The Jolly Cabordmen
"The Jolly Cabordmen" by Frank R. Stockton is a story about a nation of industrious and happy people known as the Cabordmen. They live in a prosperous land, having transformed poor soil into fertile ground through hard work. Their wealth and happiness attract the attention of neighboring nations, particularly the warlike Voldorites, who decide to invade and plunder the Cabordmen's resources. The Cabordmen, unfamiliar with warfare and lacking any weapons, are at a loss on how to defend themselves. In their distress, a young painter named Adar Gan Ip devises a clever plan. He instructs the Cabordmen to leave their country temporarily, taking only two days' provisions, while he stays behind. Adar Ip uses his skills to paint misleading numbers on boards at the entrances of the Cabordmen's graveyards, suggesting that the entire population has died from a pestilence. When the Voldorite army arrives, they are deceived by the painted figures and believe the land to be cursed and unhealthy. Fearing for their own safety, they hastily retreat back to their own country. The Cabordmen return to their land, finding everything intact. They celebrate their deliverance and express gratitude to Adar Ip by rewarding him with a granary and commissioning him to paint the story of his clever ruse. The Cabordmen continue to live in peace and prosperity, undisturbed by further threats.
By Frank R. Stockton · Genre: Satirical Fiction, Allegory, Humorous Fiction · 2,506 words
First lines
There was once a nation of remarkably genial people who knew no evil and would not have practiced it if they had known it. They were very industrious, and their days were so busy and they took such an interest in their work, that they had no time to be wicked or sad.
They were called Cabordmen, for what reason I know not, for the name of their country was not Cabord. Their principal industry was tilling the soil, and they generally worked with a will.
What this Textopian page supports
The Jolly Cabordmen is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated Date unknown.
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: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Satirical Fiction, Allegory, Humorous Fiction, Fantasy, Fable
- Length: 2,506 words
- Structure: 1 section, 53 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Jolly Cabordmen 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 The Jolly Cabordmen?
- How does this short story by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satirical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satirical Fiction — The narrative employs humor and irony to highlight the absurdities of human society and behavior.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic characters and events to comment on broader social and political themes.
- Humorous Fiction — The light-hearted, witty tone and playful narrative style define it as humorous fiction.
- Fantasy — The invented nation and exaggerated circumstances add a layer of imaginative, fantastical elements.
Tags
humorous · satirical · whimsical · fantastical · allegorical · lighthearted · fanciful · quirky · ironic · narrative · fable-like · classic