The Trippertrots and the Old Man's Hat
The story follows the Trippertrot children—Mary, Tommy, and Johnny—who are instructed by their mother to stay indoors unless something extraordinary happens. While observing from their playroom window, they witness an old man's hat being blown away by the wind. Despite their mother's instructions, they decide this is an extraordinary situation and rush out to help the old man retrieve his hat. The children join the old man in a comical chase through the streets as the wind continues to propel the hat further away. The hat encounters various obstacles, including automobiles, wagons, and even a canal, but the wind keeps it just out of reach. The old man reveals that the hat contains a dollar bill meant for his grandson's Christmas present, adding urgency to their pursuit. Eventually, the hat is blown into a tree, where it becomes stuck. The children help the old man retrieve it by climbing the tree. Once the hat is recovered, the children realize they are lost, having ventured into an unfamiliar part of the city during the chase. The old man, grateful for their assistance, offers to guide them back home, as he remembers where they live from the start of the chase. The story concludes with the old man leading the Trippertrot children safely back to their house, demonstrating the rewards of kindness and the importance of helping others, even when it leads to unexpected adventures.
By Howard R. Garis · First published 1912 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Comedy · 2,286 words
First lines
One very windy day the three little Trippertrots were up in the playroom of their house, looking out of the window and wondering what they could do to have a good time.
"Now I do hope you children will not run off anywhere to-day," their mamma had said to them as she went downtown to the five-and-ten-cent store to buy a new fur coat -- excuse me, I meant a dipper. "Please stay in the house unless something special, extra-extraordinary happens."
What this Textopian page supports
The Trippertrots and the Old Man's Hat is listed on Textopian as a short story by Howard R. Garis, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Howard R. Garis
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Comedy, Fable, Realistic Fiction
- Length: 2,286 words
- Structure: 1 section, 58 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trippertrots and the Old Man's Hat by Howard R. Garis
- 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
Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is aimed at young readers, featuring simple language, child protagonists, and an accessible moral lesson.
- Adventure — The plot centers on a fast-paced, unconventional chase full of obstacles and humorous twists.
- Comedy — The story employs humorous exaggeration and playful situations that create a light-hearted tone.
- Fable — The narrative conveys moral values and lessons through a whimsical tale and personified characters.
Tags
children's literature · humor · animal fiction · adventure · fantasy · mischief · whimsy · classic · anthropomorphic · magic · fable · folklore
More by Howard R. Garis
- The Second Adventures of Uncle Wiggily (1914)
- Uncle Wiggily on the Farm (1903)
- Uncle Wiggily's Silk Hat (1923)
- Uncle Wiggily's Fishing Trip (1902)
- Uncle Wiggily's Rolling Hoop (1918)
- Uncle Wiggily and Baby Bunty (1918)
- Uncle Wiggily and Bunty's Skates (1902)
- Uncle Wiggily and Bunty's Ride (1918)
- All works by Howard R. Garis