The Soft Place by Frank R. Stockton
The Soft Place by Frank R. Stockton is a short story about a man who discovers a mysterious place in the woods where he can rest and relax without any worries or concerns. The story explores themes of escapism, solitude, and the human desire for peace and tranquility.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1890 · Genre: Fable, Fantasy, Adventure · 1,194 words
First lines
There was once a young Jaguar (he was very intimately related to the Panther family, as you may remember), and he sat upon a bit of hard rock, and cogitated. The subject of his reflections was very simple indeed, for it was nothing more nor less than this -- where should he get his supper?
He would not have cared so much for his supper, if it had been that he had had no dinner, and even this would not have made so much difference if he had had his breakfast. But in truth he had eaten nothing all day.
What this Textopian page supports
The Soft Place is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1890 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: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Short Story
- Length: 1,194 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Soft Place 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 Soft Place?
- How does this short story by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fable — The story features anthropomorphized animals with a moral lesson.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as talking animals and dream sequences.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the Jaguar's quest for food and his encounter with the Alligator.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and moral undertone make it suitable for a younger audience.
Tags
fantasy · adventure · imagination · whimsy · mystery · exploration · dreams · narrative · surrealism · childhood · nature · friendship