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This story is called The Lady, or the Tiger? It was written by Frank R. Stockton. It is a famous short story from the year 1882. The story is full of mystery, love, jealousy, and difficult choices.
The king in this story is not like other kings. He makes a strange way to decide if someone is guilty or innocent. A man must choose between two doors. Behind one door is a beautiful lady. Behind the other is a hungry tiger. No one knows what is behind each door. The man must choose, and his life depends on it.
There is also a princess. She is the king’s daughter. She loves a young man who is not royal. When her father finds out, he becomes angry. The young man is sent to the arena to choose a door. But the princess knows what is behind the doors. She gives him a signal.
What door does he choose? What comes out? The story does not tell us the answer.
This version of the story is rewritten for English learners. It uses easy words and clear sentences. It follows the original story but is made simpler and easier to understand. This story will help you improve your English while you enjoy a beautiful and emotional tale.
The Lady, or the Tiger? was written by Frank R. Stockton and first published in 1882. The original work is in the public domain in the United States. This edition is a simplified adaptation for A2-level English learners, prepared by LearnEnglish-new.com for educational purposes.
The Lady, or the Tiger?
By Frank Stockton
Contents
Chapter One: The Kingdom of Strange Justice
Chapter Two: The Princess and the Young Man
Chapter Three: The Day of the Trial
Chapter Four: Fire in Her Heart
Chapter Five: The Question with No Answer
Chapter One
The Kingdom of Strange Justice
A long time ago, there was a powerful king who ruled a big and rich country. He was a strong man with great energy. He loved beautiful things, but he also loved control. He was not a fair man, but not completely cruel either. He was half-barbaric. That means he was part wild, part civilized.
He had strange ideas about justice. When someone broke the law, he did not give a normal punishment. Instead, he built a large public arena. In this arena, a person accused of a crime would face two doors. Behind one door, there was a tiger — fierce and hungry. Behind the other, there was a lady — young, beautiful, and ready to marry.
The accused would stand in front of the two doors and choose one. No one knew which was which, not even the king. If the person opened the door with the tiger, he would be eaten in front of everyone. That meant he was guilty. If he opened the door with the lady, he would marry her immediately — even if he already had a wife or didn’t love her. That meant he was innocent.
To the king, this was fair. There was no trial. There were no arguments. It was all up to fate.
People from all around the country came to watch these events. They loved the drama, the surprise, the sudden deaths, or quick weddings. It was entertainment. But the king saw it as justice.
And so, the arena became part of life in the kingdom. People feared it, but they also celebrated it.
Then one day, the king faced a new problem — one that touched his heart deeply.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
1. Powerful — having a lot of strength or control.
Example: A long time ago, there was a powerful king who ruled a big and rich country.
2. Control — the power to direct or manage something.
Example: He loved beautiful things, but he also loved control.
3. Strange — unusual or different from what is normal.
Example: He had strange ideas about justice.
4. Justice — fair treatment according to the law.
Example: He had strange ideas about justice.
5. Punishment — something bad that happens to someone for breaking a law or rule.
Example: When someone broke the law, he did not give a normal punishment.
6. Accused — said to have done something wrong or illegal.
Example: A person accused of a crime would face two doors.
7. Fierce — very strong, wild, and dangerous.
Example: Behind one door, there was a tiger — fierce and hungry.
8. Innocent — not guilty of a crime or wrong action.
Example: That meant he was innocent.
Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions
1. Who ruled the big and rich country?
2. What kind of man was the king?
3. What did the king love besides beautiful things?
4. What happened when someone broke the law?
5. What was behind one of the two doors?
6. What was behind the other door?
7. What happened if the person chose the door with the tiger?
8. Why did people come to the arena?
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
1. A long time ago, there ______ a powerful king.
A) is
B) was
C) were
D) are
2. The king ______ a big and rich country.
A) rule
B) rules
C) ruled
D) ruling
3. He loved beautiful things, but he also ______ control.
A) love
B) loves
C) loved
D) loving
4. When someone ______ the law, the king gave a punishment.
A) break
B) breaks
C) broke
D) breaking
5. A person accused of a crime would ______ two doors.
A) face
B) faces
C) faced
D) facing
6. Behind one door, there ______ a fierce and hungry tiger.
A) were
B) are
C) was
D) be
7. People from all around the country came ______ these events.
A) watch
B) watched
C) watching
D) to watch
8. If the person opened the door with the lady, he ______ innocent.
A) is
B) were
C) was
D) be
Answers — Chapter One
1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-C, 5-A, 6-C, 7-D, 8-C
Chapter Two
The Princess and the Young Man
The king had a daughter — the princess. She was beautiful, like a summer morning. Her hair was dark and long, and her eyes shone like stars. But she was also strong, proud, and full of passion. She was her father’s child — clever, bold, and yes, half-barbaric, just like him.
