Uncle Wiggily and the Lightning Bug
Uncle Wiggily, a rabbit gentleman, is playing tag with Baby Bunty, a little rabbit girl, at his hollow stump bungalow. Despite feeling stiff, Uncle Wiggily chases Bunty, which helps him feel better. They set off for an adventure in the woods, speculating about encounters with the skillery-scalery alligator or the bad Pipsisewah. Suddenly, they hear a voice lamenting being stuck in a sassafras tree. It turns out to be a lightning bug caught in sticky gum. Uncle Wiggily and Baby Bunty free the bug, who promises to help them if needed. As they continue their journey, it grows dark, and they realize they are lost. Baby Bunty fears the Pipsisewah will find them. Uncle Wiggily attempts to light a fire for safety but lacks matches. As the Pipsisewah approaches, a swarm of lightning bugs, led by the one they helped, arrives and illuminates the area, creating the illusion of a bonfire. The Pipsisewah, deterred by the light, retreats. The lightning bugs guide Uncle Wiggily and Baby Bunty back home, fulfilling their promise to help.
By Howard R. Garis · First published 1902 · Genre: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Fantasy · 1,193 words
First lines
"Tag! You're it! " cried Baby Bunty, the little rabbit girl, one morning, as she ran around on the porch of the hollow stump bungalow and tapped Uncle Wiggily on his tall silk hat with her paw.
"Oh, dear! Now I suppose I've got to chase you! " exclaimed the rabbit gentleman, as he started his pink nose to twinkling. "And I'm so stiff I can hardly run this morning!"
What this Textopian page supports
Uncle Wiggily and the Lightning Bug is listed on Textopian as a short story by Howard R. Garis, 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: Howard R. Garis
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Animal Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Fable
- Length: 1,193 words
- Structure: 1 section, 41 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Uncle Wiggily and the Lightning Bug 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Uncle Wiggily and the Lightning Bug?
- How does this short story by Howard R. Garis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Genres
- Children's Literature — Tailored for young readers with simple language, engaging animal characters, and accessible themes.
- Animal Fiction — Centers on anthropomorphic animals whose adventures and interactions form the core of the narrative.
- Fantasy — Incorporates magical realism with talking animals and whimsical events that transcend natural laws.
- Adventure — Features a journey and unexpected encounters that drive the plot forward.
Tags
children's literature · classic · fantasy · whimsical · adventure · fable · animal tale · insects · imagination · storybook · quirky · moral lesson
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