Table of Contents
by George Ade
A Book of Clever Stories
Hello, little reader! Do you like stories? I have a special book for you. It has many short stories. Each story teaches us something good. These stories help us learn. They show us how to be kind. They show us how to be smart.
Now, let us read a story. This story is about Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben was a very smart man. He always thought carefully. He was very clever. One day, Mr. Tricky came to him. Mr. Tricky liked to play tricks. He wanted to trick Uncle Ben. Mr. Tricky had a big smile. He said, "Hello, Uncle Ben. I have a good idea. You must give me your money. I will make your money very big for you." Uncle Ben looked at Mr. Tricky. He thought about the words. He knew Mr. Tricky was not honest. Uncle Ben smiled. He said, "No, thank you, Mr. Tricky. I keep my money safe. I do not need your help. My money is good here." Mr. Tricky tried again. He used many nice words. He talked and talked. But Uncle Ben was smart. He did not listen to Mr. Tricky. Mr. Tricky went away. He could not trick Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben was too smart. So, it is good to be smart. It is good to think first. Do not let others trick you. Be careful.
Here is another story. It is about Pip the Squirrel. Pip loved his nuts. He found many nuts. He put them in his tree hole. Pip kept all his nuts. He did not share them. He had many, many nuts. One cold day came. Pip had many nuts. But he was all alone. His friends had no nuts. They were hungry. They had no food. Pip saw his friends. They looked sad. Pip felt a little sad too. He thought about his nuts. He thought about his friends. Pip opened his tree hole. He took out some nuts. He gave nuts to his friends. His friends were happy. They ate the nuts together. Pip felt happy too. Sharing made him happy. His friends played with him. They were good friends. So, it is good to share. Sharing makes friends happy. Sharing makes you happy too. It is a good thing to do.
These stories teach us good things. They teach us to be smart. They teach us to be kind. They show us good ways to be. We learn from these stories.
There are many more stories. This book has many. Each story has a lesson. You can learn much.
Think about these lessons. Be clever and be kind. Be smart like Uncle Ben. Share like Pip the Squirrel.
Original Story
Table *of* Contents
[*The* Fable *of* How Uncle Brewster was *Too* Shifty *for the* Tempter](#id_1)
[*The* Fable *of the* Grass Widow *and the* Mesmeree *and the* Six Dollars](#id_2)
[*The* Fable *of the* Honest Money-Maker and the Partner of His Joys, *Such as They Were*](#id_3)
[*The* Fable *of* Why Sweetie Flew *the* Track](#id_4)
[*The* Fable *of the* Ex-Chattel *and the* Awful Swat *that* was Waiting *for the* Colonel](#id_5)
[*The* Fable *of the* Corporation Director *and the* Mislaid Ambition](#id_6)
[*The* Fable *of* What Happened *the* Night the Men Came *to the* Women's Club](#id_7)
[*The* Fable *of* Why Essie's Tall Friend Got *the* Fresh Air](#id_8)
[*The* Fable *of the* Michigan Counterfeit *Who* Wasn't One Thing *or the* Other](#id_9)
[*The* Fable *of the* Adult Girl Who Got Busy Before They Could Ring *the* Bell *on* Her](#id_10)
[*The* Fable *of the* Man-Grabber Who Went Out *of* His Class](#id_11)
[*The* Fable *of the* Inveterate Joker who Remained *in* Montana](#id_12)
[*The* Fable *of the* Cruel Insult *and the* Arrival *of the* Lover *from* No. 6](#id_13)
[*The* Fable *of the* Lodge Fiend, *and the* Delilah Trick Played *by* His Wife](#id_14)
[*The* Fable *of the* Apprehensive Sparrow *and* Her Daily Escape](#id_15)
[*The* Fable *of the* Regular Customer *and the* Copper-Lined Entertainer](#id_16)
[*The* Fable *of* Lutie, *the* False Alarm, *and* How She Finished about *the* Time *that* She Started](#id_17)
[*The* Fable *of the* Cotillon Leader *from the* Huckleberry District *with the* Intermittent Memory](#id_18)
[*The* Fable *of the* He-Gossip *and the* Man's Wife *and the* Man](#id_19)
[*The* Fable *of the* Author Who was Sorry *for* What He Did *to* Willie](#id_20)
Moral of the Story
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Characters
Uncle Brewster ★ protagonist
A lean, wiry man of average height, with a perpetually shrewd glint in his eyes. His hands are gnarled from years of work, and his posture suggests a lifetime of cautious observation.
Attire: Wears practical, well-worn tweed suits in muted browns and grays, often with a slightly rumpled appearance. His shirts are typically plain white cotton, and he favors simple, dark ties. He carries a sturdy, dark overcoat in cooler weather.
Wants: To outwit those who try to take advantage of him and to maintain his independence and security.
Flaw: His extreme caution can make him appear aloof or untrusting, potentially isolating him.
The fable implies he consistently remains 'too shifty' for temptation, suggesting a static character who has already learned his lessons.
Shrewd, cautious, observant, resourceful, and somewhat cynical. He is not easily fooled and values self-preservation.
The Tempter ⚔ antagonist
A smooth, well-groomed man of average height and build, with an air of practiced charm. His movements are fluid and confident, designed to put others at ease.
Attire: Dresses in impeccably tailored, dark wool suits, often with a subtle pinstripe, paired with crisp white shirts and silk ties in rich, jewel tones. His shoes are always highly polished leather.
Wants: To persuade others to fall for his schemes, often for personal gain or simply the satisfaction of proving his influence.
Flaw: Underestimates the intelligence and resilience of those he targets, leading to his repeated failures.
A static character, consistently attempting and failing to tempt Uncle Brewster, reinforcing Brewster's steadfastness.
Charming, manipulative, persistent, confident, and opportunistic. He preys on others' weaknesses.
Locations
Montana
A vast, rugged landscape, likely featuring mountains, plains, and possibly forests, known for its remote and untamed nature.
Mood: remote, wild, isolated, unforgiving
The Inveterate Joker remained here, implying it's a place where one might settle down or be 'stuck' due to its remoteness.
Story DNA
Moral
null
Plot Summary
This 'story' is a table of contents for a collection of satirical fables. Each entry is a title beginning with 'The Fable of...' and hints at a humorous or ironic narrative involving various character types and social situations, such as 'Uncle Brewster' being too shifty or a 'Corporation Director' with mislaid ambition. The list serves as a meta-commentary, inviting the reader to imagine the full stories and appreciate the wit embedded in the titles themselves, reflecting on human nature and societal quirks.
Themes
Emotional Arc
amusement to reflection
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
George Ade was known for his 'fables in slang,' which satirized American society and its conventions at the turn of the 20th century. This piece is a meta-commentary on that style.
Plot Beats (6)
- The text begins with the main title, 'Table of Contents'.
- The first entry, 'The Fable of How Uncle Brewster was Too Shifty for the Tempter', is presented.
- Subsequent entries follow, each titled 'The Fable of...' and describing a different scenario or character.
- The titles hint at various human foibles, social situations, and moral dilemmas.
- The list continues through nineteen distinct fable titles.
- The final entry, 'The Fable of the Author Who was Sorry for What He Did to Willie', concludes the list.
