Loading...
A Protagonist of Silver
fable
2 min read
0 comments
0:000:00
Story Summary
In "A Protagonist of Silver," a Member of a governmental body delivers a heartwarming moral speech to fellow financiers, framing their vested interests in silver mining as a noble cause against the government's recent decision to undermine the metal. This grand rhetoric inspires a rare moment of solidarity, prompting the Members to leave the hall, marking a significant action reminiscent of simple moral stories that highlight the importance of unity and purpose.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story highlights the irony of self-serving motives disguised as noble intentions, illustrating how those who claim to champion the people's interests may be primarily driven by their own financial gain.
Historical Context
This story reflects the socio-political climate of the late 19th century United States, particularly during the Populist movement and the debates over the gold standard versus bimetallism, where silver was championed as a means to support the working class and counteract economic inequality. The rhetoric of mining and the metaphor of "children of the earthquake and the storm" likely alludes to the mining booms in the West, particularly in states like Nevada, which became a focal point for silver production and populist sentiments. This speech, laden with irony, may echo the style of satirical political commentary found in works like Mark Twain's "The Gilded Age" or the writings of other contemporary satirists who critiqued the greed
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the irony of self-serving motives cloaked in noble rhetoric, reflecting how those in power can manipulate public sentiment for personal gain. In modern life, a similar scenario can be seen in corporate lobbying, where companies advocate for regulations that ostensibly benefit the public while ultimately prioritizing their own profits, exemplified by tech firms pushing for data privacy laws that simultaneously shield them from liability.
You May Also Like
The Thieves and the Cock
In "The Thieves and the Cock," a group of thieves steals a rooster but decides to kill it, only to have the rooster plead for its life by highlighting its role in waking people for work. The thieves reject his plea, illustrating a key lesson learned from stories: those with malicious intent despise anything that promotes virtue. This humorous story serves as one of the best moral tales, reminding us that the safeguards of virtue are often hated by those who wish to do wrong.
greed
the value of virtue
Thieves
Cock
The No Case
In "The No Case," a statesman humorously challenges the charges against him after being indicted by a Grand Jury, requesting dismissal due to a lack of evidence. He presents a check as proof of this absence, which the District Attorney finds so compelling that he claims it could exonerate anyone, showcasing the wit often found in entertaining moral stories and short tales with moral lessons. This life-changing story highlights the absurdity of justice and the clever use of humor to navigate serious situations.
Justice
Integrity
Statesman
Sheriff
Six and One
In "Six and One," a Committee on Gerrymander, consisting of six Republicans and one Democrat, loses a poker game, leading to the Democrat winning all the money. The next day, a disgruntled Republican accuses the Democrat of cheating, claiming that disasters always occur when the minority is dealing, suggesting the cards were manipulated. This short and sweet moral story highlights the absurdity of blame and the lessons of fairness, making it a heartwarming tale for kids about integrity and accountability.
corruption
accountability
The Committee on Gerrymander
six Republican members
Other names for this story
Silver Warriors, Guardians of the White Metal, Echoes of Silver, Champions of the White Metal, The Silver Alliance, Voices of the Silver Miners, Silver's Reckoning, The Silver Crusade
Did You Know?
This passage satirically highlights the hypocrisy and self-serving nature of those in power, as they champion the cause of the common good while simultaneously prioritizing their own financial interests, illustrating the theme of greed masked as altruism.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.