The Wond'Rous Wise Man
This work is a collection of short stories and essays that explore themes of morality, wisdom, and the human condition. The narrative voice is that of a wise old man who shares his insights on various aspects of life, including love, friendship, and the nature of good and evil. Through a series of anecdotes and parables, he offers guidance to those seeking wisdom and self-improvement.
By L. Frank Baum · First published 1905 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Humor · 2,015 words
First lines
There was a man in our town And he was wond'rous wise; He jumped into a bramble bush And scratched out both his eyes. And when he saw his eyes were out, With all his might and main He jumped into another bush And scratched them in again!
OUR town is a quiet little town, and lies nestling in a little valley surrounded by pretty green hills. I do not think you would ever have heard our town mentioned had not the man lived there who was so wise that everyone marvelled at his great knowledge.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wond'Rous Wise Man is listed on Textopian as a novella by L. Frank Baum, dated 1905 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: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Humor, Fable, Adventure
- Length: 2,015 words
- Structure: 1 section, 61 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wond'Rous Wise Man by L. Frank Baum
- 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 The Wond'Rous Wise Man?
- How does this novella by L. Frank Baum fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Wizard Performs Another Trick by L. Frank Baum
- The Cowardly Lion And The Hungry Tiger by L. Frank Baum
- The Piece Of Wood That Laughed And Cried Like A Child by Carlo Collodi
- Second Nature by Edith Nesbit
- The Beginning Of The Armadillos by Rudyard Kipling
- The Elephants Child by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Children's Literature — The narrative is structured to entertain and educate children, featuring a wise protagonist and simple, humorous situations.
- Fantasy — The story includes whimsical elements and a fantastical portrayal of wisdom, with exaggerated characters and events.
- Humor — The plot relies on comedic situations and clever wordplay, particularly through the misunderstandings of the wise man.
- Fable — The story conveys moral lessons about wisdom and understanding through the character's experiences.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Children's Literature · Classic Novel · Mystery · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Fable · Allegory · Philosophy · Morality Tale
More by L. Frank Baum
- The Enchanted Buffalo (1919)
- The Tigers Eye: A Jungle Fairy Tale (1902)
- A Kidnapped Santa Claus (1902)
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
- Tip Manufactures a Pumpkinhead (1906)
- The Marvelous Powder of Life (1905)
- The Flight of the Fugitives (1907)
- Tip Makes an Experiment in Magic (1903)
- All works by L. Frank Baum