The Lady, Or The Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton

In this intriguing short story, a semi-barbaric king devises a unique system of justice where the accused must choose between two doors: behind one is a lady, symbolizing innocence and reward, and behind the other is a tiger, symbolizing guilt and punishment. The king's daughter falls in love with a young man who is subjected to this trial. She learns which door hides the lady and which conceals the tiger, leading to a climactic moment where she signals her lover toward a door, leaving readers to ponder whether her choice was driven by love or jealousy, as the story concludes ambiguously without revealing the young man's fate.

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Published
1882
Nationality
American
Length
Very Short
Pages
20-30
Original Language
English
Avg User Rating
(3.5)
Alternate Titles
None

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