Featured Stories

A Temporary Matter

A Temporary Matter: Short story by Jhumpa LahiriThis story from Jhumpa Lahiri deals with one of her common themes: alienation within a relationship. A young, once happily married Indian-American couple have drifted apart following the loss of their stillborn first child. A week of evening power outages leads to a word game that gets them beginning to communicate again. Although neither raises the big issues between them, there appears hope for a re-building of the relationship. Unfortunately, at weeks end the woman shares news that devastates the man. He responds with a cruel truth of his own. Other themes: grief, guilt, lack of communication, deception, moving on.

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The End of Old Horse

The End of Old Horse: Short story by Simon J. OrtizIn this coming of age story by Simon Ortiz, “Old Horse” is a dog that chokes to death trying to free itself from a rope tying it to a pole. Earlier, two boys had observed the dog chewing at the rope and barking and snarling every once in a while. They mentioned this to its owner, a family friend, who replied that the dog is just being dumb. The rest of the story focuses on the boys’ reaction to what may have been their first experience with death and grief. Themes include freedom, loss, anger, grief, “manliness” and self-control, change.

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In the Shadow of War

In the Shadow of War: Short story by Ben OkriIn this story by Ben Okri, a boy becomes curious about a mysterious woman who walks through his village every day wearing a black veil. Set during the Nigerian Civil War, other children think she is a witch; three soldiers looking for her think she is a spy. The soldiers follow the woman into a forest, as does the boy. Sufficient ambiguity exists for readers to question whether the horrific events described in the forest really take place, or if the woman is indeed a spy or simply a kindly benefactor. Themes include loyalty and morality in war, brutality, humanity.

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The Voter

The Voter: Short story by Chinua AchebeThis story by Chinua Achebe uses irony to highlight vote-buying in Nigerian village elections. A sitting politician’s wealth and lifestyle have improved dramatically since being elected. To retain his place at the trough, he appoints a group of canvassers to bribe influential villagers. His most trusted canvasser faces a dilemma, He is offered an unheard-of bribe to vote for the opposition, provided he swears on a talisman that will bring ill-fortune if he doesn’t do so. He takes the money, and creatively finds a way to avoid being disloyal to either party. Themes include corruption, politics, vote-buying, superstition, loyalty.

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The Baby (The First Thing the Baby Did Wrong)

The Baby (The First Thing the Baby Did Wrong): Short story by Donald BarthelmeThis story by Donald Barthelme may be confronting for some readers because it appears to make light of an example of child abuse. Through exaggeration and humor, Barthelme leads us to his central theme: the coming of a baby can change the whole dynamics of family relationships. Most parents like to think that they are the ones in control. However, all too often they find themselves dancing to their child’s tune. By the end of the story, this baby has totally turned the tables. Some might even say that it has been guilty of a form of parental abuse!

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The Babus of Nayanjore

The Babus of Nayanjore: Short story by Rabindranath TagoreMajor themes of this Rabindranath Tagore story are class, identity and hubris. Despite living in poverty, the last male descendent of a once wealthy Indian noble family maintains his aristocratic bearing. Most in the community humor the old man, treating him with kindness and respect. However his neighbor, the well-educated, excessively proud son of a working class man who became rich through hard work, looks down on him. The neighbor plays a cruel trick that backfires, finding himself part of the old man’s family and greatly boosting his self-esteem. Other themes include tradition, social change, extravagance vs. frugality, dignity, respect.

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The Man Who Could Work Miracles (A Pantoum in Prose)

The Man Who Could Work Miracles: Short story by H. G. WellsIn this light-hearted story by H. G. Wells, a man known as a sceptic as far as miracles are concerned suddenly discovers he can make things happen just by thinking about them. After a few teething problems, such as sending a local police constable to Hades, he confides in his parish priest. Once convinced, the priest becomes so obsessed with using the miracle worker’s powers for good that he inadvertently encourages him to do something that brings about global catastrophe. Themes include the supernatural, power and responsibility, human frailty, the danger of interfering with nature, science vs. religion.

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The Key

The Key: Short story by Isaac Bashevis SingerThe major messages of this story by Isaac Bashevis Singer are that there is a lot of kindness in the world for those who open their hearts to it, and to live life to the fullest. An elderly widow who has lived alone for almost twenty years has become a recluse. With no family or friends, she distrusts everyone and lives in poverty despite having a fortune hidden in her house. A broken key that causes her to spend a night on the streets is her “key” to understanding and redemption. Themes include ageing, isolation and loneliness, paranoia, redemption.

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