I Went Up One Pair of Stairs

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Author: Katharine Pyle

Young children love silly jokes and always have, as evidenced by this joke poem from a 1918 anthology. This joke will probably drive parents to distraction but will be a hit with the younger students. Students will read the passage and answer questions on the details and the theme.

Topic(s): Humor. Skill(s): Theme, Summary. Genre(s): Poetry

Passage

Now I will tell you a joke; whatever I say to you, you must answer “Just like me.” Now we will begin.

I went up one pair of stairs.

Just like me.

I went up two pair of stairs.

Just like me.

I turned myself round about.

Just like me.

I went up three pair of stairs.

Just like me.

I made a cross on the wall.

Just like me.

I went up four pair of stairs.

Just like me.

I looked out of a window.

Just like me.

And I found I was up as high as the highest treetop.

Just like me.

I saw something moving about in the highest treetop.

Just like me.

I stared and stared to see what it was.

Just like me.

And then I saw it was a little monkey.

Just like me.

Just like you! Ha, ha! You said the monkey was just like you; I think you must be a little monkey yourself if it looked just like you.

Reading Comprehension Questions
Answers

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