Wild Mice by John Burroughs (1867)
The story revolves around a group of wild mice that live in the walls and under the floorboards of an old house. The narrator observes their behavior and describes their social hierarchy, habits, and interactions with other animals. As the seasons change, the mice adapt to their environment, scavenging for food and avoiding predators. The narrator notes their intelligence and resourcefulness, as well as their capacity for affection and loyalty towards one another. The narrative is a detailed and intimate portrayal of the lives of these small creatures, highlighting their struggles and triumphs in their tiny world.
By John Burroughs · First published 1867 · Genre: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Essay · 3,543 words
First lines
One of the prettiest and most abundant of our native mice is the deer mouse, also called the white-footed mouse; a very beautiful creature, nocturnal in his habits, with large ears, and large, fine eyes full of a wild, harmless look. He is daintily marked, with white feet and a white belly. When disturbed by day he is very easily captured, having none of the cunning or viciousness of the common Old World mouse. He is found in both fields and woods.
What this Textopian page supports
Wild Mice is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Burroughs, dated 1867 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: John Burroughs
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Nature Writing, Non-Fiction, Essay, Wildlife Observation, Memoir
- Length: 3,543 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Wild Mice by John Burroughs
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Nature Writing — The work focuses on the detailed observations of mice in their natural habitat, emphasizing their behaviors and interactions with the environment.
- Non-Fiction — The text presents factual information about various species of mice, their habits, and ecological roles.
- Essay — The narrative is structured as a reflective essay, exploring themes of nature and wildlife through personal anecdotes.
- Wildlife Observation — The content is centered around the author's observations of wildlife, particularly focusing on the lives of mice.
Tags
Nature Writing · American Literature · Memoir · Autobiography · Wildlife · Animals · Conservation · Environment · Outdoor Adventure · Travelogue · Personal Narrative · Observational Writing