A Moral Little Tale by Lord Dunsany

Name: A Moral Little Tale
Author: Lord Dunsany

An earnest Puritan, dedicated to his principles, fervently opposes dancing and frivolity, earning respect from both supporters and detractors. He actively works to suppress entertainment and promotes a strict moral code, believing that fanciful poetry could corrupt the youth. His appearance, characterized by black clothing and a pure-white beard, reflects his serious demeanor and commitment to morality. One night, the Devil visits him in a dream, acknowledging the Puritan's efforts to discourage joy and laughter. The Devil claims that the Puritan's actions align with his own goals, as he revels in the suppression of happiness. The Puritan, however, rebuffs the Devil's attempts to befriend him, insisting that his black attire is a sign of divine allegiance, not infernal. The Devil argues that it is God who created the beauty of the world, including love and the desire to dance, which the Puritan has sought to eradicate. The Puritan, shocked by the Devil's blasphemy, realizes he may have misjudged right and wrong. He vows to fight the Devil upon waking, but the Devil reveals that he cannot escape this dream. As they descend into Hell together, the Puritan faces the grim reality of his actions: the knowledge that those he sought to protect will continue to indulge in the very pleasures he condemned. His punishment is the realization that his moral crusade has led him to a fate worse than he could have imagined, trapped in the depths of Hell alongside the embodiment of the joy he despised.

By Lord Dunsany · First published 1918 · Genre: Fantasy, Allegory, Satire · 600 words

First lines

There was once an earnest Puritan who held it wrong to dance. And for his principles he labored hard, his was a zealous life. And there loved him all of those who hated the dance; and those that loved the dance respected him too; they said "He is a pure, good man and acts according to his lights."

He did much to discourage dancing and helped to close several Sunday entertainments. Some kinds of poetry, he said, he liked, but not the fanciful kind as that might corrupt the thoughts of the very young. He always dressed in black.

What this Textopian page supports

A Moral Little Tale is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lord Dunsany, dated 1918 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Lord Dunsany
Date: 1918 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Allegory, Satire, Philosophical Fiction, Short Story
Length: 600 words
Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The story features supernatural elements, including the Devil and a dream sequence, which are characteristic of the fantasy genre.
Allegory — The narrative serves as an allegorical exploration of morality, good versus evil, and the consequences of rigid beliefs.
Satire — The work critiques puritanical attitudes and societal norms regarding morality and enjoyment, employing humor and irony.
Philosophical Fiction — The text delves into philosophical themes regarding the nature of good and evil, morality, and the human condition.