A Crocodile by Ambrose Bierce (1892)
The book "A CROCODILE" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that was first published in 1897. It tells the tale of a man who, after being bitten by a crocodile, finds himself transformed into a creature resembling the animal he was bitten by. The story explores themes of transformation and the blurring of lines between human and non-human.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1892 · Genre: Fiction, Horror, Short Story · 189 words
First lines
Nay, Peter Robertson, 'tis not for you To blubber o'er Max Taubles for he's dead.
By Heaven! my hearty, if you only knew How better is a grave-worm in the head Than brains like yours -- how far more decent, too, A tomb in far Corea than a bed Where Peter lies with Peter, you would covet His happier state and, dying, learn to love it.
In the recesses of the silent tomb No Maunderings of yours disturb the peace.
Your mental bag-pipe, droning like the gloom Of Hades audible, perforce must cease From troubling further; and that crack o' doom, Your mouth, shaped like a long bow, shall release In vain such shafts of wit as it can utter -- The ear of death can't even hear them flutter.
What this Textopian page supports
A Crocodile is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Horror, Short Story, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Length: 189 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Crocodile by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Crocodile?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Man And The Bird by Ambrose Bierce
- The Man And The Wart by Ambrose Bierce
- Oil Of Dog by Ambrose Bierce
- The Woful Tale Of Mr Peters by Ambrose Bierce
- His Fly Speck Majesty by Ambrose Bierce
- The Writer And The Tramps by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — This is a work of fiction by Ambrose Bierce, with made-up characters and events
- Horror — 'A Crocodile' plot and themes fall under the horror genre, as the author utilizes elements of fear and dread
- Short Story — 'A Crocodile' is a brief work, fitting the characteristics of a short story
- Fantasy — This book contains elements that are fantastic and imagined, which categorizes it as Fantasy
Tags
horror · gothic · fiction · short story · supernatural · animals · mythology · folklore · dark humor · satire · irony · symbolism