The Hospitable Caledonian And The Thankless Viper

By Guy Wetmore Carryl

Fable
    A Caledonian piper     Who was walking on the wold     Nearly stepped upon a viper     Rendered torpid by the cold;     By the sight of her admonished,     He forbore to plant his boot,     But he showed he was astonished     By the way he muttered "Hoot!"     Now this simple-minded piper     Such a kindly nature had     That he lifted up the viper     And bestowed her in his plaid.     "Though the Scot is stern, at least he     No unhappy creature spurns,     'Sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,'"     Quoth the piper (quoting Burns).     This was unaffected kindness,     But there was, to state the fact,     Just a slight soupcon of blindness     In his charitable act.     If you'd watched the piper, shortly     You'd have seen him leap aloft,     As this snake, of ways uncourtly,     Bit him suddenly and oft.     There was really no excuse for     This, the viper's cruel work,     And the piper found a use for     Words he'd never learned at kirk;     But the biting was so thorough     That although the doctors tried,     Not the best in Edinburgh     Could assist him, and he died.     And THE MORAL is: The piper     Of the matter made a botch;     One can hardly blame the viper     If she took a nip of Scotch,     For she only did what he did,     And his nippie wasn't small,     Otherwise, you see, he needed     Not have seen the snake at all.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a narrative ballad with a dash of humor and a dose of moral lesson. The central themes appear to be kindness, naivety, and the ironies of life. The poem's tone is light, despite its tragic end, which is a testament to the poet's ability to balance humor with weightier themes.

The poem utilizes a consistent rhyming scheme (ABAB) and a regular rhythm, which contribute to its musical and engaging quality. The character of the piper is built up through his actions and reactions, from his initial astonishment at the snake to his ultimately fatal display of compassion.

Interestingly, the poet uses direct quotes from Robert Burns, a revered Scottish poet, deepening the cultural context and enhancing the piper’s character as a representative Scot. The twist in the tale comes when the piper's kindness backfires, leading to his demise. In the final stanza, the poet cleverly conveys a moral lesson, using humor and irony to underscore the unpredictability of life and the potential dangers of naivety.

The poem is rich in imagery and metaphor, with the viper symbolizing danger and the piper representing innocent, albeit misguided, kindness. The poet's use of language is playful yet significant, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions about the underlying messages of the poem.

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.