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More Fables

By George Ade

Summary of More Fables

The book is a collection of fables that explore various themes, including morality, relationships, and personal growth. Each chapter presents a unique story with its own moral lesson, often using satire and social commentary to critique societal norms and behaviors. The stories feature a range of characters, from the cunning Uncle Brewster, who outsmarts temptations in the city, to the manipulative Grass Widow, who takes advantage of a business manager's kindness. Other tales include the story of a prosperous farmer who hides a cruel nature behind a respectable facade, a couple whose public displays of affection mask their private quarrels, and a woman who cleverly manipulates a man into proposing to her. The book also touches on issues like racism, sexism, and classism, as seen in the story of a Colonel who faces consequences for his prejudiced behavior and a waitress who is subjected to rude comments from a customer. Throughout the book, the author uses humor, irony, and clever plot twists to convey moral messages, such as the importance of being true to oneself, treating others with respect and kindness, and not carrying jokes too far. Ultimately, the book offers a commentary on human nature, encouraging readers to reflect on their own behaviors and values.

Chapter Summary of More Fables

THE FABLE OF HOW UNCLE BREWSTER WAS TOO SHIFTY FOR THE TEMPTER

The story revolves around Uncle Brewster, who visits the city and encounters various temptations, but his shrewd nature allows him to evade them. He meets a woman selling cigars and attempts to flirt with her, but she tries to trick him into buying a hat for her. Uncle Brewster outsmarts her and escapes. He then attends a race and meets a tout who tries to convince him to bet on a horse, but Uncle Brewster again avoids the trap. The story showcases Uncle Brewster's cunning and ability to navigate the city's temptations without falling prey to them. In the end, he returns home, proud of his ability to resist the city's corrupting influences. The moral of the story is that some people are good because it is too expensive to be otherwise.

THE FABLE OF THE GRASS WIDOW AND THE MESMEREE AND THE SIX DOLLARS

The story revolves around a Grass Widow who tricks a business manager into buying a book for six dollars. The Grass Widow, a blonde with a demure demeanor, visits the business manager at his office and tells him a hard-luck story about being the sole support of her little boy. She gains his trust and gets him to sign a contract, taking advantage of his kindness. The business manager later realizes he has been deceived and tries to make sense of the situation, feeling embarrassed and annoyed. The story highlights the Grass Widow's cunning nature and the business manager's gullibility, serving as a cautionary tale about being cautious when dealing with strangers.

THE FABLE OF THE HONEST MONEY-MAKER AND THE PARTNER OF HIS JOYS, SUCH AS THEY WERE

The story revolves around a prosperous farmer named Henry, who is respected by his neighbors for his wealth and piety. However, beneath his respectable facade, Henry is a stingy and cruel man who exploits his wife and children, forcing them to work long hours without proper care or compensation. His wife, worn out from years of overwork, eventually dies, and Henry quickly seeks to replace her with a new wife. The moral of the story is that being honest and respected is not enough if one's actions are cruel and harmful to others.

THE FABLE OF WHY SWEETIE FLEW THE TRACK

The story revolves around two married people who use affectionate terms in public but fight with each other in private. They are advised by a bachelor friend to stop quarreling and show affection, but the husband's attempts at kindness are misinterpreted by his wife, who suspects him of hiding an affair. She eventually leaves him, taking their cat with her, and the husband is left to realize that his friend's advice may not have been effective. The moral of the story is that people may not always understand the intentions behind someone's actions, and that relationships can be complex and difficult to navigate.

THE FABLE OF THE EX-CHATTEL AND THE AWFUL SWAT THAT WAS WAITING FOR THE COLONEL

The story revolves around a Colonel who holds prejudices against African Americans, stemming from his roots in the post-war South. While on a business trip to the North, he encounters a head waiter named Mr. Winfield, who is also the president of the Colored Waiters' Union and a prominent figure in the community. The Colonel addresses Mr. Winfield with a racial slur, prompting Mr. Winfield to defend himself by throwing a silver fruit dish at the Colonel. The incident escalates, and the Colonel is eventually marched out of the hotel by two waiters and arrested by a police officer who is also a member of the Princes of Ethiopia, a fraternal organization to which Mr. Winfield belongs. The Colonel is fined and his weapon is confiscated, and he later flees the city. The moral of the story highlights the importance of treating all individuals with respect and kindness, regardless of their background or social status.

