How the Wicked Sons were Duped
An elderly man, believing he is near death, divides his wealth among his ungrateful sons. After receiving their inheritance, the sons become cruel and neglectful, eager for their father's demise to relieve them of his burden. The old man confides in a friend about his plight, who devises a plan to restore the sons' respect. The friend gives the old man four bags filled with stones and gravel, instructing him to pretend they contain a newfound fortune. The old man follows the advice, and the sons, believing their father has acquired more wealth, begin to treat him with kindness and attention once again. This facade continues until the old man's death, at which point the bags are opened, revealing their true contents, and the sons realize they have been deceived. The story illustrates themes of greed, ingratitude, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1892 · Genre: Fable, Satire, Parable · 376 words
First lines
A very wealthy old man, imagining that he was on the point of death, sent for his sons and divided his property among them. However, he did not die for several years afterwards; and miserable years many of them were. Besides the weariness of old age, the old fellow had to bear with much abuse and cruelty from his sons. Wretched, selfish ingrates! Previously they vied with one another in trying to please their father, hoping thus to receive more money, but now they had received their patrimony, they cared not how soon he left them -- nay, the sooner the better, because he was only a needless trouble and expense. And they let the poor old man know what they felt.
What this Textopian page supports
How the Wicked Sons were Duped is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph Jacobs, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Joseph Jacobs
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Satire, Parable, Folklore, Drama
- Length: 376 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How the Wicked Sons were Duped by Joseph Jacobs
- 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 How the Wicked Sons were Duped?
- How does this short story by Joseph Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Shoemaker And The Devil by Anton Chekhov
- The Fox And The Geese by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Fox And The Cat by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- How Sun Moon And Wind Went Out To Dinner by Joseph Jacobs
- Soup From A Sausage Skewer by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fable — The story conveys a moral lesson through a narrative involving anthropomorphized characters and a clear moral outcome.
- Satire — The text critiques the selfishness and ingratitude of the sons, using humor and irony to highlight societal flaws.
- Parable — The narrative serves as a simple story with a moral lesson, illustrating the consequences of greed and neglect.
- Folklore — The story reflects traditional storytelling elements common in folklore, emphasizing cultural values and lessons.
Tags
Folklore · Fairy Tale · Short Story · Children's Literature · Cultural Heritage · Traditional Narrative · Morality Play · Cautionary Tale · Social Commentary · Satire · Humor · Moral Lesson