Lord Hippo by Hilaire Belloc (1902)
The story revolves around a young boy who befriends a hippopotamus and learns about the importance of friendship and loyalty. The narrative explores themes of childhood innocence, adventure, and the complexities of human relationships. Through the boy's interactions with Lord Hippo, the tale delves into the nature of trust, responsibility, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1902 · Genre: Humor, Children's Literature, Poetry · 359 words
First lines
Lord Hippo suffered fearful loss By putting money on a horse Which he believed, if it were pressed, Would run far faster than the rest: For someone who was in the know Had confidently told him so.
But on the morning of the race It only took the _seventh_ place!
What this Textopian page supports
Lord Hippo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Children's Literature, Poetry, Satire, Fable
- Length: 359 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lord Hippo by Hilaire Belloc
- 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 Lord Hippo?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Camelopard by Hilaire Belloc
- Mule And Bear Fight by James Mcintyre
- The King Of Oo Rinktum Jing by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Big Baboon by Hilaire Belloc
- The Marmozet by Hilaire Belloc
- The Forgetful Forgetmenot by Oliver Herford
Genres
- Humor — The poem uses wit and irony to depict Lord Hippo's misadventures in betting, creating a humorous narrative.
- Children's Literature — The playful tone and anthropomorphic character of Lord Hippo suggest a target audience of children.
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Satire — The poem satirizes the folly of gambling and the naivety of the protagonist, offering a critique of such behaviors.
Tags
Fiction · Children's Literature · Satire · Fantasy · Adventure · Humor · Animal Fiction · Social Commentary · Poetic Prose · Whimsy · Imagination · Wordplay