Visiting by Gelett Burgess (1905)
"Visiting" by Gelett Burgess is a humorous poem about the annoyance of unexpected guests. The speaker describes how they arrive unannounced, stay for hours, and leave without any warning. The poem ends with the speaker wishing that their visitors would just go away.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1905 · Genre: Children's Literature, Humor, Poetry · 124 words
First lines
When a Goop goes out to visit, 'T isn't very pleasant, is it, To hear him ask his friends for things to eat?
And to hear the little sinner Say he wants to stay to dinner Is a piece of impoliteness hard to beat!
"Mother said that I could stay If you asked me! " is the way That a Goop will make them ask him to remain.
It is better to be slighted Than to stay when not invited, For they never ask a Goop to come again!
What this Textopian page supports
Visiting 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, Humor, Poetry, Educational
- Length: 124 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Visiting 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 Visiting?
- 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?
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The content is written in a simple, rhyming style suitable for children, focusing on manners and behavior.
- Humor — The playful and exaggerated depiction of a child's impolite behavior is intended to amuse and entertain.
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with a rhythmic and rhyming pattern.
- Educational — The narrative aims to teach children about proper etiquette and social behavior.
Tags
travel · adventure · exploration · friendship · humor · narrative · journey · culture · experience · imagination · reflection · encounter