The Goose Father

The Goose Father: Short story by Krys LeeIn this story by Krys Lee, loneliness drives a South Korean gireogi appa (goose father) to take in a tenant after six months’ living alone. The tenant, an enigmatic young man half the landlord’s age, arrives on his doorstep with a goose he believes to be his reincarnated mother. As the mismatched pair get to know each other, sexual tension builds between them. Something unexpected occurs when the landlord finally comes to terms with his sexual inclinations and is about to express his feelings by kissing the younger man. Themes include family, loneliness, sexuality, love, betrayal, guilt, forgiveness, the supernatural.

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All at One Point

Some time ago we featured Distance of the Moon, the first story in Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomics collection. In this, the fourth story, we travel back to before the beginning of time. Everything (and everyone) in the universe existed in a single point in space. Things were rather crowded and people had no chance to move about and meet others. However, everyone knew and loved Mrs. Ph(i)Nk_0, whose wish for enough room to make noodles caused a burst of positive energy that resulted in the “big bang” and universe as we know it today. Theme: the power of selflessness and love.

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A Mild Attack of Locusts

A Mild Attack of Locusts: Short story by Doris LessingDoris Lessing’s story about a British farming family in post-World War 2 Africa contrasts the richness and beauty of the land with the destructive power of nature. The threat this time is a swarm of locusts. They have already leveled the crops and moved on, but an even greater threat lies ahead. The major theme is survival… for the locust swarm, through instinct and sheer weight of numbers; for the farmers, through planning, preparation, manpower and, when these fail, being prepared to start over. Other themes include helplessness, devastation, the ongoing cycles of struggle against nature, perseverance.

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In the Tunnel

In the Tunnel: Short story by Mavis GallantThis story from Mavis Gallant deals with the experiences of a Canadian college student “banished” to Europe by her strict father to end an affair with a married professor. While there, she falls prey to a troubled older man who appears practiced in picking up vulnerable young woman and discarding them immediately something happens that is not to his liking. Their time together, living in his “tunnel-like” room in the garden of an eccentric, thoroughly dislikeable British couple, is not what she expected. Themes: amoureuse mal placé (misplaced love), independence, exploitation, betrayal, cruelty, politics, aging, identity.

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Everyone Cried

Everyone Cried: Flash story by Lydia DavisThis story from Lydia Davis is sad enough to make you want to cry. It paints a bleak picture of how our lives are dominated by the little things that go wrong, and how these can lead to depression and tears. Some respite may come at the end of the day, but only if things are going well at home. Most of the story is told in the past tense, about a time when I was young. Does this imply that as we get older we become so accustomed to these daily frustrations that they don’t bother us as much?

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Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens: Short story by Virginia WoolfRather than a unified plot, this Virginia Woolf story describes a series of unrelated events over a few minutes of time. A married couple exchange memories of earlier visits to the gardens; an eccentric old man accompanied by a carer talks nonsense to the flowers; two elderly women break into their small talk to gossip about the old man; an infatuated young couple create their own memories for later visits; a purposeful snail decides on the best path to its destination. Themes: peace and beauty amid turmoil, isolation, memories, regret, aging, romance, gender roles, aimlessness vs. focus and determination.

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Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come To You, My Lad

Oh, Whistle and I'll Come To You, My Lad: Short story by M. R. JamesIn this story by M. R. James, a colleague asks a young university professor to scope out some monastic ruins for a possible archaeological dig while away on a golfing holiday. As he investigates the area near what would have been the altar, he finds an artificial cavity in the masonry that contains an ancient bronze whistle with strange inscriptions. He was originally unhappy that the only available room in his hotel had two beds but this proves fortunate, providing the terrifying personage he “whistles up” a place to spend the night. Themes include fear, agnosticism, the supernatural.

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A Horseman in the Sky

A Horseman in the Sky: Short story by Ambrose BierceThis war story from Ambrose Bierce has three main themes: 1) honor and the need to do ones duty; 2) the brutality of any kind of war; and 3) the particularly cruel nature of civil war, which can set friend against friend and family against family. For me, the defining moment in the story is when the enemy soldier turns and seemingly looks into Carter Druse’s eyes. As Carter recognizes his father, does his father also see and recognize him? Could knowing that Carter did his duty explain the proud way the horseman appeared to ‘ride’ through the sky?

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