The Lady, or the Tiger?
“The Lady, or the Tiger?” is a famous short story written by Frank R. Stockton. It tells the tale of an ancient kingdom where justice is dispensed through a unique and dramatic method: the accused must choose between two doors, one concealing a ferocious tiger and the other a beautiful lady. This choice not only determines the fate of the accused but also raises profound questions about destiny, free will, and human nature.
About This Ebook
Set in a distant and mysterious kingdom, “The Lady, or the Tiger?” revolves around a peculiar system of justice devised by the king. In this system, the accused must choose between two doors, each with an unknown consequence. The protagonist of the story is a young prince who has been sentenced to this trial for courting the king’s daughter. Standing before the two doors, he looks to the princess for guidance, as she knows what lies behind each door. However, the princess faces an internal conflict: if she directs him to the lady, he will be set free but marry another woman; if she directs him to the tiger, he will meet a violent death. The story concludes with an open-ended question, leaving readers to ponder the princess’s decision and the broader implications of the scenario. Through its deceptively simple plot, “The Lady, or the Tiger?” explores complex themes of morality, love, and the human condition, cementing its place as a timeless classic in literature.