Author: Guy Wetmore Carryl

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    A bulrush stood on a river's rim,
    And an oak that grew near by
    Looked down with cold hauteur on him,
    And addressed him this way: "Hi!"
    The rush was a proud patrician, and
    He retorted, "Don't you know,
    What the veriest boor should understand,
    That 'Hi' is low?"

    This cutting rebuke the oak ignored.
    He returned, "My slender friend,
    I will frankly state that I'm somewhat bored
    With the way you bow and bend."
    "But you quite forget," the rush replied,
    "It's an art these bows to do,
    An art I wouldn't attempt if I'd
    Such boughs as you."

    "Of course," said the oak, "in my sapling days
    My habit it was to bow,
    But the wildest storm that the winds could raise
    Would never disturb me now.
    I challenge the breeze to make me bend,
    And the blast to make me sway."
    The shrewd little bulrush answered, "Friend,
    Don't get so gay."

    And the words had barely left his mouth
    When he saw the oak turn pale,
    For, racing along south-east-by-south,
    Came ripping a raging gale.
    And the rush bent low as the storm went past,
    But stiffly stood the oak,
    Though not for long, for he found the blast
    No idle joke.


    Imagine the lightning's gleaming bars,
    Imagine the thunder's roar,
    For that is exactly what eight stars
    Are set in a row here for!
    The oak lay prone when the storm was done,
    While the rush, still quite erect,
    Remarked aside, "What under the sun
    Could one expect?"

    And THE MORAL, I'd have you understand,
    Would have made La Fontaine blush,
    For it's this: Some storms come early, and
    Avoid the rush!

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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 employs anthropomorphism and the fable structure to deliver a moralistic tale of pride, adaptability and humility. The primary characters are a bulrush and an oak, representing two distinct attitudes towards change and challenges. The oak, embodying arrogance and rigidity, stands in contrast to the adaptable and humble bulrush. The theme of adaptability in the face of change is effectively conveyed through the interaction between these characters.

The poem's tone is conversational and humorously ironic, enabling readers to connect with the message without feeling preached at. The poet employs a simple AABB rhyme scheme, creating a rhythmic, flowing narrative that is enjoyable to read. Notably, the poet uses clever wordplay and puns for both humor and to enhance the theme. For instance, the pun on "boughs" and "bows" deepens the contrast between the oak's rigid 'boughs' and the bulrush's ability to 'bow' or adapt.

In the final stanza, the poet directly addresses the reader to deliver the moral of the poem. This is an echo of traditional fable structure, where the moral follows the story. The moral here is a caution against pride and inflexibility, and an encouragement towards humility and adaptability. The poet uses the phrase "what under the sun could one expect?" to express the inevitability of the oak's downfall due to its stubbornness. This poem serves as a reminder that resisting change can often lead to catastrophe, while embracing adaptability can ensure survival.