Christmas Day in the Morning

Christmas Day in the Morning: Children's story by Pearl S. BuckThis coming of age story by Pearl S. Buck tells how doing something special to show how much you love someone can be the greatest gift of all. An old man wakes early one Christmas morning and remembers another Christmas when, as a boy, he first understood how much his father loved him. He decided that the cheap tie he had bought was not good enough, and came up with another gift they both remember for the rest of their lives. He realizes that love alone awakens love and decides to give the gift again. Themes: nostalgia, love, family, giving.

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Jeremiah’s Song

Jeremiah's Song: Short story by Walter Dean MyersA major theme of this story from W. D. Myers is the traditional role and modern demise of storytelling. The nine-year-old narrator and an older friend Macon are enthralled by his dying grandfather’s stories. The title refers to both the stories (which Grandpa Jeremiah refers to as the songs of my people) and the music composed by Macon while listening to them. There is an implication that through the power of music (especially the blues) some of these threatened stories/songs can live on. Themes: storytelling, change, family and community unity, death, music.

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The Storyteller

The Storyteller: Short story by H. H. Munro (aka Saki)This story by Saki satirizes the way many traditional children’s stories had become so “sanitized” during the prudish Victorian period that they lost much of their original appeal. A major theme of the story is pride. The outer or “frame” story highlights the Aunt’s false pride in thinking that a bachelor couldn’t possibly tell a better children’s story than she could. The inner story illustrates the meaning of the English idiom Pride comes before a fall. Other themes include childhood, curiosity, control, “goodness” vs. reality (not all good people/things in life end happily!)

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Between Earth and Sky

Between Earth and Sky: Short story by Patricia GraceIn this story by Patricia Grace, an indigenous New Zealand farmer’s wife describes the day’s events to her newborn baby. She begins by telling him how free and alive she felt upon waking that morning, and about her family’s chaotic farewell as they dropped her off at the hospital. She then describes her friendly banter with the nursing staff (she knows them well as this is the eighth baby she has had there!), and concludes with quiet time after the delivery bonding with and talking affectionately to the child. Themes include procreation, nurturing, motherhood, envy/resentment, struggle, contentment.

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The Hitchhiking Game

The Hitchhiking Game: Short story by Milan KundaraIn this story by Milan Kundera, a young couple on a road trip play what they think is a harmless game. The woman, normally shy and sexually inhibited, plays the role of a seductive hitchhiker. She finds the experience liberating, but carries the game too far. The man, who liked the woman for her purity, now sees her as no different to all other girls he has known. He begins to hate her, and humiliates the poor woman in a hotel room. Themes include identity, fantasy vs. reality, purity vs. promiscuity, jealousy, misogyny and cruelty.

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Counterfeit Bills

Counterfeit Bills: Short story by Richard MathesonRichard Matheson is renowned for his novels and traditional short stories in the fantasy, horror and science fiction genres. This is one of his few published flash stories, and the fact that it is a spoof of the science fiction cloning model makes it especially interesting. The story is based on the premise of how nice it would be to have a ‘double’ to carry out all the mundane tasks in your life, so you could spend all your time going out and having fun. Despite (or perhaps thanks to) the corny puns, it is a very enjoyable Quick Read.

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Eraser Tattoo

Eraser Tattoo: Short story by Jason ReynoldsIn this story by Jason Reynolds, teenage lovers try to come to grips with being separated after the girl’s family decides to move interstate when their rented apartment of twenty years is sold and leased to a young white couple. The two have been close friends since childhood, and the controlling girl has insisted on burning her initial into the boy’s arm as a token of his enduring devotion. She refuses a tattoo, suggesting her level of commitment may not be as strong. Themes include teenage love, separation, memories, letting go and moving on with life, race and gentrification.

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Unto Dust

Unto Dust: Short story by Herman BosmanThe major themes of this story by Herman Bosman are attitudes towards the dead, and equality in death. A Boer farmer and native enemy die side by side while fighting in a ‘Transvaal Kafir War’. When the farmer’s friends return to take his body home for a proper burial, they find that wild animals have mixed up the bones. The friends spend a lot of time trying to sort out which is which so that the dead farmer does not have to lie forever among the warrior’s bones. A yellow ‘kafir’ dog judges the result. Other themes: war, mateship, racism.

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