The Trippertrots in a Grocery Wagon
The story follows the imaginative and adventurous Trippertrot siblings: Mary, Johnny, and Tommy. After playing a game called "Please Don't Step on My Toes," they decide to engage in a make-believe game of choosing objects they see from their window. Mary chooses a red automobile, Tommy picks a box of candy, and Johnny selects a fruit stand. They pretend to embark on a fantastical journey in their imaginary car, visiting places like New York, Osh-Kosh, and even the moon, all while remaining in their living room. Their imaginative play is interrupted when they notice a grocery wagon with a horse walking unattended down the street. Concerned that the horse might cause damage or get lost, the children decide to intervene. Despite their mother's instructions not to leave the house unless something extraordinary happens, they deem this situation special enough to act. The Trippertrots manage to catch up with the horse and stop it. However, they face a dilemma as none of them can read the name on the wagon to identify the owner. They decide to tie the horse to a post and inform their father, but they lack a proper strap. While searching the wagon for a strap, the horse starts moving again, taking the children with it. As the horse pulls the wagon down the street, the children realize they are being taken away from home. Despite their attempts to stop the horse, it continues, and they find themselves on an unintended adventure. The story captures the children's innocence, bravery, and the unintended consequences of their actions, as they navigate the challenges of their unexpected journey.
By Howard R. Garis · First published 1912 · Genre: Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 2,225 words
First lines
"Well, what game shall we play now? " asked Mary Trippertrot, of her brothers Johnny and Tommy, when they had finished playing the one called "Please Don't Step on My Toes. " It was a game Mary made up herself, and was very nice.
"Oh, I don't know," answered Tommy. "Suppose we play ‘Hide the Knitting Needle'?"
Genres
- Children's Fiction — The narrative centers on imaginative adventures of young children engaging in playful, fantastical scenarios within a domestic setting.
- Fantasy — The story transforms ordinary objects into vehicles for surreal journeys, creating a whimsical, make-believe world.
- Adventure — The plot follows the children's daring pursuit to retrieve a runaway wagon, mimicking the structure of an adventurous escapade.
- Humor — The playful dialogue and absurd situations contribute to a light-hearted, humorous tone throughout the narrative.
Tags
children's literature · adventure · humorous · whimsical · imaginative · lighthearted · journey · travel · family · animals · vintage · classic
What this Textopian page supports
The Trippertrots in a Grocery Wagon 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 Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor, Domestic Fiction
- Length: 2,225 words
- Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trippertrots in a Grocery Wagon 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
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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