Baa Baa, Black Sheep

by Rudyard Kipling

These stories reflect Kipling's own experiences in life. Kipling was born in India in 1865 but in 1871 he was sent to England to live with a foster family - an unhappy experience which is chronicled in 'Baa Baa, Black Sheep'.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Classics, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, France, India

54 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1995

About the author

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.

Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".

Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."

Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are two semi-autobiographical stories by Rudyard Kipling, set in the early 1900s. Four stars for "Baa Baa, Black Sheep" and five stars for "The Gardener," so 4.5 for both, rounding up to five stars. You can read both stories free online (links below).

Starting off with my favorite, "The Gardener": I came across this 1925 short story very indirectly through a WWWednesday article at FantasyLiterature.com, which mentioned a recent New York Times article defending Kipling and another author (Susan Sontag). The NYT article in turn mentions "The Gardener" as one of Kipling's best short works. I found the full text of this story online here.

"The Gardener" is set in the WWI era. It tells of Helen Turrell, an older single Englishwoman who takes in the illegitimate son of her dead brother and raises him. We follow Helen and Michael Turrell briefly through a few key episodes in his childhood, and then into WWI and the aftermath.

This story deals brilliantly with themes of truth and secrets, love and mourning. It's a rather gentle (and gently ironic) story, even though it deals with heart-wrenching events and losses. It's also partly autobiographical: Kipling's son went missing after the Battle of Loos, and his body was never recovered. "The Gardener" may be a little sentimental, but it really touched me, and there are a couple of surprises along the way, including an unexpected note of grace at the end, reminiscent of John 20:15 ("Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.").

I recommend this story highly, especially for those who love historical fiction. It's a quick read, maybe 15 minutes.

"Baa Baa, Black Sheep" is an even more autobiographical Kipling story. Two English children, 5 year old "Punch" and three-year-old Judy, live a delightful life in Anglo-occupied India, until their parents decide to send them to England for a five year period, to live with a foster family and gain some English schooling. This actually happened to Rudyard and his little sister Alice, called Trix, at the same ages as Punch and Judy. Unfortunately the foster mother is a dreadful, cruel woman, using her fundamentalist Christian beliefs as an excuse to browbeat the initially exuberant and imaginative Punch, and encouraging her teenage son and Punch's schoolmates to bully him. While little Judy is accepted and even loved by the foster mother, Punch is beyond miserable. His only joys are the time he is allowed to spend with Judy (which is strictly limited) and reading books -- which becomes difficult when his eyesight begins to fail.

In that day it was common for English families living in India to send their children back to England for schooling, but it seems incredible, at least to our modern view, that Punch and Judy (and Rudyard and Trix) were sent away by their otherwise loving parents at such early ages to strangers, with such little care taken for their emotional well-being. There's some dispute now as to exactly how much of this story is autobiographical and how much is fictional. At one point Kipling claimed the story was almost entirely fictional, but from what is known of his life and from other writings, it does seem that he was trying to spare his parents further pain by disclaiming the truth in this story.

As a literary work it's a painful exploration of the trials and misery of an initially spoiled, but goodhearted young boy, called "Black Sheep" by those around him, and treated as such. As an autobiographical story it's devastating. "Baa Baa Black Sheep" is aptly divided into three "bags" (of wool): his early life with his family in India, his time in England with the foster family, and finally the return of his mother at the end of the five years. Joy again comes to Punch's life: but how much has he been damaged -- and perhaps in some ways strengthened -- by this experience?

‘There! Told you so,’ says Punch. ‘It’s all different now, and we are just as much Mother’s as if she had never gone.’

Not altogether, O Punch, for when young lips have drunk deep of the bitter waters of Hate, Suspicion, and Despair, all the Love in the world will not wholly take away that knowledge; though it may turn darkened eyes for a while to the light, and teach Faith where no Faith was.

Read this story online here.

Bonus material: The Kipling Society has some wonderful online pages discussing these and other Kipling works, both their literary merits and how closely they relate to Kipling's actual life experiences.
Link for "The Gardener" discussion: http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/rg_ga...
Link for "Baa Baa, Black Sheep" discussion: http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/rg_ba...

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow did I really read this all that time ago - strangely it lands with just as much impact the second time around as well. It does make you wonder why people are who and what they are.


This is quite an eye opener - Ok I thought I was familiar with the works of Rudyard Kipling - jungle book and all that but reading the two short stories in this book - and then discovering the reasons why he wrote them and what aspects of his life he is relating - really brings home the hardship and the grief he had in his life, something I never stopped to consider - for something that at first sight appears a quick throw away read it was very profound.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just 'The Gardener' this time around:

An aunt's grief for a nephew killed by a splinter shell on the Somme.

A poignant tale of Remembrance read by Patricia Hodge.

[Jan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book consists of two stories from Rudyard Kipling, both of which were based on events in his own life.

