Bo Peep February 17, 2017 All Rhymes 0 Comments

Little Polly Flinders

Little Polly Flinders
Sat among the cinders,
Warming her pretty little toes.
Her mother came and caught her,
And whipped her little daughter,
For spoiling her nice new clothes.

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Posted in All Rhymes, Daily Life & Objects, Moral & Lesson, Mother Goose Classics, People & Characters

Tagged cinders, clothes, consequence, dicipline, fire, little girl, mother, Polly, toes

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Meaning

This rhyme tells the story of Little Polly Flinders, who sits too close to the fire to warm her toes and ends up ruining her new clothes. Her mother finds her and punishes her for the mischief. The verse playfully warns about the consequences of carelessness and the value of looking after one’s belongings.

Origin

“Little Polly Flinders” appeared in print in the early 1800s and is attributed to the English poet Charles Dibdin. It became part of various 19th-century nursery rhyme collections and has since remained a well-known cautionary tale for children.

Time Period

First published in the early 19th century, with its popularity sustained through Victorian times and beyond.

Why It Became Popular

Its easy rhythm and memorable scenario—warmth, cinders, and ruined clothes—resonate with children’s daily experiences. The rhyme offers a simple moral wrapped in relatable action.

Structure and Style

Meter: Anapestic, rhythmic and easily recited
Rhyme Scheme: AABCCB
Line Count: 6
Style Notes: Narrative, direct, and mildly cautionary

Themes

Care and caution
Discipline and consequence
Obedience and responsibility
Family dynamics

Language Notes

The rhyme uses simple, direct language and repetition. Phrases like “warmed her pretty little toes” and “sat among the cinders” make vivid, sensory impressions.

Moral or Lesson

Watchfulness and respect for personal property and rules help avoid trouble.

Historical or Cultural Notes

Occasional variants alter the line “whipped her little daughter” to “scolded” or “spanked,” reflecting changing social norms. The rhyme’s roots in the early 1800s make it a classic example of early Victorian children’s verse.

Notable Variants

Some versions use “spanked” or “scolded” in place of “whipped,” and in a few, “little daughter” becomes “her little daughter.”

Appearances in Media or Literature

Frequently found in nineteenth- and twentieth-century nursery rhyme anthologies, picture books, and modern adaptations for young children.

Suggested Activities

Roleplay: Act out the rhyme, with children alternating as Polly and her mother.
Art Project: Draw Polly by the fireplace and illustrate her mishap.
Safety Lesson: Discuss fire safety and caring for clothes.
Creative Writing: Write a new ending where Polly helps clean up the cinders.
Music & Movement: Recite and clap along to the rhythm of the rhyme.

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Little Polly Flinders

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