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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Comments
1 - 21 of 21
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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 -
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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