Once there was an elephant,
Who tried to use the telephant—
No! no! I mean an elephone
Who tried to use the telephone—
(Dear me! I am not certain quite
That even now I've got it right.)
Howe'er it was, he got his trunk
Entangled in the telephunk;
The more he tried to get it free,
The louder buzzed the telephee—
(I fear I'd better drop the song
Of elephop and telephong!)
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Eletelephony
From guest Emie (contact)
I memorized this as a 3rd grader. Fun to see that I still remember it almost word perfect! -
looking for an old sorority song ,same era
From guest Rob d'Estrube (contact)
A delight to find "Skinny Mrs. Pipkin", one of my 83 yr.old mother's favorites. At the same time I'm looking for another of her old sorority (?) songs that have lyrics about a girl in Greece: She lives in Philli-pop-popolous Near the Acrop-crop-crop-crop-croplous Has a monop-nop-nop-nop-nopolous Of beaus in the whole metropop-trop-tropolis It goes on about some "bashy bazook" who is a "crude Bugarian" and a "rude vulgarian", etc. just the sort of thing that might have been written by one of your authors. Any clues to where I can find all the verses? Thanks to all in advance. Mother is from St. Paul Minn. and went to college at U Wisconson & Stanford in mid 40s Cheers, Rob d'Estrube -
One of my favorites and I woke up thinking about the poetry book that has it in it, with bittersweet fondness. My 25 year old daughter took it with her when she moved out
. I still have little ones who are missing out. At least she now has her own kids that will benefit from it. Yay I got a taste of what I yearned for today! Thanks.
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I've never heard or read this before but I think it's wonderful and can understand as some people have said in their comments why it would be used in schools and childhood.
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reminiscent
I remember reading this in grade school or something. Did someone write a musical arrangement to it? I seem to recall reading it in music class, but now I don't remember if we sang it. Great fun rhymes though. Pre-Seussian. -
I love how she uses the rhyme scheme as an excuse to make up all these fantastical words... I mean, a telephunk? That is so cool
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From guest chaneryl uy lumontod (contact)
I learned of this poem from my kid who's in nursery right now. they will be having an " ELOCUTION" contest. Out of the 6 poems to chose from, my kid liked the " ETELEPHOney POEM. I have to research on this poem, coz I need to nterprete the poem so that he can better memorize the poem. I wonder if you have an enterpretation on this. I understand the poem, its just that its very hard to explain it to a little boy... -
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I have a 4 year old great-nephew and I'm recording this for him on a cd of 'things of interest' for this special little boy to enjoy.
I imagine this lady to be full of love and warmth and I do feel that children will pick up on this very easily. Allow the child to make his own decisions and let him tell you what he thinks - that's what I did. you may be surprised at the response. Von - Oldpoetry Team -
For Guest Chaneryl ...
This lady mainly wrote for children and this is one of her best children's poems.
It is simply a piece of nonsense where "almost-words" are substituted for "real-words" yet the overall result is a wonderful poem. It is very much in the style of Spike Milligan though written before his birth! I wonder if, in fact, Milligan was influenced by this lady's work.
Jim
Oldpoetry Research Team
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From guest Jeanne L. Martin (contact)
looked up and comment was gone so will say it again. I was glad this poem was posted. It was one of my favorites as a child (I am 70) My forth grade teacher introduced it to me. Great poem, and I want to teach it to my Sunday School class of five year olds. j martin -
From guest Patty Agacki (contact)
I had a big red book with it in when I was little..one of my favorite memories -
Memories
From guest Kelly (contact)
This poem was told tome as a child by my gram. She recently passed away and it means so much to me. I look forward to passing it on to the generation to come in my family. -
i love it.....wonderful imagination ......
