The Lion and the Thorn
The Lion and the Thorn is a novella by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1874. It tells the story of a young man named Edwin who inherits a kingdom after his father's death, but finds himself struggling with the weight of his new responsibilities and the pressure to marry a woman he does not love. As he navigates his new role as king, Edwin must confront his own desires and the expectations of those around him, ultimately discovering that true power comes from within.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1894 · Genre: Fable, Short Story, Fantasy · 114 words
First lines
A Lion roaming through the forest, got a thorn in his foot, and, meeting a Shepherd, asked him to remove it. The Shepherd did so, and the Lion, having just surfeited himself on another shepherd, went away without harming him. Some time afterward the Shepherd was condemned on a false accusation to be cast to the lions in the amphitheatre. When they were about to devour him, one of them said:
"This is the man who removed the thorn from my foot."
Hearing this, the others honourably abstained, and the claimant ate the Shepherd all himself.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lion and the Thorn 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: Fable, Short Story, Fantasy, Children's Literature
- Length: 114 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lion and the Thorn by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Lion and the Thorn?
- 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 And The Boar by Ambrose Bierce
- Haita The Shepherd by Ambrose Bierce
- The Lion And The Rattlesnake by Ambrose Bierce
- The Man And The Fish Horn by Ambrose Bierce
- The Dog And The Reflection by Ambrose Bierce
- The Piping Fisherman by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Fable — The story follows the traditional format of a fable, featuring animals such as a lion as main characters, typically used to convey a moral or lesson.
- Short Story — The work is brief and succinct, emphasizing a single event or character, a characteristic of a short story.
- Fantasy — The narrative depicts talking animals, a typical element of the fantasy genre.
- Children's Literature — Given the instructive nature of the story and its accessibility to younger audiences, it aligns with elements of children's literature.
Tags
fantasy · adventure · magic · mythology · quest · heroism · bravery · suspense · mystery · horror · gothic · supernatural