The Bashful Earthquake, & Other Fables and Verses

"The Bashful Earthquake, & Other Fables and Verses" by Oliver Herford is a delightful assortment of fables and poems created in the late 1800s. The book presents a series of creative stories, frequently featuring animals with human qualities and fantastical concepts, highlighting Herford's humor and appeal. It most likely revolves around subjects of humanity, connections, and life's peculiar aspects, all delivered with joy and lightheartedness. The book's material is made up of numerous small poems and fables, each with its own distinct narrative, such as "The Bashful Earthquake," which tells of an earthquake's shame after unwittingly creating havoc. Other stories feature a lovelorn scarecrow, creatures with human characteristics examining their feelings, and diverse humorous reflections on affection, identity, and social standards. Herford invites readers into a fantastical realm where animals and inanimate things come to life, often delivering perceptive moral lessons wrapped in humor and simplicity, through funny language and smart artwork.