The Hen and the Vipers
The Hen and the Vipers is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, published in 1891. The story follows a hen who, after being attacked by a group of vipers, seeks revenge against them. Despite her best efforts, the hen is unable to defeat the vipers and is ultimately killed. The story explores themes of violence, revenge, and the futility of attempting to fight against overwhelming odds. Bierce's writing is concise and direct, with a focus on the practicalities of the hen's situation rather than any larger moral or philosophical implications. Overall, The Hen and the Vipers is a compact and powerful tale that highlights the dangers of underestimating one's opponents and the inevitability of defeat in the face of overwhelming force.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1896 · Genre: Fable, Satire, Allegory · 85 words
First lines
A Hen who had patiently hatched out a brood of vipers, was accosted by a
Swallow, who said: "What a fool you are to give life to creatures who will reward you by destroying you."
"I am a little bit on the destroy myself," said the Hen, tranquilly swallowing one of the little reptiles; "and it is not an act of folly to provide oneself with the delicacies of the season."
What this Textopian page supports
The Hen and the Vipers is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Satire, Allegory, Short Story
- Length: 85 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hen and the Vipers 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 Hen and the Vipers?
- 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 Wolves And The Dogs by Ambrose Bierce
- Cain by Ambrose Bierce
- On The Platform by Ambrose Bierce
- The Death Penalty by Ambrose Bierce
- A Wet Season by Ambrose Bierce
- To The Fool Killer by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fable — The title indicates the story could be an animal tale symbolizing human morals, typical of fables.
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce was well-known for his satirical writings.
- Allegory — Assuming the animals are metaphorical characters representing different aspects of human nature or society, the story could be classified as an allegory.
- Short Story — Based on the author's other works, it could be a short story.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · fable · allegory · dark · mystery · thriller · suspense · violence · death · grief