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Eletelphony
From guest Colleen (contact)
I heard this poem when I was about 3 years old and it has stuck with me for 53 years! Sometimes while driving a long stretch of highway with nothing to look at but telephone poles I think of this poem. Thanks for posting it. -
Among my faves
From guest Melissa (contact)
I just purchased a new cell phone, and in the car ride home, started reciting Eletelephony to my husband. He suspected it was Shel Silverstein...I decided to look it up once we got home. It was in a Children's Encyclopedia my family had, and I used to beg my parents to read it to me. I remember that my mom wrote it out and put it in my lunchbox once - she illustrated it too! -
ELETELEPHONY
From guest Kaden (contact)
I grew up reading this poem in the Childcraft books. It brought back sweet memories when I read it here after 40+ years. Thanks... -
hi laura!!!
From guest nia (contact)
hi laura my name is nia and i am 11 years old. my class was doing poetry on your poem it is funny..well nice meeting you. -
Thank you I am sharing poems with my teachers
From guest Momo (contact)
I love this play on words. I collect 10 poems each term for my teachers in my Australian Primary School. This one was in The Usborne Book of Poetry and with your page I didn't need to type it to send off to my 32 classes - thanks -
From guest L.Henderson (contact)
I, too, had this poem in a "Little Golden Book", and happily still do. It was the first poem I shared from memory with my own two daughters, and I'm sure it will be the first that I share with any grandchildren. With the exception that I was 7 instead of 12, I also could have written the exact same words as Tom Herman. I must admit, however, that I was equally surprised to discover that our clever poet had been born in 1850! I googled this poem just now because I plan on sharing it with my English clas tomorrow. -
thanks
From guest Lynne LeGrow (contact)
I had this poem in a 'Little Golden Book' as a child and it was one of my favorites. I have been looking for the poem for some time. Sure wish I could find a copy of that golden book... -
Old Memories
From guest Mike Wapner (contact)
My Mother cleaned out the garage and found a report I had compiled in fourth grade (1967). In it I had included this poem, but without having given Ms. Richards credit. It is nice after all these years to be able to set the record straight so easily with the Internet. Thanks for the post. -
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Eletelephony
From guest Ron Powell (contact)
I recited this poem several times in the 50's at local Farm Bureau pinics. -
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Eletelephony
From guest Tom Herman (contact)
When I was twelve I was required to memorize a poem for speech class and I chose this one. I have never forgotten it (it's five decades later) and, shamefully, it is the only poem I can recite by heart. I thought of it this evening for some reason and decided to see if it would be on the internet, for nostalgic reasons. And here it is. I had forgotten the name. It still makes people laugh when, on extremely rare occasions, I decide to recite it. -
Huckabee and the Elephant
From guest Lorna Sue (contact)
Last week I received a "phone call" from Mike Huckabee. It was actually, I guess, I phone poll, since it was a series of questions about my political views. Then he came on a question I could not answer and he kept repeating the question, louder and louder. Hmmm. Anyway it brought back to me the poem Eletelphony, which, to my great surprise, I was able to repeat for my sister practically word for word. Thank you for this site which appeared when I googled part of the poem. I never did know who wrote the poem. -
When read correctly out load to children they would find this stimualting and funny. I think I would have liked to hear Spike Milligan read this.
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another fun one by Laura E. Richards
From guest bmpizza (contact)
Mrs. Snipkin and Mrs. Wobblechin by Laura E. Richards Skinny Mrs. Snipkin, With her little pipkin, Sat by the fireside a-warming of her toes. Fat Mrs. Wobblechin, With her little doublechin, Sat by the window a-cooling of her nose. Says this one to that one, 'Oh! you silly fat one, Will you shut the window down? You're freezing me to death! ' Says that one to t' other one, 'Good gracious, how you bother one! There isn't air enough for me to draw my precious breath! ' Skinny Mrs. Snipkin, Took her little pipkin, Threw it straight across the room as hard as she could throw; Hit Mrs. Wobblechin On her little doublechin, And out of the window a-tumble she did go. -
the poem
From guest Debbie Adiv (contact)
I learned this poem in the third grade (1954 or 55) and I taught it to my children and now grandchild -
i love it...u
From guest jane (contact)
very nice poem...the words and the sound is very good.. i love it!!! -
Eletelephony
There is something phoney about it;
The animal and the instrument really did not fit. -
I remember the time I was running a contest on children's poems and asked people to provide a link to a favorite children's poem and Nam sent this. I was quite amused to think how playfully written something could be from the early par of the century, pre- Shel Silverstein and when the telephone was probably still very, very young. Am glad this had not been relegated to total obscurity; it just brought amusement to my five-year-old.
