A Parable by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A group of cheese-mites engages in a debate about the origins of the cheese they inhabit. The Orthodox faction believes it materialized from the air, while the Heretics argue it originated from a platter. Their discussions are intense and ongoing, yet none of the mites consider the fundamental source: the cow that produced the milk. This allegorical tale critiques narrow-mindedness and the tendency to overlook obvious truths in favor of complex theories. The cheese-mites symbolize individuals or groups who become so entrenched in their beliefs that they fail to see the bigger picture or acknowledge simpler explanations. The narrative serves as a commentary on human nature, emphasizing the importance of questioning assumptions and recognizing the sources of our circumstances.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1910 · Genre: Fable, Satire, Poetry · 93 words

First lines

The cheese-mites asked how the cheese got there, And warmly debated the matter; The Orthodox said that it came from the air, And the Heretics said from the platter. They argued it long and they argued it strong, And I hear they are arguing now; But of all the choice spirits who lived in the cheese, Not one of them thought of a cow,

What this Textopian page supports

A Parable is listed on Textopian as a fable by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1910 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Fable
• Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Date: 1910 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fable, Satire, Poetry, Philosophical Fiction, Humor
• Length: 93 words
• Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for A Parable by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• 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 A Parable?
• How does this fable by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Fable first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Lion The Bear And The Fox by Ambrose Bierce
• The Necessitarian by Rudyard Kipling
• The Grasshopper And The Ant by Ambrose Bierce
• A Portrait by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Santa Claus by Andrew Barton Paterson
• The Hare And The Tortoise by Ambrose Bierce

Genres

• Fable — The work uses allegorical elements and anthropomorphism to convey moral lessons, characteristic of fables.
• Satire — The text critiques philosophical debates and human nature through humor and irony.
• Poetry — The structure and rhythm of the text align with poetic forms, emphasizing lyrical expression.
• Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores themes of belief and knowledge, prompting reflection on philosophical ideas.

Tags

parable · allegory · philosophy · debate · cheese · mites · orthodox · heretics · argument · existentialism · nature · origin

More by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

• The Parish Magazine (1914)
• The Great Brown-Pericord Motor (1914)
• The Holocaust of Manor Place (1901)
• The Debatable Case of Mrs. Emsley (1901)
• The Love Affair of George Vincent Parker (1901)
• The Disintegration Machine (1927)
• The Bully of Brocas Court (1914)
• The Brown Hand (1914)
• All works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle