Stealing Rides by Gelett Burgess
Stealing Rides is a humorous short story written by Gelett Burgess. It tells the tale of a young man who tries to hitchhike his way across America, but ends up getting into all sorts of mischief along the way. The story is filled with witty dialogue and amusing situations that make it an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a good laugh.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1894 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Humor · 60 words
First lines
I thought I saw a little Goop Who hung behind a cart; I looked again. He'd fallen off!
It gave me such a start!
"If he were killed, some day," I said, "Twould break his mother's heart! "
What this Textopian page supports
Stealing Rides is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Humor, Moral Tale
- Length: 60 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Stealing Rides 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 Stealing Rides?
- 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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- Puppy Goops by Gelett Burgess
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The content features a playful and whimsical tone typical of children's literature, with simple language and a focus on a child's perspective.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyming lines, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The use of lighthearted and amusing scenarios suggests a humorous intent.
- Moral Tale — The narrative implies a moral lesson about safety and the consequences of actions, common in moral tales.
Tags
adventure · humor · youth · friendship · coming of age · mischief · transportation · urban · exploration · rebellion · narrative · American literature