Sir Ippykin by Oliver Herford (1910)
A knight, renowned for his bravery, faces a daunting challenge: a fearsome giant named Graft, who has a bounty on his head. The knight, despite his reputation, grapples with an internal conflict fueled by fear of both the giant and the consequences of victory. A mocking thought suggests that his true fear lies in the potential obligation to marry a princess, whom he does not love, should he succeed in defeating the giant. Determined to resolve this dilemma, the knight devises a plan. He approaches the giant, and their encounter leads to an unexpected agreement. Instead of a deadly confrontation, they establish a peculiar arrangement where the knight provides the giant with sheep weekly, and in return, they engage in mock battles that entertain the king. This unconventional solution allows the knight to avoid the marriage he dreads while keeping the giant at bay. Ultimately, both the knight and the giant find a way to coexist, leading to a life of comfort for the knight and his beloved, while the giant remains well-fed and content. The story concludes with the knight and his love living happily ever after, while the giant continues to thrive, illustrating themes of cleverness, fear, and the absurdity of traditional heroism.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1910 · Genre: Fantasy, Poetry, Humor · 431 words
First lines
Grim Giant Graft sate in his cavern dim; A king's reward was offered for him dead. He scowled to think it could not come to him, That price upon his head.
Of all his foes he dreaded only one, A knight of stalwart heart and spotless fame, Who feared no creature underneath the sun -- Sir Ippykin his name.
What this Textopian page supports
Sir Ippykin is listed on Textopian as a short story by Oliver Herford, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Poetry, Humor, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 431 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sir Ippykin 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 Sir Ippykin?
- How does this short story by Oliver Herford fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Atalanta In Camden Town by Lewis Carroll
- Other Wise Men Of Gotham by James Baldwin
- Algernon by Hilaire Belloc
- The Fatuous Flower by Oliver Herford
- Mrs Seymour Fentolin by Oliver Herford
- Uncle Bob Indignant by Norman Gale
Genres
- Fantasy — The story features mythical elements such as a giant and a knight, typical of the fantasy genre.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The narrative contains comedic elements and a light-hearted tone, particularly in the interactions between the knight and the giant.
- Adventure — The plot involves a quest to confront a giant, aligning with adventure themes.
Tags
Satire · Fiction · Humor · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · English Literature · 19th Century Literature · Novel · Comedy of Manners · Class Satire · Social Class · Upper Class