Mark Twain is a legendary American writer, best known for his novels “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” But before he was a novelist, he penned a series of fables between 1865 and 1875, and his amusing stories have remained popular ever since.
Many of Twain’s fables use animals as the protagonists, and this serves the dual purpose of giving his stories a timeless nature while also allowing him to cultivate lessons and insights that can be appreciated by readers of all ages and backgrounds. Twain’s fables are clever and witty, often showcasing his unique perspectives on the human condition. He managed to both educate and entertain readers in a single fell swoop.
One of the most iconic fables by Mark Twain was “The Cat & The Butterfly.” This fable is a classic morality tale in which a caterpillar and a butterfly exchange experiences about their respective lives. The butterfly tells the caterpillar about the beauty and freedom of its existence — soaring above the hills and valleys, and enjoying the sights of nature from an advantage point. The caterpillar, in contrast, relays the joys of staying close to the ground, attending to its everyday tasks, and alighting on the soft petals of some of the most beautiful flowers. It also imparts a lesson about the trade-offs between contentment and curiosity.
In Twain’s fable, the butterfly and caterpillar eventually come to an understanding that they are both content in their own ways. The caterpillar realized that while it had been content to stay close to the ground, it now yearns to experience the same freedom of flight as the butterfly. Though never becoming free, it was content in that its own life had meaning and purpose. Twain’s tale reminds us to never underestimate in what ways we, as humans, can all find our own contentment.
The Irony of Life
Twain often explored the biggest ironies of life in his fables. His writing was often filled with a subtle humor that highlighted the contradictions of life and the arguments between two schools of thought. One such fable was “The Ugly Little Boy.” Many readers have had to pick up their jaws from the ground once they realize the profound truth in Twain’s depiction of the boy who, despite being ugly and small, is kind, generous, and compassionate — qualities which we as humans find most attractive.
In the fable, the boy is given the chance to have any wish granted. Upon being asked what his wish is, he chooses for everyone in the world to be as happy as he is — an incredibly noble and mature response for someone so young. Despite his short stature and ugly physical appearance, his quality of character is exemplary, and it goes to show that life is full of surprises, and even the least likely of people can possess great dignity.
A Larger-Than-Life Morality Tale
Mark Twain’s “The War Prayer” is one of his most acclaimed yet controversial fables. It’s considered by many to be a larger-than-life morality tale about the dangers and costs of war, and the naivete of certain views held by certain communities regarding conflicts and their results.
The story follows a church service in which the townspeople are gathering to congratulate their volunteer soldiers leaving off to war. During his sermon, the minister prays that God will grant strength and victory to the army and bless them with the success they seek. An unidentified intruder soon appears in the scene and delivers a shocking message saying that God had, in fact, heard all the prayers, and will soon grant them victory. But along with that came the dark and gruesome costs, like bloodshed and suffering, that were also part of their desires.
Twain’s fable is a vivid reminder of not only the lasting effects of war and hatred, but also the utter naivete of people who fail to properly consider the long-lasting results of their decisions. It’s a powerful warning to all of us to pay close attention to the consequences of our actions, and that although good might come from our decisions, bad may too.
A Controversial Subject
Though many of Mark Twain’s fables do not have a happy ending, his stories still manage to live on and remain relevant in our culture today. They are thought-provoking and often challenge traditional beliefs and norms, something that made some of his works controversial during their time. One such example was “The Mighty Magician,” a story about a man who uses his magic to temporarily change society in order to help two young lovers who were separated by social constraints.
In this story, Twain appears to be challenging traditional values by questioning the necessity of holding on to certain aspects if they are not necessarily beneficial. The fable serves to caution the reader on the perils of disrespecting accepted conventions, while also encouraging readers to find their own moral compass and fight for what they believe in.
Illustrating the Human Experience
Mark Twain’s fables are a powerful interpretation of the human experience. His stories use animals, mythical creatures, and everyday objects to represent larger themes in society, often to comic effect. Twain’s fables have the power to evoke powerful emotions, whether it be sadness, anger, or joy. He uses his stories to discuss difficult topics in a way that is palatable, which allows the reader to grasp a deeper understanding of those issues.
Some of Twain’s most profound insights on human life are expressed through his fables. He manages to make complex arguments more accessible and consumes the reader in thought-provoking questions about the nature of life and how to live it meaningfully. Often humorous and insightful, Twain’s fables are great reminders that one need not look far in search of things to ponder and enjoy.
Poking Fun at Society
Twain’s satirical humor shines through in his fables, which often take humorous jabs at the vices of society. In his story “The Good Little Boy,” Twain humorously explores the concept of human nature and the drive for instant gratification. The protagonist is a good little boy who does as he’s told and works hard but receives little reward or recognition for his efforts. He soon gets frustrated with his predicament and sets out to find a way to make others take heed of his hard work and kind deeds.
Through the story, Twain appears to suggest the idea that our society often does not reward those who do what is right, and instead often rewards those who can make a quick buck — regardless of how their means of obtaining it harm others. By poking fun at society, Twain’s fables also serve to remind us to not always measure success and happiness by tangible rewards, but sometimes by our own moral compasses.
Redefining Success
In “Luck,” one of the most well known of Twain’s fables, he uses animals to signify concepts of luck, hard work, and determination. The story begins with a rabbit and a bear vying for first place in a race, and no matter how hard the bear works, it continually fails to beat the rabbit. Soon enough, the rabbit reveals that he has been using a magic stone to seek an unfair advantage, and only then does the bear beat him.
Twain’s story serves as a reminder that hard work and diligence are virtues worth investing in. He appears to suggest that sometimes luck, while sometimes helpful, should not be the measure of one’s success, and to truly succeed we must forge our own paths.
The Wisdom of Experience
Another of Twain’s most beloved fables is “The Old Man and the Bill-Poster,” a story about a young bill-poster who is determined to make a name for himself. The young man meets a wise old man who encourages him to take his time and gain a thorough education before seeking fame and fortune. The old man reminds him that success will come from the wisdom accrued from experience, as opposed to blind ambition.
Through his story, Twain is encouraging us not to seek success too hastily and become distracted from our ultimate purpose. He cautions us to stay away from pursuits based purely on ambition or greed, since true success comes from knowledge and understanding, which can only be generated through experience.
A Reflection of Twain’s Genius
Mark Twain’s fables are a great body of literature and are a reflection of his genius as a writer. Not only did he successfully convey his insights and perspectives on life, but he also managed to make them accessible to readers of all ages — a true testament to his masterful storytelling. His stories often provide a lens through which to view the world and remind us of the massive complexities and realities of life.
Above all, Twain’s fables are a treasure trove of lessons on life, and their wit and charm still resonate with many people today. His stories may be amusing, but they deliver clever insights on morality, human behavior, and social structures that are still relevant in our times.
