The History of the Seven Families of the Lake Pipple-Popple

by Edward Lear

Edward Lear (1812-1888)

Two parrots were sitting on a perch.
One said to the other, "Do you smell fish?"
(Groan......)

'The History of the Seven Families of the Lake Pipple-Popple' also includes parrots, but seven, not two. The story also has fish, but not necessarily perch.

Written by Edward Lear, his first full-length nonsense story and published in 1865, it is about families of common birds, animals and fish. It describes their lives in easily understandable terms, even though Lear introduces some new words — a flocibule he is well noted for. His accompanying illustrations are also fanciful but easy for us to connect with the narrative.

Lear takes advantage of the popularity of the number seven to make the characters of this story more believable. For this story is, without doubt, either based on true, factual events that Lear witnessed, or it is not.

Introductory
The Seven Families
The Habits of the Seven Families
The Children of the Seven Families
The History of the Seven Young Parrots
The History of the Seven Young Storks
The History of the Seven Young Geese
The History of the Seven Young Owls
The History of the Seven Young Guinea Pigs
The History of the Seven Young Cats
The History of the Seven Young Fishes
Of What Occurred Subsequently
Of What Became of the Parents of the Forty-Nine Children
Conclusion