The Man of Principle
Story Summary
In "The Man of Principle," a Keeper at a zoological garden encounters a stubborn man seeking shelter from the rain beneath an ostrich, despite the imminent danger it poses. The man, embodying the essence of a moral story, insists on staying until the ostrich kicks him out, having already swallowed his umbrella, illustrating the folly of rigid principles over practical safety. This engaging moral tale serves as a simple short story with a profound lesson on the importance of adaptability in the face of risk.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that adhering rigidly to one's principles can lead to impractical and dangerous situations.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes of absurdity and the human condition, often found in the works of writers like Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, who explored the whimsical and nonsensical aspects of life. The character of the "Man of Principle" embodies a satirical critique of rigid moralism and idealism, reminiscent of the philosophical debates of the 19th century about individualism versus practicality. Such narratives, steeped in humor and irony, have been retold in various cultures to highlight the sometimes ludicrous nature of human behavior in the face of adversity.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the folly of rigid adherence to principles at the expense of practical wisdom, a lesson that resonates in today's fast-paced, often unpredictable world. For example, an employee might refuse to adapt their work methods because they are committed to a specific process, even when it leads to inefficiency and frustration for the team—risking their own job security and the overall project outcome.
You May Also Like
The Bull and the Goat
In "The Bull and the Goat," a thought-provoking moral story, a Bull seeking refuge from a Lion is unexpectedly attacked by a He-Goat in a cave. The Bull calmly asserts that his true fear lies with the Lion, not the Goat, illustrating the moral lesson about the evil disposition of those who take advantage of a friend in distress. This meaningful story with moral highlights the importance of recognizing true threats and the nature of malicious behavior.
A Treaty of Peace
In 1994, after enduring devastating wars marked by massacres, a Malagasy Philosopher proposed a morally complex treaty between China and the United States, mandating the collection and exchange of scalps from massacre victims, with financial penalties for excess scalps. This dark compromise, while providing a semblance of stability, reflects the unsettling nature of moral-based storytelling, transforming culturally significant moral stories into short moral tales that highlight the perverse intersections of peace and violence. Ultimately, this arrangement tainted the very idea of peace, offering simple lessons from stories that challenge our understanding of morality in the face of human suffering.
The Bowman and Lion
In this entertaining moral story, a skilled bowman ventures into the mountains, striking fear into the hearts of all animals except for a brave lion. When the bowman shoots an arrow, declaring it a mere messenger of his true power, the lion, terrified by the attack, realizes that if such a fearsome threat can come from a distance, he cannot withstand the man himself. This quick read story imparts a valuable lesson for students about the dangers of underestimating those who can strike from afar.
Related Collections
Other names for this story
"Principled Shelter, The Ostrich Dilemma, Keeper of Principles, Rainy Day Resolve, Courage Under Rain, The Umbrella Incident, Shelter from the Storm, Man vs. Nature"
Did You Know?
This story humorously highlights the conflict between idealism and practicality, as the Man of Principle prioritizes his stubborn adherence to a principle over his own safety, ultimately illustrating the absurdity of rigid convictions in the face of real-world consequences.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.
Explore More Stories
Story Details
- Age Group
- adultkidschildrenstory for class 2story for class 3story for class 4story for class 5story for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- principlecourageabsurdity
- Characters
- Keeper of the Zoological gardenMan of Principleostrichfemale kangaroo (Saltarix Mackintoshea)
- Setting
- zoological gardenbeneath the belly of an ostrichpouch of a female kangaroo