When we First Played "Show"
The poem describes a childhood game where children take turns showing off their skills and abilities, with the last one standing being declared the winner. The speaker reflects on how this game was a precursor to adulthood, where individuals must continually prove themselves in order to succeed.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1880 · Genre: Poetry, Nostalgia, Children's Literature · 449 words
First lines
Wasn't it a good time, / Long Time Ago -- / When we all were little tads / And first played "Show"! -- / When every newer day / Wore as bright a glow / As the ones we laughed away -- / Long Time Ago!
Calf was in the back-lot; / Clover in the red; / Bluebird in the pear-tree; / Pigeons on the shed; / Tom a-chargin' twenty pins / At the barn; and Dan / Spraddled out just like "The / 'Injarubber'-Man!"
What this Textopian page supports
When we First Played "Show" is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nostalgia, Children's Literature, Humor, American Literature
- Length: 449 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for When we First Played "Show" 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
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Similar titles
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- The Old Home Folks by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Funny Little Fellow by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Plaint Human by James Whitcomb Riley
- The Trestle And The Buck Saw by James Whitcomb Riley
- Brudder Sims by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nostalgia — The themes revolve around reminiscing about childhood and the past, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
- Children's Literature — The content focuses on childhood experiences and play, appealing to themes common in children's literature.
- Humor — The playful and lighthearted depiction of childhood antics suggests an element of humor.
Tags
Nostalgia · Poetry · Childhood Memories · Literary Classic · American Literature · 19th Century · Autobiographical · Coming of Age · Friendship · Youthful Innocence · Playfulness · Imagination