The Stork by Eugene Field (1897)
The poem tells the story of a stork that brings babies to new parents. The stork's journey is described, and the poem ends with the image of a happy family.
By Eugene Field · First published 1897 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Romanticism · 282 words
First lines
Last night the Stork came stalking, And, Stork, beneath your wing Lay, lapped in dreamless slumber, The tiniest little thing! From Babyland, out yonder Beside a silver sea, You brought a priceless treasure As gift to mine and me!
Last night my dear one listened -- And, wife, you knew the cry -- The dear old Stork has sought our home A many times gone by! And in your gentle bosom I found the pretty thing That from the realm out yonder Our friend the Stork did bring.
What this Textopian page supports
The Stork is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1897 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: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Romanticism, Fantasy, Family
- Length: 282 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stork 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 Stork?
- How does this poem by Eugene Field fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Ganderfeathers Gift by Eugene Field
- All Aboard by Oliver Herford
- A Few Of The Bird Family by James Whitcomb Riley
- Second Nature by Edith Nesbit
- The Jolly Miller by L. Frank Baum
- The Katydids by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The themes of birth and innocence, along with the whimsical portrayal of the Stork, appeal to a young audience.
- Romanticism — The poem expresses deep emotional sentiments and celebrates love and family, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Fantasy — The personification of the Stork and the magical notion of delivering babies from 'Babyland' introduce fantastical elements.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · American Literature · 19th Century · Whimsical · Fantasy · Imagination · Fable · Allegory · Morality Tale · Humor · Satire