The Dog and the Physician
In this short story, a dog is brought to a physician who is unable to diagnose the dog's illness despite his best efforts. The physician becomes frustrated and angry with the dog, but the dog remains calm and patient throughout. Eventually, the physician realizes that he has been acting foolishly and apologizes to the dog. The story explores themes of empathy, understanding, and the importance of treating all living beings with kindness and respect.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1870 · Genre: Short Stories, Satire, Fables · 91 words
First lines
A Dog that had seen a Physician attending the burial of a wealthy patient, said: "When do you expect to dig it up?"
"Why should I dig it up?" the Physician asked.
"When I bury a bone," said the Dog, "it is with an intention to uncover it later and pick it."
"The bones that I bury," said the Physician, "are those that I can no longer pick."
What this Textopian page supports
The Dog and the Physician is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1870 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1870 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Satire, Fables, Fiction
- Length: 91 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dog and the Physician 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 The Dog and the Physician?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Woful Tale Of Mr Peters by Ambrose Bierce
- An Explanation by Ambrose Bierce
- A Man by Ambrose Bierce
- A Revivalist Revived by Ambrose Bierce
- A Bad Night by Ambrose Bierce
- Art by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — The book 'The Dog and the Physician' by Ambrose Bierce includes independent narratives, representing a standard collection of shorter works.
- Satire — Bierce's works usually include criticism of people or society, targeted through humor, irony, and exaggeration.
- Fables — This particular story includes animals as characters, and often features morals or lessons, much like a fable.
- Fiction — Like most of Bierce's works, 'The Dog and the Physician' is a work of fiction with invented events and characters.
Tags
horror · gothic · supernatural · short story · mystery · thriller · fiction · literature · classic · american literature · 19th century literature · symbolism