In the royal palace, many young men worked. One of them was a handsome young man with a kind heart and brave spirit. He was not a prince. He had no title, no money, and no famous family. But he had something special — a dreamer’s soul and a smile that made people feel warm inside.
The princess saw him one day in the garden.
He was helping the old gardener move flowers.
She looked at him.
He looked at her.
And in that moment, love began.
They did not speak much at first. A few smiles, quiet glances, short greetings. But soon, they met in secret places. They talked, laughed, and dreamed. The princess felt happy, alive, full of hope. The young man felt lucky. He loved her deeply.
They were careful. No one knew.
Or so they thought.
One day, the king discovered their secret. He became very angry. His daughter — a royal princess! — had fallen in love with a common man.
To the king, this was not love. It was a crime.
The next morning, the young man was taken by soldiers. The king ordered that he be sent to the arena. He would face the two doors, just like every other man who broke the law.
But this case was different.
The people were surprised. “This man is not a criminal!” they said. “He hurt no one.”
But the king was firm. “He broke the law of the crown,” he said. “Let fate decide.”
The day of the trial was chosen.
The arena was prepared.
The two doors were ready.
And the princess?
She was broken inside.
She cried in silence. She stayed up at night. She loved this man with all her heart. But she knew what would happen if he opened the wrong door — the tiger.
Worse, if he opened the other door, he would marry another woman.
And not just any woman.
The king had chosen the most beautiful lady in the land — someone from the royal court. The princess hated her. That woman had looked at the young man before, smiled at him. And he had smiled back. Just once. But it was enough to burn the princess’s heart.
Now the princess had a terrible decision to make.
She knew she could find out what was behind each door. She had her ways. Servants talked. Gold helped. And she was smart.
So she made a plan.
And she found the answer.
She now knew exactly which door had the tiger and which had the lady.
But what would she do with that knowledge?
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
1. beautiful — very attractive and pleasant to look at.
Example: She was beautiful, like a summer morning.
2. proud — feeling that you are important or special.
Example: But she was also strong, proud, and full of passion.
3. passion — a very strong feeling of love or interest.
Example: But she was also strong, proud, and full of passion.
4. handsome — good-looking, usually used for a man.
Example: One of them was a handsome young man with a kind heart and brave spirit.
5. brave — not afraid to face danger or difficult situations.
Example: One of them was a handsome young man with a kind heart and brave spirit.
6. secret — something that is hidden from other people.
Example: They were careful. No one knew.
7. angry — feeling strong displeasure or irritation.
Example: He became very angry.
8. common — not special or from an important family or group.
Example: His daughter — a royal princess! — had fallen in love with a common man.
Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions
1. Who was the princess?
2. What was the princess like?
3. Who did the princess fall in love with?
4. Where did the princess first see the young man?
5. What did the young man do in the garden?
6. Why did the king become angry?
7. What did the king do to the young man?
8. What did the princess discover about the two doors?
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
1. The princess ______ beautiful and strong.
A) is
B) was
C) were
D) be
2. She ______ a young man in the garden.
A) see
B) sees
C) saw
D) seeing
3. The young man ______ helping the old gardener.
A) was
B) were
C) is
D) be
4. They ______ in secret places.
A) meet
B) met
C) meets
D) meeting
5. The princess ______ very happy when she was with him.
A) feel
B) feels
C) felt
D) feeling
6. The young man ______ a prince.
A) wasn’t
B) weren’t
C) isn’t
D) aren’t
7. The king became angry ______ he discovered their secret.
A) but
B) because
C) when
D) so
8. The king ordered that the young man ______ sent to the arena.
A) is
B) was
C) be
D) were
Answers — Chapter Two
1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B, 5-C, 6-A, 7-C, 8-C
Chapter Three
The Day of the Trial
The sun rose brightly on the day of the trial. The sky was clear and blue. People filled the streets, excited to see what would happen. It was not every day that a trial like this was held — and certainly not one involving the princess’s lover.
In the great arena, thousands of people gathered. They sat high in the stone seats, talking and guessing.
“Which door will he choose?”
“Will he marry the lady?”
“Or will the tiger end his life?”
Trumpets sounded. The doors opened. Soldiers came in. Then, the young man walked into the arena.
He looked straight ahead, proud and calm. He was not afraid. He stood tall, like a man with nothing to hide. But in his heart, he was thinking of one person only — the princess.
She sat next to her father, high above the arena, dressed in fine clothes. But her heart was not fine. It was heavy, full of fear, love, and confusion.
Their eyes met.
In that one look, they said a thousand words.
He did not speak.
She did not speak.
But he knew — she had the answer.
