Old Mother Hubbard

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s nonsense in the best way: predictable couplets, gentle humor, and no real danger. Great for bedtime giggles without overstimulation.

Story Synopsis

“Old Mother Hubbard” starts with a simple, familiar problem: a caretaker wants to give her dog a bone, but the cupboard is bare. From there, the rhyme turns delightfully absurd. Mother Hubbard runs from place to place to get what the dog needs—bread, a coffin, tripe, a pipe—and each time she returns, the dog does something unexpected. One moment he seems “dead,” the next he’s laughing. He dances, sings, smokes, rides, and performs impossible tricks. The humor comes from the pattern: Mother Hubbard tries to solve a problem in a sensible way, and the dog’s reactions are wonderfully nonsensical. For ages 4–8, it’s a great bedtime rhyme because it’s rhythmic and playful. If a child asks about the “dead” line, many parents simply frame it as old-fashioned nonsense where nothing truly sad happens—because the dog pops back up immediately, silly as ever. It ends like a string of bedtime giggles: strange, harmless, and memorable.

Story Excerpt

Mother Hubbard's old dog Tray, If this account be true, Had not an equal, I dare say, Come tell me, what think you? Old Mother Hubbard Went to her cupboard, To give her poor dog a bone ; When she came there The cupboard was bare, And so the poor dog had none. She went to the baker's To buy him some bread, When she came back The dog was dead! She went to the undertaker's To buy him a coffin ; When she came back The dog was laughing. She took a…

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