The Milch Cow by Leo Tolstoy (1906)
This novel explores the lives of a wealthy family and their relationships with their servants. The story revolves around the family's struggles to maintain their social status and the moral implications of their actions. Through the characters' experiences, the novel critiques the excesses of the aristocracy and the exploitation of the working class.
By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1906 · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Parable · 75 words
First lines
A Man had a Cow; she gave each day a pot full of milk. The Man invited a number of guests. To have as much milk as possible, he did not milk the Cow for ten days. He thought that on the tenth day the Cow would give him ten pitchers of milk.
But the Cow's milk went back, and she gave less milk than before.
What this Textopian page supports
The Milch Cow is listed on Textopian as a fable by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1906 CE.
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: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Parable, Short Story, Satire
- Length: 75 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Milch Cow by Leo Tolstoy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Milch Cow?
- How does this fable by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Two Peasants by Leo Tolstoy
- The Horse And The Groom by Leo Tolstoy
- The Reeds And The Olive Tree by Leo Tolstoy
- The Two Horses by Leo Tolstoy
- The Corn Crake And His Mate by Leo Tolstoy
- The Dogs And The Cook by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative conveys a moral lesson through a simple story involving animals.
- Allegory — The story represents deeper meanings about greed and the consequences of neglect.
- Parable — It teaches a moral lesson through a brief and straightforward tale.
- Short Story — The work is concise and focuses on a single incident with a clear outcome.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Russian Literature · 19th Century · Realism · Social Commentary · Agriculture · Rural Life · Family Dynamics · Marriage · Love · Conflict