Borrowing by Gelett Burgess (1903)
The poem "Borrowing" by Gelett Burgess is a humorous take on the concept of borrowing and lending. It describes how people often borrow items from others without ever returning them, leading to frustration and resentment. The poem ends with a warning about the dangers of borrowing too much and not giving back in return.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1903 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Moral Tale · 77 words
First lines
Whose doll is that on the table?
Whose book is that on the chair?
The knife and the pencils and other utensils, Now how do they come to be there?
Didn't you say they were borrowed?
What this Textopian page supports
Borrowing is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Moral Tale
- Length: 77 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Borrowing by Gelett Burgess
- 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 Borrowing?
- How does this short story by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Low Trick by Gelett Burgess
- Absolute Age by Gelett Burgess
- Interruption by Gelett Burgess
- Exaggeration by Gelett Burgess
- The Reason Why by Gelett Burgess
Genres
- Children's Literature — The text features simple language and themes suitable for children, focusing on everyday objects and the concept of borrowing.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with rhyming lines and a rhythmic quality typical of poetry.
- Moral Tale — The narrative conveys a moral lesson about the importance of returning borrowed items, a common theme in moral tales.
Tags
humor · satire · poetry · literary · parody · absurdism · social commentary · American literature · 19th century · whimsy · creativity · imagination