Mr. Hammond's Parable. the Dreamer
The story revolves around a young man who has lost his way and is struggling to find purpose in life. He meets an old man who shares with him a parable about the importance of living in the present moment, rather than dwelling on past regrets or worrying about future uncertainties. The old man tells the dreamer that he must learn to live like a tree, which stands tall and strong despite the changing seasons. The tree does not worry about the winter snows or the summer droughts; it simply exists in the present, rooted in its own strength and resilience. The parable serves as a reminder to the young man that true happiness and fulfillment can only be found by living in the moment, letting go of past sorrows and future fears.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Pastoral · 1,109 words
First lines
I. He was a Dreamer of the Days: Indolent as a lazy breeze Of midsummer, in idlest ways Lolling about in the shade of trees.
The farmer turned -- as he passed him by Under the hillside where he kneeled Plucking a flower -- with scornful eye And rode ahead in the harvest field Muttering -- "Lawz! ef that-air shirk Of a boy was mine fer a week er so, He'd quit _dreamin'_ and git to work And _airn_ his livin' -- er -- Well! _I_ know!"
What this Textopian page supports
Mr. Hammond's Parable. the Dreamer is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Pastoral, Philosophical, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 1,109 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mr. Hammond's Parable. the Dreamer by James Whitcomb Riley
- 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 Mr. Hammond's Parable. the Dreamer?
- How does this poem by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Nicholas Bindle by Edgar Lee Masters
- A Visit From The Cricket by Irving Sidney Dix
- The White Bees by Henry Van Dyke
- A Lazy Idle Brook by Henry Van Dyke
- The Christmas Box by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Fiction — The narrative presents a fictional story about a dreamer and his interactions with others.
- Pastoral — The setting and themes involve rural life and nature, typical of pastoral literature.
- Philosophical — The text explores themes of dreams, work, and understanding, prompting philosophical reflection.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · American Literature · 19th Century · Coming-of-Age · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Poetic Prose · Symbolism · Allegory · Dreams