The legacy of Edgar Allen Poe continues through his ongoing popularity as a writer. ‘Hop-Frog’, like many of his best stories, carries the force of parable. It is a curious mixture of revenge, horror, and spectacle, It's all about a king’s jester- a dwarf- who exacts spectacular brutal vengeance on the cruel monarch. The story was first published in March 1849. It’s a tale about the “little man” triumphing over his evil oppressors and earning his freedom in a literal blaze of glory. ‘Hop-Frog’ can be analyzed as a story about tyranny, slavery, and revolution. It’s not Poe’s most famous or best-loved story, but it’s an enjoyable tale. Listen to the sample performance reading by Oscar nominee and Emmy Award winning Special Effects Makeup Artist Edward E. French .