I Went Up One Pair of Stairs
Reading Comprehension Activity
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
Click for the passage & questions on one printable PDF.
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.
Get the passage & questions on one printable PDF.