Although the inductive method of instruction is at least as old as Socrates, it still provides an efficient method for the classroom. A story often used in elementary German classes, Peter Bichsel's "Ein Tisch ist ein Tisch," lends itself readily to this method. As early as the second semester of first-year German, during one class period, Bichsel's story can be taught effectively. Furthermore, since the primary aim of an elementary German course is to teach language rather than literature, most of the instruction can be given in German. At the University of Dayton, "Ein Tisch ist ein Tisch" is the first work of prose fiction presented to the students which is not accompanied by a translation and not composed by the textbook authors.' Thus Bichsel's tale introduces the students to German literature. Bichsel's Kin-