Simple Simon (Nursery Rhyme)

Summary

This nursery rhyme features a character named Simple Simon and uses playful verses to depict his various naïve yet adventurous undertakings. Simon first encounters a pieman and expresses his desire to taste the pies; however, he has no money to offer. The rhyme humorously continues with Simon attempting unconventional tasks, such as fishing for a whale with a small pail of water, searching for plums on a thistle, and trying to carry water using a sieve. Each endeavor ends in failure due to Simon's simplistic and impractical approach, illustrating themes of innocence and whimsy. The lighthearted tale concludes with Simon bidding farewell, leaving a sense of cheerful misadventure and innocence.

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Simple Simon met a pieman,
Going to the fair;
Says Simple Simon to the pieman,
Let me taste your ware.
Said the pieman to Simple Simon,
Show me first your penny;
Says Simple Simon to the pieman,
Indeed I have not any.
Simple Simon went a-fishing,
For to catch a whale;
All the water he had got,
Was in his mother’s pail.
Simple Simon went to look
If plums grew on a thistle;
He pricked his fingers very much,
Which made poor Simon whistle.
He went for water in a sieve
But soon it all fell through
And now poor Simple Simon
Bids you all adieu!