Benevolent Boy!

Summary


"Benevolent Boy!" is a humorous poem about a boy who loudly declares he would fill a house with candy and toys for others if only he had silver and gold. His self-proclaimed generosity sounds impressive — until his Christmas dollar comes into the picture, and his true priorities are hilariously revealed. Short, rhythmic, and packed with irony, the poem captures the gap between a child's noble intentions and the very real pull of personal temptation.

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A very benevolent boy, Oho!
A very benevolent boy!
He said, “O I wish I had silver and gold
I’d fill a big house till no more it could hold
With every nice candy and toy!”
This exceedingly generous boy!
“And my Christmas dollar? O pshaw! don’t you see?
I’ll have to keep that to buy candy for me!”
This very benevolent boy!

A boastful boy clutching his Christmas dollar in the poem Benevolent Boy!

Credits

Unknown writer is the attributed author of this playful verse, which has circulated in various collections of light children's poetry. The poem's comic twist — a boy who exempts himself from his own generosity — gives it an enduring charm that feels as fresh today as when it was first penned.