Antelopes with Six Legs by Jorge Luis Borges
The narrative revolves around a fictional species of antelope that possesses six legs instead of the typical four. This anomaly sparks philosophical debates about the nature of reality and the implications of such a discovery on our understanding of the natural world. The story explores the consequences of this phenomenon, including its impact on the ecosystem and the reactions of various individuals who encounter these creatures. Through this thought experiment, the narrative delves into themes of perception, classification, and the human tendency to impose order on the world around us. Ultimately, the tale raises questions about the limits of our knowledge and the potential for unexpected discoveries to challenge our understanding of reality.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1957 · Genre: Mythology, Fantasy, Fable · 204 words
First lines
It is said that Odin's horse, the grey-coated Sleipnir who travels on land, in the air, and down into the regions of Hell is provided (or encumbered) with eight legs; a Siberian myth attributes six legs to the first Antelopes. With such an endowment it was difficult or impossible to catch them; Tunk-poj, the divine huntsman, made some special skates with the wood of a sacred tree which creaked incessantly and that the barking of a dog had revealed to him. The skates creaked too and flew with the speed of an arrow; to control or restrain their course, he found it necessary to wedge into the skates some blocks made of the wood of another magic tree. All over heaven Tunk-poj hunted the Antelope. The beast, tired out, fell to the ground, and Tunk-poj cut off its hindmost pair of legs.
What this Textopian page supports
Antelopes with Six Legs is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1957 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jorge Luis Borges
- Date: 1957 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Fable, Folklore
- Length: 204 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Antelopes with Six Legs by Jorge Luis Borges
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- Talos by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Remora by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Amphisbaena by Jorge Luis Borges
- Kujata by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Celestial Stag by Jorge Luis Borges
Genres
- Mythology — The narrative involves mythological figures and creatures, such as Odin's horse Sleipnir and the divine huntsman Tunk-poj, and explores mythical explanations for natural phenomena.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements like six-legged antelopes and magical skates, which are not grounded in reality.
- Fable — The tale conveys a moral or lesson about the diminishing strength of men and the transformation of antelopes, typical of fables.
- Folklore — The narrative draws on traditional stories and myths, such as Siberian myths and Norse mythology, to explain the origins of certain animals.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Metaphysical Themes · Symbolic Narrative · Paradoxical Storytelling · Existentialism · Absurdism · Speculative Fiction · Mythopoeic Elements · Dreamlike Atmosphere · Non-Linear Structure · Multiple Realities · Reality Distortion