The Basking Cyclone
Story Summary
In "The Basking Cyclone," a man mistaking a sleeping alligator for a log humorously contemplates using it for shingles for his cabin. When he pokes the alligator, it awakens and splashes into the water, leaving the man astonished and exclaiming about the chaos as if a cyclone had swept away his roof. This entertaining moral story serves as a delightful short bedtime tale for young readers, imparting lessons on perception and surprise.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that misjudging a situation or underestimating a potential threat can lead to unexpected and disastrous consequences.
Historical Context
This story reflects the rich tradition of African American folklore, which often blends humor with moral lessons and draws from the experiences of enslaved people and their descendants in the American South. The tale echoes motifs found in various oral traditions, such as the trickster archetype, reminiscent of characters like Br'er Rabbit from Uncle Remus tales, and highlights the resourcefulness and resilience of African Americans in the face of adversity. This particular anecdote illustrates the interplay between human and animal worlds, a common theme in folklore, while also providing social commentary on the struggles of daily life.
Our Editors Opinion
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of underestimating risks and making assumptions about the world around us. In modern life, this can be reflected in scenarios such as a business owner who neglects to assess market competition, believing their product is secure; when a rival emerges, they are left scrambling to adapt and recover from unexpected losses.
You May Also Like
Congress and the People
In "Congress and the People," a simple short story with moral lessons, the impoverished populace laments their losses to successive Congresses, weeping for all that has been taken from them. An Angel observes their sorrow and learns that, despite their despair, they cling to their hope in heaven—something they believe cannot be stripped away. However, this hope is ultimately tested with the arrival of the Congress of 1889, echoing themes found in famous fables with moral teachings about resilience and faith.
The Oak and the Reeds
In "The Oak and the Reeds," a large oak tree is uprooted by strong winds and questions how the delicate reeds can survive such storms. The reeds explain that their ability to bend with the wind allows them to endure, unlike the oak, which is destroyed by its rigidity. This short moral story illustrates the valuable lesson of flexibility over stubbornness, making it a great choice for kids seeking moral stories with impactful lessons.
The Olive Tree and the Fig Tree
In "The Olive Tree and the Fig Tree," a classic among famous moral stories, the Olive Tree ridicules the Fig Tree for shedding its leaves with the seasons. However, when heavy snow falls, the Olive's lush branches break under the weight, leading to its demise, while the bare Fig Tree remains unharmed. This popular moral story illustrates that what may seem like a disadvantage can sometimes be a blessing, making it a valuable lesson in short moral tales and bedtime moral stories.
Other names for this story
"Alligator's Wake," "Driftwood Dreams," "Surprise in the Swamp," "Cyclone Encounter," "Unexpected Visitor," "Cabin Crisis," "Saurian Surprise," "The Reckless Fisherman"
Did You Know?
This story humorously illustrates the theme of misjudgment and the unexpected consequences of underestimating the dangers in one's environment, as the man's mistaken belief about the alligator leads to a comical yet alarming realization.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.