The Reward of Kindness

Name: The Reward of Kindness
Author: Parker Fillmore

A bear named Osmo regularly feasts on a farmer's rye, prompting the farmer to set a trap to catch him. When Osmo is ensnared, he pleads for his life, promising to reward the farmer if released. The farmer, skeptical but intrigued, frees Osmo, who then threatens to eat the farmer as his reward. Osmo argues that kindness often leads to betrayal, citing the experiences of an old horse and an old dog, both of whom served their masters faithfully only to be deemed useless and threatened with death. Unconvinced, the farmer seeks a third opinion from Mikko, a fox. Mikko, motivated by the prospect of stealing chickens, agrees to judge the situation. He inspects the damage to the rye and the trap, ultimately concluding that Osmo deserved to be caught. Mikko leaves Osmo trapped and goes to claim his reward from the farmer's henhouse. However, when the farmer's wife discovers Mikko attempting to steal the chickens, she beats him severely. Mikko reflects on the harshness of the world, lamenting that his kindness in judging the bear's case has resulted in his own suffering. The narrative illustrates a cycle of betrayal and the often ungrateful nature of those who receive kindness, emphasizing a cynical view of reciprocity in relationships.

By Parker Fillmore · First published 1935 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 1,051 words

First lines

Osmo, the Bear, used to go day after day to a field of growing rye and eat as much as he wanted. The Farmer noticed from the Bear's tracks that he always came by the same route.

"I'll teach that Bear a lesson! " the Farmer thought to himself.

What this Textopian page supports

The Reward of Kindness is listed on Textopian as a short story by Parker Fillmore, dated 1935 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Parker Fillmore
Date: 1935 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Satire, Moral Tale
Length: 1,051 words
Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The story features anthropomorphic animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
Children's Literature — The simple narrative and moral themes make it suitable for a young audience.
Fantasy — The use of talking animals and fantastical elements places it within the fantasy genre.
Satire — The story critiques human nature and societal behaviors through humor and irony.