My Translatophone. the Old Professor
The story follows a man who invents a device that allows him to understand any language spoken by animals and humans alike. He uses it to communicate with various creatures, including a parrot and a cat, but ultimately realizes the dangers of such power when he overhears a conversation between two criminals planning a robbery.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1894 · Genre: Science Fiction, Humor, Fantasy · 8,601 words
First lines
The Professor was very old, but he was well preserved -- always spoken of as "hale and hearty. " He still held his position in his college, and still took a good part in teaching mathematics, but he had an assistant who did the heavy work. He had been principal of the school where the Mistress of the House received her education, and she was much attached to him, and he always spent some part of his summer vacation at her house. The Master of the House, of course, was not there every summer, and so this season the Old Professor had a special treat, for there were many things he liked to talk about in which he knew the two ladies could take no interest.
What this Textopian page supports
My Translatophone. the Old Professor is listed on Textopian as a novella by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fantasy, Adventure, Satire
- Length: 8,601 words
- Structure: 1 section, 129 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for My Translatophone. the Old Professor by Frank R. Stockton
- 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 My Translatophone. the Old Professor?
- How does this novella by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around a futuristic device that translates languages, indicating speculative technology.
- Humor — The narrative style and situations are crafted to amuse and entertain the reader.
- Fantasy — The existence of a magical or fantastical device that defies current technological capabilities.
- Adventure — The story involves a journey or quest related to the use of the translatophone.
Tags
humor · satire · science fiction · fantasy · adventure · technology · language · communication · invention · education · professor · quirky characters