O'Reilly's Billy-Goat
The story revolves around a young boy who befriends a goat and learns valuable lessons about responsibility and the importance of taking care of others. The boy's relationship with the goat serves as a catalyst for his growth into a more mature and compassionate individual.
By Joseph C. Lincoln · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Sports Fiction · 626 words
First lines
A solemn Sabbath stillness lies along the Mudville lanes, Among the crags of Shantytown a peaceful quiet reigns, For down upon McCarty's dump, in fiery fight for fame, The Shanties meet the Mudvilles in the final pennant game; And heedless of the frantic fray, in center field remote, Behind the biggest ash-heap lies O'Reilly's billy-goat.
What this Textopian page supports
O'Reilly's Billy-Goat is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joseph C. Lincoln, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Joseph C. Lincoln
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Sports Fiction, Satire, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 626 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for O'Reilly's Billy-Goat by Joseph C. Lincoln
- 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 O'Reilly's Billy-Goat?
- How does this poem by Joseph C. Lincoln fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- When Jack And Jill Took A Hand by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- The Marmozet by Hilaire Belloc
- The Hydrant Headed Monster by Oliver Herford
- The Horse by Oliver Herford
- The Dog Star by Joseph C. Lincoln
- The Pet Coon by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The narrative features comedic elements, particularly through the antics of the billy-goat and the absurdity of the baseball game.
- Sports Fiction — The plot revolves around a baseball game, highlighting themes of competition and camaraderie in a sports setting.
- Satire — The work critiques social dynamics and sports culture, using humor to reflect on human behavior.
Tags
Children's Literature · Fiction · Novel · Classic · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Coming of Age · Young Adult Fiction · Animal Story · Friendship · Growing Up