The Oracle of the Dog
By G. K. Chesterton
Foreword by P. Douglas Wilson
(2008)Discussion Guide Included
A Father Brown mystery story that addresses themes of character, listening, and false assumptions.
This entertaining short story is among the best of G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown mysteries. In this case, by helping an eyewitness see his own evidence in a different light, the priest-detective solves the murder of Colonel Druce without leaving his desk. Common sense, Chesterton shows us, is not so common as we wish, and the story prompts us to take a fresh look at the assumptions that can cloud our vision.
The Reading features a Foreword by Senior Fellow Doug Wilson, whose career has focused on developing senior executive talent. Doug looks at lessons we can draw from the story, and particularly Father Brown’s method of questioning, for developing our own character, and fostering character in others, by learning truly to hear what others have to say.
Fiennes stared still more. “But you told me before that my feelings about the dog were all nonsense, and the dog had nothing to do with it.”
“The dog had everything to do with it,” said Father Brown, “as you’d have found out if you’d only treated the dog as a dog, and not as God Almighty judging the souls of men.”
The Reading includes a group discussion guide and suggestions for further reading. The outer cover of the booklet is slate gray with gold foil lettering.
