NURSERY RHYMES
by Unknown · from A Apple Pie and Other Nursery Tales
Adapted Version
Come hear short rhymes about pets and people.
Ride a cockhorse to a far Cross. To see little Jenny, no loss. Upon a white horse, she rides with glee. Ride a cockhorse, come and see! Jenny on her horse, so bright and sweet. Riding down the happy street. Ride a cockhorse, hear the sound. Hooves go clip-clop on the ground.
There was an old woman, what a sight. She ate and drank, but was never quiet. She talked and sang all day and night. The noisy old woman was a funny sight. She hummed while she ate her bread. She chattered away from her bed.
A fox jumped up on a moonlit night. The stars were shining, oh so bright. “Oh, ho!” said the fox, “what a night! I’ll go through the town, heigho!” The fox trotted along, so sly and quick. The moonlit town was his trick.
Pussy slipped and fell in the well. Who helped her out? A dog, kind and stout. The dog with a long snout. They worked as one, no doubt. The dog pulled Pussy out with care. Now safe and sound in the fresh air.
An old woman in a basket flew. Up high like the moon, out of the blue. She held a broom, where to? On a fun, bright trip, new. She soared through the sky, light as air. Loving the nice, cool weather.
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard. To get her poor dog a bone. But the cupboard was bare, nothing there. So the dog had none, all alone. Mother Hubbard looked sad, the dog looked too. They hoped for a bone, me and you.
I had a little pony, Dapple Grey. I lent him to a lady one day. She rode a mile, with a happy smile. The pony loved to play. The lady and pony had such fun. Under the warm, bright sun.
Pussy sits by the fire, warm and fair. A little doggy walks in there. “Pussy, are you there?” he asks with care. Friends as one, without a scare. They curl up close, feeling nice and snug. With a happy purr and a hug.
And so our rhymes are done, full of whimsy and fun.
Original Story
NURSERY RHYMES.
II.
Ride a cockhorse, to Banbury Cross,
To see little Jenny upon a white horse.
There was an old woman and what do you think,
She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink.
Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet,
Yet the plaguey old woman could never be quiet.
A fox jumped up on a moonlight night,
The stars were shining and all things bright.
“Oh, ho!” said the Fox, “it's a very fine night
For me to go through the town, heigho!”
Ding dong bell, Pussy's in the well.
Who put her in? Little Tommy Green.
Who got her out? Dog with long snout.
What a naughty boy was that, to try to drown poor Pussy-cat.
There was an old woman tossed up in a basket,
Ninety times as high as the moon;
And where she was going I couldn't but ask it,
For in her hand she carried a broom.
Old Mother Hubbard she went to the cupboard,
To get the poor dog a bone.
When she came there the cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.
I had a little pony,
They called him Dapple Grey;
I lent him to a lady
To ride a mile away.
Pussy sits beside the fire, how can she be fair?
In walks a little doggy, “Pussy, are you there?”
Story DNA
Plot Summary
This collection presents several short, unrelated nursery rhymes. They include a ride to Banbury Cross, an old woman who is never quiet, a fox's nocturnal adventure, the rescue of a cat from a well, an old woman tossed high in a basket, Mother Hubbard finding her cupboard bare, and a loaned pony. Each rhyme offers a brief, self-contained scenario, often featuring simple characters, animals, and everyday or whimsical situations.
Themes
Emotional Arc
none
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Nursery rhymes often have origins in historical events, folklore, or simple observations, passed down orally before being written. Their meanings can be lost or adapted over time.
Plot Beats (8)
- A person rides a cockhorse to Banbury Cross to see Jenny on a white horse.
- An old woman lives only on victuals and drink but is never quiet.
- A fox decides it's a fine night to go through the town.
- Pussy is found in a well, put there by Tommy Green and rescued by a dog.
- An old woman is tossed high in a basket, carrying a broom.
- Old Mother Hubbard finds her cupboard bare when trying to get her dog a bone.
- A pony named Dapple Grey is lent to a lady for a ride.
- A dog asks Pussy if she is by the fire.
Characters
Little Jenny
A small, delicate child, likely with a slender build, suitable for riding a pony. Her exact height and build are not specified, but she would appear youthful and innocent.
Attire: Given the pastoral setting implied by 'Banbury Cross' and 'cockhorse,' she would likely wear a simple, yet neat, child's dress of the 18th or 19th century English countryside. Perhaps a light cotton or linen dress, possibly with a pinafore over it, in soft colors like pale blue or pink.
Wants: To enjoy a ride on her white horse.
Flaw: Not applicable, as she is only briefly observed.
No arc, she is a static character.
Appears to be a gentle and perhaps slightly demure child, as she is merely observed riding rather than performing any action.
The Old Woman (Victuals and Drink)
An elderly woman, likely thin or gaunt due to her unusual diet, but with an energetic, restless demeanor that belies her age. Her exact height and build are not specified, but her 'plaguey' nature suggests a wiry frame.
