The Man and the Bird
The Man and the Bird, written by Ambrose Bierce, is a short story that follows the journey of a man who befriends a bird. The man, who is described as being "old and feeble," finds himself lost in a forest after his horse runs away. As he sits beneath a tree, he notices a bird perched on a branch above him. Despite their differences, the man and the bird strike up a conversation, with the bird offering to help the man find his way home. The man gratefully accepts the bird's offer and follows it through the forest, marveling at the bird's intelligence and kindness. Eventually, they reach the man's home, where the bird bids him farewell and flies away. The story is a poignant exploration of friendship and the unexpected connections that can form between individuals from different walks of life.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1891 · Genre: Literature, Short Stories, Satire · 141 words
First lines
A Man with a Shotgun said to a Bird:
"It is all nonsense, you know, about shooting being a cruel sport. I put my skill against your cunning-that is all there is of it. It is a fair game."
"True," said the Bird, "but I don't wish to play."
"Why not?" inquired the Man with a Shotgun.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man and the Bird is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literature, Short Stories, Satire, Supernatural, Psychological
- Length: 141 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man and the Bird 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 Man and the Bird?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- His Fly Speck Majesty by Ambrose Bierce
- The Writer And The Tramps by Ambrose Bierce
- Oil Of Dog by Ambrose Bierce
- A Transposition by Ambrose Bierce
- A Word To The Unwise by Ambrose Bierce
- The Goose And The Swan by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Literature — Being a work of Ambrose Bierce, the book falls under the Literature genre due to his significant contributions to the field.
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce is known for his impactful short stories, and 'The Man and the Bird' is expected to follow this style.
- Satire — Bierce's works often contain elements of satire, which is likely reflected in this book.
- Supernatural — Bierce often includes elements of the supernatural in his stories, which may be present in 'The Man and the Bird' .
Tags
fantasy · short story · magic realism · surrealism · bird imagery · man-bird hybrid · supernatural · symbolism · allegory · parable · mystery · horror