Bridges Quote by Rudyard Kipling
“Twenty bridges from Tower to Kew — (Twenty bridges or twenty two) — Wanted to know what the River knew, For they were young, and the Thames was old And this is the tale that River told.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The River Song (attributed to Kipling), early 20th century
The speaker reflects on youthful curiosity about the river's ancient wisdom, suggesting that age and experience hold stories worth listening to.
In simple terms: Youth seeks the river's old knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Listen to the wisdom of older generations.
Themes
curiosity
history
wisdom
Mood
contemplative
nostalgic
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- learning from elders
- environmental education
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
river
memory
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- What can we learn from natural cycles?
- How does age shape perspective?
A Different Perspective
The river's perspective may be romanticized, not factual.
![“The only real river I knew was hardly more than a brook. It spilled through a tumbledown mill at the bottom of our road, opened into a little trouty pool, then ran on through water meadows over graveled shallows into Fakenham [England], where it slowed and deepened, gathering strength for the long…” quote by Jonathan Raban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29e/jonathan-raban-11981_bottom_the-only-real-river-i-knew-was-hardly-mo_2096118.jpg)
