Author: Guy Wetmore Carryl

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    A woodcutter bought him a gander,
    Or at least that was what he supposed,
    As a matter of fact, 'twas a slander
    As a later occurrence disclosed;
    For they locked the bird up in the garret
    To fatten, the while it grew old,
    And it laid there a twenty-two carat
    Fine egg of the purest of gold!

    There was much unaffected rejoicing
    In the home of the woodcutter then,
    And his wife, her exuberance voicing,
    Proclaimed him most lucky of men.
    "'Tis an omen of fortune, this gold egg,"
    She said, "and of practical use,
    For this fowl doesn't lay any old egg,
    She's a highly superior goose."

    Twas this creature's habitual custom,
    This laying of superfine eggs,
    And they made it their practice to dust 'em
    And pack them by dozens in kegs:
    But the woodcutter's mind being vapid
    And his foolishness more than profuse,
    In order to get them more rapid
    He slaughtered the innocent goose.

    He made her a gruel of acid
    Which she very obligingly ate,
    And at once with a touchingly placid
    Demeanor succumbed to her fate.
    With affection that passed the platonic
    They buried her under the moss,
    And her epitaph wasn't ironic
    In stating, "We mourn for our loss."

    And THE MORAL: It isn't much use,
    As the woodcutter found to be true,
    To lay for an innocent goose
    Just because she is laying for you.

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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: The poem provides a playful, yet profound narrative that explores themes of greed, shortsightedness, and the unforeseen consequences of our actions. The tone is both lighthearted and satirical, using the story of the woodcutter and his golden-egg-laying goose as an allegory to illustrate the pitfalls of greed and impatience.

The structure of the poem is quite traditional, adhering to a consistent rhyme scheme, which imparts a rhythmic and engaging quality to the narrative. The use of humor and irony, particularly in the climactic scene where the woodcutter kills the goose and subsequently loses his source of fortune, serves as an effective literary device to underscore the moral of the story. The poet's use of understatement and irony in lines like "'Tis an omen of fortune, this gold egg," and "In order to get them more rapid, He slaughtered the innocent goose," highlights the foolishness of hasty actions motivated by greed.

The final stanza of the poem serves as a poignant moral lesson, reminding readers of the futility of exploiting a good thing without consideration for the future. The play on words in the last two lines, "To lay for an innocent goose, Just because she is laying for you," cleverly wraps up the narrative and reinforces the moral lesson. Overall, the poem offers a cautionary tale about greed and impatience, delivered in a humorous and accessible manner that appeals to a broad audience.