Generosity by Gelett Burgess (1905)
Generosity is a short story written by Gelett Burgess that explores the theme of generosity and its impact on human relationships. The story follows a man named John who, after being given a large sum of money by his wealthy uncle, decides to use it to help those in need. However, he soon discovers that his acts of kindness are not always appreciated or reciprocated, leading him to question the true nature of generosity and its place in society. The story is written in a humorous and satirical style, with Burgess using exaggeration and irony to highlight the absurdities of human behavior. Overall, Generosity is a thought-provoking tale that encourages readers to reflect on their own attitudes towards giving and receiving.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1905 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Moral Instruction · 71 words
First lines
When you have candy, do you go And give your sister half?
When little brother stubs his toe, Do you look on and laugh?
The greediest Goop would give away The things he didn't need -- To share the toys with which you play, That's generous, indeed!
What this Textopian page supports
Generosity is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Moral Instruction
- Length: 71 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Generosity?
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Similar titles
- Helpfulness by Gelett Burgess
- Little Deeds Of Kindness by David Cory
- Sharing by George Macdonald
- The Good Samaritan by Charles Kingsley
- On A Child Kneeling by Fanny J. Crosby
- Sacrifice by George William Russell
Genres
- Children's Literature — The content is simple, moralistic, and aimed at teaching children about generosity.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyming lines.
- Moral Instruction — The theme focuses on teaching a moral lesson about sharing and kindness.
Tags
generosity · kindness · philanthropy · altruism · compassion · humanity · giving · selflessness · community · charity · empathy · support