The Rich Boy's Christmas

By Ellis Parker Butler

Fable
    And now behold this sulking boy,     His costly presents bring no joy;     Harsh tears of anger fill his eye     Tho’ he has all that wealth can buy.     What profits it that he employs     His many gifts to make a noise?     His playroom is so placed that he     Can cause his folks no agony. Moral:     Mere worldly wealth does not possess     The power of giving happiness.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem presents a paradoxical scene of wealth and discontent, where a young boy, surrounded by material abundance, remains emotionally unfulfilled. The opening lines establish a stark contrast between the boy’s external privileges and his internal dissatisfaction, framed by the rhetorical question of what such possessions truly offer. The poem’s structure eleven lines of iambic tetrameter with a closing couplet creates a sense of inevitability in its moral, reinforcing the idea that material wealth cannot procure genuine happiness. The boy’s tears of anger, despite his playroom’s strategic isolation, underscore the futility of wealth in addressing deeper emotional needs. The final couplet distills the poem’s central argument with precision, rejecting the notion that possessions equate to contentment. Through this concise yet evocative portrayal, the poem critiques the hollow promise of materialism, suggesting that true fulfillment lies beyond mere worldly accumulation.

Understanding Fables

A fable is a timeless form of storytelling, typically featuring animals as characters that embody human traits, all while conveying a moral lesson. These short narratives have been used throughout history to impart wisdom, offering insights that remain relevant across generations.

Fables stand out for their simplicity and clarity, often concluding with a lesson that is easy to understand and remember. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Animal Characters: The main characters are often animals that represent human behaviors and characteristics, making the stories both engaging and relatable.
  • Concise Narrative: Fables are brief and focused, with each story centering around a single event or interaction that leads to a moral conclusion.
  • Moral Lesson: The purpose of a fable is to teach a lesson, which is usually stated clearly at the end, offering practical advice or ethical guidance.

From Aesop's ancient tales to modern adaptations, fables continue to be a powerful tool for education and moral reflection, resonating with audiences of all ages.