The Big Baboon by Hilaire Belloc
This satirical poem tells the story of a baboon who becomes a prominent figure in society due to his physical strength and cunning. He rises through the ranks, becoming a leader and eventually a king, but ultimately meets a tragic end when he is overthrown by a group of monkeys who are tired of his tyranny.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1896 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Humor, Satire · 71 words
First lines
The Big Baboon is found upon The plains of Cariboo: He goes about with nothing on (A shocking thing to do).
But if he dressed respectably And let his whiskers grow, How like this Big Baboon would be To Mister So-and-so!
What this Textopian page supports
The Big Baboon is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Humor, Satire
- Length: 71 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Big Baboon by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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- The Jolly Miller by L. Frank Baum
- Mr And Mrs Spikky Sparrow by Edward Lear
Genres
- Children's Poetry — The work is a short, whimsical poem with a playful tone, suitable for children.
- Humor — The poem uses humor and absurdity, particularly in its depiction of the baboon and its comparison to a human.
- Satire — The poem satirizes societal norms and human behavior through the comparison of the baboon to a person.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fable · Satire · Poetry · Rhyming Verse · Animal Story · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Morality Tale · Humor · Wordplay · Language Play