The Trippertrots and the Poor Family
The story follows the Trippertrot children—Mary, Tommy, and Johnny—who find themselves in an unexpected adventure after a runaway horse pulls them away in a grocery wagon. As they navigate unfamiliar streets, they discover the wagon is filled with groceries, including a Thanksgiving dinner. Despite being lost, the children decide to eat some of the food, planning to pay the owner later. The horse eventually stops at a shabby house, where the children decide to deliver the Thanksgiving dinner. They meet a poor woman and her hungry children, who are initially hesitant to accept the meal, believing it to be a mistake. However, the Trippertrots insist, convinced the horse brought them to the right place. The poor family gratefully accepts the meal, and the Trippertrots help prepare the dinner, bringing joy to the household. As the dinner is being prepared, a knock on the door reveals the grocery boy, who has been searching for the children and the wagon. The story concludes with the Trippertrots having successfully delivered the meal to a family in need, highlighting themes of kindness, adventure, and the spirit of giving.
By Howard R. Garis · First published 1912 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Holiday Fiction · 2,589 words
First lines
"Where do you suppose this horse is going? " asked Mary, of her brothers, after a while.
"Home, I guess," said Tommy.
What this Textopian page supports
The Trippertrots and the Poor Family 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, Holiday Fiction, Humor, Moral Fiction
- Length: 2,589 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trippertrots and the Poor Family 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 — Focuses on young protagonists, playful narrative style, and imaginative adventures typical of children's stories.
- Adventure — Centers on an unexpected journey featuring a runaway horse and spontaneous events that drive the plot forward.
- Holiday Fiction — Integrates Thanksgiving themes and settings into the storyline, making the holiday a pivotal element.
- Humor — Exhibits lighthearted dialogue and whimsical situations that add a comical tone to the narrative.
Tags
children's literature · classic · adventure · humor · family · rural · coming-of-age · imagination · whimsical · underdog · social commentary · historical
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