The Lady or the Tiger? By Frank R. stockton

The Lady, or the Tiger? By Frank R. Stockton The Lady, or the Tiger? is a short story written by Frank R. Stockton and first published in 1882. It is known for its open-ended conclusion, which leaves the reader to decide the fate of the main character. The story is set in an ancient kingdom ruled by a semi-barbaric king who believes in a unique form of justice. When someone is accused of a crime, they are placed in an arena with two doors. Behind one door is a hungry tiger, which will kill them instantly. On the other door is a beautiful lady, whom they must marry, regardless of their personal feelings. The choice of the door is completely random, and fate decides their punishment or reward. One day, the king discovers that his daughter, the princess, is in love with a young man of lower status. Furious, the king sentences the young man to the arena. However, the princess, using her influence, secretly discovers which door hides the tiger and the lady. She faces a terrible confusion—if her lover picks the door with the tiger, he dies; if he picks the door with the lady, he marries someone else, which makes her jealous. As the young man stands in the arena, he looks at the princess for guidance, and she gestures towards one of the doors. Without hesitation, he opens it. But the story ends without revealing what was behind the door, leaving the reader to decide. This classic story is famous for its ambiguous ending, which has led to endless debates about whether the princess chose love or jealousy. Detailed summary Summary of How Frog Went to Heaven by Aaron Shepard This Angolan folktale tells the story of a young man named Kimana who wishes to marry the Sky Maiden, the beautiful daughter of the Sun Chief. However, the Sun Chief resides in the heavens, and reaching him seems impossible. Kimana’s Challenge Kimana is determined to send his marriage proposal to the Sky Maiden, but he faces a great challenge to reach the heaven. He seeks help from various animals, asking if they can deliver his message to the Sun Chief. The Animal Attempts Kimana first approaches Rabbit to take this letter to the Sun chief. But the rabbit was not ready to go. Then Kimana approached Antelope and Hawk . Both were not ready to go to the heaven. Frog’s Unexpected Success Finally, Frog, the least expected helper, steps forward and volunteers. The other animals laugh, doubting that a small creature like Frog could achieve what mighty other animals could not. However, Kimana allows him to try. Frog carefully hops from the ground onto a tree, then onto a bird’s back, and keep moving higher through different means. Eventually, he leaps into the clouds and finds his way to the Sun Chief’s palace in the heavens. The Sky Maiden’s Hand in Marriage Frog delivers Kimana’s message, impressing the Sun Chief with his cleverness and perseverance. The Sun Chief agrees to the marriage, and Kimana is rewarded for believing in Frog. The story highlights the power of determination, intelligence, and not underestimating those who seem small or weak. Moral of the Story This folktale teaches that success doesn’t always come from strength or size but from creativity, persistence, and courage. Even the most unexpected individuals can accomplish great things.