The Fox and the Goat by Leo Tolstoy
A young nobleman's estate is overrun with foxes that are killing his livestock. He hires a huntsman to kill the foxes but the huntsman fails to do so. The nobleman then decides to take matters into his own hands and kills the foxes himself, but not before one of them attacks him.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Allegory · 87 words
First lines
A Goat wanted to drink. He went down the incline to the well, drank his fill, and gained in weight. He started to get out, but could not do so. He began to bleat. A Fox saw him and said:
"That's it, stupid one! If you had as much sense in your head as there are hairs in your beard, you would have thought of how to get out before you climbed down. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Fox and the Goat is listed on Textopian as a fable by Leo Tolstoy, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Allegory, Short Story, Humor
- Length: 87 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Fox and the Goat by Leo Tolstoy
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fox and the Goat?
- How does this fable by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Wolf And The Goat by Leo Tolstoy
- The Ant And The Dove by Leo Tolstoy
- The Mouse Under The Granary by Leo Tolstoy
- The Lion And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Lion The Bear And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Hare And The Harrier by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson.
- Children's Literature — The simple plot and clear moral make it suitable for a young audience.
- Allegory — The story represents broader themes of wisdom and foolishness through its characters.
- Short Story — The concise format and focused narrative structure classify it as a short story.
Tags
Fable · Short Story · Animal Fiction · Russian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Philosophical Fiction · Moral Tale · Satire · Social Commentary · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Morality Play