The Lambikin by Joseph Jacobs (1899)
A young lamb, full of joy, sets off to visit his Granny, encountering various predators along the way who express their desire to eat him. Each time, he cleverly responds that he is on his way to Granny's house to get fat, which convinces the predators to let him pass. Upon reaching his Granny's house, he requests to be put in a corn-bin to grow plump, which she obliges. After a week of feasting, he devises a plan to avoid being eaten on his return journey. He asks his Granny to make a drum out of his deceased brother's skin, allowing him to hide inside it. As he travels back, he encounters the same predators, who inquire about the lamb. He mischievously informs them that Lambikin has fallen into the fire, leading them to regret missing their chance to eat him. However, when the Jackal recognizes Lambikin's voice, he tears open the drum and eats him. The story concludes with a cautionary note about the consequences of cleverness and the dangers that lurk even for the seemingly innocent.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1899 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Fantasy · 897 words
First lines
Once upon a time there was a wee wee Lambikin, who frolicked about on his little tottery legs, and enjoyed himself amazingly.
Now one day he set off to visit his Granny, and was jumping with joy to think of all the good things he should get from her, when who should he meet but a Jackal, who looked at the tender young morsel and said: "Lambikin! Lambikin! I'll eat you!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Lambikin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph Jacobs, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Joseph Jacobs
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fable, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
- Length: 897 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lambikin by Joseph Jacobs
- 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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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Lambikin?
- How does this short story by Joseph Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Cat That Walked By Himself by Rudyard Kipling
- The Lion And The Crane by Joseph Jacobs
- Bird Found by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Young Giant by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Mirri The Cat by Parker Fillmore
- Tiktok And The Nome King by L. Frank Baum
Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is aimed at a young audience, featuring a whimsical character and a moral lesson.
- Fable — The narrative includes anthropomorphic animals and conveys a moral about cunning and consequences.
- Fantasy — The story contains fantastical elements, such as talking animals and a magical drumikin.
- Adventure — Lambikin's journey to Granny's house involves encounters with various predators, creating a sense of adventure.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Children's Literature · European Folklore · Animal Story · Fantasy · Magic Realism · Mythology · Symbolism · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Nature · Wilderness