The Lion and the Rattlesnake
The Lion and the Rattlesnake is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1890. The story follows a lion who encounters a rattlesnake in the forest and, despite their natural instincts as predator and prey, they engage in a philosophical conversation about life, death, and the meaning of existence. The lion is intrigued by the snake's ability to shed its skin and transform itself, while the snake is fascinated by the lion's strength and power. Ultimately, the two creatures come to an understanding and part ways, each having gained a new perspective on their own existence.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1894 · Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Adventure · 216 words
First lines
A Man having found a Lion in his path undertook to subdue him by the power of the human eye; and near by was a Rattlesnake engaged in fascinating a small bird.
"How are you getting on, brother?" the Man called out to the other reptile, without removing his eyes from those of the Lion.
"Admirably," replied the serpent. "My success is assured; my victim draws nearer and nearer in spite of her efforts."
"And mine," said the Man, "draws nearer and nearer in spite of mine. Are you sure it is all right?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Lion and the Rattlesnake is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Fantasy, Children's literature
- Length: 216 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lion and the Rattlesnake 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 Lion and the Rattlesnake?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lion And The Boar by Ambrose Bierce
- The Wolf And The Lion by Ambrose Bierce
- The Mountain And The Mouse by Ambrose Bierce
- The Man And The Eagle by Ambrose Bierce
- The Fabulist And The Animals by Ambrose Bierce
- The Dog And The Reflection by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fiction — Ambrose Bierce is primarily known as a fiction writer, and the title suggests elements of narrative convention, including characters and conflict.
- Mystery — Given the potentially adversarial relationship suggested by the title, the book may contain elements of suspense and intrigue commonly found in the mystery genre.
- Adventure — The inclusion of animals in the title could imply an adventure story featuring these characters, a common theme in this genre
- Fantasy — As animals don’t normally interact in the way suggested by the title, this could indicate anthropomorphism, which is a common device in the fantasy genre.
Tags
fiction · short story · horror · supernatural · animals · nature · adventure · mystery · thriller · classic · american literature · gothic