The Parrot that Lost its Tail
A man shoots a parrot with a rifle, killing it instantly. The story then shifts to the parrot's perspective, where it describes its life and death in vivid detail. The narrative is fragmented and non-linear, reflecting the parrot's disjointed thoughts as it dies. The story explores themes of mortality, suffering, and the fleeting nature of life.
By Horacio Quiroga · First published 1918 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fable, Adventure · 2,926 words
First lines
In the woods near a farm lived a flock of parrots. Every morning, the parrots went and ate sweet corn in the garden of the farm. Afternoons they spent in the orange orchards eating oranges. They always made a great to-do with their screaming and jawing; but they kept a sentinel posted on one of the tree tops to let them know if the farmer was coming.
Parrots are very much disliked by farmers in countries where parrots grow wild. They bite into an ear of corn and the rest of the ear rots when the next rain comes. Besides, parrots are very good to eat when they are nicely broiled. At least the farmers of South America think so. That is why people hunt them a great deal with shotguns.
What this Textopian page supports
The Parrot that Lost its Tail is listed on Textopian as a short story by Horacio Quiroga, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Horacio Quiroga
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fable, Adventure, Humor, Folklore
- Length: 2,926 words
- Structure: 1 section, 53 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Parrot that Lost its Tail by Horacio Quiroga
- 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 Parrot that Lost its Tail?
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- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- How The Corn Pests Were Ensnared by Frank Hamilton Cushing
- The Frog Who Travelled by Vsevolod Garshin
- The Wonderful Weaver by James Baldwin
- The Lazy Bee by Horacio Quiroga
- How The Flamingoes Got Their Stockings by Horacio Quiroga
- The Story Of Two Raccoon Cubs And Two Man Cubs by Horacio Quiroga
Genres
- Children's Literature — The story features a talking animal protagonist, simple language, and moral lessons, making it suitable for children.
- Fable — The narrative includes anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson about pride and cleverness.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and encounters with danger, such as the parrot's interaction with the jaguar.
- Humor — The story contains humorous elements, particularly in the parrot's interactions and misunderstandings.
Tags
Short Story · Magical Realism · South American Literature · Fable · Animal Fiction · Psychological Insight · Symbolism · Loss of Identity · Trauma · Grief · Mourning · Self-Discovery