Honesty by Gelett Burgess (1895)
Honesty is a short story written by Gelett Burgess that explores the theme of honesty and its consequences. The story follows a young man named John who, after being caught in a lie, decides to always tell the truth no matter what. However, his newfound honesty leads him into trouble as he offends people with his bluntness and loses friends due to his inability to keep secrets. In the end, John learns that while honesty is important, it must be balanced with tact and consideration for others' feelings.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1895 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Moral Instruction · 93 words
First lines
The boy who plays at marbles and doesn't try to cheat, Who always keeps his temper, no matter if he's beat, Is sure to be a favorite with all upon the street.
The girl who counts her hundreds very fairly, when she's "it"
Who doesn't peep or listen, nor turn around a bit, I'm sure she's not a Goop, in fact, she's quite the opposite!
What this Textopian page supports
Honesty is listed on Textopian as a fable by Gelett Burgess, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Moral Instruction, Humor
- Length: 93 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Honesty 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 Honesty?
- How does this fable by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Pride And Humility by Charles Kingsley
- Loyalty by Gelett Burgess
- The Ass And The Mule by Esopo
- The Farmer And The Stork by Esopo
- Dont Be Good by Gelett Burgess
- The Sick Man And The Doctor by Esopo
Genres
- Children's Literature — The content is written in a simple, rhyming style suitable for children, focusing on moral lessons.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyming lines, characteristic of poetry.
- Moral Instruction — The themes revolve around teaching honesty and good behavior to children.
- Humor — The playful tone and mention of 'Goop' suggest a humorous approach to teaching morals.
Tags
honesty · integrity · morality · ethics · truthfulness · character · values · trust · deception · authenticity · self-reflection · social commentary