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i think a child would enjoy this even in todays technology so different...the words and the sounds are entertaining, shows a different way of using words and a wonderful lesson for us all...PK
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Such a fun and light read! Perfect to make children and adults smile.
Great way to play with words. -
I've read this before.Quite a cute little poem for children.Fun to read.
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Eletelephony
From guest Tony Riccardo (contact)
I was so happy to finaly see this poem again! It takes me right back to growing up in Los Angeles and the friends and memories of my classmates. Thank you, Tony R. -
another poem
From guest Joe Guido (contact)
I first met Eletelephony in a Childcraft book and loved it. Also in the book wa a funny poem about two ladies arguing about being too hot and too cold, respectively. I've been looking for this poem for some friends but can't remember the title. Some of the lines are: 'Good gracious, how you bother one!' and 'Will you shut that window down, you're freezing me to death.' The argument (and poem) end with one lady pushing the other out the window. Does anybody know the title or author of this children's poem? p.s. Thanks for reminding me what a kick I got out of Eletelephony -
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The poem you're thinking of is called "Mrs. Snipkin and Mrs. Wobblechin"
Google for the win.
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Eletelephoney
From guest Katie (contact)
This is a very good poem and i have loved it for ages. by the way does anyone know how to prenounce the tital? -
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To guest Katie.
I am sure Mz Richards would not be offended by anyway of pronouncing it but I myself favour Elly--Telly--Phoney
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Eletelephony
From guest T Cotton (contact)
This delightful poem plopped itself into my lap while I was teaching first grade. My students and I always found it to just what we needed to break any kind of tension. Yay for Laura Richards! -
ELETELEPHONY
From guest christine a. saunoris (contact)
This poem was in my 6th grade english book and has'been in my brain ever since, I write poetry forever after seeking laughter and I know why! so happy to have learned about it's author at your site thanks oh I am 57...and have my 4 grandchildren loving the elephony telephony rhyming fun! -
This is an adorable poem. The playful fuddling of the words is so like the stumbling efforts of youngsters to show off new words in their vocabulary and they are strung together into something that, almost, makes perfect sense.
One wonders if Spike Milligan read and was inspired by these lines? -
Eletelephony
From guest Jim Barron (contact)
Thanks so much! I am 52 years old and remembered the verse precisely since it being enjoyed in Kindergarten. -
truly a classic!
From guest Ernie (contact)
When my 10 year old was looking for a poem for his creative writing class, this poem immediately came to mind. Like many others here, I learned it as a school boy (I'm now 50). I believe it is truly a classic precisely because it engages the mind as it delights us. Richards' inventive play on words cleverly sparks images in our imagination of this elephant and that "new fangled contraption," the telephone. It's funny because we're reminded, I think, of our own experiences of using some new device with unexpected and comical results. Perhaps someone could try to write a few stanzas addressing another more recent invention, say, cell phones or, better yet, personal computers, as concisely and effectively as Laura Richards did. -
Eletelephony
From guest April (contact)
I think this is the cutest poem ever..my sister is teaching my niece it and she thinks its the funniest thing ever and shes 4 now.. -
Eletelephony
From guest Irene Pylypec (contact)
What a treat to find all the words to this poem. I've loved it since I first read it - many moons ago! -
what an interesting poem, very original, love it
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hey
From guest bryen hurd (contact)
i love your poem i read it every night before i go to bed. i cant live without it -
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trying hard
From guest Isabelle (contact)
I had to use this poem in a school and every body loved it. I had to memorise the poem. I think that it makes kids work hard to memorise it and put eefort into it.I love this poem!!! -
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FUNNY AND COOL!!