THE FABLE OF THE CORPORATION DIRECTOR AND THE MISLAID AMBITION

The story revolves around a corporation director who had a burning ambition to be a congressman in his youth. However, as he grew older and became successful in business, his ambitions changed, and he became more focused on making money. One day, while rummaging through his library, he stumbled upon his old high school oration about the duty of Americans to enter the political arena. This discovery led to a fit of laughter, and he eventually suffered a rupture and had to take a break to recover. The moral of the story is that some opportunities in life are lost forever, and it's too late to pursue them once they have passed.

THE FABLE OF WHAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT THE MEN CAME TO THE WOMEN'S CLUB

The story revolves around a women's literary club in a progressive city, where the members aim to promote harmony and culture. However, when they decide to invite men to one of their meetings, the event takes an unexpected turn. The men, led by a charming and cunning woman named Josephine, dominate the conversation and attention, leaving the women feeling huffy and upset. The club's president, who had given a long and serious speech, is particularly displeased, and the meeting ends in disarray. The incident leads to a split in the club, with some members expelling Josephine for her disruptive behavior. Meanwhile, the men who attended the meeting show their appreciation for Josephine by showering her with gifts, including a large bouquet of roses. The story highlights the challenges of maintaining harmony and balance in social relationships, particularly when different personalities and interests are involved.

THE FABLE OF WHY ESSIE'S TALL FRIEND GOT THE FRESH AIR

The story revolves around Essie's tall friend, who gets fresh air, and Bert, a young man working at a furnishing store. Bert is charming and popular among the girls, but his focus on his love life distracts him from his work. The store owner eventually fires him, citing his need for outdoor life and exercise. The moral of the story suggests that omitting the distraction, in this case, Essie, can lead to a better life.

THE FABLE OF THE MICHIGAN COUNTERFEIT WHO WASN'T ONE THING OR THE OTHER

The story revolves around a man from Michigan who is mistaken for an Englishman by two travelers on a train. The man's awkward behavior and strange clothes lead the travelers to make a bet about his nationality. When asked to identify himself, the man reveals that his father was American, but he has a claim to English heritage through a distant ancestor. However, he admits that the English do not recognize him as one of their own, and he is unsure of his true identity. The moral of the story is "Be Something," suggesting that one should be true to oneself and not try to be something they're not.

THE FABLE OF THE ADULT GIRL WHO GOT BUSY BEFORE THEY COULD RING THE BELL ON HER

The story revolves around a woman named Clara, who is nearing thirty and unmarried. She decides to take matters into her own hands and devises a plan to catch the attention of the treasurer of a shoe factory, a man of suitable age and prospects. Clara stays in town during the summer while other women are away at resorts, and she hosts gatherings at her home, where she entertains a group of men, including the treasurer. She cleverly manipulates the situation, making the treasurer feel important and needed, and eventually, he proposes to her. The moral of the story suggests that when a man begins to frequent the back rooms of a house, it's a sign that he's ready to settle down.

THE FABLE OF THE MAN-GRABBER WHO WENT OUT OF HIS CLASS

The story revolves around a man who outsmarts a woman selling cigars and a tout at a race, showcasing his cunning and ability to navigate the city's temptations. He visits the city, encounters various temptations, but his shrewd nature allows him to evade them. In the end, he returns home, proud of his ability to resist the city's corrupting influences. The moral of the story is that some people are good because it is too expensive to be otherwise.

THE FABLE OF THE INVETERATE JOKER WHO REMAINED IN MONTANA

The story revolves around an inveterate joker who remains in Montana and tries to make a living by playing jokes on people. He starts out as a town cut-up, playing pranks on the local grocery store and butcher. As he grows older, he travels to different places, selling Bulgarian oats to farmers and getting into various scrapes. Eventually, he tries to make a fortune by salting a deserted mine with valuable ore and selling it to Eastern speculators. However, the natives of Montana are not amused by his joke and retaliate by suspending him from a derrick and shooting at the buttons on his coat. The moral of the story is that one should not carry a joke too far, especially in a place like Montana.

THE FABLE OF THE CRUEL INSULT AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE LOVER FROM NO. 6

The story revolves around a waitress who works at a hotel and is subjected to rude comments and behavior from a male customer, known as the Advance Agent. The waitress, who is described as very pale, is insulted and belittled by the Advance Agent, but ultimately finds support and defense from her lover, Edmund, who is a railroad worker. The story explores themes of sexism, classism, and the objectification of women, highlighting the power dynamics at play in the interaction between the Advance Agent and the waitress.

