How to Eat Soup by Gelett Burgess
How to Eat Soup is a humorous poem written by Gelett Burgess in the early 20th century. The poem describes the proper way to eat soup, with instructions on how to hold the spoon and when to take sips from the bowl. It also includes warnings about not making noise while eating or spilling any of the soup onto oneself.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1906 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Humor · 118 words
First lines
Whenever you are eating soup Remember not to be a Goop!
And if you think to say this rhyme, Perhaps 'twill help you every time:
Like little boats that put to sea, I push my spoon AWAY from me; I do not tilt my dish, nor scrape The last few drops, like hungry ape!
Like little boats, that, almost filled, Come back without their cargoes spilled, My spoon sails gently to my lips, Unloading from the SIDE, like ships.
What this Textopian page supports
How to Eat Soup 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: 118 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How to Eat Soup 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 How to Eat Soup?
- 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
- Table Manners Ii by Gelett Burgess
- Book Manners by Gelett Burgess
- Puppy Goops by Gelett Burgess
- A Low Trick by Gelett Burgess
- Interruption by Gelett Burgess
- Cleanliness by Gelett Burgess
Genres
- Children's Literature — The rhyme and simple language are characteristic of children's literature, aiming to teach manners in an engaging way.
- Poetry — The text is structured in rhyming verse, a common feature of poetry.
- Humor — The playful tone and use of the term 'Goop' suggest a humorous approach to etiquette.
- Educational — The content is instructional, teaching proper etiquette for eating soup.
Tags
humor · food · cooking · satire · instructional · quirky · illustrated · lighthearted · absurdism · lifestyle · dining · etiquette