# Mr. and Mrs. Spikky Sparrow — Nonsense Books character guide

> Mr. and Mrs. Spikky Sparrow in Nonsense Books by Edward Lear.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Spikky Sparrow, Mrs. Spikky Sparrow, Mrs. Sparrow

**First appearance:** 0045-mr-and-mrs-spikky-sparrow

## Snapshot

A pair of sparrows whose household is upended when a grandly dressed Crane King courts their daughter Dell with a crocodile's egg.

## Who they are

Mr. and Mrs. Spikky Sparrow preside over a nest full of ordinary domestic bustle until a feast draws every wading bird on the Nile, including the King of the Cranes in pea-green trousers. When he falls for their daughter Dell, the parents must weigh pride against the coming absence. Their refrain of perfect happiness becomes a poignant counterpoint once Dell flies off toward the Gromboolian Plain, leaving them watching the moon from the sand.

## Relationships

### [Mr. and Mrs. Discobbolos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters/mr_and_mrs_discobbolos)

_social_

They are neighbors and acquaintances who share a wall and occasionally interact in domestic settings.

### [Mr. and Mrs. Discobbolos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters/mr_and_mrs_discobbolos)

_social_

They are neighbors and acquaintances who share a wall and occasionally interact in domestic settings.

### [Mr. and Mrs. Discobbolos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters/mr_and_mrs_discobbolos)

_social_

They are neighbors and acquaintances who share a wall and occasionally interact in domestic settings.

## In the story

### [Nonsense Songs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/nonsense-songs)

Mr. and Mrs. Spikky Sparrow worry about each other's health, travel to London to buy hats and a gown, and return looking beautiful.

### [Mr. and Mrs. Spikky Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/mr-and-mrs-spikky-sparrow)

The central couple who worry about each other's health and lack of hats, then journey to London to buy proper clothing.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/i)

Mr. Spikky Sparrow stands on a little piece of wood; Mrs. Sparrow sits close by making an insect-pie for their five children.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/ii)

Mrs. Spikky Sparrow addresses her husband, Spikky, expressing concern over his cough and sneeze, attributing it to his not wearing a hat.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/iii)

Mr. Spikky Sparrow speaks about the cold nights and the need for a hat, and Mrs. Spikky Sparrow responds with kindness and affection.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/iv)

The speaker addresses Spikky Sparrow, noting his winking, sniffle-snuffle, and ruffled feathers, and expresses concern about neuralgia.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/vii)

Return to their nest after dressing up, admired by their children.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as Mr. and Mrs. Canary, who request to build a nest on the Quangle Wangle's hat.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters/mr_and_mrs_spikky_sparrow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters