The Little Man and his Little Gun

Name: The Little Man and his Little Gun
Author: L. Frank Baum

This story revolves around a young boy who discovers a magical gun that can bring anything he imagines into existence. However, the gun's power comes with unintended consequences, and the boy must learn to control it before chaos erupts in his life.

By L. Frank Baum · First published 1904 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Humor · 2,000 words

First lines

There was a little man and he had a little gun, And the bullets were made of lead, lead, lead. He went to the brook and shot a little duck, And the bullet went right through its head, head, head.

THERE was once a little man named Jimson, who had stopped growing when he was a boy, and never started again. So, although he was old enough to be a man he was hardly big enough, and had he not owned a bald head and gray whiskers you would certainly have taken him for a boy whenever you saw him.

What this Textopian page supports

The Little Man and his Little Gun is listed on Textopian as a short story by L. Frank Baum, dated 1904 CE.

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

Work type: Short story
Author: L. Frank Baum
Date: 1904 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Fable, Humor, Fantasy, Adventure
Length: 2,000 words
Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Little Man and his Little Gun 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

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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The narrative is simple and engaging, aimed at a young audience with themes of adventure and humor.
Fable — The story conveys a moral lesson about pride and the consequences of one's actions, typical of fables.
Humor — The comedic elements, including the little man's misadventures and misunderstandings, provide humor throughout the story.
Fantasy — The whimsical nature of the characters and situations, such as a man with a little gun, adds a fantastical element.