My Well and what Came out of It
The story revolves around a man who discovers a mysterious well on his property that has the power to grant wishes. He uses it to become wealthy and powerful, but soon realizes that there are consequences for every wish he makes. The story explores themes of greed, morality, and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1873 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Humor · 9,501 words
First lines
Early in my married life I bought a small country estate which my wife and I looked upon as a paradise. After enjoying its delight for a little more than a year our souls were saddened by the discovery that our Eden contained a serpent. This was an insufficient water-supply.
It had been a rainy season when we first went there, and for a long time our cisterns gave us full aqueous satisfaction, but early this year a drought had set in, and we were obliged to be exceedingly careful of our water.
What this Textopian page supports
My Well and what Came out of It is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1873 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1873 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Humor, Children's Literature, Short Story
- Length: 9,501 words
- Structure: 1 section, 121 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for My Well and what Came out of It 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering My Well and what Came out of It?
- How does this short story by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fantasy — The story involves fantastical elements and imaginative scenarios.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around an adventurous discovery and exploration.
- Humor — The writing style includes humorous and witty elements.
- Children's Literature — The themes and narrative style are suitable for a younger audience.
Tags
mystery · humor · adventure · fantasy · narrative · short story · imagination · quirky · surreal · whimsical · suspense · character study