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.
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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.
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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