Bobby Snooks
Little Bobby Snooks was fond of his books,
And loved by his usher and master;
But naughty Jack Spry, he got a black eye,
And carries his nose in a plaster.
This rhyme comes from the Victorian and late-Georgian school tradition, where short verses were sometimes used to poke fun at classroom behavior. Little Bobby Snooks is the neat and studious child — the one teachers praise. Naughty Jack Spry is the opposite: chaotic, impulsive, always in trouble.
Victorian moral verses often tried to encourage good behavior, but unlike many strict rhymes of that era, this one keeps things playful. No scolding. No sermon. Just a quick contrast: one boy earns approval, the other limps away with a bandage and a black eye.
In short, it’s a light-hearted reminder that sometimes mischief comes with bruises — and that every classroom has a Bobby and a Jack.
1. A simple retelling
Two boys behave very differently at school — one studies well, and the other gets into trouble and ends up hurt.
2. The characters
Main characters: Bobby Snooks (well-behaved), Jack Spry (mischievous)
Other characters: The teacher or master
3. Setting
A school environment with students and a teacher.
4. Theme
The contrast between discipline and mischief.
5. Moral
Good conduct brings approval — careless behavior brings consequences.
