How the First Letter was Written
In a prehistoric setting, a Neolithic man named Tegumai Bopsulai, his wife Teshumai Tewindrow, and their daughter Taffimai Metallumai live a simple life. Tegumai, while fishing with Taffy, accidentally breaks his spear and realizes he has no spare. Taffy suggests sending a message home, but they lack the ability to write. A stranger from a different tribe appears, and Taffy attempts to communicate her need for a spear by drawing pictures on a piece of birch bark, using a shark's tooth as a tool. Taffy's drawings depict her father, the broken spear, and a path to their home, but the stranger misinterprets the images, believing Tegumai is in danger. He rushes to Teshumai, who, upon seeing the drawing, panics and gathers the tribe to rescue Tegumai. The tribe arrives at the river, disrupting Tegumai's fishing and causing confusion. Taffy explains her intentions, clarifying that her drawings were meant to request a spear, not to indicate danger. The tribe learns the importance of clear communication, and Taffy's innocent mistake leads to the realization of the concept of writing. The chief praises Taffy for her creativity, suggesting that one day, people will develop a system of letters to convey messages accurately. The story concludes with the tribe adopting the stranger and reflecting on the significance of Taffy's drawings, which mark the beginning of written communication.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1888 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure · 4,398 words
First lines
Once upon a most early time was a Neolithic man. He was not a Jute or an Angle, or even a Dravidian, which he might well have been, Best Beloved, but never mind why. He was a Primitive, and he lived cavily in a Cave, and he wore very few clothes, and he couldn't read and he couldn't write and he didn't want to, and except when he was hungry he was quite happy. His name was Tegumai Bopsulai, and that means, "Man-who-does-not-put-his-foot-forward-in-a-hurry"; but we, O Best Beloved, will call him Tegumai, for short. And his wife's name was Teshumai Tewindrow, and that means, "Lady-who-asks-a-very-many-questions"; but we, O Best Beloved, will call her Teshumai, for short. And his little girl-daughter's name was Taffimai Metallumai, and that means, "Small-person-without-any-manners-who-ought-to-be-spanked"; but I'm going to call her Taffy. And she was Tegumai Bopsulai's Best Beloved and her own Mummy's Best Beloved, and she was not spanked half as much as was good for her; and they were all three very happy. As soon as Taffy could run about she went everywhere with her Daddy Tegumai, and sometimes they would not come home to the Cave till they were hungry, and then Teshumai Tewindrow would say, "Where in the world have you two been to, to get so shocking dirty? Really, my Tegumai, you're no better than my Taffy."
What this Textopian page supports
How the First Letter was Written is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor, Fable
- Length: 4,398 words
- Structure: 1 section, 56 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How the First Letter was Written by Rudyard Kipling
- 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 How the First Letter was Written?
- How does this short story by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Mandarin And The Butterfly by L. Frank Baum
- The Story Of The Fox Brush by James Branch Cabell
- Circes Palace by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Of Skarl The Drummer by Lord Dunsany
- The Bird Man by Oliver Herford
- Behram And Eddetma by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is aimed at a young audience, featuring child characters and themes of imagination and learning.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes elements of a fantastical past, with Neolithic characters and imaginative scenarios.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and a quest to solve a problem, showcasing adventure elements.
- Humor — The story contains comedic elements, particularly in the misunderstandings and interactions between characters.
Tags
Fiction · Literary Fiction · Short Story Collection · Classic Literature · British Literature · 19th Century Literature · Adventure · Fantasy · Mythology · Symbolism · Allegory · Coming of Age