The Bumblebee by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem describes a bumblebee's industrious nature and its importance to the ecosystem. It highlights the bee's busy activity, collecting nectar from flowers, and its role in pollination. The speaker reflects on the bee's humble yet vital contribution to the natural world.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor · 231 words
First lines
You better not fool with a Bumblebee! -- / Ef you don't think they can sting -- you'll see!
They're lazy to look at, an' kindo' go / Buzzin' an' bummin' aroun' so slow, / An' ac' so slouchy an' all fagged out, / Danglin' their legs as they drone about / The hollyhawks 'at they can't climb in / 'Ithout ist a-tumble-un out agin!
Wunst I watched one climb clean 'way / In a jim'son-blossom, I did, one day, -- / An' I ist grabbed it -- an' nen let go -- / An' "_Ooh-ooh! Honey! I told ye so! _"
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The playful tone and simple language suggest it is intended for a young audience.
- Humor — The narrative includes humorous elements, such as the playful warning and the character's reaction.
- Fable — The poem conveys a moral lesson about caution, similar to traditional fables.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · Nature · Insects · Imagination · Fantasy · Humor · Whimsy · Rhyme · Verse · Literary Fiction · American Literature
What this Textopian page supports
The Bumblebee is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 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: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor, Fable
- Length: 231 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Bumblebee by James Whitcomb Riley
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