He trusted her.
She loved him. He knew that. And he believed she would save him.
He looked at her, waiting for a sign.
The princess raised her right hand — just for a moment. Very quickly. No one else saw it.
But the young man saw.
She pointed, ever so slightly, to the door on the right.
There was no time to think.
No time to ask questions.
He trusted her completely.
Without hesitation, he walked across the arena to the right door.
He put his hand on the handle.
The crowd was silent. You could hear the wind. You could feel the tension. The king leaned forward. The princess held her breath.
And the young man — opened the door.
What happened next?
No one knew.
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
1. trial — a formal event where a person is judged for a crime.
Example: It was not every day that a trial like this was held.
2. arena — a large place where people watch sports, shows, or events.
Example: In the great arena, thousands of people gathered.
3. crowd — a large group of people together in one place.
Example: The crowd was silent.
4. choose — to decide which person or thing you want.
Example: Which door will he choose?
5. calm — quiet and without fear or excitement.
Example: He looked straight ahead, proud and calm.
6. trust — to believe that someone will do the right thing.
Example: He trusted her.
7. signal — a movement or sign that gives someone information.
Example: The princess raised her right hand — just for a moment.
8. hesitation — a short pause because you are not sure what to do.
Example: Without hesitation, he walked across the arena to the right door.
Chapter 3 – Comprehension Questions
1. What was the weather like on the day of the trial?
2. How many people came to the arena?
3. What were the people talking and guessing about?
4. How did the young man look when he entered the arena?
5. Who was the young man thinking about?
6. What did the princess do when their eyes met?
7. Which door did the princess point to?
8. What did the young man do after he saw her signal?
Chapter 3 – Grammar Exercises
1. The sun ______ brightly on the day of the trial.
A) shine
B) shone
C) shines
D) shining
2. Thousands of people ______ in the great arena.
A) gather
B) gathers
C) gathered
D) gathering
3. The young man ______ into the arena.
A) walk
B) walks
C) walked
D) walking
4. He ______ not afraid.
A) was
B) were
C) is
D) be
5. The princess ______ next to her father.
A) sit
B) sits
C) sat
D) sitting
6. Their eyes ______.
A) meet
B) meets
C) met
D) meeting
7. The young man ______ for a sign from the princess.
A) waited
B) waits
C) wait
D) waiting
8. He walked ______ the arena to the right door.
A) across
B) at
C) on
D) from
Answers — Chapter Three
1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-A, 5-C, 6-C, 7-A, 8-A
Chapter Four
Fire in Her Heart
The door opened wide.
But before anything came out, the princess closed her eyes.
She could not watch.
In that single moment — the moment before truth — her whole soul burned inside her. She had made a choice. But now, standing there above the crowd, she asked herself:
Was it the right one?
Let’s return to the night before the trial.
That night, the princess sat alone. Her room was dark, and the candles burned low. She did not sleep. She walked back and forth, her heart heavy.
In one hand, she held love — a deep, true love for the young man.
In the other hand, she held jealousy — sharp and dangerous.
She had found out what was behind each door.
She knew which door hid the tiger — large, angry, hungry.
She knew which door hid the lady — beautiful, graceful, ready to marry the man she loved.
And the princess hated that woman.
The lady had once looked at the young man with soft eyes. The young man had smiled back. It was a small thing, but to the princess, it felt like a knife in her heart.
She imagined them standing together, holding hands, saying vows, living a happy life.
A life that should have been hers.
Could she really send her lover into another woman’s arms?
But the other choice was cruel.
The tiger.
Death.
Pain.
Blood.
Could she really send him to die, just to stop her heart from breaking?
She thought all night. She cried. She whispered to herself, again and again.
Finally, she made a decision.
And she stood by it.
In the morning, her face was calm, her body still. But her heart? It was fire.
Back in the arena, she had made the signal — a soft, secret movement with her hand.
She had pointed to the door on the right.
Now, the door stood open.
The crowd leaned forward.
The young man stood still.
The king looked pleased.
And the princess…
She did not open her eyes.
Chapter 4 – Vocabulary
1. jealousy — an unhappy feeling because someone you love may love another person.
Example: In the other hand, she held jealousy — sharp and dangerous.
2. heart — the part of your body that is often connected with feelings and emotions.
Example: In the morning, her face was calm, her body still. But her heart? It was fire.
3. choice — a decision between two or more things.
Example: She had made a choice.
4. death — the end of a person’s life.
Example: The other choice was cruel. The tiger. Death.
5. pain — a strong feeling of physical or emotional suffering.
Example: Could she really send him to die, just to stop her heart from breaking?
6. decide — to choose what you will do.
Example: Finally, she made a decision.
7. calm — quiet and not showing strong emotions.
