Three Wise Men of Gotham
The story revolves around three men who are considered wise due to their ability to solve problems and make decisions that benefit the community. However, they are also known for their foolishness in everyday life. The tale explores how these contradictions coexist within them.
By L. Frank Baum · First published 1869 · Genre: Satire, Fable, Fantasy · 2,688 words
First lines
Three Wise Men of Gotham Went to sea in a bowl. If the bowl had been stronger My tale had been longer.
What this Textopian page supports
Three Wise Men of Gotham is listed on Textopian as a short story by L. Frank Baum, dated 1869 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: 1869 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Fable, Fantasy, Humor, Children's Literature
- Length: 2,688 words
- Structure: 1 section, 91 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Three Wise Men of Gotham 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 Three Wise Men of Gotham?
- How does this short story by L. Frank Baum fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Superlatives by O. Henry
- The Portuguese Duck by Hans Christian Andersen
- In The Duck Yard by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Storks by Hans Christian Andersen
- Three Men Of Gotham by James Baldwin
- Getting At The Facts by O. Henry
Genres
- Satire — The work critiques the concept of wisdom and societal perceptions of intelligence through humorous exaggeration.
- Fable — It conveys moral lessons about appearances versus reality and the folly of human nature.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes whimsical elements, such as wise men and a journey at sea in a bowl.
- Humor — The absurdity of the characters and their situations elicits laughter and amusement.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Social Commentary · Humor · Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Short Story Collection · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Children's Literature · Allegory · Critique of Society
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