The Little Red Ribbon
This poem is a nostalgic and sentimental tribute to childhood innocence and the passing of time. It describes a young girl's ribbon that has been lost, symbolizing her lost youth and carefree days. The speaker reflects on how quickly life slips away, leaving only memories behind.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1875 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Melancholy · 204 words
First lines
The little red ribbon, the ring and the rose! The summer-time comes, and the summer-time goes- And never a blossom in all of the land As white as the gleam of her beckoning hand!
The long winter months, and the glare of the snows; The little red ribbon, the ring and the rose! And never a glimmer of sun in the skies As bright as the light of her glorious eyes!
Dreams only are true; but they fade and are gone- For her face is not here when I waken at dawn; The little red ribbon, the ring and the rose _Mine_ only; _hers_ only the dream and repose.
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Red Ribbon is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1875 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1875 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Melancholy, Symbolism
- Length: 204 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Little Red Ribbon 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 The Little Red Ribbon?
- How does this short story by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Curly Locks by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Circus Parade by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Snails Dream by Oliver Herford
- The First Bluebird by James Whitcomb Riley
- Little Maid O Dreams by James Whitcomb Riley
- Where Shall We Land Rhymes Of Rainy Days by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with a rhythmic and lyrical quality, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The themes of love, longing, and emotional connection are central to the narrative.
- Melancholy — The tone and themes reflect a sense of sadness and yearning, focusing on unfulfilled desires.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols like the ribbon, ring, and rose convey deeper meanings related to love and memory.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry · Nursery Rhyme · Folklore · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Classic Children's Book · Rhyming Verse · Storytelling · Imagination · Fantasy · Adventure