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Analysis and comments on The Little Boy and the Old Man by Shel Silverstein

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Comment 27 of 37, added on April 20th, 2006 at 4:32 PM.

This has always been my favorite poem! It is very sweetly written and very
true! The old are wise, and the young have more knowledge than we give
them credit. Never underestimate them because they can teach us more than
you think. Dont ignore either one because they are human beings too!

Sara from United States
Comment 26 of 37, added on April 11th, 2006 at 8:32 AM.

THEY ARE PEDOFILES!! DROP HIS SPOON?!?!?! THE WARMTH OF AN OLD MANS
HAND???? I AM STRICKEN WITH SICKNESS, (and a boner).

Trevor Hunter from Bulgaria
Comment 25 of 37, added on April 5th, 2006 at 3:23 PM.

This poem made me tear the first time I read it. It is very sad but very
true. It makes you wonder what will become of you when you get older? Will
anyone care?

Angela from United States
Comment 24 of 37, added on March 22nd, 2006 at 12:09 PM.

i liked this poem its cool man
i like your face ALOT!!! ( :
call me

shiba from United States
Comment 23 of 37, added on March 17th, 2006 at 10:15 AM.

that is so super sweet, I just

Kelsey from United States
Comment 22 of 37, added on March 1st, 2006 at 10:52 PM.

I know the feelings well. I am raising my grandson. Have done so since he
was 28 days old and each day he shows me the love he can give to many. God
Bless the children.

Clint Hargrove from United States
Comment 21 of 37, added on February 20th, 2006 at 10:12 PM.

This poem made me think of my own father whom i haven't spoke to in a very
long time i will call him tonight thank you!

shell from United States
Comment 20 of 37, added on February 9th, 2006 at 9:43 AM.

I think that this poem is really sad, but although sad, it is very true

Emily from United States
Comment 19 of 37, added on February 9th, 2006 at 9:13 AM.

This is a poem that touches the hearts of everyone who reads it. It is the
perfect example of children and the elderly and how similar they really
are. It also serves as a note to everyone in between. Don’t underestimate
or overlook the young or old. The old have much to say and wise words to
live by. The young need to be nurtured and cared for. The old hold the key
to our past and the young hold the key to our future. If we do not listen
to the old how can we teach our children? There is an infinite amount of
knowledge that is lost through death and if we do not preserve that
knowledge, the generations to come will be destined to rediscover it
forcing society to repeat itself in an attempt to move forward.
This may seem like an extreme analysis of a children’s poem but there is
so much more to it than meets the eye. This poem has the power to change
lives with a separate message for each generation that reads it. A mother
reads this to her child. The child hears it and realizes that old people
are more than wrinkles and funny smells; the old are a lot like children
and this brings the child closer to his grandparents. The mother reads this
to her child and comes to understand that her parents have much to teach
her as well as her little boy, therefore strengthening the relationship
between the mother and her parents. The grandparents, with a closer
relationship to their daughter and grandson, read the poem wile spending
time with the small boy and discover how much they are needed, giving the
grandparents purpose and joy in their final years.


Christopher Reynolds from United States
Comment 18 of 37, added on January 9th, 2006 at 2:44 PM.

This poem is so sad. It shows us how even the youngest of kids have so many
things in common with the older generations. It makes you think about how
you treat your grandparents and how you sometimes ignore them. This poem
puts things into perspective for me.

Allie from United States

This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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Information about The Little Boy and the Old Man

Poet: Shel Silverstein
Poem: The Little Boy and the Old Man
Volume: A Light in the Attic
Year: 1981
Added: Apr 22 2004
Viewed: 61327 times


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