OLD MOTHER HUBBARD
by Unknown · from The National Nursery Book: With 120 illustrations
Adapted Version
Old Mother Hubbard loved her dog. Very, very much. She wanted a yummy bone for him.
Old Mother Hubbard went to her cupboard. She looked for The Dog's bone. But the cupboard was empty. The Dog had no bone.
She went to the baker's shop. She bought some fresh bread. She came back home. The Dog lay very, very still.
Old Mother Hubbard went to the hatter's. She wanted to buy a hat. She came back home. The Dog fed a small cat!
Old Mother Hubbard went to the barber's shop. She wanted to buy a wig. She came back home. The Dog danced a happy jig.
Old Mother Hubbard went to the joiner's place. She wanted a little box. She came back home. The Dog was laughing out loud.
She took a clean dish. She wanted yummy treats. She came back home. The Dog blew big, round bubbles.
She went to the ale-house. She wanted some juice. She came back home. The Dog sat in a big chair.
She went to the tavern. She wanted some water. She came back home. The Dog stood on his head.
She went to the fruit shop. She wanted some fresh fruit. She came back home. The Dog played a tiny flute.
She went to the tailor's shop. She wanted a new coat. She came back home. The Dog rode a small goat.
She went to the sempstress. She wanted some thread. She came back home. The Dog was spinning around.
She went to the hosier's shop. She wanted some new clothes. She came back home. The Dog wore his own clothes.
She went to the cobbler's shop. She wanted some new shoes. She came back home. The Dog read the daily news.
Old Mother Hubbard made a curtsey. The Dog made a big bow. She said, "Hello." Dog said, "Bow-wow!"
This Dog was very clever. He could sing and dance. He could read and write. Old Mother Hubbard loved him so much. Old Mother Hubbard loved her clever dog best. She gave him good food. She gave him many cuddles.
Original Story
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To get her poor Dog a bone;
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor Dog had none.
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD AND HER DOG.
She went to the baker's
To buy him some bread,
But when she came back
The poor Dog looked dead.
THE DOG LOOKING DEAD.
She went to the hatter's
To buy him a hat,
But when she came back
He was feeding the cat.
She went to the barber's
To buy him a wig,
But when she came back
He was dancing a jig.
She went to the joiner's
To buy him a coffin,
But when she came back
The poor Dog was laughing.
She took a clean dish
To get him some tripe,
But when she came back
He was smoking a pipe.
THE DOG SMOKING A PIPE.
THE DOG STANDING ON HIS HEAD.
She went to the ale-house
To get him some beer,
But when she came back
The Dog sat in a chair.
She went to the tavern
For white wine and red,
But when she came back
The Dog stood on his head.
She went to the fruiterer's
To buy him some fruit,
But when she came back
He was playing the flute.
She went to the tailor's,
To buy him a coat,
But when she came back
He was riding a goat.
THE DOG PLAYING THE FLUTE.
THE DOG SPINNING.
She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen,
But when she came back
The Dog was a-spinning.
She went to the hosier's
To buy him some hose,
But when she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
She went to the cobbler's
To buy him some shoes,
But when she came back
He was reading the news.
The Dame made a curtsey,
The Dog made a bow;
The Dame said, “Your servant;”
The Dog said, “Bow-wow!”
THE DOG READING THE NEWS.
THE DOG MADE A BOW.
This wonderful Dog
Was Dame Hubbard's delight;
He could sing, he could dance,
He could read, he could write.
So she gave him rich dainties
Whenever he fed,
And erected a monument
When he was dead.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Old Mother Hubbard goes to her cupboard to get her dog a bone, but finds it empty. She then embarks on a series of errands to various shops to buy things for her dog. Each time she returns, she finds her dog engaged in a new, surprising, and very human-like activity, from playing the flute to reading the news. Despite the dog's antics, Mother Hubbard remains devoted. The story concludes with a formal exchange between them and Mother Hubbard's declaration of love and admiration for her wonderful, talented dog.
