I think it was the right poem, and the right literature that is what drives and attracts people. You won’t find everything you want or need in all of them but if you find one that connects with you somehow on a deeper level, you will soak it up! Glad your son is enjoying this old poem!

I recall having a book at home of Pushkin's tales. I don't remember them, I'm afraid, because I think I was more enamoured with the pictures at the time. 

I've never been big on poems, but I have a couple of cat ones I learned to recite because they caught my attention. The main one was because the end made me laugh:

Puss was hungry and thin when she came to my door, 
On a bitterly cold winter's night. 
What all on your lonesome, she seemed to be saying,
That's something we'll have to put right.

Now I'd be pleased to accept just a morsel to eat,
Of whatever you feel you can spare. 
Yes a tin of sardines will do nicely for me
Then I fancy a doze in your chair. 

Now I've three pretty kittens the image of Puss,
Right down to the very last paw.
If you really don't want to be owned by a cat, 
Your better not answer the door. 

*Sadly, I don't recall who wrote it.* 

The other obviously didn't capture me quite as much as I only recall part of it. I wonder if this poem of Vlad's will stay with him for many years as well. 

Humor can also be a great way to inspire kids to enjoy seemingly boring tasks like memorizing poems.  Tasked with doing just that in the 1st grade, when I was six years old, I so committed to memory the following that I remember it more than 50 years later.

One bright day in the middle of night 
Two dead boys got up to fight
Back to back they faced each other
Drew their swords and shot each other

Deaf policeman heard the noise
Came and killed the two dead boys
If you don't believe this lie is true
Ask the blind man.  He saw it too!

I don't remember the name of the poem, or who wrote it, but it was farcical enough to make an impression on my young mind.

Thanks!