Attire: Simple, worn peasant clothing typical of 18th or 19th century England. Perhaps a dark, practical wool skirt, a plain linen blouse, and a shawl draped over her shoulders. Her clothes would be functional rather than decorative.
Wants: To consume victuals and drink, and to be perpetually active/noisy.
Flaw: Her inability to be quiet or content.
No arc, she is a static character.
Restless, noisy, perhaps a bit eccentric, and unable to find peace or quiet despite her simple diet.
The Fox
A cunning and sleek fox, with a typical reddish-brown coat, bushy tail, and pointed ears. Agile and quick, suited for nocturnal adventures.
Attire: None, as he is an animal, but his fur is his natural attire.
Wants: To explore the town under the cover of night, likely seeking food or mischief.
Flaw: Perhaps overconfidence, but not explicitly shown.
No arc, he is a static character.
Cunning, opportunistic, confident, and a bit boastful, taking pleasure in his nocturnal escapades.
Pussy (Cat)
A domestic cat, likely of average size and build. Her specific breed or color is not mentioned, allowing for a common house cat appearance.
Attire: None, as she is an animal.
Wants: To survive the ordeal in the well, and later, to find warmth and comfort.
Flaw: Her physical vulnerability to human cruelty.
Experiences a traumatic event (being put in the well) and then finds safety and comfort.
Vulnerable and helpless when in danger, but also capable of finding comfort and peace, as shown by her sitting by the fire.
Little Tommy Green
A young boy, likely small and perhaps mischievous in appearance. His exact build and height are not specified, but he would be of a size to easily interact with a cat and a well.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing for an English child of the 18th or 19th century. Perhaps a plain linen shirt, knee-length breeches, and sturdy shoes. His clothes might be slightly rumpled or dirty from play.
Wants: To cause trouble or out of childish cruelty/curiosity.
Flaw: His impulsiveness and lack of compassion.
No arc, he is a static character, serving as the antagonist for Pussy.
Naughty, mischievous, and cruel, showing a lack of empathy towards animals.
Dog with long snout
A dog characterized by a long snout, suggesting a breed like a greyhound, collie, or dachshund. This feature implies a keen sense of smell and perhaps a lean, agile build suitable for rescue.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To rescue Pussy from the well.
Flaw: None shown.
No arc, he is a static character, serving as the rescuer.
Heroic, compassionate, and effective, acting quickly to save Pussy.
The Old Woman (Basket)
An elderly woman, perhaps frail but with a surprising resilience to be tossed so high. Her exact build is not specified, but she would be light enough for such an aerial journey.
Attire: Simple, traditional English peasant attire of the 18th or 19th century. A dark, practical dress, perhaps with an apron, and a cap or bonnet on her head.
Wants: Her motivation is unknown, adding to her mysterious nature.
Flaw: None shown.
No arc, she is a static character.
Mysterious, resilient, and perhaps a bit eccentric, given her mode of travel and destination.
Old Mother Hubbard
An elderly woman, likely with a kind but perhaps slightly weary demeanor. Her exact height and build are not specified, but she would appear to be a typical grandmotherly figure.
Attire: Traditional English peasant or working-class attire of the 18th or 19th century. A long, practical dress, an apron, and a cap or bonnet. Her clothes would be clean but simple.
Wants: To feed her beloved dog.
Flaw: Her inability to provide for her dog due to circumstances beyond her control.
Experiences disappointment when she cannot fulfill her desire to feed her dog.
Caring, compassionate, and responsible, as she tries to provide for her dog. She is also capable of disappointment.
The Poor Dog (Hubbard)
A domestic dog, likely of a common breed, perhaps a terrier or mongrel, implying a loyal and affectionate companion. His 'poor' status suggests he might be a bit scruffy or thin.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To receive a bone from Mother Hubbard.
Flaw: His dependence on others for food.
Experiences the disappointment of not receiving a bone.
Loyal, hopeful, and dependent on Mother Hubbard. Experiences disappointment.
Locations
Banbury Cross
A prominent cross in the market town of Banbury, likely an ornate stone structure, where people would gather or pass by.
Mood: Bustling, public, traditional English market town feel.
Little Jenny is seen riding a white horse past the cross.
Town at Night
A quiet English town under a bright moon and shining stars, with a fox stealthily moving through it.
Mood: Eerie, quiet, mysterious, with a hint of mischievousness.
A fox decides it's a good night to go through the town.
The Well
A traditional village well, likely stone-built, where Pussy-cat is found.
Mood: Somber, dangerous, a place of mischief and rescue.
Pussy-cat is put into and then rescued from the well.
Mother Hubbard's Kitchen/Pantry
A humble, rustic kitchen or pantry in an old English cottage, featuring a cupboard.
Mood: Cozy but with a touch of sadness due to the bare cupboard.
Mother Hubbard finds her cupboard bare when trying to get her dog a bone.