The Wild Ass by Frank R. Stockton
The Wild Ass is a short story written by Frank R. Stockton that tells the tale of a man who encounters a wild ass in the desert and attempts to tame it. The story explores themes of human nature, power dynamics, and the relationship between humans and animals.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1895 · Genre: Fable, Satire, Animal Fiction · 630 words
First lines
If there is any animal in the whole world that receives worse treatment or is held in less esteem than the ordinary Jackass, I am very sorry for it.
With the exception of a few warm countries, where this animal grows to a large size, and is highly valued, the Jackass or Donkey is everywhere considered a stupid beast, a lazy beast, an obstinate beast, and very often a vicious beast. To liken any one to a Jackass is to use very strong language.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wild Ass is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Satire, Animal Fiction, Essay, Natural History
- Length: 630 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wild Ass 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 The Wild Ass?
- 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?
Similar titles
- The Plaint Of The Camel by Josephine Daskam Bacon
- The Giant by G. K. Chesterton
- Captain Jinks Hero by Ernest Crosby
- The Lion And The Ass by Esopo
- The Bull That Thought by Rudyard Kipling
- Dickory Cronke by Daniel Defoe
Genres
- Fable — The narrative uses animals to convey moral lessons and social commentary.
- Satire — The text critiques human behavior and societal norms through the depiction of the donkey's treatment.
- Animal Fiction — The story centers around the life and characteristics of donkeys, both wild and domesticated.
- Essay — The writing style and structure resemble an essay, providing observations and arguments about the donkey's nature and treatment.
Tags
fable · allegory · humor · satire · animal characters · moral lesson · fantasy · adventure · social commentary · whimsical · narrative · imagination