Example: In the morning, her face was calm, her body still.
8. burn — to feel very strong emotion or pain.
Example: Her heart? It was fire.
Chapter 4 – Comprehension Questions
1. Why did the princess close her eyes when the door opened?
2. What did the princess hold in one hand?
3. What did she hold in the other hand?
4. Why did the princess hate the woman behind the door?
5. What did the princess imagine about the young man and the other woman?
6. Why was the tiger a cruel choice for the princess?
7. What decision did the princess finally make?
8. Which door did the princess point to in the arena?
Chapter 4 – Grammar Exercises
1. The princess ______ her eyes when the door opened.
A) close
B) closes
C) closed
D) closing
2. She ______ not sleep that night.
A) do
B) did
C) does
D) doing
3. She ______ back and forth in her room.
A) walk
B) walks
C) walked
D) walking
4. She ______ which door hid the tiger.
A) know
B) knows
C) knew
D) knowing
5. The princess ______ the other woman.
A) hate
B) hates
C) hated
D) hating
6. Could she really ______ him to die?
A) send
B) sent
C) sends
D) sending
7. She ______ a decision after thinking all night.
A) make
B) makes
C) made
D) making
8. In the morning, her face ______ calm.
A) is
B) are
C) was
D) were
Answers — Chapter Four
1-C, 2-B, 3-C, 4-C, 5-C, 6-A, 7-C, 8-C
Chapter Five
The Question with No Answer
The door stood open. But the story does not tell us what came out. Not a sound. Not a scream. Not music. Not a roar. Just silence.
We do not know if the lady stepped forward with a smile on her face…
Or if the tiger leaped out with fire in its eyes. Because this is not a story with a clear ending.
This is a story with a question. A question for you. Let’s look again at the princess.
She was not like other girls. She was not soft and quiet. She was born in a palace of power, raised by a king who ruled with fire and fear. Her heart was wild. She loved deeply. But she could also hate deeply.
She loved the young man.
Yes.
But she hated the woman behind the other door.
Even more.
She had dreamed of marrying that man. She had held his hand in the gardens, laughed with him in the moonlight. His voice, his smile — they were hers.
But now, if he opened the lady’s door, he would become someone else’s husband.
Could her heart take that?
Could she watch him smile at another woman — the woman she despised?
Or…
Was it better that no one had him?
Better that he die quickly — and never love another?
The princess had to decide.
And she did.
She pointed to the right door.
But what was behind it?
The lady?
Or the tiger?
The king didn’t know.
The crowd didn’t know.
Even the young man didn’t know — until that last moment.
And now the writer asks you:
What do you think?
Was the princess’s love stronger than her jealousy?
Or was her jealousy stronger than her love?
Only you can decide.
And maybe — that is the true beauty of the story.
— THE END –
The Original Version of the Story: americanliterature.com
Chapter 5 – Vocabulary
1. answer — something you say or write when you respond to a question.
Example: The story does not tell us what came out.
2. clear — easy to understand or easy to see.
Example: Because this is not a story with a clear ending.
3. question — something you ask when you want information.
Example: This is a story with a question.
4. decide — to choose what you think or what you will do.
Example: Only you can decide.
5. jealousy — an unhappy feeling because someone you love may love another person.
Example: Was the princess’s love stronger than her jealousy?
6. despise — to strongly dislike someone or something.
Example: She could watch him smile at another woman — the woman she despised?
7. quickly — fast, in a short time.
Example: Better that he die quickly — and never love another?
8. beauty — the quality of being beautiful or attractive.
Example: And maybe — that is the true beauty of the story
Chapter 5 – Comprehension Questions
1. What does the story not tell the reader?
2. What was behind one of the doors?
3. What was behind the other door?
4. Why did the princess hate the other woman?
5. What did the princess love about the young man?
6. What did the princess point to?
7. Who did not know what was behind the door?
8. What question does the writer ask the reader?
Chapter 5 – Grammar Exercises
1. The story ______ tell us what came out of the door.
A) do not
B) does not
C) did not
D) is not
2. We ______ know what was behind the door.
A) do
B) does
C) did
D) are
3. The princess ______ the young man very much.
A) love
B) loves
C) loved
D) loving
4. She ______ the other woman.
A) hate
B) hates
C) hated
D) hating
5. The young man ______ another woman if he chose the lady’s door.
A) marry
B) marries
C) married
D) would marry
6. The king ______ know what was behind the door.
A) don’t
B) doesn’t
C) didn’t
D) isn’t
7. The writer ______ the reader a question.
A) ask
B) asks
C) asked
D) asking
8. Only you can ______ what happened.
A) decide
B) decided
C) decides
D) deciding
Answers — Chapter Five
1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-C, 5-D, 6-B, 7-B, 8-A
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