folklore, Coming-of-Age, Adventure, Moral Tale
- Length: 2,439 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Peter-Bird by Eugene Field
- 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 Peter-Bird?
- How does this poem by Eugene Field fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Cat And The Fiddle by L. Frank Baum
- Shuffle Shoon And Amber Locks by Eugene Field
- The Laughing Prince The Story Of The Boy Who Could Talk Nonsense by Parker Fillmore
- Two In A Zoo by Oliver Herford
- Old King Cole by L. Frank Baum
- The Miser Elf by Oliver Herford
Genres
- Fantasy — The presence of a witch, magical spells, and supernatural elements defines the fantastical nature of the story.
- Folklore — The narrative is structured as a legend, incorporating traditional themes and moral lessons typical of folklore.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist, Peter, experiences a journey of self-discovery and the consequences of neglecting responsibilities.
- Adventure — Peter's venture into the woods and the ensuing search for him create an adventurous plot.
Tags
Fantasy · Children's Literature · Poetry · Imagination · Adventure · Humor · Whimsy · Nonsense Verse · Playful Language · Wordplay · Rhyming Story · Quirky Characters