The Mouse under the Granary
This novella tells the story of a peasant family struggling to survive on their land. The father, a poor and worn-out man, is forced to sell his only cow to pay off debts. His wife tries to find ways to make ends meet, but they are constantly plagued by poverty and hardship.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Children's Literature · 113 words
First lines
A Mouse was living under the granary. In the floor of the granary there was a little hole, and the grain fell down through it. The Mouse had an easy life of it, but she wanted to brag of her ease: she gnawed a larger hole in the floor, and invited other mice.
"Come to a feast with me," said she; "there will be plenty to eat for everybody."
When she brought the mice, she saw there was no hole. The peasant had noticed the big hole in the floor, and had stopped it up.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mouse under the Granary 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, Allegory, Children's Literature, Short Story, Satire
- Length: 113 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mouse under the Granary 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 Mouse under the Granary?
- 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 Cow And The Billy Goat by Leo Tolstoy
- The Fox And The Goat by Leo Tolstoy
- The Portuguese Duck by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Gnat And The Lion by Leo Tolstoy
- The Farmyard Cock And The Weathercock by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Wolf And The Crane by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
- Allegory — The story represents deeper themes of pride and consequences through the actions of the mouse.
- Children's Literature — The simple plot and moral make it suitable for a young audience.
- Short Story — The work is concise and presents a complete narrative in a brief format.
Tags
Fable · Allegory · Satire · Social Commentary · Animal Fiction · Literary Fable · Russian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Tolstoyan Themes · Morality Tale · Critique of Society · Commentary on Class