The Imp and the Crust by Leo Tolstoy
This work is a novella that explores themes of morality, free will and the nature of good and evil. It tells the story of an imp who makes a pact with a crust to gain power over humans. The imp's actions lead to chaos and destruction, forcing him to confront the consequences of his choices.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Fable, Satire, Fantasy · 1,592 words
First lines
A poor peasant set out early one morning to plough, taking with him for his breakfast a crust of bread. He got his plough ready, wrapped the bread in his coat, put it under a bush, and set to work. After a while, when his horse was tired and he was hungry, the peasant fixed the plough, let the horse loose to graze, and went to get his coat and his breakfast.
He lifted the coat, but the bread was gone! He looked and looked, turned the coat over, shook it out -- but the bread was gone. The peasant could not make this out at all.
What this Textopian page supports
The Imp and the Crust is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Satire, Fantasy, Moral Tale, Allegory
- Length: 1,592 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Imp and the Crust by Leo Tolstoy
- 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 Imp and the Crust?
- How does this short story by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Duck And The Moon by Leo Tolstoy
- The Ass And The Horse by Leo Tolstoy
- The Honest Man And The Devil by Hilaire Belloc
- The Falcon And The Cock by Leo Tolstoy
- The Lion The Ass And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Conceited Apple Branch by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fable — The narrative conveys moral lessons through anthropomorphized characters and a simple plot.
- Satire — The story critiques human behavior, particularly greed and the consequences of indulgence.
- Fantasy — The presence of supernatural beings like the imp and the Devil adds a fantastical element to the story.
- Moral Tale — The plot emphasizes ethical considerations and the impact of one's choices on character.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Social Commentary · Philosophy · Morality Tale · Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Russian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Short Story Collection · Animal Fable · Moral Lesson