The Sick Man and the Fireman
A sick man lies in a burning house, insisting that a fireman should save the strong instead of him. He argues that the strong are more valuable to society and should be prioritized. The fireman, intrigued by this reasoning, asks the sick man to define the proper role of the strong. The sick man asserts that their duty is to assist the weak. The fireman, reflecting on this, ultimately rejects the sick man's logic, deeming him foolish for prioritizing the weak over the strong. In a decisive act, the fireman uses his axe to eliminate the sick man, asserting a harsh but just perspective on survival and societal value. The narrative explores themes of strength, duty, and the moral implications of prioritizing lives in dire situations.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1895 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Satire, Short Story · 249 words
First lines
There was once a sick man in a burning house, to whom there entered a fireman.
"Do not save me," said the sick man. "Save those who are strong."
"Will you kindly tell me why? " inquired the fireman, for he was a civil fellow.
"Nothing could possibly be fairer," said the sick man. "The strong should be preferred in all cases, because they are of more service in the world."
What this Textopian page supports
The Sick Man and the Fireman is listed on Textopian as a fable by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Satire, Short Story, Allegory, Dark Humor
- Length: 249 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Sick Man and the Fireman by Robert Louis Stevenson
- 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
Similar titles
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- A Social Call by Ambrose Bierce
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- The Shafter Shafted by Ambrose Bierce
- The Milkmaid And Her Bucket by Ambrose Bierce
- The Sinking Ship by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The dialogue between the sick man and the fireman explores themes of morality, service, and the value of human life.
- Satire — The story critiques the notion of valuing the strong over the weak, using irony to highlight the absurdity of the sick man's reasoning.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative that encapsulates a complete idea within a brief format.
- Allegory — The characters represent broader concepts of strength, weakness, and societal values, conveying deeper moral lessons.
Tags
morality · philosophy · sacrifice · strength · weakness · service · fireman · sick man · dialogue · justice · consequences · humanity
More by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Treasure Island (1883)
- The Pavilion on the Links (1909)
- Olalla (1885)
- A Child's Garden of Verses (1885)
- Father Damien, An Open Letter To The Reverend Doctor Hyde Of Honolulu (1914)
- A Lowden Sabbath Morn (1916)
- Songs of Travel and Other Verses (1908)
- Prayers Written At Vailima (1916)
- All works by Robert Louis Stevenson