The Farmer and the Fox
The Farmer and the Fox is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899. The story follows a farmer who, after being tricked by a fox, becomes determined to catch him. However, the farmer's wife intervenes and convinces him to spare the fox's life. The story explores themes of empathy, compassion, and the importance of understanding and appreciating the natural world.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 81 words
First lines
A Farmer who had a deadly and implacable hatred against a certain Fox, caught him and tied some tow to his tail; then carrying him to the centre of his own grain-field, set the tow on fire and let the animal go.
"Alas!" said the Farmer, seeing the result; "if that grain had not been heavily insured, I might have had to dissemble my hatred of the Fox."
What this Textopian page supports
The Farmer and the Fox is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 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: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Short Story
- Length: 81 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Farmer and the Fox 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 Farmer and the Fox?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lion The Bear And The Fox by Ambrose Bierce
- The Milkmaid And Her Bucket by Ambrose Bierce
- The Hare And The Tortoise by Ambrose Bierce
- The Fabulist And The Animals by Ambrose Bierce
- The Pun by Ambrose Bierce
- The Ants And The Grasshopper by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fable — The title suggests this is a tale involving animals with human characteristics, which is typical of fables.
- Children's Literature — Fables are often written for a younger audience, teaching moral lessons through simple and engaging stories.
- Fantasy — The concept of animals behaving like humans often falls under the fantasy genre.
- Short Story — Ambrose Bierce is known for his short stories, and the simplicity of the title suggests a concise narrative.
Tags
fable · animal stories · farmer · fox · moral tales · short stories · classic literature · American literature · humor · satire · irony · morality