Vice in its Proper Shape Or, The Wonderful and Melancholy Transformation of Several Naughty Masters and Misses Into Those Contemptible Animals Which They Most Resemble In Disposition.

"Vice in its Proper Shape" by Anonymous is a collection of moral stories meant for children, using magical transformations to teach about good behavior. Set in the late 1700s, the book follows Mr. Wiseman as he leads children through a museum of animals. Each animal contains the spirit of a child who was turned into the creature because of their bad habits or vices. For instance, a boy named Jack Idle, who was really stubborn about his lack of knowledge, is turned into an ass, and another named Anthony Greedyguts becomes a pig because he ate too much. By exploring these unlucky situations, the stories explain what led to these children's unfortunate fates. The book sends the important reminder that actions have consequences, pushing children to choose good behavior to avoid a similar fate.