THE FABLE OF THE LODGE FIEND, AND THE DELILAH TRICK PLAYED BY HIS WIFE

The story revolves around a joiner who is obsessed with fraternal organizations and spends most of his time attending lodge meetings, leaving his wife to manage the household. His wife, curious about the secrets of the lodge, tries to extract information from him, but he refuses to divulge any details. One day, she discovers a way to get him to reveal the secrets by immersing his left hand in warm water while he is asleep, and he unknowingly shares the passwords, mottoes, and other confidential information with her. However, she never reveals that she knows the secrets, and instead, uses the information to her advantage, smiling pityingly at her husband as he prepares to attend another lodge meeting. The moral of the story is that it's better for some secrets to remain unspoken, and that ignorance can sometimes be bliss.

THE FABLE OF THE APPREHENSIVE SPARROW AND HER DAILY ESCAPE

The story revolves around a young woman who is extremely apprehensive and constantly fears for her safety. She believes that men are always trying to take advantage of her and goes to great lengths to avoid them, often having narrow escapes from perceived danger. Despite her fears, she never actually encounters any real harm, and her daily life is filled with exaggerated and imagined threats. The moral of the story is "don't worry," suggesting that one should not let fear and anxiety control their life.

THE FABLE OF THE REGULAR CUSTOMER AND THE COPPER-LINED ENTERTAINER

The story revolves around a regular customer and a copper-lined entertainer. The regular customer, Jim, visits a wholesale house and is entertained by Mr. Byrd, a man known for his ability to show visitors a good time. Mr. Byrd takes Jim to various places, including a buffet and a theater, and introduces him to different people. However, Jim becomes intoxicated and starts to make a scene, causing embarrassment to Mr. Byrd. The next morning, Mr. Byrd takes care of Jim and helps him recover from his hangover. Despite the chaos caused by Jim, Mr. Byrd remains polite and courteous, showing his professionalism as an entertainer. The moral of the story is to scatter seeds of kindness, implying that one should be generous and helpful to others, even if they cause trouble or inconvenience.

THE FABLE OF LUTIE, THE FALSE ALARM, AND HOW SHE FINISHED ABOUT THE TIME THAT SHE STARTED

The story revolves around Lutie, a young woman who takes singing lessons, but her voice is not well-suited for professional singing. Despite this, she continues to sing and even makes her professional debut, which ends in failure. Her father, who had been paying for her lessons, finally puts a stop to her singing career, and she returns to a more mundane life. The moral of the story suggests that when in doubt, one should test their abilities in a real-world setting, such as a box office, to determine their true value.

THE FABLE OF THE COTILLON LEADER FROM THE HUCKLEBERRY DISTRICT WITH THE INTERMITTENT MEMORY

The story revolves around a cotillon leader from the Huckleberry District who has an intermittent memory. He has trouble recalling people and events from his past, and often finds himself unable to recognize or remember individuals he has met before. Despite his efforts to feign recognition, he is unable to genuinely recall anyone from his past. However, when he experiences a financial setback and his social status is affected, his memory suddenly returns, and he is able to recall all the people he had previously forgotten. The moral of the story suggests that one's memory can be influenced by their social circumstances and that it's not until they are forced to confront their past that they are able to truly remember.

THE FABLE OF THE HE-GOSSIP AND THE MAN'S WIFE AND THE MAN

The story revolves around Cyrenius Bizzy, a self-proclaimed reformer who spends his time investigating and gossiping about his neighbors. He focuses on a particular family, trying to expose their supposed wrongdoings and reform them. However, his efforts are met with ridicule and disdain by the family. When Bizzy discovers that the father of the family has been out late at a banquet, he sees an opportunity to intervene and decides to speak with the man's wife. He shares his concerns and gossip with her, but she listens calmly and then tells her husband about the conversation. The husband, fed up with Bizzy's meddling, confronts him and chases him, resulting in Bizzy jumping into an oleander tub to escape. The moral of the story is that those who try to interfere in others' lives, especially with the intention of reforming them, may face consequences and should be cautious in their endeavors.

THE FABLE OF THE AUTHOR WHO WAS SORRY FOR WHAT HE DID TO WILLIE

The story revolves around an author who wrote a poem called "When Willie Came to Say Good Night" as a way to test his creativity on a bad day. Despite not intending to publish it, the poem was sent to a publisher by a friend and became a huge success, with many people writing to the author to express their sympathy for his loss of a child named Willie. However, the author had never actually experienced such a loss and was mortified by the poem's success. He tried to move on and write something more serious, but his subsequent work was always compared to the infamous poem, and he eventually became known as the author of "Willie's Good Night." The author's attempts to distance himself from the poem and prove his literary merit were unsuccessful, and he was ultimately forced to retreat from public life to escape the constant reminders of his unwanted fame.