The Twins by James Whitcomb Riley
The story revolves around two young girls who are identical twins and share a deep bond. They live with their mother, who is struggling to make ends meet after the death of their father. The twins' lives take a dramatic turn when they discover that they have inherited a large sum of money from a distant relative.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1880 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Family · 272 words
First lines
One 's the pictur' of his Pa, And the _other_ of her Ma -- Jes the bossest pair o' babies 'at a mortal ever saw!
And we love 'em as the bees Loves the blossoms of the trees, A-ridin' and a-rompin' in the breeze!
One's got her Mammy's eyes -- Soft and blue as Apurl-skies -- With the same sort of a smile, like -- Yes, and mouth about her size, -- Dimples, too, in cheek and chin, 'At my lips jes _wallers_ in, A-goin' to work, er gittin' home agin.
And the _other_ -- Well, they say That he's got his Daddy's way O' bein' ruther soberfied, er ruther extry gay, -- That he either cries his best, Er he laughs his howlin'est -- Like all he lacked was buttons and a vest!
What this Textopian page supports
The Twins is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1880 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: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Family, Humor
- Length: 272 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The themes and language are simple and playful, appealing to a younger audience.
- Family — The content focuses on familial relationships and the affection between parents and children.
- Humor — The playful tone and descriptions of the children's antics provide a humorous element.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Children's Literature · Twins · Sibling Relationship · Family Dynamics · Coming of Age · Nostalgia · Rural Setting · Indiana · Midwestern United States · 19th Century