The Appropriate Memorial
Story Summary
In "The Appropriate Memorial," a town gathers to discuss how to honor a deceased high public official, reflecting themes found in culturally significant moral stories. One official proposes erecting a monument inscribed with the virtues of the deceased, but the soul of the great man watches from above and weeps at what he perceives as an inappropriate tribute. This quick read story with moral invites readers to consider the true essence of honoring someone's legacy.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that hollow tributes and empty gestures often fail to truly honor the virtues and legacy of a respected individual.
Historical Context
This story, likely a satirical take on bureaucratic and political processes, echoes themes found in folklore and literature that critique the superficiality of public memorials. It resonates with the tradition of humorous, exaggerated public speeches that can be traced back to early literary works, such as those by Jonathan Swift or Mark Twain, who similarly lampooned societal norms and the rituals surrounding death and remembrance. The use of dialect and the notion of a public meeting reflect a cultural context where the absurdity of politics is highlighted through the lens of local community life.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the irony of public tributes that often focus more on decorum than on genuine virtue, a lesson that resonates in modern life where social media tributes can sometimes overshadow authentic acts of kindness. For example, a company may launch a public memorial for a beloved employee but fail to create a supportive environment for remaining staff, emphasizing the need for sincere actions over performative gestures.
You May Also Like
The Lion and the Dolphin
In this creative moral story, a lion and a dolphin form an alliance, believing their dominions over land and sea should unite them as friends. However, when the lion calls for help in a fight with a wild bull, the dolphin's natural limitations prevent him from assisting, leading the lion to accuse him of betrayal. The dolphin explains that his inability to help stems from the constraints of nature, illustrating a valuable moral lesson about understanding and accepting each other's differences in this small moral story.
Wasted Sweets
In this thought-provoking tale, a candidate canvassing his district kisses a baby in a carriage, believing the moment to be heartwarming. However, he is confronted with the irony that the baby belongs to an orphan asylum, and the nurse caring for it is an inmate of an institution for the illiterate, deaf, and dumb. This story serves as a reminder of the deeper moral lessons often found in well-known moral stories, encouraging personal growth through storytelling with morals.
From the Minutes
In "From the Minutes," a misguided orator, proud of his supposed integrity, misinterprets a gesture of scorn directed at his reputation, leading to his mortifying collapse and death. His colleagues, reflecting on the simple lessons from his frequent nonsensical speeches, decide to honor him by adjourning whenever they are tired, illustrating the big moral story of the consequences of lacking common sense. This very short moral story serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and self-awareness.
Other names for this story
Honoring a Legacy, A Fitting Tribute, Memorial Missteps, Remembering the Great, The Right Kind of Tribute, A Tribute Gone Wrong, The Cost of Remembrance, Echoes of a Life
Did You Know?
This story satirizes the often hollow gestures of public memorials, highlighting how political rhetoric can overshadow genuine remembrance and honor, suggesting that superficial tributes may fail to capture the true essence of a person's legacy.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.