What the Rattlesnake Said

By Vachel Lindsay

Fable
(Moon Poems for the Children/Fairy-tales for the Children)          The moon's a little prairie-dog.          He shivers through the night.          He sits upon his hill and cries          For fear that I will bite.          The sun's a broncho.    He's afraid          Like every other thing,          And trembles, morning, noon and night,          Lest I should spring, and sting.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem employs a playful personification of celestial bodies, casting the moon and sun as characters in a grand cosmic drama. The moon is likened to a "little prairie-dog," shivering and crying, while the sun is depicted as a "broncho," trembling in fear. This anthropomorphization serves to create a sense of intimacy and relatability between the reader and these distant celestial bodies, transforming the abstract and distant into something tangible and familiar.

The overall tone of the poem is whimsical and fantastical, evoking a sense of playful fear that is often present in children's fairy tales. The structure of the poem, comprised of two stanzas, each dedicated to the moon and sun respectively, creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The repetition of the animals' fear across both stanzas also underscores the theme of fear and its universality, affecting everything from small prairie-dogs to the mighty sun. Despite its whimsical tone, the poem subtly addresses deeper themes of fear, power, and the inherent vulnerability of living creatures. In its simplicity, it manages to capture the essence of these universal experiences, making it accessible and engaging for readers of all ages.

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.