The first Baa Baa Black Sheep, tells the story of Punch and Judy (you woudn't believe how long it took me to catch on to those names) who are sent away from their parents in India to an aunt (or possibly a foster family) in England. Aunty Rosa thinks Judy to be the sweetest thing and Punch to be an evil little liar and starts calling him Black Sheep. This was just the saddest little tale, especially after I read the back and found out that it was based on his own life.

The second, The Gardener, also based on his own life in that his son, also, died in World War I. It is kind of a parable and also kind of comes from the Bible, John 20:15 - "She supposing him to be the gardener...".

I never read any Kipling before, although my parents had a couple of his books on their shelves.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Gardener:
An aunt's grief for her nephew, killed by a splinter shell on the Somme. A poignant tale of remembrance read by Patricia Hodge.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nrvp3

[Carolyn Whitzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve read any books by Kipling. The two short stories here are savage. Maybe I should read more.
Baa baa Black Sheep is about an abusive upbringing. Hard to believe that English children born in India were were sent to England to be brought up there by paid strangers. The Gardener gives a good sense of the savagery of war. Both very grim.

[Vany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I have to analyse it for a term paper only to find out it‘s useless for my analysis hahahaha fml (still a decent read tho)

[Coenraad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kipling is known as the author of THE JUNGLE BOOK and the JUST SO STORIES, as well as the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature (he was 42 when he won in 1907). The two texts in this Penguin 60s book frame his life: the first tells of his childhood, when he and his sister had to spend five years with an aunt and uncle while their parents were still in India; the second is based on his grief of losing a son in the Great War (1914-1918). In both instances he distances himself from the events by creating an alter ego (Punch, later known as Black Sheep in 'Baa baa, Black Sheep'; and Helen, whose beloved nephew - rather an adopted son - Michael is killed in the trenches). It is the accurate, apparently disinterested portrayal of the characters' emotions that remain with the reader.

Kipling het roem verwerf as kinderboekskrywer (THE JUNGLE BOOK en JUST SO STORIES) en Nobelpryswenner vir Letterkunde. Die verhale in hierdie boekie vertel van ander aspekte van sy lewe: vyf nare kinderjare by 'n tante in Engeland terwyl sy ouers nog in Indië was, en die tragedie van 'n gestorwe geliefde (Kipling se seun) in die loopgrawe van die Eerste Wêreldoorlog. Hy skep alter ego's sodat hy indirek kan vertel en sodoende klim hy oortuigend onder die vel van die emosies in. Sy verhale ontroer dus.

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two short stories in this penguin 60s book. The first was four stars, the second three, but overall it felt like a three.
The first is the story of two children, Punch and Judy (I know, really?) who are send back to England from India to live with an aunt. The aunt considers Judy to be a perfect little angel, but sees everything Punch (the Black Sheep) does as naughty, even evil, and punishes him for it.
The second story tells of a woman with an out-of-wedlock son she raised as a nephew, who dies an officer in World War I. She visits his unmarked war grave in Flanders.

[Beth Ohrenschall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two stories of unbearable loss and grief. The first story is told from the perspective of a child who, for a time, lost his parents and found himself alone in the world. The second tells the story of a woman who loses her nephew whom she raised from childhood, to war. Sadly, Kipling wrote both stories from experience.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two short stories with bases in Kipling's own life. Moving and heartfelt. Read with tissues close by.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both short stories are wonderful for giving the readers an insight into Kiplings inspirations and for giving us insights into worlds we haven't seen ourselves. I appreciate how well he describes the emotional abuse, especially since it can be so hard to express and explain.

The gardener really woke me some realities of war. The quote, "It's Miss Helen's turn now," really got to me. No one could escape. The secrets part is so interesting, and how social norms had a huge impact on mourning. How many secret relationships were there that caused people to have to lie and manipulate in order to mourn someone they loved.

Anyway, I'll need to reread because I'm sure I didn't understand everything inThe Garden.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"These stories reflect Kipling's own experiences in life. Kipling was born in India in 1865 but in 1871 he was sent to England to live with a foster family - an unhappy experience which is chronicled in 'Baa Baa, Black Sheep'."

Short & easily read, both stories are very satisfying.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a couple of autobiographical pieces by Rudyard Kipling, including one about the abuse he suffered as a child and one that’s based upon his experience of losing his son during the war. Deep.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first story, Baa Baa, Black Sheep, best. It reminds us to be careful and full of grace when dealing with children. They may become what we say they are, and they may give up trying to do right, when all they receive is criticism.

[Red · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through many days all four were vagabonds on the face of the earth

[Andrée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite and heart rending

[Mavis Hewitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of its time, but nevertheless an unsettling portrayal of the effect of separation and adult attitudes on children

[Mitchell Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just for the Gardener. That ending, wow. I’m in tears. So subtle and so perfect

[Geraldine Gomez Ruiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed very much Kipling's story of "Baa Baa, Black Sheep," it is not a happy story though, and it makes my heart cry that it is autobiographical. "The Gardner" is also sad and well-written.

[Angus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply moving

[K. Anna Kraft · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've arranged my thoughts on "Baa Baa, Black Sheep" into a haiku:

"So much can be made
By projections on a child,
And bad guardians."