The book contains an introduction and eleven tales, all written in rhyming couplets.
- “Introduction: Upon being asked by a Reader whether the verses contained in this book were true.”
- “Jim: Who ran away from his Nurse, and was eaten by a Lion.”
- “Henry King: Who chewed bits of string, and was early cut off in Dreadful agonies.”
- “Matilda: Who told Lies, and was Burned to Death.”
- “Franklin Hyde: Who caroused in the Dirt and was corrected by His Uncle.”
- “Godolphin Horne: Who was cursed with the Sin of Pride, and, Became a Boot-black.”
- “Algernon: Who played with a Loaded Gun, and, on missing his Sister, was reprimanded by his Father.”
- “Hildebrand: Who was frightened by a Passing Motor, and was brought to reason.”
- “Lord Lundy: Who was too Freely Moved to Tears, and thereby ruined his Political Career.”
- “Rebecca: Who Slammed Doors For Fun And Perished Miserably.”
- “George: Who played with a Dangerous Toy, and suffered a Catastrophe of considerable Dimensions.”
- “Charles Augustus Fortescue: Who Always Did what was Right, and so Accumulated an Immense Fortune.”
The book also contains some other verses by Belloc, all quite entertaining overall.