I'm A Little Teapot Article Index for
I'm A
Website Links For
Little
 

Information About

I'm A Little Teapot




The recitation of this rhyme is generally accompanied by physical actions that involve imitating a teapot ''(actions described in brackets below)''.

The rhyme with a 9-9-9-8 rhythm:
:I'm a little teapot, short and stout
:Here is my handle ''(place left hand on left hip to imitate handle)'', here is my spout ''(move right hand to imitate spout)''.
:When I get all steamed up then I shout. (alternately, "hear me shout")
:Tip me over and pour me out ''(lean to the right to imitate pouring tea from the spout)''.

The third line often varies: one line used is "When I spy a teacup, then I shout".

Though uncommon, an optional second verse exists:
:I'm a clever teapot, yes it's true
:Here's an example of what I can do
:I can change my handle to my spout ''(switch arm positions and repeat tipping motion)''.
:Just tip me over and pour me out.

Another version, common in the United Kingdom , with a 9-7-9-7 rhythm:

:I'm a little teapot, short and stout
:Here's my handle, here's my spout.
:When the kettle's boiling, hear me shout.
:Tip me up and pour me out.


PARODY:


In the children's show, Animaniacs, Dot (During a short called "Dot's Poetry Corner" in which she recietes parodies of famous nursery rhymes) recites a parody of the song in which the "teapot" is really an insane person who thinks he/she is various forms of kitchen appliances.
The parody went as such-

''I'm a little teapot, short and stout.
Here is my handle...
...And here's a letter from my shrink! (Dot holds up a sheet of paper with writing on it.)
He says I'm getting better!
Last week I thought I was a toaster oven! (Maniacal laughter.)''