The Capture of Father Time

Name: The Capture of Father Time
Author: L. Frank Baum

This story revolves around a young girl who discovers that her father has been kidnapped by Father Time and taken to the Land of Dreams. She sets out on a journey to rescue him with the help of a group of companions, including a talking clock and a fairy. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and creatures from mythology and folklore. The story explores themes of time, mortality, and the power of imagination.

By L. Frank Baum · First published 1909 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 3,293 words

First lines

Jim was the son of a cowboy, and lived on the broad plains of Arizona. His father had trained him to lasso a bronco or a young bull with perfect accuracy, and had Jim possessed the strength to back up his skill he would have been as good a cowboy as any in all Arizona.

When he was twelve years old he made his first visit to the east, where Uncle Charles, his father's brother, lived. Of course Jim took his lasso with him, for he was proud of his skill in casting it, and wanted to show his cousins what a cowboy could do.

What this Textopian page supports

The Capture of Father Time is listed on Textopian as a novella by L. Frank Baum, dated 1909 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novella
Author: L. Frank Baum
Date: 1909 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Humor, Allegory
Length: 3,293 words
Structure: 1 section, 85 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Capture of Father Time by L. Frank Baum
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Capture of Father Time?
How does this novella by L. Frank Baum fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements, such as the personification of Time and the ability to capture it, which are central to the plot.
Children's Literature — The story is aimed at a younger audience, featuring a child protagonist and themes of adventure and mischief.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with excitement and unexpected events, showcasing a sense of exploration.
Humor — The story contains comedic elements, particularly in the interactions between Jim and Father Time, as well as the consequences of Jim's actions.