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TL;DR: Shy, retired Mr. Hoppy is secretly in love with his downstairs neighbor, Mrs. Silver. She is devoted to her small pet tortoise, Alfie, and wishes he would grow bigger. Mr. Hoppy invents a magic rhyme and a clever secret plan involving a hundred and forty tortoises, hoping to make her wish come true and win her heart.
Table of Contents
Esio Trot at a Glance
| Author | Roald Dahl |
| First published | 1990 |
| Type | Children's book |
| Best for | young readers who want a short, sweet and funny love story with a clever trick |
Esio Trot is a children's book by Roald Dahl, published in 1990 with illustrations by Quentin Blake. It was the last book Dahl published in his lifetime. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: None.
Main Characters
- Mr. Hoppy: A shy, kind retired man.
- Mrs. Silver: A cheerful woman who loves her tortoise.
- Alfie: Mrs. Silver's small pet tortoise.
- The pet shop owners: Sellers of tortoises.
- Roberta Squibb: A girl who ends up with the original Alfie.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A secret love
Mr. Hoppy lives in a flat above Mrs. Silver. He has loved her for years but is too shy to tell her. Every day, he watches from his balcony as she talks to Alfie, her tortoise. She worries that Alfie is not growing and wishes he would get bigger.
The magic words
Mr. Hoppy tells Mrs. Silver that he knows a magic rhyme from Africa to make tortoises grow. The rhyme is “Esio trot, esio trot,” which is “tortoise” spelled backward, followed by more backward words. Mrs. Silver happily says it to Alfie three times a day, holding him up.
The plan
Mr. Hoppy buys more than a hundred tortoises from pet shops, of slightly different sizes. He builds a special grabbing tool to reach down to Mrs. Silver's balcony. While she is at work, he secretly swaps Alfie for a slightly larger tortoise. He repeats the swap again and again over several weeks.
Alfie “grows”
Mrs. Silver is delighted to see Alfie growing. She tells Mr. Hoppy, and he pretends to be amazed. Finally, Alfie grows so big that he cannot fit through the door of his little house. Mr. Hoppy tells her to say a new rhyme to make him a little smaller, and swaps him back for a slightly smaller tortoise.
Love
Mrs. Silver is so grateful that she kisses Mr. Hoppy and says she will marry him. They live happily together. Mr. Hoppy returns the other tortoises to pet shops. The original Alfie is bought by a girl named Roberta Squibb, and, over many years, he grows to an enormous size naturally.
5 Key Takeaways
- Small acts of kindness can win hearts.
- Shyness can be overcome.
- Clever plans can solve problems.
- Love can bloom at any age.
- Patience brings rewards.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Making someone happy can make you happy too.
- Imagination can create magic in everyday life.
- Sometimes a little trick is harmless and kind.
Who Should Read Esio Trot?
Read Esio Trot if you are a young reader who enjoys short, funny and gentle stories. It suits ages 5 to 9.
About Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was a British author whose children's books include The BFG, Matilda and The Twits. Esio Trot was published shortly before his death. It was adapted into a BBC television film in 2015, starring Judi Dench and Dustin Hoffman.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Esio Trot:
- Why does Mr. Hoppy invent the magic rhyme?
- Is Mr. Hoppy's trick fair to Mrs. Silver?
- Why does the story end with Roberta Squibb?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Esio Trot is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Esio Trot, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is short, sweet and perfect for reading aloud.
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What to Read Next
- The Twits by Roald Dahl: another short, funny Dahl story
- The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl: a short, silly story for young readers
- Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel: gentle stories of friendship
Related: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl: Summary and Key Takeaways · George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Esio Trot about?
A shy man uses a clever trick with tortoises to win the woman he loves.
Who wrote it?
Roald Dahl, in 1990.
What does “Esio Trot” mean?
It is “tortoise” spelled backward.
Who is Alfie?
Mrs. Silver's pet tortoise.
How many tortoises does Mr. Hoppy buy?
About 140.
Does Mrs. Silver find out?
No, she never learns the secret.
Do they get married?
Yes.
Is there a film?
Yes, a 2015 BBC TV film.
What age is it for?
About 5 to 9.
How long is it?
About 60 pages.
Who illustrated it?
Quentin Blake.
Was it Dahl's last book?
It was the last published in his lifetime.
Is it good for reading aloud?
Yes. It is short and funny, and young listeners love the backward rhyme.
Is Esio Trot worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for young readers who want a short, sweet and funny love story with a clever trick. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.