The Silly Old Man
A silly old man sets out to pay his rent, cheerfully singing along the way. He encounters a gentleman thief who attempts to rob him. The old man, dismissive of the threat, reveals that his money is cleverly hidden in his saddle. When the thief demands the money, the old man tricks him by tossing his saddle over a hedge, prompting the thief to destroy it in his greed. Seizing the opportunity, the old man switches to the thief's horse and rides off to pay his rent. Upon reaching his landlord, the old man discovers a fortune in the thief's belongings, including substantial amounts of silver and gold. After settling his rent, he returns home to find his old mare tied up. He frees her and heads back, where he is joyfully welcomed by his daughter and wife. The family celebrates with happiness, and the old man continues to sing, embodying a spirit of resilience and cleverness despite his age. The narrative highlights themes of wit, resourcefulness, and the joy of family, all wrapped in a light-hearted, humorous tone.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1910 · Genre: Folk Tale, Humor, Ballad · 725 words
First lines
H. F. S. [Music]
1. Aw! Come now, I'll sing you a song, 'Tis a song of right merry intent, Concerning a silly old man, Who went for to pay his rent, Singing, Too-ra-la-loo-ra-loo.
What this Textopian page supports
The Silly Old Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, 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: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Folk Tale, Humor, Ballad, Adventure, Comedy
- Length: 725 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Silly Old Man by Sabine Baring-Gould
- 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 The Silly Old Man?
- How does this short story by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Folk Tale first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Old Wichet by Sabine Baring Gould
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- Green Broom by Sabine Baring Gould
- His Imagination by Ring Lardner
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Genres
- Folk Tale — The narrative structure and themes reflect traditional folk tales, featuring a simple protagonist and moral lessons.
- Humor — The story employs humor through the character of the silly old man and his interactions with the thief.
- Ballad — The poem's lyrical quality and storytelling format align with the characteristics of a ballad.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and encounters with a thief, embodying elements of adventure.
Tags
humor · folklore · narrative · poetry · adventure · old man · thief · cunning · saddle · landlord · rent · riding