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The Diverting History of John Gilpin

A poem retold from Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes

This retelling is drawn from 'The Diverting History of John Gilpin,' a comic ballad by William Cowper, first published in 1782 and later included in collections such as Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes. The poem tells the true misadventure of a London tradesman whose borrowed horse runs away with him on his wedding anniversary. Cowper based the story on a real incident and wrote it to amuse a friend. The poem became hugely popular in its day and remains a classic of comic verse. This text reflects its era; a few period terms (train-band captain, linendraper) have been modernised or explained. Children delight in the escalating chaos of John's ride and the contrast between his careful plans and the horse's determination to go its own way.

Band

Yellow · Emerging readersTypical starting range: ages 6–8

Length

medium · about 581 words in 6 sections · 4 pictures

Source

Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes, John Gilbert, Walter Crane, John Tenniel, Harrison Weir and Johann Baptist Zwecker

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (8 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Colouring page
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

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