Old Mother Hubbard
by Unknown · from Bo-Peep Story Books
Adapted Version
Old Mother Hubbard had a dog. She loved him very much. She went to the cupboard. She wanted a bone for her dog. But the cupboard was empty! Oh dear! Her dog had no bone.
Old Mother Hubbard went to the baker's. She bought some bread for her dog. She came back home. Her dog was very, very still. He did not move at all. Mother Hubbard felt sad.
Mother Hubbard went out again. She was still worried about her dog. She came back to her house. Her dog was not still. He was happy and he laughed. What a funny dog!
She went to get a treat. She came back to her home. Her dog sat there. He was smoking a pipe. It was a funny sight.
Mother Hubbard went for some water. She came back very fast. Her dog sat in a chair. He looked very grand. What a clever dog!
She went to get a snack. She came back to her house. Her dog was upside down. He stood on his head. Mother Hubbard laughed.
Mother Hubbard went for a hat. She came back to her home. Her dog had a friend. He was feeding a cat. How kind her dog was!
She went to get a wig. She came back to her house. Her dog was dancing. He danced a happy jig. He was very lively.
Mother Hubbard went for some fruit. She came back to her home. Her dog held a flute. He played a sweet tune. What a musical dog!
She went to get a coat. She came back to her house. Her dog was on a goat. He rode it very well. This dog loved adventures!
Mother Hubbard went for some shoes. She came back to her home. Her dog held a paper. He was reading the news. He was a smart dog.
She went to get some linen. She came back to her house. Her dog was spinning around. He spun very, very fast. He loved to play games.
Mother Hubbard went for some clothes. She came back to her home. Her dog wore a coat. He wore trousers too. He was fully dressed!
Mother Hubbard made a curtsey. Her dog made a bow. She said, "Your servant." Her dog said, "Woof, woof!" Mother Hubbard smiled. They were happy friends.
Original Story
Old Mother Hubbard.
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To give her poor dog a bone;
But 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,
And when she came back
Poor doggy was dead.
She went to the joiner's
To buy him a coffin,
And when she came back
The dog was a-laughing
She took a clean dish
To get him some tripe.
And when she came back
He was smoking his pipe.
She went to the ale-house
To get him some beer,
And when she came back,
Doggy sat in a chair.
She went to the tavern
For white wine and red,
And when she came back
The dog stood on his head.
She went to the hatter's
To buy him a hat,
And when she came back
He was feeding the cat.
She went to the barber's
To buy him a wig,
And when she came back
He was dancing a jig.
She went to the fruiterer's
To buy him some fruit,
And when she came back
He was playing the flute.
She went to the tailor's
To buy him a coat,
And when she came back
He was riding a goat.
She went to the cobbler's
To buy him some shoes,
And when she came back
He was reading the news.
She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen,
And when she came back
The dog was a-spinning.
She went to the hosier's
To buy him some hose,
And when she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
The dame made a curtsey,
The dog made a bow;
The dame said, “Your servant,”
The dog said, “Bow, wow!”
Little Bo-Peep;
AND
OTHER TALES.
Edited by Madame de Chatelain.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Old Mother Hubbard goes to her cupboard to feed her dog, but finds it empty. She then embarks on a series of errands to buy various provisions for her pet. Each time she returns, she finds her dog, who initially appeared dead, performing a new, increasingly human-like and absurd activity, such as laughing, smoking a pipe, dancing, or reading the news. The story concludes with a polite, formal interaction between the fully dressed, anthropomorphic dog and its devoted owner.
Themes
Emotional Arc
concern to amusement
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Nursery rhymes like this often served as simple entertainment and memory aids for children, reflecting everyday life and common objects of the time.
Plot Beats (14)
- Old Mother Hubbard goes to her cupboard to get her dog a bone, but the cupboard is empty.
- She goes to the baker's for bread, and upon returning, finds her dog seemingly dead.
- She goes to the joiner's for a coffin, but returns to find the dog laughing.
- She gets tripe, and returns to find the dog smoking a pipe.
- She gets beer, and returns to find the dog sitting in a chair.
- She gets wine, and returns to find the dog standing on its head.
- She gets a hat, and returns to find the dog feeding a cat.
- She gets a wig, and returns to find the dog dancing a jig.
- She gets fruit, and returns to find the dog playing the flute.
- She gets a coat, and returns to find the dog riding a goat.
- She gets shoes, and returns to find the dog reading the news.
- She gets linen, and returns to find the dog spinning.
- She gets hose, and returns to find the dog dressed in its clothes.
