Featured Stories

The War Prayer

War Prayer: Short story by Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)Following Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, it seems appropriate to feature one of literature’s most famous “anti-war” stories. Written in 1905, this narrative essay by Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) is a condemnation of the American imperialist agenda that led to the Spanish and Filipino-American Wars. With his usual sarcasm and wit, Twain brushes aside patriotic bravado and poignantly focuses on the suffering of combatants and civilians on both sides. Themes: patriotism, the horrors of war, the connection between the church (religion) and war, the selfish one-sidedness of war prayers vs. the universality of God.

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The End of the World

The End of the World: Short story by Dino BuzzatiThis story by Dino Buzzati is a satire of false piety. The fist of God appears in the sky, signaling the end of the world. Two friars, happy to have been proven right, laugh and make fun of the panicking crowds. The rich buy up the services of most available confessors, while charlatans pretending to be priests do house-calls to hear confessions from those who can afford it. A young priest cornered by a crowd mechanically takes confession after confession, before damning them all to hell for cheating him of his own salvation. Themes include piety, Armageddon, fear, greed, hypocrisy.

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Donkey Skin

Donkey Skin: French folktale from Charles PerraultThe lessons taught by many folktales are just as important today as they were hundreds of years ago. Donkey Skin deals with sexual abuse in the form of incest between father and daughter. A powerful king wants to marry his daughter, as this is the only way he can keep a promise he made to his dying wife. Fortunately, the brave girl has other ideas. I find it interesting that the story makes it clear that the king’s actions are wrong, but seems to have no problem with a handsome prince who spies on women through key holes.

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The Challenge

The Challenge: Short story by Mario Vargas LlosaSet in 1950s Peru, the major theme of Mario Vargas Llosa’s The Challenge is the Latin American concept of Machismo (being seen as a man among men). When a powerful street thug challenges a man from a rival group to a knife fight, the other accepts. He and his friends put on a brave face, even though they know he has little chance. The thug offers clemency as he begins to dominate the fight but the other refuses, preferring to die rather than admit defeat. Other themes include lawlessness, violence, rivalry, loyalty, honor.

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Land Deal

Land Deal: Short story by Gerald MurnaneAustralians recently voted (No) on a proposal to change their Constitution to recognize its First Peoples by establishing an advisory body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. In recognition of this, it seems appropriate to feature this acclaimed story by Gerald Murnane. It provides a surreal interpretation of an early (afterwards deemed void) “treaty” between men from overseas and representatives of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Aboriginal Nation. The Wurundjeri narrator rationalizes the events as a dream (or perhaps nightmare) within a dream that must one day end. Themes: manipulation, exploitation, indivisibility of the land, restoration.

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Anandi

Anandi: Short story by Ghulam AbbasThis story by Ghulam Abbas illustrates how the “world’s oldest profession” can assist in regional growth. Concerned about the appearance of prostitutes plying their trade around the town bazzar, the authorities of a Pakistani city banish them to a bare patch of land twelve miles out of town. A small marketplace develops around them, and over the years the outpost grows into a thriving new city of 250,000 people. Concerned about the appearance of prostitutes, the new city’s authorities banish them to a bare patch of land twenty-four miles out of town… Themes include politics, prostitution, persecution, enterprise, urban development.

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The Doll’s House / The Washerwoman’s Children

The Doll's House / The Washerwoman's Children: Short stories by Katherine Mansfield & Witi IhimaeraToday we are featuring two stories from New Zealand: The Doll’s House by Katherine Mansfield and its sequel, The Washerwoman’s Children, written in celebration of Mansfield’s centenary by Maori writer Witi Ihimaera. In the first story, a family friend gives a magnificent doll’s house to the children of a well-to-do family. Their mother allows them to invite all but two of the girls at their school to come and see it. These girls (sisters) are shunned and teased by the other children because of their mother’s lowly job. Themes: imagination, class, prejudice, peer pressure, bullying, kindness.

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The Fisherman and His Wife

The Fisherman and His Wife: German Folktale from the Brothers GrimmIt’s time for another folktale. This one is about dissatisfaction and greed. A poor fisherman catches an enchanted fish and sets it free. When he tells his wife, she is angry that he did not demand a wish in return. She sends him to ask the fish for a nicer house. When the fish grants this, the wife becomes greedy. She sends her husband back several times to ask for bigger and bigger things. Her final wish is so outrageous that the fish either will not or cannot grant it. The fisherman is no doubt happy with what happens next.

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