This story from Thomas Wolfe is about perception, connection and disappointment. A railway engineer works the same route for over twenty years. Every day, he pays particular attention to a small, well-kept farmhouse from which a woman, and later a woman and child, emerge to wave cheerfully as the train passes. He feels a special connection with them, which helps through the monotony and occasional tragedies encountered in his work. On retirement, he decides to pay the woman a visit. This does not go as he had planned. Themes: appearances, false assumptions, confusion, isolation, suspicion, disillusionment, regret. More…
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The Legend of the Christmas Rose
The major themes of this Christmas story from Selma Lagerlöf are faith, forgiveness, redemption and, of course, the supernatural (the miracle of the Christmas garden). When the wife of an infamous outlaw is discovered admiring a monastery’s herb garden, she tells its Abbot that his prized garden is nothing compared to the one that emerges from the snow outside their forest hideout each Christmas Eve. In the hope of getting her husband pardoned, she agrees to lead the Abbot to see the miracle. Other themes: judging by appearances, mistrust, and materialism (the idea that the poor are closer to God). More…
The Zulu and the Zeide
In this touching story by Dan Jacobson, a South African businessman is resentful towards his senile Jewish father for the embarrassment he causes and his many failings in life. As a cruel joke, he employs a “raw” Zulu from the countryside to keep his father out of trouble. Despite the language barriers, the Zulu does such a good job that a camaraderie develops between them and the old man begins to depend upon him. The infuriated son responds by humiliating the Zulu. Themes include aging and dependency, family, duty, humanity and compassion, jealousy, social class, racism, guilt. More…
The Master Cat; or, Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots is sometimes criticized for the mixed message it sends to children. Derived from a 14th Century Italian folktale, a clever cat helps its slow-witted master win the heart of a princess through trickery, lies, threats and theft. To condemn the story because of this seems a little unfair, since folklore is full of likeable tricksters whose crimes are far worse than the cat’s. These characters often play an important role, challenging traditional beliefs through satire. Here, the cat’s actions show up both the greed and gullibility of the king and the shallowness of his daughter. More…
The Great Rat Hunt
This memoir from Laurence Yep includes themes of father-son relationships, accepting differences, and facing fear. A young boy with severe asthma feels left out when he can’t join his father and brother in practicing ball games. Everything changes after they notice signs of a rat in their apartment. When poison and an exterminator don’t work, the father borrows a gun and invites the boys to join him in a hunt. Although no shots are fired, the father claims success. The narrator shares a “trophy” and learns some important lessons about fatherly love and focusing on one’s strengths rather than weaknesses. More…