Helpfulness by Gelett Burgess (1906)
Helpfulness is a collection of humorous poems by Gelett Burgess that satirize the behavior of people in everyday life. The book was first published in 1907 and has since become a classic of American humor.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1906 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Humor · 97 words
First lines
I never knew a Goop to help his mother, I never knew a Goop to help his dad, And they never do a thing for one another; They are actually, absolutely bad!
If you ask a Goop to go and post a letter, Or to run upon an errand, _how_ they act!
But somehow I imagine you are better, And you _try_ to go, and _cry_ to go, in fact!
What this Textopian page supports
Helpfulness is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1906 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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Humor, Educational
- Length: 97 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Helpfulness 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 Helpfulness?
- 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
- Generosity by Gelett Burgess
- Little Deeds Of Kindness by David Cory
- The Good Samaritan by Charles Kingsley
- Gentleness by Gelett Burgess
- The World Is Full Of Kindness by Henry Lawson
- Sharing by George Macdonald
Genres
- Children's Literature — The content is written in a simple, rhyming style suitable for children, focusing on behavior and moral lessons.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with a rhythmic and rhyming pattern, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The exaggerated depiction of 'Goops' and their behavior is intended to amuse and entertain.
- Educational — The work aims to teach children about helpfulness and good behavior through example and contrast.
Tags
kindness · altruism · community · support · compassion · generosity · service · empathy · volunteering · friendship · positivity · cooperation