Themes
Emotional Arc
concern to amusement to delight
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a classic English nursery rhyme, first published in 1805, reflecting common domestic scenes and trades of the era, but with a whimsical, fantastical twist.
Plot Beats (15)
- Old Mother Hubbard goes to her cupboard to get her dog a bone, but it is bare.
- She goes to the baker's for bread, but returns to find the dog seemingly dead.
- She goes to the hatter's for a hat, but returns to find the dog feeding a cat.
- She goes to the barber's for a wig, but returns to find the dog dancing a jig.
- She goes to the joiner's for a coffin, but returns to find the dog laughing.
- She goes for tripe, but returns to find the dog smoking a pipe.
- She goes for beer, but returns to find the dog sitting in a chair.
- She goes for wine, but returns to find the dog standing on his head.
- She goes for fruit, but returns to find the dog playing the flute.
- She goes for a coat, but returns to find the dog riding a goat.
- She goes for linen, but returns to find the dog spinning.
- She goes for hose, but returns to find the dog dressed in his clothes.
- She goes for shoes, but returns to find the dog reading the news.
- Mother Hubbard and the dog exchange formal bows and greetings.
- Mother Hubbard delights in her talented dog, who can sing, dance, read, and write, and ensures he is well-fed and honored.
Characters
Old Mother Hubbard
A short, stout elderly woman with a kindly, wrinkled face. Her build is sturdy, suggesting a life of hard work, but she moves with a gentle, somewhat hurried gait.
Attire: A simple, practical 18th-century English peasant dress, likely made of sturdy, undyed linen or wool in muted earth tones like grey, brown, or faded blue. She wears a clean white apron over her dress and a plain white cap covering her hair. Her shoes are sensible, low-heeled leather or buckled shoes.
Wants: To care for and please her beloved dog, ensuring his comfort and happiness.
Flaw: Her gullibility and tendency to be easily surprised by her dog's antics, leading her on many fruitless errands.
She remains consistently devoted to her dog, her love unwavering despite his constant trickery. Her arc is one of enduring affection.
Devoted, doting, persistent, easily flustered, kind-hearted.
The Dog
A medium-sized, shaggy-haired terrier-type dog, perhaps a scruffy mongrel, with intelligent, expressive eyes. His fur is a mix of brown and white, giving him a somewhat disheveled but endearing appearance. He is agile and capable of many human-like feats.
Attire: Typically appears in his natural fur, but occasionally dons human attire like a hat, wig, coat, hose, or shoes, often comically ill-fitting or worn in unusual ways.
Wants: To amuse himself and perhaps gain attention or treats from Old Mother Hubbard, enjoying the elaborate charades he creates.
Flaw: His love for performing and trickery, which sometimes leads to him feigning distress.
Remains consistently clever and mischievous, never truly changing but always delighting his owner with new antics. His arc is one of consistent, joyful self-expression.
Mischievous, intelligent, playful, theatrical, independent, affectionate (in his own way).
Locations
Old Mother Hubbard's Cottage - Kitchen/Living Area
A modest, cozy interior of a 19th-century English cottage, likely with a stone hearth, timber beams, and simple, sturdy wooden furniture. The cupboard is a prominent feature, perhaps a freestanding pine dresser or a built-in alcove with shelves.
Mood: Initially concerned and slightly melancholic due to the dog's hunger, but quickly becomes whimsical and humorous as the dog's antics unfold.
Mother Hubbard discovers the cupboard is bare; the dog performs various human-like actions like smoking a pipe, dancing a jig, sitting in a chair, standing on his head, playing the flute, spinning, and reading the news.
The Village Street/Market Lane
A bustling street in a quaint 19th-century English village, lined with various small shops. Cobblestone paths, half-timbered or brick buildings with shop signs, and perhaps a few villagers going about their day.
Mood: Lively, everyday, and functional, serving as the backdrop for Mother Hubbard's many errands.
Mother Hubbard repeatedly leaves her cottage to visit various tradespeople in an attempt to acquire items for her dog, only to return and find him engaged in new, unexpected activities.