Author: Guy Wetmore Carryl

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    A fisherman lived on the shore,
    (It's a habit that fishers affect,)
    And his life was a hideous bore:
    He had nothing to do but collect
    Continual harvests of seaweed and shells,
    Which he stuck upon photograph frames,
    To sell to the guests in the summer hotels
    With the quite inappropriate names!

    He would wander along by the edge
    Of the sea, and I know for a fact
    From the pools with a portable dredge
    He would curious creatures extract:
    And, during the season, he always took lots
    Of tourists out fishing for bass,
    And showed them politely impossible spots,
    In the culpable way of his class.

    It happened one day, as afar
    He roved on the glistening strand,
    That he chanced on a curious jar,
    Which lay on a hummock of sand.
    It was closed at the mouth with a cork and a seal,
    And over the top there was tied
    A cloth, and the fisherman couldn't but feel
    That he ought to see what was inside.]

    But what were his fear and surprise
    When the stopper he held in his hand!
    For a genie of singular size
    Appeared in a trice on the sand,
    Who said in the roughest and rudest of tones:
    "A monster you've foolishly freed!
    I shall simply make way with you, body and bones,
    And that with phenomenal speed!"

    The fisherman looked in his face,
    And answered him boldly: "My friend,
    How you ever were packed in that space
    Is something I don't comprehend.
    Pray do me the favor to show me how you
    Can do it, as large as you are."
    The genie retorted: "That's just what I'll do!"
    And promptly rentered the jar.

    The fisherman corked him up tight:
    The genie protested and raved,
    But for all he accomplished, he might
    As well all his shouting have saved.
    And, whenever a generous bonus is paid,
    The fisherman willingly tells
    The singular tale of this trick that he played,
    To the guests in the summer hotels.


    The Moral: When fortune you strike,
    And you've slipped through a dangerous crack,
    Get as forward as ever you like,
    But never, oh, never get back!

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Type of Poem: Fable

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a humorous narrative that captures the daily life of a fisherman, his unexpected encounter with a genie, and the wisdom he gains from this interaction. The central themes include monotonous routine, chance encounters, cunning, and the balance of audacity and caution. The tone is light-hearted, even during moments of potential danger, which serves to underscore the poem's playful nature.

Structurally, the poem is composed of eight quatrains with a clear rhyme scheme, making it approachable and engaging. One key literary device used is irony, seen in the fisherman's clever manipulation of the powerful genie. The poet also uses vivid imagery, particularly in the descriptions of the fisherman's routine and the seaside setting, which gives the reader a clear visual understanding of the narrative.

In terms of tone, the poet's use of colloquial language and the parenthetical asides creates a conversational, informal feel. This invites the reader into the story, making it feel as though the poet is sharing a personal anecdote rather than a fabricated tale. The inclusion of a moral at the end lends a fable-like quality to the poem, giving it a traditional, timeless feel. The moral encourages audacity in the face of good fortune, but also a wise caution to avoid retracing one's risky steps, a valuable lesson delivered through the enjoyable tale of the fisherman's cunning encounter with the genie.