E
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Everlasting Classics
Title: The Lady, or the Tiger?
Author: Frank R. Stockton
Pages: 14
Published: 2023
Originally Published: 1882
Tags: short story, classic
About the book:
There's no escape from the King's arena.
Differently from the Roman arena where Gladiators would fight for their life and provide entertainment for the masses, the barbaric King used his arena as a tribunal.
Whenever a crime was of sufficient importance to attract the King's attention, a notice was given, and on the chosen date, the accused was sent to the King's amphitheater. There, the criminal would have his fate decided by an impartial and incorruptible tribunal.
The accused will stand in the arena confronted with a choice: one door means redemption, he'll be clear of any accusation, and as a reward, he'll be married to a fair lady. On the next door, the most voracious tiger, ready to devour whatever it sees in his path. Innocence isn't the determinant factor here - the only thing standing between a man and his fate is chance.
When the King discovers his beautiful daughter is having an affair with a brave and handsome man of no royal blood, the King decides the assailant must face the arena.
The short story "The Lady, or the Tiger" was originally published in The Century Magazine in 1882. The work is now in the public domain.
