The Legend of the Lincoln Imp

"The Legend of the Lincoln Imp" by H. J. Kesson is a humorous poem from the early 1900s, about a naughty young imp's misadventures inside Lincoln Cathedral. The poem uses folklore and comedy to tell a story about what happens when you don't respect sacred places. The imp, full of energy, causes trouble in the cathedral by making fun of the ceremonies and bothering the people there. But, a small angel gets angry at his rude behavior and turns him into stone as punishment. This change into stone shows how important it is to be respectful and humble. Kesson ends the story with a warning not to mess with holy things, because there will be consequences for one's actions, making the poem a fun and preachy lesson about obeying rules and being respectful.