A Riddle by Oliver Herford (1912)
The work presents a whimsical exploration of nature and the passage of time through the metaphor of three robbers who steal from a red rose. Each robber represents a different time of day: morning, evening, and night. The morning robber takes the dew (pearls), the evening robber takes the rose's treasures (perhaps its beauty or fragrance), and the night robber takes the petals, leaving the rose bare. This cycle illustrates the inevitability of change and loss in nature. In a separate scene, two woodland characters, Miss Bird and Mrs. Chipmunk, engage in a conversation about health and travel. Miss Bird expresses her need to travel south for her health, suggesting that Mrs. Chipmunk join her. However, Mrs. Chipmunk laments her lack of wings and the high cost of train fares, indicating her desire to escape but also her limitations. Their dialogue reflects themes of friendship, longing, and the constraints of their respective lives in the natural world. The juxtaposition of the robbers' actions with the conversation between the two characters highlights the transient nature of beauty and the challenges faced by creatures in their environment. The work captures a sense of nostalgia and the bittersweet reality of life's cycles, emphasizing both the beauty and the inevitability of change.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1912 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 546 words
First lines
They were three robbers; aye, And they robbed a red, red rose; And they came from out the sky, And they went where no man knows.
One came when the day was young, And rent the curtain gray Of mist that round her hung, And he stole her pearls away;
What this Textopian page supports
A Riddle is listed on Textopian as a poem by Oliver Herford, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Oliver Herford
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Nature Writing, Humor
- Length: 546 words
- Structure: 1 section, 29 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
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- The Mythological Zoo by Oliver Herford
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- Nature And Art by Oliver Herford
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The themes and playful language appeal to a younger audience, making it suitable for children's reading.
- Fantasy — The presence of anthropomorphized animals and whimsical elements suggests a fantasy genre.
- Nature Writing — The setting in the woods and references to natural elements indicate a focus on nature.
Tags
Poetry · Riddles · Wordplay · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Device · Metaphor · Simile · Alliteration · Assonance · Consonance