A Wise Old Owl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "A Wise Old Owl" |
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The US wartime poster using the rhyme
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| Nursery rhyme | |
| Songwriter(s) | Unknown |
"A Wise Old Owl" is a famous English language nursery rhyme. It shares a simple but important message: it's often wise to listen more and speak less. This popular rhyme is actually a newer version of an older, traditional poem.
The Rhyme's Words
This section shows the different ways the rhyme has been written over time.
First Published Version
The first time this version of the rhyme appeared in print was in a magazine called Punch on April 10, 1875. It went like this:
There was an owl liv'd in an oak
The more he heard, the less he spoke
The less he spoke, the more he heard.
O, if men were all like that wise bird.
Later Popular Version
During the mid-1930s, another version of the rhyme became very popular. It was even printed on bookmarks! This is how that version reads:
A wise old owl lived in an oak,
The more he saw, the less he spoke
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Now, wasn't he a wise old bird?
What the Rhyme Means
The main idea behind "A Wise Old Owl" is that true wisdom often comes from observing and listening carefully, rather than always talking. The owl is shown as a smart bird because it hears a lot but says little. This suggests that by being quiet and paying attention, you can learn more and understand things better. It's a good reminder to think before you speak!