- Mother Hubbard curtseys, and the dog bows, concluding with a verbal exchange.
Characters
Old Mother Hubbard ★ protagonist
A short, somewhat stout elderly woman with a gentle demeanor. Her hands are likely gnarled from years of work, and she moves with a slight stoop, indicative of her age and constant concern for her dog.
Attire: A practical, dark blue wool skirt reaching her ankles, a plain white linen blouse with long sleeves, and a sturdy, dark brown apron tied over it. She wears a simple grey knitted shawl draped over her shoulders for warmth, and sensible, low-heeled black leather shoes. Her clothing is clean but well-worn, showing signs of mending.
Wants: To care for her beloved dog and ensure his well-being and happiness.
Flaw: Her gullibility and her dog's mischievous nature, which constantly leads her on wild goose chases.
She remains consistently devoted to her dog, despite his antics. Her arc is one of enduring patience and love, rather than significant personal change.
Caring, persistent, easily flustered, devoted, somewhat naive.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a kind, wrinkled face with soft blue eyes and rosy cheeks. Her sparse white hair is pulled back into a neat bun. She wears a dark blue wool skirt, a plain white linen blouse, a dark brown apron, and a grey knitted shawl draped over her shoulders. Her sensible black leather shoes are visible. She holds a small, empty, woven basket in her left hand, with a slightly worried but determined expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Her Dog ◆ supporting
A medium-sized, scruffy terrier-mix dog, with shaggy, wiry brown and white fur. He has a lean build, expressive ears that often perk up mischievously, and a wagging tail. His movements are quick and agile.
Attire: Typically unclothed, but occasionally appears in human-like attire such as a hat, wig, or full suit of clothes (a simple, dark wool coat and trousers, with white linen hose).
Wants: To entertain himself, perhaps to playfully tease Old Mother Hubbard, and to enjoy the various items she brings him.
Flaw: His inability to communicate verbally, leading to misunderstandings, and his love for playful antics.
Remains consistently playful and mischievous, never truly changing, but always bringing a smile (or exasperated sigh) to Old Mother Hubbard's face.
Mischievous, playful, intelligent, independent, affectionate (in his own way).
Image Prompt & Upload
A medium-sized, scruffy terrier-mix dog, standing upright on two legs, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has shaggy brown and white fur, bright, intelligent dark brown eyes, and a pointed snout with a black nose. His ears are perked up. He wears a small, dark brown, round hat on his head and holds a wooden flute in his paws, as if playing it. His expression is one of playful concentration. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Old Mother Hubbard's Cottage Kitchen
A modest, cozy kitchen in a traditional English cottage, likely with a stone hearth and simple wooden furniture. The cupboard is a prominent feature.
Mood: Initially hopeful, then despairing, quickly shifting to whimsical and surprising.
Mother Hubbard repeatedly returns here to find her dog in various unexpected and increasingly absurd states after her errands.
Image Prompt & Upload
A warm, rustic English cottage kitchen interior. Sunlight streams through a small leaded-pane window, illuminating dust motes in the air. A large, dark wooden cupboard stands against a whitewashed wall, its doors slightly ajar, revealing empty shelves. A worn wooden table with two simple chairs sits in the center, and a stone hearth with a simmering pot hangs over a low fire. The floor is made of wide, uneven timber planks. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Baker's Shop
A traditional English baker's shop, filled with the aroma of fresh bread and displaying various baked goods.
Mood: Busy, warm, inviting, with the scent of fresh baking.
Mother Hubbard attempts to buy bread for her dog.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a bustling English village baker's shop. Warm, golden light from a window illuminates a wooden counter piled high with crusty loaves of bread, golden-brown rolls, and sweet pastries. Behind the counter, shelves are neatly stacked with more baked goods, and a large brick oven glows faintly in the background. The air is thick with the inviting scent of yeast and sugar. The floor is made of worn flagstones. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Ale-House/Tavern
A lively, somewhat dimly lit English ale-house or tavern, with wooden tables and benches, and a bar serving drinks.
Mood: Boisterous, convivial, slightly smoky, with the clinking of tankards.
Mother Hubbard visits to procure beer and wine for her dog.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, cozy interior of a traditional English ale-house. Heavy timber beams crisscross the low ceiling, and a large stone fireplace crackles warmly on one wall. Patrons sit on sturdy wooden benches at rough-hewn tables, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of oil lamps. A long, polished wooden bar is lined with pewter tankards and earthenware jugs. The air is hazy with pipe smoke and the scent of malt and hops. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
