This very short folktale has a very big message. First recorded by Matsuo Bashō in the late 15th century, its moral (respect for the knowledge and wisdom of the aged) is just as relevant today as it was then. Unfortunately, the governor’s reasoning doesn’t go far enough. His ruling suggests that the only reason society should care for the aged is that it has something to gain from them. This ignores any contribution that older people have already made. The farmer had the right idea by showing gratitude (and risking his life) for his mother’s life-long love and care. More…
The Goophered Grapevine
Set shortly after the American Civil War, this story from Charles W. Chesnutt is about a “Northerner” with an interest in grape cultivation who moves to the South for his wife’s health. While inspecting a derelict vineyard, they meet a “colored man” who tells how the previous owner had a sorceress put a spell (goopher) on the grapes to stop them being stolen. He then describes the sad fate of a newly acquired slave who, unaware of the spell, “sampled” the grapes. Themes: racism and slavery, the supernatural, greed, exploitation, dishonesty, trickery, karma. More…
The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze
Set in San Francisco during the Great Depression, this story by William Saroyan describes the final day of a young aspiring writer dying of starvation. His creative inspiration comes from dreams, and the story begins with a stream-of-consciousness list of places, people and scenes he has dreamed about but never encountered. Weak with hunger, he spends the day desperately looking for work. Unsuccessful, he tries to write An Application for Permission to Live. Too weak to complete it, he returns home and surrenders himself to a final dream. Themes include poverty, artistic struggle, pride, alienation, despair, existentialism, sleep and dreams. More…
The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
This story from Katherine Porter describes the disoriented thoughts and recollections of a feisty eighty-year-old (Granny Weatherall) as she lies dying in the house of one of her daughters. Satisfied with her life, she awaits a sign from God to say that her time has come. In her last moments, she likens the absence of such a sign to being left standing at the altar sixty earlier. Major themes are perseverance, motherhood and faith. Other themes: aging and death, loss (over the death of husband John and daughter Hapsy), betrayal and repressed anger (over being jilted by George). More…
The Toxic Donut
In this story by Terry Bisson, a woman has been nominated from entries all over the world to represent humanity in an annual TV extravaganza. The focus of the show, set in the future and officiated over by world leaders, is Environmental Awareness. One of its features is a “Wonders of Science” film segment celebrating technology that can concentrate a whole year’s toxic wastes and pollutants into a single donut. In the finale, the donut for the previous year is presented to the world. The unwitting woman’s role is to eat it. Themes include environmentalism, science and technology, human sacrifice. More…