A Bunny Romance by Oliver Herford
"A Bunny Romance" by Oliver Herford is a whimsical poem that tells the story of a kingdom of bunnies where timidity is celebrated as a virtue. The Bunny King, concerned that peace has made his subjects too bold, announces a tournament to find the most timid bunny, with the prize being the hand of Princess Bunita. The bunnies, eager to prove their timidity, practice fainting and fleeing at the slightest provocation. On the day of the tournament, a hundred bunnies take off in a grand display of fright, each disappearing in different directions. The winner, who will eventually return first, is deemed the fastest and most timid, earning the princess's hand and the title of "Most Timid in the Land." The poem humorously subverts traditional notions of bravery and valor, celebrating fearfulness instead.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1915 · Genre: Fantasy, Humor, Satire · 614 words
First lines
The Bunnies are a feeble folk Whose weakness is their strength.
To shun a gun a Bun will run To almost any length.
What this Textopian page supports
A Bunny Romance is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Oliver Herford
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Satire, Parody, Fable
- Length: 614 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Bunny Romance by Oliver Herford
- 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 A Bunny Romance?
- How does this short story by Oliver Herford fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Genres
- Fantasy — The work features an anthropomorphic kingdom with bunnies and a medieval-style setting, establishing a fantastical atmosphere.
- Humor — The narrative is infused with wit, playful language, absurd scenarios, and a lighthearted tone.
- Satire — It mocks traditional heroic and romantic tropes by exaggerating the traits of its characters and settings.
- Parody — The piece imitates epic and chivalric motifs, exaggerating them for comedic effect.
Tags
romantic · whimsical · satirical · poetic · quirky · lighthearted · humorous · playful · charming · imaginative · cute · fanciful