The Village Blacksmith facts for kids
The Village Blacksmith is a famous poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was first published in 1841. This poem appeared in Longfellow's book called Ballads and Other Poems. It tells the story of a hardworking blacksmith in a small village.
About the Poem
The poem describes a strong and honest blacksmith. He works hard from morning until night. His muscles are powerful, like "iron bands." He earns his money honestly and supports his family. The poem shows how important he is to his community.
The Real Blacksmith
Longfellow based the character in the poem on a real person. His name was Dexter Pratt. He was Longfellow's neighbor in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Pratt was a real blacksmith. He worked in a shop under a large chestnut tree.
Famous Lines
The poem begins with some very well-known lines: "Under a spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands." These lines help readers imagine the scene clearly. They set the stage for the blacksmith's story.
A Special Gift
In 1879, something special happened. Children from Cambridge, Massachusetts, wanted to thank Longfellow. They gave him a unique gift. It was a chair made from the wood of the famous chestnut tree. This was the very tree mentioned in the poem. It showed how much people loved his work.
Images for kids
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First page of the original manuscript for "The Village Blacksmith"
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The blacksmith character, third from the left, in the Longfellow Memorial statue
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The chair made from the chestnut tree, given to Longfellow in 1879
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