From guest Ramou (contact)
Once there was an elephant, Who tried to use the telephant— No! no! I mean an elephone Who tried to use the telephone— (Dear me! I am not certain quite That even now I've got it right.) Howe'er it was, he got his trunk Entangled in the telephunk; The more he tried to get it free, The louder buzzed the telephee— (I fear I'd better drop the song Of elephop and telephong!) THIS POEM IZ REALLY COOL I LIKE IT -
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Eletelephony
From guest Sharon Roelfs (contact)
This is a poem I learned in grade school. I can't explain why It has "stuck" with me for 60 years. We are having a family dinner and talent contest with our adult children and grandchildren on Palm Sunday. I'm reciting this poem as my talent. I still enjoy it. I am so glad I found it again. -
I found it
From guest Debbie (contact)
This has been going through my head all day and I had to go on the internet to see if I could find this. I learned it in 3rd grade. I am now 55!!! -
omg!!!
From guest jeno y. (contact)
this is the poem my class has to do (we have one every week) its soo coool!! -
Eletelephony
From guest Loyd Dillon (contact)
Laura E. Richards, who wrote this delightful nonsense verse that my three sons loved, was the daughter of Julia Ward Howe (writer of the Battle Hymn of the Republic) but didn't "trade" on her famous mother's name. She made it on her own. God bless the child who has her own! -
Child Craft Poetry Book
From guest Audrey Mayes (contact)
I can remember reading this in an old Child Craft book. We had a series of 12 books I believe and the poetry was my very favorite one. I am trying to find that book from my childhood because I can remember my mother reading it to me. I am 73 now and those memories are the sweetest. -
Eletelephony
I've been telling my daughters about "Eletelephony" all their lives because, for some reason, I've remembered it since I learned it in 2nd or 3rd grade, I'm now 59 years old. I just forgot who wrote it and I never thought I'd find it on the internet (a computer wizard I am not). -
Eletelephony
From guest Daniel Jones (contact)
It's a great poem. I have spent many years reading that poem and it's my Favrourite! -
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Wonderful!
I too remember this from when I was a small child. Searching on a couple of the words that I remembered from the poem has brought me to this sight and has given me the chance to read it again and feel a little of that joy again. -
Loved it!
This is one of my childhood favourites - it was in one of my school readers - absolutely a delight
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wonderfully whimsical, with a rythm and flow that enraptures.
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Classically memorable
I first read this in a Childcraft book of poetry some 45 to 50 years ago and it is one of the few poems that has stayed in my memory since then. Perhaps it is even a part of the subconscious foundation of my own poetry. Short and odd enough to remain with the reader, young or old. -
Nice
3 and 4. -
Funny
Liked the word 'Eletelephony'.Excellent poetry. -
I can probably bet this is a poet that Syd Barrett (Of Pink Floyd) took alot of inspiration from. He even has a similarly formed song about an elephant.
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I remember this poem from when I was a kid! What a find!And yes, young children do love it.
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I first read this when I was a child, gave me a great big smile. While it is close to a Lewis Caroll style of nonsense I don't think that there could be a poem quite like it. The "new" words perfectly formed. Overall, it is just fun to read and say out loud.
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hey this is kl i think it deserved poem of the day !!!
rae x x -
Luv it!
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Love this poem! Grew up with it included in a collection of children's literature. Wish I could find the series.
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This is the type of poem that should be read out in class to kids, to hear them laughing would bring its own reward. It's the type of innocent fun they should be introduced to.
It's lovely.
Vonnie~~ -
Well done!
This is a cute and funny piece that would have many kids giggling for some time. -
I love this piece, it's so humorous to the point of laughing out loud. I've read it 4 times already. It's short and precise and it hits every line with humor.
I am glad I found this piece or I probably wouldn't have laughed as gleefully as I have at this moment.
A great piece that Richards has written here.
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