The Bashful Earthquake
A personification of an earthquake grapples with the consequences of its destructive actions. Initially, the earthquake expresses regret and embarrassment after causing chaos and destruction, lamenting its rashness. It flees the scene, burdened by guilt and fatigue, seeking solace in a rural area. In this tranquil setting, the earthquake encounters a Dormouse, who is disturbed from its slumber by the lingering tremors. The Dormouse, irritated, demands to know who is disrupting its rest. The earthquake, now weak and remorseful, attempts to apologize but struggles to articulate its feelings. Ultimately, it fades away, leaving the Dormouse to grumble and return to sleep, dismissing the incident as a nuisance. The narrative explores themes of guilt, the impact of one's actions, and the contrast between chaos and tranquility. The earthquake's journey reflects an internal struggle with its identity and the consequences of its nature, while the Dormouse represents the mundane concerns of life, indifferent to the larger forces at play. The work employs humor and whimsy to convey deeper messages about responsibility and the nature of existence.
By Oliver Herford · First published 1910 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy · 481 words
First lines
_Crime, Wickedness, Villany, Vice, And Sin only misery bring; If you want to be Happy and Nice, Be good and all that sort of thing._
The Earthquake rumbled And mumbled And grumbled; And then he bumped, And everything tumbled -- Bumpyty-thump!
What this Textopian page supports
The Bashful Earthquake 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: Children's Literature, Poetry, Fantasy, Humor, Fable
- Length: 481 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Bashful Earthquake by Oliver Herford
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Bashful Earthquake?
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The poem features whimsical characters and a playful narrative style, appealing to a young audience.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing rhyme and rhythm, characteristic of poetic forms.
- Fantasy — The personification of the Earthquake and the Dormouse creates a fantastical setting that diverges from reality.
- Humor — The Earthquake's bashfulness and the absurdity of the situation contribute to a humorous tone.
Tags
Satire · Fiction · Humor · Earthquake · Disaster · Comedy · Literary Fiction · Social Commentary · Critique · Society · Culture · Human Nature