A Tame Deer
The narrative recounts the author's experiences with a pet deer named Bonito, acquired in Los Angeles. Initially, Bonito is a gentle and affectionate companion, thriving in a household filled with various animals. However, as summer progresses, his demeanor shifts dramatically. He becomes increasingly aggressive, culminating in a violent encounter with the author. During a struggle to bring Bonito home after he escapes, the author faces a fierce battle for control, resulting in injuries and exhaustion. Despite his efforts to subdue the deer, Bonito's strength and fury escalate, leading to a chaotic scene in the neighborhood. The author ultimately manages to secure Bonito, but the encounter leaves him battered and shaken. The situation escalates further when a butcher attempts to kill Bonito, only for the deer to retaliate fiercely, showcasing his formidable nature. The author reflects on the dangers of keeping such a wild animal as a pet, ultimately deciding against acquiring another deer. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of wild animals, even when raised in captivity, and the inherent risks involved in human-animal relationships.
By Charles Fletcher Lummis · First published 1908 · Genre: Fiction, Adventure, Nature · 3,196 words
First lines
Buck deer, at certain seasons, or when wounded, may be very ugly customers; and in hunting East and West, I have had several unpleasant experiences with them. The very first deer I ever killed, up in the New Hampshire mountains, came wonderfully close to killing me-after his hind leg was broken at the hip and I thought it was quite safe to close in to finish him. How he literally "wiped the ground" with me!
What this Textopian page supports
A Tame Deer is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Fletcher Lummis, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charles Fletcher Lummis
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Nature, Historical, Children's Literature
- Length: 3,196 words
- Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Tame Deer by Charles Fletcher Lummis
- 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 A Tame Deer?
- How does this poem by Charles Fletcher Lummis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Fiction — Charles Fletcher Lummis is known for his fictional works, and this title aligns with those tendencies, indicating a likely imaginative narrative.
- Adventure — The title implies a scenario where a wild animal is tamed, often associated with a human's active interaction with nature which is a common theme in adventure genre.
- Nature — A Tame Deer directly refers to an element of the natural world, making nature a significant part of the book's potential context and themes.
- Historical — Charles Fletcher Lummis' writings often have a historical context, thus indicating a possible historical relevance for this title.
Tags
nature · wildlife · deer · tame · animals · human-animal relationship · environment · conservation · outdoors · adventure · rural life · American West