Give US Rain by Robert Graves (1920)
Give Us Rain is a novel by Robert Graves, first published in 1934. It tells the story of a small village in the English countryside, and the struggles of its inhabitants to survive in the face of a long drought. The villagers are desperate for rain, and their prayers are answered when a mysterious stranger arrives in the village. He brings with him a strange power that can bring rain, but at a price. As the villagers grapple with the consequences of their bargain, they must also confront the secrets of their past and the darkness that lies within. The novel is a powerful exploration of faith, superstition, and the power of nature.
By Robert Graves · First published 1920 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama · 79 words
First lines
"Give us Rain, Rain," said the bean and the pea,
"Not so much Sun,
Not so much Sun." But the Sun smiles bravely and encouragingly, And no rain falls and no waters run.
"Give us Peace, Peace," said the peoples oppressed, "Not so many Flags, Not so many Flags." But the Flags fly and the Drums beat, denying rest, And the children starve, they shiver in rags.
What this Textopian page supports
Give US Rain is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert Graves, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Robert Graves
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance
- Length: 79 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Give US Rain by Robert Graves
- 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 Give US Rain?
- How does this short story by Robert Graves fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book is written by Robert Graves, a renowned literary fiction author, and the title suggests a focus on the emotions and feelings of the characters in the book.
- Historical Fiction — The title implies a focus on a particular time period, and the author is known for writing historical fiction.
- Drama — The title implies a focus on the emotions and feelings of the characters in the book, which is a common theme in drama.
- Romance — The title implies a focus on the emotions and feelings of the characters in the book, which is a common theme in romance.
Tags
poetry · nature · rain · human experience · emotions · spirituality · mythology · existentialism · life cycles · transformation · suffering · hope